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TechRadars phones team handed me theXiaomi 15 Ultramore than a month ahead of its global unveil.
This could be thebest camera phonethis year, they said, fancy having a play with it?
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Ive looked after all of TechRadars camera content for over two years, reviewing thebest mirrorless camerasand more.
They didnt need to ask me twice.
Thats serious stuff for smartphone photography.
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
All throughout my lengthy hands on with the 15 Ultra, Ive used Xiaomis optional Photography Kit.
I decided to see if I could live without my full-frame mirrorless camera throughout this time.
Naturally, Ive compared the 15 Ultra to my own phone too, theGoogle Pixel 8 Pro.
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
In short, photos should look more natural.
There is a trade-off, however.
The larger a sensor is, the greater the distance between sensor and lens needs to be.
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
That means the 15 Ultras camera unit is hefty.
It houses those four lenses, including the headline 4.3x telephoto camera which shoots 200MP stills.
If you want a slim phone, look elsewhere.
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
However, four lenses without any obvious image quality compromises.
Software smarts
My Pixel 8 Pro mostly shoots in auto, with a HDR-like effect applied.
It shoots superb photos, but doesnt really offer the manual control that I like as a seasoned photographer.
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra does both.
I can select a Pro mode and have full control of exposure tweaks.
I’m a fan of some of the black and white profiles.
In Pro mode, the 15 Ultra won’t brighten the shadows in the way my Pixel does.
Photos are more natural, more of the time.
If, however, I do want that HDR-like effect, I can simply tap the HDR mode.
No editing, no software trickery, this JPEG straight out of camera was shot using the Pro mode through which I had control over exposure. The misty morning photo looks more natural to me than what I’d expect from my Pixel 8 Pro.(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Without the kit, the phone and its camera app largely handle like any other for photography.
But with it, now we talking a similar experience to somepremium compact cameras.
The ultimate camera phone?
Straight out of camera, no HDR. Taken with the 0.6x lens (14mm effective focal length).(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
So could the Xiaomi 15 Ultra replace pro camera gear?
That depends on the person, but for me that simply isnt true.
What I will say, however, is that it’s been the next best thing.
On this occasion, HDR worked to my advantage(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
The Photography Kit only further improves the experience.
Each flagship phone has distinct advantages over the next.
But for a rounded photography experience, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra could be the very best of the bunch.
And the HDR effect is even stronger in this shot.(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
0.6x camera(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Main camera(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
2x zoom(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
3x zoom(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
4.3x zoom – the Xiaomi 15 Ultra’s maximum zoom.(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
I took this photo using the Pro mode, and opted for the Leica high contrast black and white mode, which reminds me of a profile I use a lot with my Ricoh GR IIIX(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
The Leica Authentic color profile(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
The large sensor produces pretty crisp night images.(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Pro mode, manual exposure to keep detail in the lamp light. There’s a mood to this scene, but it’s a little dark.(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
The same scene, using HDR.(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Most phones would create a much brighter image, but manually controlling exposure helped me to maintain the end of day feel in this London scene.(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
This closeup of backlit grass at first light on a cold frosty morning was a good test to check bokeh quality – those out of focus orbs of lights. Not too bad, actually, but this is no mirrorless camera with prime lens performance.(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Detail is super crips here.(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
I like the Leica Aurthentic profile. Not too vibrant, not too dull.(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
