MWC 2025: Xiaomi's Photography-Focused 15 Ultra Is a Powerhouse

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra packs an impressive camera setup and a wealth of top-end tech in a bid to maintain its predecessor's crown as one of the best camera phones around. 

It's a high-performing phone, but you should expect it to be, given its £1,299 price tag (which converts to roughly $1,630, AU$2,630).

The phone will go on sale in the UK and wider Europe this month after MWC 2025, but as with other Xiaomi phones, the 15 Ultra won't be available in the US. To see photos from the phone, check out this gallery.

The phone has a lot to be excited about, including its 6.7-inch display, which is bright, vibrant and pin-sharp.

The cameras are the main reason to buy this phone. At their heart is a 1-inch type image sensor that's physically bigger than the sensors you'll find in almost any other phone.

A bigger sensor captures more light, allowing for better dynamic range and details. Impressive, but it's actually the exact same sensor seen in last year's model, and I'm a bit disappointed Xiaomi hasn't pushed the tech further this time around.

You can buy this phone with the Photography Kit, which includes this snazzy case with the camera grip.

The grip makes the phone much easier to hold and includes a battery to help keep it charged up.

The grip also has a shutter button and other camera controls allowing you to use it like a compact camera.

The Photography Kit is a worthwhile accessory if you're a keen photographer.

The phone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, which scored well on our benchmark tests.

It runs Android 15 at its core, and Xiaomi promises a decent six years of security support for the phone.

I prefer to shoot using the camera's Pro mode, adjusting my settings manually and using the built-in Leica black-and-white filters, which provide a punchy look that's great for street photography.

The phone is IP68 rated to keep it safe from spilled drinks.

The cameras also include a 50-megapixel ultrawide and a 200-megapixel telephoto zoom. 

The phone has a lot going on in its favor, but it's undeniably pricey.

There are various AI features, too, including Google Gemini, Circle to Search and a variety of AI-based image editing tools.

For more on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, read my hands-on story. If you're really into photography, make sure to check out my story on Xiaomi's camera phone concept, which uses full-size lenses that attach via magnets.