I changed my $3,500 Sony digital camera with 200MP Android telephone – and it is spoiled me huge time

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

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I have been testing the telephone 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 shopping 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 easy software program expertise. In different phrases, the Xiaomi 15 Extremely could also be the perfect all-rounder telephone I’ve examined to date. However even then, the explanations to improve to it are simply as clear as the explanations to look elsewhere. Here is the breakdown.

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

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However do not let that distract you from the remainder of the {hardware}, which Xiaomi says has grow to be far more sturdy than final yr’s mannequin, from the Protect 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 also be heavier than its predecessor — a shocking twist contemplating current traits to slim-down gadgets — possible as a result of 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). The curved dimensions make the telephone 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 somewhat well-optimized HyperOS pores and skin over Android, delivers a handy guide a rough, near-burdenless software program expertise. I will nonetheless knock on Xiaomi for the extreme bloatware, together with pre-loaded apps like WPS Workplace and AliExpress. However past that, the machine virtually by no means stutters or drops frames, even once I use it after operating benchmarks. It is that optimized.

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For charging, you are taking a look at 90W wired and 80W wi-fi scores, which are not record-breaking globally however basically twice as quick because the finest telephones within the US (sans OnePlus.) You will want the correct charging brick to realize sooner charging speeds, however the effectivity is properly price 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 measurement.

Now, for the elephant within the room: Wi-Fi 7 connectivity. I am kidding. The Xiaomi 15 Extremely’s quad-camera setup is among the most competent that I’ve examined, and I say “considered one of” as a result of its home rivals, just like the Vivo X200 Professional, are simply pretty much as good.

Whereas Xiaomi has stored many 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 an enormous fan of the Extremely RAW picture capturing, which preserves particulars for once I’m modifying in Lightroom. Nonetheless, the brand new 200MP periscope lens has grow to be my default capturing software.

It is a huge spec bump from final yr’s 50MP sensor and the added pixels assist whenever you seize images in low-light environments or need to crop in after the very fact. Simply know that the optical zoom has been shortened to 4.4x from 5x, which can take some getting used to when 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 pictures, and recording cinematic video in Professional mode, and the outcomes made me think about retiring my $3,500 Sony A7S III. Whereas the telephone can take a couple of additional seconds to completely render and course of photographs, that means you will not see the ultimate shot proper after you seize it, the outcomes have simply the correct amount of pure colour, sharpness, and distinction to my liking. 

That is to say, the Xiaomi 15 Extremely is a telephone 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 telephone (and top-heavy digital camera bump) with their index finger, probably leading to a extra snug 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 need to export the Xiaomi 15 Extremely to make use of one. It at the moment retails for 1499 EUR, roughly $1,555 USD. That is not counting the approaching upcharges as a consequence of current US tariffs. So if you would like among the finest telephones in the marketplace, you will need to pay to play.

Fortuitously, the Xiaomi 15 Extremely is among the simpler telephones for me to suggest to energy customers and tech lovers, because of its succesful digital camera system and onslaught of specs. At this level, I would even go about the remainder of my MWC week utilizing simply the telephone to seize product pictures and movies as a substitute of my bulkier Sony digital camera.