Lastly, I discovered an Android cellphone that may change my $3,500 Sony digital camera

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The brand new Xiaomi 15 Extremely sees enhancements in nearly all the proper locations, with a 200MP periscope lens and a extra sturdy design.
• The digital camera configuration remains to be probably the most aggressive ones in the marketplace.
• In case you’re within the US, you will should pay to play, with conversions nearing $1,555.

The second I unboxed the Xiaomi 15 Extremely, I knew I used to be in bother. Whereas the flagship had launched in China simply days in the past, its international debut as we speak at Cellular World Congress (MWC) ought to increase some flags amongst its Android rivals — and maybe Apple, too. 

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I have been testing the cellphone for rather less than a month now, having swapped my SIM over from the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely, and as every day goes by, it is gotten more durable for me to change again. I partly have T-Cellular to thank for that, as most worldwide telephones just like the Xiaomi help simply sufficient GSM-based mobile bands to make calling, messaging, and looking on LTE work right here within the US.

Different causes vary from the brand new 200MP periscope digital camera (that is greater than only a advertising and marketing gimmick) to the economic design and surprisingly clean software program expertise. In different phrases, the Xiaomi 15 Extremely could also be the most effective all-rounder cellphone I’ve examined to this point. However even then, the explanations to improve to it are simply as clear as these to look elsewhere. Here is the breakdown.

With the 15 Extremely, you do not have to look far to grasp how Xiaomi desires to promote you on it. Absolutely the island of a digital camera bump calls for consideration, whether or not you are staring immediately at it or feeling the burden of it when holding the cellphone. 

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However do not let that distract you from the remainder of the {hardware}, which Xiaomi says has turn into far more sturdy than final yr’s mannequin, from the Defend Glass 2.0 for higher drop safety to the high-strength Gorilla Glass 7i layering that protects the rear cameras. The refined grooves on the ability button are a pleasant contact.

The Xiaomi 15 Extremely can be heavier than its predecessor — a moderately stunning twist contemplating current traits to slim-down units — doubtless because of the up to date digital camera stack and bigger battery capability. At 226 grams, the Xiaomi 15 Extremely remains to be lighter than the iPhone 16 Professional Max however noticeably heavier than the Galaxy S25 Extremely (218g). Even then, the curved dimensions make the cellphone far more manageable than Samsung’s boxier aesthetic.

Powering this yr’s mannequin is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, which, when paired with 16GB of RAM and a moderately well-optimized HyperOS pores and skin over Android, delivers a quick, near-burdenless software program expertise. I am going to nonetheless knock on Xiaomi for the extreme bloatware, together with pre-loaded apps like WPS Workplace and AliExpress. However past that, the gadget nearly by no means stutters or drops frames, even once I use it after working benchmarks. It is that optimized.

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For charging, you are 90W wired and 80W wi-fi scores, which are not record-breaking at a worldwide scale however primarily twice as quick as the most effective telephones within the US (sans OnePlus.) You may want the correct charging brick to attain sooner charging speeds, however the effectivity is nicely value it. It is simply unlucky that Xiaomi downsized its battery to a 5,400mAh capability when the China model of the 15 Extremely has a 6,000mAh dimension.

Now, for the elephant within the room: Wi-Fi 7 connectivity. I am kidding. The Xiaomi 15 Extremely’s quad-camera setup is without doubt one of the most competent that I’ve examined, and I say “one in all” as a result of its home rivals, just like the Vivo X200 Professional, are simply nearly as good.

Whereas Xiaomi has stored a lot of the digital camera {hardware} the identical this yr, together with the Leica-partnered and branded optics, it is made refined however significant upgrades throughout the board. The principle 50MP lens nonetheless captures topics with a degree of dynamic vary and depth that solely a one-inch sensor can obtain, and I am a giant fan of the Extremely RAW picture capturing, which preserves particulars for once I’m modifying in Lightroom, however the brand new 200MP periscope lens has turn into my default taking pictures instrument.

It is a huge spec bump from final yr’s 50MP sensor, and the added pixels assist while you seize photographs in low-light environments or need to crop in after the actual fact. Simply know that the optical zoom has been shortened to 4.4x from 5x, which can take some getting used to should you’re coming from an iPhone or Samsung with 5x.

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I have been testing the 200MP digital camera for portraits, panorama photographs, and recording cinematic video in Professional mode, and the outcomes made me think about retiring my $3,500 Sony A7S III. Whereas the cellphone can take just a few additional seconds to completely render and course of photographs, which means you will not see the ultimate shot proper after you seize it, the outcomes have simply the correct amount of pure coloration, sharpness, and distinction to my liking. 

That is to say, the Xiaomi 15 Extremely is a cellphone that might make sense to have a devoted digital camera/shutter button. Placing one beneath the ability button would additionally encourage customers to stabilize the cellphone (and top-heavy digital camera bump) with their index finger, presumably leading to a extra comfy and dependable capturing expertise.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

As is the case with all international variants of telephones (learn: ones that are not formally bought within the US), you will should export the Xiaomi 15 Extremely to make use of one. It at present retails for 1499 EUR, which roughly converts to $1,555 USD. That is not counting the approaching upcharges on account of current US tariffs. So in order for you the most effective telephones in the marketplace, you will should pay to play.

Luckily, the Xiaomi 15 Extremely is without doubt one of the simpler telephones for me to suggest to energy customers and tech lovers, due to its succesful digital camera system and onslaught of specs. At this level, I’d even go about the remainder of my MWC week utilizing simply the cellphone to seize product photographs and movies as an alternative of my bulkier Sony digital camera.