The Xiaomi 14 Extremely was one of many finest telephones of 2024, thanks in no small half to an superior digital camera system that took among the finest photographs I’ve ever seen from a digital camera cellphone. On the coronary heart of this was its 1-inch sort picture sensor ,which is bodily bigger than the sensors present in nearly another cellphone. The consequence? Nice-looking photos in quite a lot of situations.
Nevertheless it’s 2025 now and the Xiaomi 15 Extremely is right here to try to tempt extra photographers away from Apple’s clutches.
The cellphone has had quite a lot of updates, together with the highly effective Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and a number of recent AI abilities — as a result of apparently all telephones must have AI inbuilt whether or not you prefer it or not. And whereas the digital camera hasn’t seen many updates, there are a number of tweaks to maintain photographers .
The Xiaomi 15 Extremely international model was introduced at Cellular World Congress in Barcelona. It goes on sale within the UK and wider Europe later this month for £1,299 with 512GB of storage or £1,499 if you’d like 1TB. As with different Xiaomi telephones, the 15 Extremely won’t be available for purchase within the US however for reference that base UK worth converts to $1,630 or AU$2,630.
Listed here are an important issues to know in regards to the Xiaomi 15 Extremely.
The Xiaomi 15 Extremely comes with 4 generations of OS updates together with six years of safety help.
The digital camera hasn’t modified a lot, however it’s nonetheless good
I used to be shocked by the huge picture sensor contained in the 14 Extremely’s essential digital camera, so I suppose I needs to be happy that the 15 Extremely has saved it. However I’m a bit upset that it is actually the identical mannequin — the Sony LYT-900. Positive, it is an ideal sensor and never that outdated, however I had hoped to see Xiaomi take its successful formulation from final 12 months and make it even higher.
I Took Tons of of Photographs With the Xiaomi 15 Extremely. These Are My Favorites
Possibly the lens is healthier? On paper, I might really argue there’s been a downgrade. The 14 Extremely had a uncommon variable aperture, which went from huge open at f/1.6 and will shut all the way down to f/4. It allowed for engaging star-burst results when capturing factors of sunshine at midnight. The 15 Extremely has gotten rid of this and as an alternative has a set f/1.6 aperture — Xiaomi says it may possibly obtain the identical results “by software program optimization and algorithm updates.” Sigh.
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When you can regulate the depth of subject energy (the quantity of background blur behind your topic) within the portrait mode, I’ve discovered a few issues flawed. First, the picture with the blur does not save whenever you take it, so it seems the identical it doesn’t matter what faux aperture you set it as. That is in all probability simply early software program issues and I am certain they will be mounted. However the lack of actual adjustable aperture additionally means you do not get the good star bursts on road lights at night time anymore.
This is the 15 Extremely’s digital camera app.
These starbursts are in all probability a distinct segment factor to be enthusiastic about, however they honestly remodeled the look of night time photographs and the impact was one among my favourite issues about capturing with the 14 Extremely. To see this sort of innovation chucked out in favor of a software-based “answer” is irritating. It is also precisely what I complained a lot about final 12 months, with AI being the one space the place corporations are innovating now. Mockingly, in that article, I applauded Xiaomi for the 14 Extremely, however I will not have the ability to with this new mannequin.
It is also odd to see that the ultrawide digital camera’s aperture has been dropped from f/1.8 to f/2.2. The one precise improve to the cameras I can see is that the telephoto zoom decision is increased for better-looking zoomed-in pictures.
It is nonetheless a strong digital camera setup although and I’ve taken some pictures in my testing that I like. As with the 14 Extremely, the digital camera is licensed by Leica, and there are some Leica-approved shade types to select from, my favourite of which stays the excessive distinction black and white mode. It is nice for punchy monochrome road images.
You may see a number of my take a look at photos right here, but additionally take a look at my longer gallery of examples in case you’re eager to see extra of this digital camera in motion.
Vibrant colours and nice publicity and element from this outside shot taken on the principle digital camera.
I beloved utilizing the Leica excessive distinction black and white mode for punchy road images in Edinburgh.
Taken in uncooked and edited in Lightroom, the digital camera’s capability to seize lovely gentle and shadow has resulted in a great-looking pic of my beautiful ball of pleasant furry surprise.
This night time time shot from the principle digital camera seems superior, although I might prefer it much more with a delicate star burst on the road gentle.
Utilizing the telephoto zoom lens, I have been in a position to fill the body with the awkwardness of this road performer forcing two strangers to carry arms for an prolonged interval.
And right here the telephoto zoom has captured a pleasant pure bokeh round this couple.
The Pictures Equipment is a superb addition
Sure, you should purchase the 15 Extremely with the identical Pictures Equipment that was supplied with final 12 months’s mannequin. It features a case, a powered grip with shutter button and an attachable ring that means that you can use common 67mm images filters. The grip is superior. It clicks in neatly, provides some additional battery life to the cellphone and the shutter button and settings wheel mean you can shoot similar to you have been utilizing a compact digital camera. It is far more snug than taking photographs with out it.
It has been up to date too, with a brand new thumb grip attachment to make it a bit simpler to carry. There’s additionally a soft-touch, screw-in shutter launch button, which is greater and simpler to rapidly discover and hit than the unique button it screws into. Should you’re eager on utilizing your cellphone for road or journey images, the Pictures Equipment is price getting.
The Xiaomi 15 Extremely sporting its elective Photographer’s Equipment.
The processor is a powerhouse
The Snapdragon 8 Elite chip discovered contained in the Xiaomi 15 Extremely has already impressed us on telephones just like the OnePlus 13 and its energy is noticeable right here, too. It put in notable scores on our benchmark assessments, whereas on a regular basis operation is quick and lag-free.
It is nice for avid gamers, too, with demanding titles like Genshin Impression enjoying easily at max settings and at 60 frames per second. Qualcomm’s 8 Elite chip is not simply designed for uncooked energy although, it is constructed for higher AI processing. Which brings me neatly on to…
There are a bunch of recent AI abilities
Google Gemini and Gemini superior are inbuilt as normal, together with the conversational Gemini Stay and Circle to Search. However Xiaomi has thrown in a number of of its personal options, too. There is a generative textual content software to create blocks of textual content based mostly in your prompts, together with a useful software that creates textual content transcriptions from voice recordings — nice for a busy tech journalist.
There’s additionally quite a lot of image-focused AI instruments for increasing a picture utilizing generative AI, eradicating issues in a scene or just sharpening the image. The AI instruments all work in addition to I might hope, however it’s price conserving in thoughts that each one of them require an web connection with a purpose to use — together with the voice transcript software, for some purpose.
The Xiaomi 15 Extremely runs on Android 15.
An appropriate software program help interval
The 15 Extremely launches with Android 15 on board, and Xiaomi guarantees it’s going to obtain 4 generations of Android updates together with six years of safety help. It is lower than what each Samsung and Google present for his or her flagships (seven years of each software program and safety help) and I might actually have appreciated to see Xiaomi match, and even beat its rivals right here, particularly contemplating the excessive worth of the cellphone.
Nonetheless, a shelf lifetime of six years is first rate sufficient (a third of individuals preserve their telephones for 3 years or longer) and matches what OnePlus affords for its current OnePlus 13 flagship.
The remainder of the cellphone is strong too
Battery life is sweet, however not excellent. On our demanding video streaming take a look at it held out higher than the OnePlus 13 however did not do fairly in addition to the Galaxy S25 Extremely. You may safely anticipate a day of use however as with all telephones you may in all probability need to give it a full cost in a single day. The 6.7-inch show is vibrant, vibrant and pin sharp. Movies look nice, as do colourful cellular video games.
The cellphone is IP68 rated to assist preserve it secure from spilled drinks, too. All in all, it is a cellphone that ticks just about each field you’d anticipate from one among immediately’s flagships. I simply want I might seen extra innovation within the cameras for this 12 months’s mannequin. Nonetheless, there is not any query that it nonetheless takes excellent photos that rival any of immediately’s flagships. Should you’re on the lookout for a high-performance Android cellphone to make use of as your essential digital camera in your travels, it is actually price contemplating.