Xiaomi 17T: Two-minute review

The Xiaomi 17T is an Android smartphone with an impressive spec, including prestigious Leica lenses in the camera.

It looks almost identical to the iPhone 16 Pro, sharing pretty much the same dimensions and camera design. The bright Violet colorway of my review unit did help to make it a little less anonymous, though.

The 17T seems well-made. The materials feel quite premium, but peer closely and you’ll see it’s not quite on the same level as the best phones. It’s by no means flimsy, but it doesn’t quite match the refinement of others.

The display is sharp, vivid, and bright — as you would expect from a 1.5K AMOLED. The 120Hz refresh rate makes motion smooth, too. However, shades of black are perhaps a little too muddled, making it hard to discern fine details in dark content.

Xiaomi makes much of the Leica lenses in its marketing for the 17T, and on the surface, it's right to. There are three rear cameras: a 50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, and 50MP 5x telephoto.

Taking photos is a breeze and the results are clear and vibrant, if not quite as stunning as those of other phone cameras. There are several AI features for shooting, but these are relatively basic compared to others — which I’m thankful for. There are also such features for the phone’s system as a whole, but again these are mercifully limited in scope.

The brand’s HyperOS is a superb instance of Android. It’s incredibly smooth and easy to navigate, free as it is from clutter or confusing UI elements. Numerous first-party apps come preinstalled, but they’re largely unintrusive. Many are poor substitutes for Google’s counterparts, although one or two are genuinely useful.

The overall performance of the 17T is excellent. Zipping between apps is seamless, while streaming Ultra HD content is entirely feasible. It’s even exceedingly capable when it comes to gaming, and best of all the unit keeps cool throughout all these tasks.

Battery life is also quite good. It lasted about three days straight on a single charge. And during this time, I used it for a variety of everyday tasks. Charging is quick, taking just over an hour to fully replenish the battery.

There’s no denying that the Xiaomi 17T offers plenty of performance and features for the price. There are a few niggles here and there, but not many Android phones offer better value for money.

Xiaomi 17T review: Price & availability

• Starts from £649 (about $870 / AU$1,200)
• Available in the UK in various colors
• Reasonable price for the spec

The Xiaomi 17T starts from £649 (about $870 / AU$1,200) and is available now in the UK, but not currently in the US or Australia. Four colorways are available: black, white, violet, and blue. The base model features 256GB of storage, while the top model has 512GB, and costs £699 (about $940 / AU$1,300).

Given the spec, this is a reasonable price for an Android phone. It’s more expensive than the Xiaomi 15T, which features a less powerful processor, although it does have a bigger screen. It’s also more expensive than the Honor 600, which has similar specs, but doesn’t have as powerful a telephoto lens.

Xiaomi 17T review: Specs

Xiaomi 17T review: Design

• iPhone-esque looks
• Well-made
• Included case is sufficient

At first glance, it’s hard to not see the similarities between the 17T and many iPhones — specifically, the iPhone 16 Pro. Both share virtually the same rounded corners, large square camera cluster, and dimensions. It weighs about the same, too, which is to say that it’s fine to hold and carry around in your pocket.

The design is neat and functional, if a little bland — although the Violet colorway of my review unit did lend some vibrancy. Every surface is flat and there are only three buttons: one for power and two for volume. The word ‘Xiaomi’ emblazoned on the back is quite small.

The 17T also comes with a case, which is a simple affair. It doesn’t feel particularly premium, but it should provide adequate protection for everyday use. I wouldn't trust it to protect the 17T from more extreme knocks and drops, though. Also, the case doesn't sit flush with or extend beyond the camera bezel; this part still sticks out, which means those lenses are more likely to take the brunt of any fall or slam.

Like the iPhone, the 17T feels quite premium in the hand. The body material is smooth to the touch and feels very solid. It’s not made from a single piece, though; the back panel is separate from the sides, and there is a small but noticeably gap in between the two, which is bound to fill with debris over time.

Xiaomi 17T review: Display

• Bright and vivid
• Sharp resolution
• Useful Reading Mode

The Xiaomi 17T features a 6.59-inch AMOLED display with a 1.5K (2756 x 1268) resolution. Given these specs, it’s no surprise that content looks sharp and vibrant, making it great for productivity and entertainment. The 3500 nits peak brightness means you’re never wanting for more brightness, either. However, I did notice that shades of black are a little unrefined, meaning that details in dark content can get lost.

With a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz, the screen provides supremely smooth scrolling and navigation as you flit around app windows. In its default setting, the 17T will automatically switch between refresh rates based on scenario, in order to balance performance and power usage. However, you can fix this to 60Hz or 120Hz at all times, and can even set it on an app-by-app basis.

There’s also a Reading Mode that can be set to turn on at certain hours or toggled manually. It filters out blue light and adds a slightly grainy texture, similar to that of paper. I did find this helped when reading reams of text, but that graininess isn’t great when viewing other kinds of content.

However, you can adjust this texture using a slider, letting you disable it altogether. You can also adjust the strength of the blue light filter, and even change the output to black and white only.

In use, I found the screen a little grabby at times, with my fingers and thumbs sticking slightly as I scrolled up and down. However, the effect wasn’t too egregious, and a quick wipe often remedied the issue.

Xiaomi 17T review: Cameras

• 50MP rear cameras
• Ultrawide and 5x Telephoto lenses
• AI enhancements available

The Xiaomi 17T features three rear cameras with lenses made by Leica. Aside from the main lens, there’s an ultra-wide lens and a 5x telephoto lens. The main and telephoto lenses are capable of shooting at 50MP, although this drops to 12.5MP when selecting an aspect ratio other than 3:4, which is disappointing.

Given this impressive spec, it’s no wonder that the photos I shot turned out very well. They were sharp, and colors were vivid, although I can’t say they were as rich and as detailed as those taken with the best cameras phones. Shots that utilized the 5x zoom were great as well, although there was a slight but noticeable loss in clarity (we tested the Xiaomi 17T Pro's equivalent telephoto lens in detail elsewhere on TechRadar).

The camera app itself is easy to use. There are plenty of settings and adjustments available, and they’re readily available without digging too deep. On top of this, there is a range of filters available to change the tone, as well as a Beautify feature. There are various modes, too, such as a super macro mode for extreme close-ups, and a Pro mode that lets you make more advanced tweaks, from changing the ISO to setting the focus manually.

There are some AI features for shooting, but mercifully these aren’t as bloated or as useless as those on other smartphones. You can toggle AI recommendations, which can improve low-light and zoomed-in photos, among other automations.

Rather disconcertingly, there’s also a mole removal setting when taking selfies. As someone with moles on their face, I can say that this feature actually worked. Video can be shot in 1080p and at 30fps or 60fps. The results from my videos were smooth and sharp.

Xiaomi 17T review: Software

• HyperOS is excellent
• Xiaomi’s apps less so
• Various but basic AI features

Despite its terrible name, the Xiaomi 17T’s HyperOS is fantastic to use. It has a soft visual theme that’s easy on the eye, and it’s simple to navigate, thanks to the uncluttered and intuitive layout. There are also plenty of explanations for many of its settings. It’s fast and smooth, responding quickly to gestures and when switching between apps.

Unlike some Android phones, the Notification Bar and the Quick Settings panel are separated. Both are easy to access, though, since you simply drag down from the left to access the former, and from the right to access the latter.

The Quick Settings panel has plenty of actions on hand, including the aforementioned Reading Mode and a screenshot tool (if you don't like using the power and volume button combination). You can of course substitute the default actions with a plethora of others, and thanks to that aforementioned separation between the Notifications Bar and the Quick Settings, the 17T squeezes in more than other phones can. However, unlike some phones, you can’t have multiple pages of these actions.

There are numerous first-party apps preinstalled on the 17T, but unfortunately many of these aren’t very useful. This is a problem for every Android phone that isn’t made by Google, since you get an unnecessary doubling-up of many apps, from file managers and photo galleries to note-takers and calendars.

And as with virtually all of these ersatz apps, I can’t recommend any of them over Google’s equivalents, especially if you have a Google account and want to sync your data over the cloud. Xiaomi even has its own app store, Get Apps, but having pursued its selection, I’m not sure I would trust downloading any of them.

There are some useful first-party apps, though. There's an app called Mi remote, which can be used to control all sorts of devices from all kinds of brands. I was quite amazed that it worked with my Sony Bravia TV, which is over a decade old.

On top of this, there's the Security app, which can scan for viruses. I can’t speak to its effectiveness in this regard, but the app has other functions besides this, such as app management, battery monitoring, drive cleaning, and speed boosting.

The 17T also comes preinstalled with popular third-party apps, such as Amazon Shopping, Facebook, Spotify, TikTok, Instagram, and AliExpress, to name a few — and none of which I asked for when setting up the phone.

Since this is 2026, you won’t be surprised to hear that the 17T has AI features, too. Mercifully, these are basic and unobtrusive, and are largely confined to speech and text functions, including AI-generated subtitles.

Xiaomi 17T review: Performance

• Fast for all kinds of tasks, even gaming
• Stays remarkably cool
• Interesting haptics

Perhaps the strongest aspect of the 17T is its performance. No matter the task, it handled it well. I managed to stream 4K content without a hitch. Meanwhile, switching between apps was seamless, no doubt thanks to the 12GB of RAM on board, which is quite high for a smartphone.

What impressed me even more, though, was how well it gamed. I managed to play graphics-heavy titles such as Hitman: Blood Money — Reprisal and Asphalt Legends without issue. Both looked fantastic and ran as smoothly as I could’ve wished for. It also paired brilliantly with the GameSir X5 Lite, which is one of the best mobile controllers around in my view. Equally impressive was just how cool the 17T remained, with only the back warming up slightly.

One odd thing I noticed about the 17T, though, was its haptic response. It’s not bad, but I think it’s best described as springy, which is especially evident when typing. In one way, this prominent feeling is quite good for feedback, but it can feel like a slightly odd sensation at times, and is unlike the response from other smartphone haptics.

Connectivity also seemed to work well. I didn’t have a problem connecting to my Wi-Fi or to my Bluetooth earphones.

Xiaomi 17T review: Battery life

The battery life of the 17T is quite good. It lasted just over three days, during which time I used it for a whole host of tasks. This included streaming video, gaming, and web browsing, as well as connecting to Bluetooth earphones.

The battery saver feature turned on at 19%, and made the bold claim that it could eek out eight more hours. But this did indeed seem to be the case, which impressed me. Charging is quite quick, too, taking just over an hour to fully recharge.

Should I buy the Xiaomi 17T?

Scorecard

Buy it if…

Don't buy it if…

Xiaomi 17T review: Also consider

How I tested the Xiaomi 17T

I tested the 17T for several days, during which time I used it for a variety of tasks. I browsed the web using Google Chrome, streamed video on YouTube, including 4K content, and played demanding mobile games.

I also shot numerous photos, including those with the 5x Telephoto lens and the selfie camera, as well as video. I tried out as many of the phone’s features as I could, including its AI ones where possible. I also paired my Bluetooth earphones to test connectivity.

I’ve used numerous Android phones for over a decade, and currently use a Google Pixel 7a as my daily phone. I've also reviewed Android tablets.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: June 2026

These days, it’s not uncommon for phones to share two big selling points: a partnership with a trusted photography brand and flashy AI features. The Xiaomi 17T Pro, launched this week in Vienna, is no different, boasting Leica-tuned cameras and fresh new AI skills from Google's text-to-video tool, Gemini Omni.

Of course, Leica is a storied brand with 157 years of history — so how does Omni's presence on the Xiaomi 17T Pro sit with this photography heritage?

At a post-launch roundtable attended by TechRadar, the German camera giant — which has been collaborating with Xiaomi since 2022 — shared its take on the utility of generative AI, and its remarks were decidedly diplomatic.

For context, at the launch itself, Google made a cameo appearance to reintroduce Gemini Omni, which debuted at Google I/O 2026 earlier this month and is available on compatible Android phones, including the Xiaomi 17T series.

On stage in Vienna, Erin Pettigrew, Director of Product Experience at Gemini, generated a postcard-style video of herself enjoying the city’s cafe culture “to send back to [her] friends and family,” presumably because doing so was easier than filming an actual video of herself enjoying Vienna's cafe culture.

Here's what Leica had to say about generative AI tools like Omni:

“The philosophy of Leica is always to create authentic images; real images that really replicate reality,” said Marius Eschweiler, VP of Business Unit Mobile at Leica. “I think there is a little difference between customers who are choosing [to use] a smartphone for taking images [and traditional photographers], and I think we are offering smartphone users a good Leica experience with different Leica modes that are focused on authenticity.

“But there are also use cases [for generative AI], like this cute video postcard Erin [Pettigrew] presented. This is just a different use case. Whether you want to take a serious image or create something with generative AI — I think that’s a different use case. Most likely, you won't see it on a Leica M camera, but I think on a Xiaomi 17T series, it makes perfect sense.”

Leica’s Head of Development and Engineering for Mobile, Pablo Acevedo Noda, was also keen to point out that Leica offers a Content Credentials feature, which embeds a digital signature into photos taken with Leica hardware — including the best Xiaomi phones — to verify their authenticity.

“Adding Content Credentials to photos taken with the phone prevents somebody from tampering with the photo afterwards — [or at least] you’ll know that it has been tampered with,” Noda explained.

“Sometimes, it will be obvious — if you add something special with Nano Banana, for example — but sometimes, it will not be obvious. The metadata will have that information there. That's the important part.”

In a similar vein, Google announced a major upgrade for its Verify AI tool at I/O 2026 to show that it too is concerned about preserving authenticity and combating misinformation (though that feels a little bit like an arms dealer preaching to the masses about gun safety).

The sticky relationship between photography and generative AI has been a topic of conversation for several years now. I’ve asked the likes of Samsung, Qualcomm, and Honor for their thoughts on the subject in the past, and while some of those companies have been looser with their definition of ‘photography’ than others (in the early days of Galaxy AI, Samsung told me “there’s no such thing as a real picture”), most seem to agree that there is a place for generative AI tools in photography, as long as they’re presented to users as a choice.

Of course, there’s a big difference between AI-enhanced photo tweaks and a full-blown text-to-image machine like Gemini Omni, but it’s clear that tech companies are aware of (and in many cases, reacting to) consumer concerns surrounding AI.

My hunch is that Leica — a 157-year-old camera maker — has its own private thoughts about tools like Gemini Omni, but diplomacy prevails when multiple companies are involved in producing a single smartphone such as the Xiaomi 17T Pro. At least we know that Leica’s traditional M cameras are safe from generative AI for now…

For more on Xiaomi’s latest handsets, check out our full Xiaomi 17T Pro review and our dedicated feature on the Xiaomi 17T Pro’s excellent 5x telephoto camera.

Xiaomi isn’t being coy about the camera capabilities of its new 17T series.

“Nothing in its class comes close,” reads the latest advertisement for the Xiaomi 17T and Xiaomi 17T Pro, both of which are being described by the Chinese tech giant as no less than “The Telephoto Master.” That’s big talk for a pair of devices positioned directly below the Xiaomi 17 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra, but as sub-flagship smartphones go, Xiaomi might actually have a point.

Only really the Honor 600 Pro and OnePlus 15 can rival the Xiaomi 17T Pro and its cheaper sibling for zoom hardware in the upper-mid-range price bracket — all four phones have 50MP telephoto sensors — but neither offer the 5x optical zoom range boasted by Xiaomi’s new devices (for reference, the Xiaomi 15T Pro already uses a 50MP 5x telephoto lens, but the Xiaomi 15T can only manage 2x optical zoom).

The second reason for Xiaomi’s enthusiasm is its ongoing partnership with Leica. You get the same Leica image processing on the 17T series as you do on the flagship Xiaomi 17 series, and the German brand’s signature color science — which is particularly suited to street and portrait photography, as you’ll see below — can be applied to all lenses and focal lengths.

So, is the Xiaomi 17T Pro really “The Telephoto Master”? I took the new phone to Vienna to answer that very question, but here’s an early spoiler: as a loud and proud iPhone Air user, I’ve never missed having a telephoto lens more.

Hitting the streets

When testing the Xiaomi 17T Pro’s telephoto lens, I used the phone in its out-of-the-box state; I didn’t toggle any advanced settings, nor the 50MP resolution option. I also stuck to the Leica Authentic preset, rather than the punchier Leica Vibrant style, which tends to skew too far towards the artificial for my liking.

The photos below were captured at the phone’s fixed 115mm-equivalent focal length (5x), and are my unedited favorites of around 500 snaps taken during my time in Vienna:

Now, those photos were shot using Auto-HDR, so what you see may vary depending on your device’s display. But hopefully you can visualize just how well the Xiaomi 17T Pro reckons with the challenges of light and color in difficult scenarios.

In every example, the details are sharp, and the colors are vibrant; there’s definitely a Leica flavor to the latter element in each photo, but the colors don’t look outright unreal, as they might have done if captured using the alternative Leica Vibrant profile.

As you can see in the photos of the man at the crosswalk and the lamppost in front of the Schönbrunn Palace, the 17T Pro is also particularly adept at maintaining detail in instances where there isn’t one subject to focus on (i.e., there’s a deep depth of field).

That’s not to say the details are universally perfect. If you zoom in on the photo of the Neue Burg museum, for instance, you’ll notice a strange smoothening effect that makes the building looks like it’s wrapped in a protective net; between the trees to the left of the garden picture (where the woman is sitting on the bench), there’s an unnatural, almost angelic glow, which obviously wasn’t present in reality; and in the photo of the museum hallway, the signpost text is a little garbled, which is a tell-tale sign of botched AI intervention.

This post-processing trickery has become a feature of Xiaomi, Honor, and Oppo phones in recent years, and while it’s certainly different from the approach taken by, say, Apple, it does result in some decent (and, crucially, subtle) detail enhancement most of the time. If you go looking for errors, though, you’re sure to find them.

For portraits, I switched from Leica Portrait to Master Portrait, as the former tends to overexpose images. Here are a few examples of the Xiaomi 17T Pro’s 5x portrait capabilities:

As has been the case for a few years now, Xiaomi’s edge detection is supremely accurate — if you zoom in on the street performer’s chin or the loose hairs in the second subject’s beard, for instance, you’ll see that edge detection working overtime.

The bokeh is great across the board, too; I particularly like the seamless transition from detail to blur in the photo of the man with the camera.

To nobody’s surprise, the Xiaomi 17T Pro’s 10x zoom skills aren’t as good as its 5x ones, but you can still get some decent snaps at this sensor-cropped range:

Colors are handled just as well as they are at that fixed 5x optical distance, and while details are definitely softer at 10x, Xiaomi’s artificial smoothening isn’t all that noticeable unless you zoom in (see the tourists in the photo of the Schönbrunn Palace, for example).

The Telephoto Master?

All told, then, the Xiaomi 17T Pro is a capable and versatile shooter, and as we noted in our Xiaomi 17T Pro review, “the standout [feature of the phone] is the telephoto. The reach of the 5x lens sets it apart from the competition and provides some lovely compression when used for close-ups.”

For £799 (or £649 if you opt for the cheaper-but-identically-equipped Xiaomi 17T), I can’t think of a phone with better zoom capabilities (neither phone is available in the US or Australia), and as a regular user of the iPhone Air and iPhone 17, the Xiaomi 17T Pro has left me wishing for a dedicated telephoto lens on the rumored iPhone Air 2 and iPhone 18.

Does the Xiaomi 17T Pro earn its designation as “The Telephoto Master”? Considering the hardware offered by similarly priced competition, it's hard to argue against that claim. You'll get more pro-level features and better wide and ultra-wide performance from the very best camera phones on the market, but you'll pay more for the privilege of owning those phones. As a telephoto-first camera phone, the 17T Pro offers stellar value for money.

Xiaomi 17T Pro: Two-minute review

It has only been about seven months since the Xiaomi 15T Pro launched, and already, its successor has landed. The 15T Pro was my favorite better-than-mid-range-but-not-quite-flagship phone of 2025, so I had high hopes for this newer model.

On the surface, though, it would seem that not much has changed. The Xiaomi 17T Pro has a very familiar look, and it shares a lot of specifications with last year's model, too.

So, what's new? The 17T Pro boasts a significantly larger battery (it's now 7,000mAh, up from 5,500mAh on the 15T Pro), and it charges more quickly (it can be juiced up at 100W with a wire and 50W wirelessly). It also has a newer and faster processor inside, and comes in some lovely new colors.

Otherwise, it's a very familiar phone, with the same screen specs, the same camera hardware, and similar software features to its predecessor. That's not a bad thing; it just means the Xiaomi 17T Pro is not particularly exciting, especially if you already invested in the 15T Pro.

Despite the lack of hardware changes, the camera system still stands out as one of the most accomplished in this price bracket. The Leica-backed color science is as impressive as ever, and there are more pro-level features than you'll find in similarly-priced phones, like the ability to shoot in 4K 60fps with Log.

Just like last year, though, the ultra-wide camera fails to impress. It has a much lower resolution than the other cameras, and it lacks autofocus, which limits its usefulness.

As for the performance, I have no complaints. This 17T Pro has a proper flagship-grade chip inside, and it's excellent for productivity and gaming alike. The experience is enhanced by some strong haptic motors, a lovely screen, and very decent speakers.

The battery tends to last me just under a day and a half on a charge. It's very easy to live with, but with such a high-capacity cell inside, I was expecting more. Perhaps we'll see improvements as updates roll out. On the plus side, it charges very quickly, either wired or wirelessly.

The Xiaomi 17T Pro is very easy to recommend overall. It might not be a revolutionary update, and 15T Pro owners shouldn't rush out to buy one, but this phone still stands out as one of the best in its price range (which, following a price increase, is now firmly at the top of the mid-range spectrum). The cameras are among the best you'll find on any non-flagship phone, the performance is hard to fault, and it looks and feels premium throughout.

Xiaomi 17T Pro: Price and availability

• 256GB model costs £799
• 512GB and 1TB versions also available
• Not available in the US or Australia

The Xiaomi 17T Pro starts at £799 in the UK. That's for the model with 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM, though 512GB and 1TB variants are also available, costing £849 and £999, respectively. The phone isn't available in the US or Australia at the time of writing.

Frustratingly, those prices represent substantial increases on the Xiaomi 15T Pro, which started at £649 only six months ago. Increases seem to be plaguing all phone manufacturers at the moment — the similarly-specced Honor 600 Pro costs an eye-watering £899.99, which also marks a £200 increase over its predecessor — and a £799 price tag puts the Xiaomi 17T Pro at the sharp end of the mid-range spectrum (it's probably better described as an entry-level flagship).

Thankfully, Xiaomi's T-series phones often come with enticing bundle deals or early discounts, so we're expecting to see the same here, but details haven't surfaced yet.

The 17T Pro also stands out among its similarly priced rivals through its super-sized battery and 5X telephoto camera, which neither the Honor 600 Pro nor Vivo X300 FE match.

• Value score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 17T Pro: Specs

Here’s a look at the Xiaomi 17T Pro’s key specs:

Xiaomi 17T Pro review: Design

• Aluminum frame and glass-fibre rear
• Black, Violet, Deep Blue options
• IP68 dust and water-resistant

The Xiaomi 17T Pro looks almost identical to last year's 15T Pro. The only notable change with the design is that the bevelled edge around the camera module has been removed. The camera bump appears smaller on the newer model, but in reality, the thickness is about the same.

That said, we do get some new colors to choose from. The 17T Pro is available in Black, Violet, or Deep Blue, and I have the latter in for testing. The colors are a bit livelier this time around, and I'm all for it. The blue model reminds me of the Galaxy Z Fold 7; it's a very similar shade. I loved it on that phone, and I love it here, too.

It's a pretty large phone, around the same size as an iPhone 17 Pro Max, and it feels very premium. The sides are made from aluminum, and the rear looks and feels like glass, but it's actually a reinforced plastic and glass-fibre panel.

The rear doesn't smudge easily, so it's easy to keep it looking nice, and you also get a matte black TPU case included in the box.

It has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, matching last year's model, so you needn't worry about using it in the rain or at the beach. The screen is covered with Corning Gorilla Glass, which should do a decent job of warding off scratches, and there's a basic plastic screen protector installed as standard.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 17T Pro review: Display

• 6.9-inch 144Hz OLED display
• 3,840Hz PWM dimming
• 3,500 nits peak brightness

The Xiaomi 17T Pro has a large, fully flat screen with slim symmetrical bezels on all sides. The specs match the previous model, but the 15T Pro already had a great screen, so that's not a bad thing.

It has a blisteringly fast 144Hz refresh rate, but applications that will actually utilize such speeds are few and far between. Still, it's super smooth, and it'll dynamically switch down to 60 or 30Hz to conserve battery life.

The phone also supports DC dimming. This means you shouldn't see any flicker, even while using low brightness levels. I'm not sensitive to flicker, so I'd be lying if I said I could tell the difference, but it's supposed to be easier on your eyes.

It's also a very bright panel, and I never had trouble seeing it outdoors, even in direct sunlight. Xiaomi says it can output 3,500 nits at peak, but these measurements should always be taken with a grain of salt.

Regardless, the 17T Pro's display is more than bright enough for most people's needs. And perhaps more importantly, it can dim as low as 1 nit, perfect for late-night scrolling sessions

Otherwise, the screen delivers exactly what you'd expect from a high-end OLED panel. The black levels are impeccable, the colors are vivid, and HDR content looks superb on this screen.

• Display score: 5 / 5

Xiaomi 17T Pro review: Cameras

• 50MP main (f/1.7)
• 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2)
• 50MP 5x telephoto (f/3)
• 32MP selfie camera (f/2.45)

Last year, I felt that the Xiaomi 15T Pro had the most impressive cameras in the upper mid-range/sub-flagship category. The new model comes with the exact same set of snappers, so while I would have loved to see some hardware innovation, these lenses were already ahead of the pack.

The main camera has a sizable 1/1.3-inch sensor, roughly matching the main sensor of the iPhone 17 Pro. You also get an impressive 5x telephoto with OIS and the ability to focus from just 30cm away.

What's less impressive is the ultra-wide camera. It only has a 12MP resolution, a relatively tiny 1/3.06-inch sensor, and it's fixed focus, so you can't use it for close-ups.

The ultra-wide gave me some uninspiring results, and it's pretty useless in low-light conditions, but if you stick to the main and telephoto cameras, you can expect some great shots.

The 17T Pro benefits from Xiaomi's partnership with Leica, just like its flagship phones. This means you get the same excellent picture profiles and lens simulations as the much more costly Xiaomi 17 Ultra.

There's also a new addition to the roster called Leica Live Moment, which is similar to Apple's Live Photos feature, but comes complete with the Leica color science you know and love.

The feature works across all of the rear lenses, and it works in Portrait mode, too. Just like Apple's version, it captures a second or so of video before you press the shutter, and you can extract different frames to use as your photo, or share it as a short looping video. The main difference is that you can use all of the excellent Leica-backed picture styles and some unique watermarks to make your live photos stand out from the crowd.

Around the front, you'll find a 32MP punch-hole selfie camera. Again, this shares the same specs as the previous generation. It provides decent results, but unlike Xiaomi's mainline flagships, this selfie camera doesn't have autofocus — so group shots won't always look as sharp as they could.

Overall, it's a pretty versatile setup, and the standout is the telephoto. The reach of the 5x lens sets it apart from the competition and provides some lovely compression when used for close-ups. I'd recommend turning off automatic lens switching in the settings if you want to do so, as it has a tendency to jump to the main camera sooner than it needs to.

Xiaomi's default image tuning has very appealing color reproduction, and the slightly higher level of contrast makes images pop. If you're not feeling the default flavor, though, that's no issue, as there are loads of styles to choose from, and they can all be customized in Pro mode.

The Xiaomi 17T Pro is equally impressive for video shooting. It supports Xiaomi's excellent Log profile at up to 4K 60fps, and you can even shoot 4K 120fps on the main lens, albeit without much stabilization.

• Cameras score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 17 review: Camera samples

Xiaomi 17T Pro review: Performance

• MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset
• 12GB RAM
• 512GB / 1TB storage

The Xiaomi 17T Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 SoC, the same flagship chipset that we've seen in phones like the Oppo Find X9 Pro and Vivo X300 Pro. It comes with 12GB of RAM and either 512GB or 1TB of storage. I have the 512GB version.

Having used the Oppo Find X9 Pro as my main phone for several months, I'm already very familiar with the capabilities of this chip. It's super powerful, and while Qualcomm's latest might have the edge in certain games, the Dimensity 9500 is never going to hold you back.

The phone feels speedy, no matter what you ask of it. I've been sinking some hours into Neverness to Everness, the latest graphically demanding gatcha game that makes even the most expensive phones on the market sweat. While it struggled at the highest settings, the Xiaomi 17T Pro had no trouble running it at 60fps on the 'balanced' preset, which still looks stunning.

The frame of the phone gets pretty toasty after a while, but that's just the cooling system doing its job, and I didn't notice much of a performance hit. If you use the included case, it'll keep your fingers comfortable, and of course, it's even better with a clamp-on controller like the GameSir X5 Lite.

It's also worth mentioning the haptics, as they also enhance the gaming experience. The vibration motors in this phone are stronger than most and are able to provide very precise feedback, which is great for typing.

The speakers are also very impressive. They can get pretty loud, produce detailed highs, and have better bass response than most phone speakers in this price range.

• Performance score: 5 / 5

Xiaomi 17T Pro review: Software

• Hyper OS 3, based on Android 16
• iOS-inspired design
• 5 years of updates, 6 years of security patches

The Xiaomi 17T Pro runs Hyper OS 3, Xiaomi's custom software built on top of Android 16. I haven't noticed any major changes with this release; it's essentially the same experience that I had with Xiaomi's recent flagships and the latest Poco devices.

The difference here, compared to Xiaomi's pricier phones, is that there's a bit of bloatware to clean up when you first set it up. It's nothing major — just a handful of random preinstalled apps — but having to remove them detracts from an otherwise premium experience.

Aside from that, I have no real complaints about the software experience. Hyper OS 3 has been consistently smooth and responsive, and it's easy to customize the look if you don't like the default vibes.

As we've seen with most Chinese Android skins lately, there's some Apple influence to the styling. Xiaomi has its own version of Dynamic Island, and some of the lock screen options look quite iPhone-like, with oversized clocks and depth effects. Most importantly, though, they look good and work well.

Xiaomi is promising five generations of updates and six years of security patches for European customers. It's a decent showing, if slightly behind the commitments offered by Samsung and Google. This means the 17T Pro should get the latest version of Android until at least 2031.

• Software score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 17T Pro review: Battery

• 6,330mAh silicon-carbon battery
• 100W wired charging
• 50W wireless charging

The Xiaomi 17T Pro has the largest battery of any Xiaomi phone to date, besting the brand's mainline flagships with a whopping 7,000 mAh capacity.

With such a large cell on board, I had high hopes for the battery life, but the reality was a little underwhelming. Don't get me wrong, the battery life is very good — it always gets me through the day, and usually through a second morning. But I was expecting a little more.

To be fair, though, I received the phone well before the launch, and it was running pre-release software. There's every chance the battery life will improve further as the software becomes more optimized.

In any case, charging the 17T Pro is barely a hassle. It supports up to 100W speeds with a wire, and the powerful wall adapter comes included in the box. I found it was enough to take the phone from fully dead to well over 50% charged in half an hour, which is impressive considering the capacious battery pack.

The wireless charging speeds are impressive, too. The Xiaomi 17T Pro can be juiced up at up to 50W with Xiaomi's official wireless charger, but don't expect those speeds with any old charging pad; everything I had to hand topped out at a measly 15W.

• Battery score: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Xiaomi 17T Pro?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Xiaomi 17T Pro review: Also consider

The Xiaomi 17T Pro is a great sub-flagship option, but it's important to look at the competition, too. Here are a couple of competitors that are worth checking out.

How I tested the Xiaomi 17

• Review test period: One week
• Testing included: Everyday use, including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
• Tools used: Geekbench 6, 3DMark, native Android stats

I popped my SIM into the Xiaomi 17T Pro and used it as my main phone for just over a week. I used it as I would use any other phone, taking lots of photos and videos, gaming, messaging, working, streaming video, and navigating with Google Maps.

I also compared the experience of playing graphically demanding games like Neverness to Everness to my experience on other Android flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Oppo Find X9 Ultra. I ran plenty of benchmarks on the phone, including 3DMark and Geekbench, to confirm my performance findings.

I assessed the battery performance based on my real-world usage, and charging times were measured using the included wall adapter and USB-C cable.

First tested May 2026

Xiaomi 15T review: One-minute review

The majority of the best Xiaomi phones share one core trait: they offer a premium experience without the associated price tag. The Xiaomi 15T is no exception.

Building upon the so-so Xiaomi 14T, the Xiaomi 15T brings the core features of the excellent Xiaomi 15 lineup to a lower price point and is one of the more compelling choices in its category.

If you’re coming from an Ultra-branded phone, you’ll likely be disappointed. However, look past a few mid-range indiscretions, and you have a phone that offers everything the average user needs, and at an incredibly wallet-friendly price (especially so right now, given that the Xiaomi 17T is reportedly just around the corner).

Most people want a large, vibrant screen, solid performance, a reliable camera, and excellent battery life. The Xiaomi 15T ticks all of these boxes and adds a stylishly chamfered camera design into the mix (not to mention a gorgeous color), resulting in a unique yet pleasing overall experience.

If you’re looking for the very best AI features, cutting-edge performance, or a camera that can see far into the distance, you’ll be better served by the pricier Xiaomi 15T Pro or even the flagship Xiaomi 17 Ultra. But if you’re comfortable with a few compromises, the Xiaomi 15T is absolutely a phone you should consider.

Xiaomi 15T review: price and availability

• Launched for £549 on September 24, 2025
• The current retail price in the UK is ~£449, although it is available from £350
• Not available in the US or Australia

The Xiaomi 15T started at £549, but at the time of writing, it's now officially available for £449, and for as low as £349 via third-party retailers.

The Xiaomi 15T features a sizeable 12GB of RAM across all models, which, considering the current premium for RAM, makes the phone's low price even more impressive.

It comes in three colors — Black, Gray, and Rose Gold — and I’ve been using the latter for my testing. It’s beautiful and quite unique, but it is more bronze gold than rose gold in tone.

• Value score: 5 / 5

Xiaomi 15T review: specs

Xiaomi 15T review: design

• Three colors, including bronze-like Rose Gold
• Premium feel without the weight

The Xiaomi 15T doesn’t really stand out for its design, but that’s also by design: Xiaomi wanted to build an upper mid-range phone that blends into your daily life, not one that stands out and makes a point. And the Xiaomi 15T absolutely delivers on that front.

The phone's screen features Gorilla Glass 7i protection, while the rear of the Xiaomi 15T features a composite matte finish that’s excellent at repelling fingerprints. This unique finish allows the Rose Gold color to appear iridescent, and while it always looks Rose Gold, there’s enough uniqueness that you’ll find yourself twirling it under the light.

Measuring 7.5mm thick and weighing 194g, the Xiaomi 15T is not the heaviest, lightest, thinnest, or thickest phone that you can buy. Simply put, it’s a middle-of-the-road device that weighs about the same as the Galaxy S26 Plus, though it is taller, wider, and 0.2mm thicker than that particular phone. It's a great size overall, but I do find it slightly too large to be used comfortably one-handed: phones like the Honor Magic 8 Pro Air and iPhone Air, which both use 6.5-inch screens, are the perfect size for me.

One particularly nice feature about the Xiaomi 15T is the chamfered edge design around its rear camera module, which adds a bit of pizazz to an otherwise standard-looking handset. That said, compared to many phones at this price point — the Google Pixel 10a and Samsung Galaxy A57, for instance —the Xiaomi 15T looks and feels distinctly more premium.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 15T review: display

• 6.82-inch AMOLED display
• 120Hz display, LTPS not LTPO

Two areas in which many mid-range smartphones often make trade-offs are display and design, but Xiaomi has taken an alternative approach with the 15T. As mentioned, its design feels premium, but its display wouldn’t be out of place on a much more expensive phone, either.

The Xiaomi 15T's large 6.83-inch AMOLED display features 12-bit color depth, HDR10+ support, and Dolby Vision certification, making it an absolute joy to watch movies on. It features an advertised peak brightness of 3,200 nits and a 120Hz refresh rate, both of which are lower than the Xiaomi 15T Pro's, but neither proved to be an issue in my day-to-day usage.

One particularly noteworthy thing about this phone's display is that, while it can refresh at up to 120Hz, it’s not the typical dynamic LTPO refresh rate you’ll find on many phones. Instead, the Xiaomi 15T has four predetermined refresh rates — 30Hz, 60Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz — and it chooses between them depending on what's happening on-screen. In practice, this means it’s usually at 120Hz when you’re using it, but for movies or other static use, it’s at 60Hz. This helps strike a balance between buttery-smooth scrolling and power consumption, but it’s worth noting nonetheless.

Overall, the display on the Xiaomi 15T is very good, especially considering the price. This is not a screen I’d complain about on a much more expensive phone, and it works well regardless of lighting conditions.

• Display score: 4.5 / 5

Xiaomi 15T review: cameras

• 50MP main sensor
• 13MP ultra-wide lens
• Strange 50MP telephoto with only 2x zoom

The Xiaomi 15T features three rear cameras, and this is where I felt some disappointment. The 50MP main camera has an f/1.7 aperture and a 23mm focal length, while the ultra-wide camera has a 120° field of view and an f/2.2 aperture.

Both are more than acceptable at this price point, but the 50MP telephoto is somewhat strange. The large megapixel count is paired with an impressive f/1.9 aperture, but an odd 2x optical zoom range. Having reviewed many of the best phones, this 2x optical zoom feels like a strange choice, especially since Xiaomi hasn’t added any zoom stops beyond 2x in the viewfinder.

In many ways, it feels like the telephoto lens on the Xiaomi 15T is firmly an afterthought, but that is somewhat harsh, especially since this phone offers much more photography hardware than others at this price point. The Google Pixel 10a, for instance, is similarly priced but has just two rear cameras, as does the Samsung Galaxy A57 (if you don't count the latter's 5MP macro lens).

The Xiaomi 15T camera is Leica-branded, and the phone also comes with a color spectrum sensor. Overall, images are solid but unspectacular, and while the Xiaomi 15T's camera won’t win any awards, it offers solid all-around performance that is more than acceptable at this price point.

Xiaomi 15T review: camera samples

• Camera score: 3.5 / 5

Xiaomi 15T review: performance

• MediaTek Dimensity 8400 Ultra chipset is fine for most use cases
• 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage provide excellent value for money, especially with the current RAM shortage

The Xiaomi 15T continues a trend of Xiaomi using both Qualcomm and MediaTek chips in its phones, with the Xiaomi 15T powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8400 Ultra chipset. Despite the nomenclature, this chipset isn’t as powerful as the Dimensity 9400 Plus in the Xiaomi 15T Pro, but during my time with the Xiaomi 15T, I had zero concerns about the all-round performance.

One area where this chipset does somewhat struggle is with high-end gaming; its Mali-G720 GPU isn’t as performant as the Adreno 750 GPU inside the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and other Qualcomm processors. This isn’t a huge problem, especially as the core target for the Xiaomi 15T isn’t gamers — that’s the Xiaomi 15T Pro with its higher 144Hz refresh rate — but it’s worth keeping in mind if you like to game.

The Xiaomi 15T was released eight months ago, and in that time, the current RAM and storage shortages have led many phone makers to cut back. At the time of its release, the base variant of the Xiaomi 15T with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage already beat most of the competition, and now the phone offers even better value for money.

Considering how many OEMs are cutting back on RAM capacities, even in flagship phones, the 15T's 12GB of RAM will future-proof the phone for years to come. This RAM capacity is also noteworthy because it means the Xiaomi 15T could well support Google’s new Gemini Intelligence feature suite, which requires 12GB of RAM to function (plus Gemini Nano v3 support, which could be added to the 15T via a future HyperOS update).

• Performance score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 15T review: software

• Launched with Android 15.
• Android 16 update is widely available
• Four years of software releases and six years of security updates

Software is where Xiaomi has a love-hate relationship with many customers in Western markets, and the Xiaomi 15T somewhat follows this mold. However, I must commend Xiaomi, as its software is considerably better than it used to be, and everything works as well as on the best Android phones.

Many of my previous experiences with Xiaomi have seen HyperOS preloaded with many apps, which were the first things I deleted. The Xiaomi 15T provided a pleasant surprise: it’s far more reserved, with fewer preloaded apps and more intuitive options and placements. One thing I absolutely love about Xiaomi’s HyperOS is that it is the only launcher to offer a 5x9 layout arrangement, which is perfect for taller screens.

When it comes to Android phones, there are usually two approaches: a simpler UX with limited options and a predetermined way of using it, or options to change everything. Xiaomi fits into the latter category: it’ll take some getting used to, but the sheer volume of customizations available in HyperOS means that, if there’s something you don’t like, you can probably change it.

The Xiaomi 15T also comes with a new Astral Communication feature that allows you to make voice calls between two Xiaomi 15T phones. Think push-to-talk, but between two specific devices. It’s limited to just the Xiaomi 15T, which makes it less useful than it otherwise could be, but there are plenty of reasons this feature needs to come to all Android phones.

The Xiaomi 15T comes with at least four years of OS updates and six years of security patches, and Xiaomi is known for reliable updates and comprehensive update scheduling. The Xiaomi 15T launched with Android 15, and while the Android 16 update is available now, this will count as one of your four OS updates.

• Software score: 3.5 / 5

Xiaomi 15T review: battery life

• 5,500mAh silicon-carbon battery delivers multi-day battery life
• 67W HyperCharge will recharge your phone quickly

A common trait among most Xiaomi phones is excellent battery life and superfast charging, and the Xiaomi 15T is no different. The UK version comes with a charger in the box that supports Xiaomi’s 67W HyperCharge feature — mine didn't, as it wasn't a UK sample — while EU buyers will have to buy the charger separately, as it’s not included.

The Xiaomi 15T is powered by a 5,500mAh silicon-carbon battery, which is the same size as the one in the Xiaomi 15T Pro. Sadly, there’s no wireless charging, which is somewhat expected at this price point, but aside from that, the battery life is more than acceptable.

On a full charge, the Xiaomi 15T lasts around two days with moderate usage, and you'll get around five to six hours of screen-on time. During my two stints using the phone to empty, it never once failed to last a full day, despite heavy camera use. Overall, then, the Xiaomi 15T boasts great all-around battery life that generally won’t let you down.

• Battery score: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Xiaomi 15T?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Xiaomi 15T review: also consider

There are three real competitors worth buying, but like the Xiaomi 15T, they all have their compromises.

How I tested the Xiaomi 15T

• Review test period = ~3 weeks
• Testing included = Everyday usage, including navigation, web browsing, social media, photography, gaming, streaming video, music playback, and reading e-books.
• Tools used = Geekbench 6, 3DMark, CellMark, native Android stats

I used the Xiaomi 15T for approximately three weeks across two different stints, which included over a week of consistent usage before writing this review. It was tested with two SIM cards with one roaming, while traveling between two different cities.

First reviewed: May 2026

Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G: two-minute review

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G is a budget to mid-range phone that offers a very impressive set of specs. A 200MP main camera, a huge 6,580mAh battery, a 6.83-inch AMOLED display, and a lightweight feel all sound great — especially when you consider the device’s modest starting price of £349 / AU$699 (about $470).

And luckily, the Note 15 Pro offers more than a nice-looking specs sheet. It’s a very capable phone, which impressed me in a number of ways. But it’s not without its flaws.

First of all, it has a great display for the price. Its 2772 x 1280 resolution, punchy colors, and support for formats like HDR 10+ and Dolby Vision is a real treat, and even though it doesn’t supply the highest peak brightness compared to the best phones out there, it’s perfectly capable of working in bright outdoor environments.

Similarly, the performance of this device is really solid. The MediaTek Dimensity 7400-Ultra provided a smooth experience whether I was scrolling the net, gaming, or streaming video content, and delays were very rare during my time with the phone. I could also continue to enjoy whatever I was doing without needing to constantly check the remaining battery life. The high-capacity battery paired with admirable 45W wired charging keeps the device going all day long.

There are even more positives to note, especially in terms of the phone’s cameras. Sure, the lack of a telephoto lens means that you’re not getting the most effective zoom around, and the main camera is barely going to produce flagship quality. But in this price bracket, it gives very good results. I was impressed with the main camera’s attention to detail, its ability to naturally replicate rich colors, and the selfie camera was talented at picking up finer intricacies like hair strands and facial details too.

But there are some drawbacks worth noting. The main thing is the phone’s software, which, frankly, is pretty bad. Where to begin? Built-in apps are flooded with ads, the device is overflowing with bloatware, and the OS is insistent on spamming you with worthless notifications about apps you never asked for. You do get four years of OS updates and six years of security patches, which is commendable, but everything else about the software experience is poor.

I’m also not a big lover of the Note 15 Pro’s design. Its central camera module is bulky and slightly unsightly, its unappealing color options aren’t amazing, and it also looks a little bit cheap to boot. The IP68 dust and waterproof rating is very nice to see though, and buttons are well placed.

All in all, then, the Redmi Note 15 Pro leaves me feeling pretty conflicted. Despite its impressive display and performance, the poor software and middling design mean that it’s not quite a top-tier option. My top recommendation in this price-range would be the Nothing Phone (4a), but you can read more about my favored alternatives in the ‘Also consider’ section.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G review: price and availability

• 8GB + 256GB for £349 / AU$699 (about $470)
• 12GB + 512GB is £399 (about $540)
• Not sold directly in the US, but could conceivably be imported

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G launched in January 2026, just over a year after the global launch of its predecessor.

It’s available with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage space for £349 in the UK and AU$699 in Australia. However, some markets, including the UK, can instead choose a model with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, which comes in at £399 (about $540 / AU$740). That represents a price increase over the previous model, which was available from £299 (about $400 / AU$560).

Although this phone isn’t directly sold in the United States, it could conceivably be imported, and I did spot a few online listings when producing this review.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G review: specs

Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G review: design

• Well built, but central camera module not my favorite
• Three color options — and they’re not the prettiest
• IP68 dust and waterproof rating

To be honest, the Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G isn’t exactly the prettiest phone I’ve seen. It's fairly slim, and the screen is well-sized, but the central camera module on the reverse side lacks style — it almost reminds me of my kitchen stove at home. The metallic finish also has a slightly cheap look to it — I usually prefer budget phones to have more of a glossy, understated finish.

Of course, my dislike of the design is subjective, and some may appreciate aspects like the central camera module. But something else I personally wasn’t a huge fan of was the phone’s color options. There’s a basic Black, but also the Glacier Blue I reviewed here and a slightly murky looking Titanium alternative. All in all, I much prefer the design of Samsung’s recent budget releases, or rivals like the Nothing Phone (4a).

Still, there are some positives worth noting, such as the Note 15 Pro’s excellent IP68 rating. This means that the device is fully dustproof, and can survive being dunked under a meter and a half of water for as long as 30 minutes. As a result, you’ll never have to worry about a spot of rain or accidentally dropping it in the sink — it’s a durable lil’ thing.

Otherwise, the basics are done well. All of the buttons are well-made and responsive, and positioning them all on the same side means you’re less likely to press something accidentally while gaming or viewing a movie.

• Design score: 3/5

Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G review: display

• 6.83-inch AMOLED display
• 120Hz refresh rate
• Respectable 3,200 nits peak brightness

Although I wasn’t bowled over by the Note 15 Pro’s design, its display actually exceeded my expectations.

You get a 6.83-inch AMOLED display, which is plenty large enough to enjoy all sorts of content on the go — be that movies, mobile games, or social media video.

The 2772 x 1280 resolution also means that you’ll be able to view HD content, and when watching videos on YouTube and streaming apps like Netflix, I was highly satisfied with the quality. Colors are punchy and vivid, faces and buildings maintain plenty of detail, and support for both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision only enhances the sharpness of movies and shows.

This model has a peak brightness of 3,200 nits, which is a slight bump over its predecessor. Although this figure isn’t quite class-leading, you’re still getting enough brightness to enjoy online articles or games in outdoor environments, even on brighter days.

Like a lot of modern handsets, the display has a 120Hz refresh rate, which means that keen mobile gamers will be able to play select titles at 120fps. More generally, things like scrolling on the web or social media feel silky smooth too.

Sure, you’re not going to get the phenomenal sharpness that top-class phones like the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, but for the price, I have very few complaints about this model’s display.

• Display score: 4/5

Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G review: software

• Runs Xiaomi HyperOS 2 (based on Android 15) out of the box
• Four years of OS updates, six years of security patches
• Horrific bloatware and spam-like notifications

Out of the box, the Note 15 Pro runs Xiaomi HyperOS 2, which is based on Android 15. However, the phone will get four years of OS updates, alongside six years of security patches. For a budget device, that is very solid indeed, and gives the handset a respectable level of longevity.

However, that’s just about the only positive I have to say on the software side of things, as the Note 15 Pro provided one of the least user-friendly experiences I’ve had with a phone. A lot of the frustrations are the same ones we had with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus 5G — which we rated very poorly in the software department.

The device’s UI is laid out simply enough, and any Android users will have no issue with navigation I’m sure. But there are some pretty frustrating quirks thrown in the mix. First of all, when swiping up, I was met with a bunch of tabloid and AI-generated articles and ads. This command is all too easy to accidentally trigger, and I can’t see why anyone would want to read 90% of the content pushed here.

In addition, many of the system’s baked-in apps are loaded with ads. I tried using the Mi Browser, and was instantly hit with an ad for Temu. I was subsequently bombarded with similar pop-ups on other apps, including the File Manager. This isn’t something you’ll have to deal with from a lot of budget competitors’ first-party applications, and it put me off using any of them.

We also have to mention the bloatware on this phone, which is nothing short of nightmarish. As soon as I set the Note 15 Pro up, I could see a ton of apps I never asked for, including the aforementioned (and dreaded) Temu, low-quality mobile games, AliExpress, and some kind of AI chatbot.

I can understand pre-downloading some first-party software and perhaps a few Google tools and the like, but there’s far too much bloat installed from the get-go, and you’ll likely have to take a decent chunk out of your day uninstalling it.

Pair this with frequent and unwanted notifications from ‘GetApps’, which surfaces constant reminders about software like Temu and Amazon Music — which are already loaded in by default — and the Note 15 Pro’s software score isn’t looking too pretty.

• Software score: 2/5

Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G review: cameras

• 200MP main camera performs pretty well
• Neat 20MP selfie camera is also decent
• No telephoto lens, so zoom has its limitations

I was actually quite impressed with the quality of the Note 15 Pro’s main 200MP camera, which captured photos with admirable levels of detail and surprisingly true-to-life color.

Some budget phones use AI processing that creates artificial looking images with unnatural looking details and oversaturated colors, but this model takes a more simple approach. When snapping a picture of a local church shrouded in trees, I was satisfied with the rich greens of trees and foliage, as well as the deep blue sky.

Of course, you’re not going to get the true-to-life colors and exceptional attention to detail that premium phones — like the iPhone 17 Pro Max or Google Pixel 10 Plus — can provide, but for a handset in the budget-to-mid-range bracket, the results are very decent.

The main camera is definitely best-suited to well lit conditions, and some low-light images could look a little obscured, but at night time, my environment would be brightened accordingly, and elements like streetlights didn’t exhibit exaggerated blooming or similar.

As you may expect, there are some limitations to the camera capabilities on-board, though. The main thing is that there’s no telephoto lens, so the effectiveness of zoom can vary. In 2x or even 4x mode, pictures still emerged with commendable clarity. When snapping a swan in the distance, details on its head and wings were easy to make out with 4x zoom, which can’t be said of all budget phones. However, when straying beyond that mark, photos could often look grainy and unrefined — something worth bearing in mind if you’re a photo enthusiast.

There’s also a 20MP front camera, which is neat for social media use or grabbing a quick selfie on the go. I found it captured intricacies like individual hair strands and lines on my face with relative ease, and it will certainly be up to the task of delivering clear video calls.

Finally, the Note 15 Pro’s video capabilities remain in-line with the bulk of the competition. You get 4K at 30fps or 1080p at 60fps, and during testing I found captured content to be smooth, stable, and to look clean.

• Camera score: 4/5

Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G review: performance

• Relatively smooth user experience
• 8GB or 12GB versions available
• LDAC, aptX, and Dolby Atmos support

As a phone in the budget to mid-range zone, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G performs about as well as you’d expect.

Its MediaTek Dimensity 7400-Ultra processor supplies a relatively smooth user experience, and I experienced no delays when scrolling social media, web pages, or playing more basic mobile games — even with multiple applications open at once.

When playing more demanding games like Genshin Impact, I spotted the occasional frame drop, but again, the game still ran plenty well enough, and the phone’s ‘Turbo’ mode kept things stable, even during busier segments. I was using the version of the Redmi Note 15 Pro with 12GB of RAM, so your experiences may differ slightly on the 8GB alternative, but that should handle day-to-day use, video streaming, and general productivity tools without a hitch.

The phone’s stereo speakers aren’t the highest quality ever — I experienced the odd bit of tinny audio, especially when listening at higher volumes, but they sounded pretty solid for the price you pay.

This phone also supports higher-resolution Bluetooth codecs like LDAC and aptX Adaptive, so you’ll be able to get the most out of your wireless headphones or earbuds that support such standards. There’s also Dolby Atmos support if you’re watching movies or listening to music in that format.

• Performance score: 4/5

Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G review: battery life

• 6,580mAh capacity battery
• 45W wired charging
• No wireless charging

Like many budget devices, the Note 15 Pro prides itself on battery life — and you’re getting a big upgrade over its predecessor's 5,110mAh capacity battery.

This model has a 6,580mAh battery, and I found it lasted plenty long enough during everyday use. Even if you dip into more intensive apps for video calls or mobile games, you should be able to make it through the day without having to juice up your device, which is great to see.

When you do need to charge your phone, though, you’ll be able to do so relatively quickly. The Note 15 Pro supports 45W “turbo” charging, so you won’t have to wait around for hours on end to hit 100%. It’s not the fastest about, and some rivals, like the Motorola Edge 60 Fusion, offer 68W wired charging. But it’s definitely rapid enough.

Unfortunately, though, there’s no support for wireless charging, and as someone who uses this daily on my Samsung phone, this was a little disappointing. It’s quite common for cheaper and mid-range handsets to skip on this feature, but it would’ve been a very nice addition.

• Battery life score: 4/5

Should I buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G review: also consider

How I tested the Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G

• Tested intensively across multiple days
• Used for gaming, working, and general productivity
• Made full use of various features and camera settings

I spent a number of days testing the Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G, during which time I used just about every feature it had to offer, took a whole lot of photos, and tried out a bit of mobile gaming.

In addition, I made sure to compare the phone against the similarly priced Nothing Phone (4a) on aspects such as camera quality, display, and general performance.

During photography, I made sure to snap a range of objects and environments in a wide array of conditions, including natural, artificial, and low-light settings. Most photos were taken using the main camera in 16:9 at the highest quality, but I also made use of the selfie camera and tried out the cameras’ zoom capabilities.

More generally, I’ve tested a ton of phones here at TechRadar, including budget-friendly models like the Motorola Moto G06 Power and pricier alternatives like the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE.

• Read more about how we test
• First reviewed: May 2026

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra offers everything the series has come to be known for: top-tier performance, a great display, premium design, rich functionality, fast charging, and an exceptional Leica-backed photography experience.

Despite not deviating from the formula all that much (see last year's similar-looking Xiaomi 15 Ultra), there are some meaningful refinements that help this generation of Ultra, in particular, stand out.

The phone's refined design, with its aluminum alloy frame and composite back, makes it the thinnest Ultra to date, and it's notably lighter than its predecessor, too.

The rear panel plays host to a mammoth 1-inch 50MP main camera sensor, with LOFIC technology for superior dynamic range, while the huge 1/1.4-inch 200MP HPE telephoto sensor grants you optical magnification between an equivalent 75mm and 100mm, by way of a mechanical zoom system.

On the front, you're presented with a stunning 12-bit 6.9-inch 120Hz dynamic LTPO AMOLED display, which is set within thin bezels. It delivers a superb viewing experience, not least because of the 17 Ultra's increased peak brightness ceiling of 3,500nits. The ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor is pretty great too.

As with almost any Android flagship worth its salt in 2026, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, paired to a baseline 512GB of UFS 4.1 storage and 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM. Combine that with the company's latest IceLoop cooling system, and this newest Ultra proves extremely capable in terms of sustained performance, especially compared to its predecessor.

Battery life from the 6,000mAh silicon-carbon cell has improved on last year's Ultra, too, even if it still lags behind key rivals in terms of everyday longevity. At least the 90W wired fast charging now supports standard PPS adapters, and can refill the phone's battery in under 45 minutes.

The HyperOS 3 user experience on the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is generally clean and, despite a learning curve for those coming from most other manufacturers' flavors of Android, feature-rich.

It takes a lot of inspiration from iOS 26, but in return, additions like HyperIsland add genuine utility, while Xiaomi HyperConnect gives you impressive interconnectivity with devices running iOS, macOS, Windows, and beyond. An improved five years of OS upgrades and six years of security updates — compared to the 15 Ultra at launch — is a welcome upgrade too.

Xiaomi doesn't shove AI features down your throat in the same way some rival phone makers do, but the 17 Ultra's AI-backed image editing tools are capable enough for light tasks, and let you pull off some nice imaging tricks, like outpainting. Now Xiaomi just needs to work on consistency and reliability with the performance of such features.

As you might expect, the Leica-backed camera experience on the 17 Ultra is outstanding. Shots approach the fidelity of dedicated mirrorless cameras in some situations, and that new LOFIC tech means better dynamic range and sharper imagery, even in low light. Despite losing a rear lens, the new mechanical zoom grants more capture at more focal lengths optically, while Leica presets help dress images with expressive tonal treatments.

There are some handy video tools, alongside the ability to shoot at up to 4K 120fps in Dolby Vision or LOG, but the Xiaomi seems far more focused on improving the still photography experience this generation, rather than pushing the new Ultra as a professional video tool, as it tried to with last year's offering.

Starting at £1,299 / AU$1,799, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra matches or undercuts the best iPhones and best Samsung phones on price; however, it's still one of the most expensive phones on the market. What's more, the limited edition Leica Leitzphone by Xiaomi gives you a few exclusive photographic extras, but pushes for an even higher asking price in return.

This is undoubtedly one of the best camera phones of the moment, and an excellent refinement on Xiaomi's established Ultra format. You just need to be ready to pay a premium for the privilege of using such impressive mobile hardware.

Xiaomi 17 Ultra review: price and availability

• Released on February 28, 2026 in the UK and Australia
• Priced from £1,299 AU$1,799
• No official US availability

As with its predecessor, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra first launched exclusively in China in late 2025, going on sale in the region a few days later. It wasn't until late February this year that the global version of the phone made its debut; although, as ever with Xiaomi phones, 'global' sadly doesn't include the US.

While any phone with 'Ultra' in its name tends to demand a high asking price when comparing storage and RAM combinations, the 17 Ultra does meet or beat key rivals, such as the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max, if only slightly.

For £1,299 / AU$1,799, you get 16GB of RAM and a baseline 512GB too (both higher capacities than you'll get with Samsung or Apple's base entries), but this will remain an unquestionably pricey option for many.

Depending on your region, Xiaomi also throws in several noteworthy extras and free trials. In the UK, for example, your purchase of a Xiaomi 17 Ultra includes three months of both Google AI Pro and YouTube Premium, four months of Spotify Premium, a free screen replacement within the first six months after purchase, and one out-of-warranty repair — with free labor costs, too, so long as it's claimed within your 24-month warranty period.

A variation on a theme, there's also the 'Leica Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi,' which is essentially a 17 Ultra with heavier emphasis on the brand's Leica camera partnership.

This model's defining characteristic is a physical rotating ring around the camera, which lets you control features like zoom, ISO, shutter speed, and more. The phone has an overall design distinct from the standard model reviewed here, with a black and silver finish, plus some additional grip along its metal frame. There are also dedicated 'essential looks' within the camera app, modelled after the iconic Leica M3 and M9 cameras, plus a few other bonuses.

Billed as a 'limited edition' (it sold out almost immediately in the UK, but is still available in other regions at the time of writing), this release commands an even higher premium, costing £200 / AU$300 more than the top-whack vanilla 1TB Xiaomi 17 Ultra.

• Value score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 17 Ultra review: specs

Xiaomi 17 Ultra review: design

• Thinnest Ultra in the series yet
• Weighs up to 219g
• Black, White, and Starlit Green colorways

Last year's Xiaomi 15 Ultra went against the grain, with its rounded forms and curved cover glass. In contrast, the 17 Ultra is far more on-trend, embracing a flat-edged frame, front and back.

There's still subtle rounding along the edges of its aluminum alloy surround, to ensure the phone still feels comfortable enough to hold, in spite of its large size, but it is more of a slab than its predecessor, which won't suit everyone's aesthetic and ergonomic tastes.

Flattening out does come with some practical benefits, though. Namely, more internal space, which allows for a larger battery and an improved cooling system, and that's despite the 17 Ultra clocking in as the thinnest in the series to date.

As mentioned in my initial Xiaomi 17 Ultra hands-on, at 8.29mm, the 17 Ultra is roughly 12% thinner than its predecessor, not to mention lighter too (by about ten grams), which makes all the difference in terms of pocket-friendliness and wrist fatigue.

The back is hewn from composite fiberglass, which might not seem like a fitting material choice for an ultra-premium flagship phone, but it's better suited to the everyday rigors of use and is a huge contributor to keeping the 17 Ultra's weight down, so I'm all for it.

The sensors across the phone's huge circular camera plateau once again boast a more symmetrical look (after last year's less harmonious lens placement), the new circular metal volume buttons look and feel great, and the Starlit Green finish (pictured) has a unique charm among the current color palette in use by other flagship phones.

While the Xiaomi 17 Ultra comes in four colors in China, internationally, you only have three: Green, Black, and White (there's no Purple internationally).

The phone's IP certifications also vary by region. While its initial Chinese launch cited IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings against dust and water ingress, once the international release took place, only IP68-grade protection was mentioned in official messaging.

I suspect the global model of the 17 Ultra is just as durable and water-resistant as its Chinese counterpart, even if Xiaomi hasn't paid to have it tested as thoroughly. Nonetheless, this remains a strange regional distinction that I've not seen mentioned elsewhere; rivals from the likes of Honor, Oppo, and OnePlus have pushed for additional IP69K certification, too, which is worth noting.

Alongside that tough aluminum alloy frame, the display is covered by Xiaomi's own Shield Glass 3.0, which the company claims is 30% more drop-resistant than the Xiaomi 15 Ultra's display. Its flatter form also makes applying screen protectors that little bit easier, too, although there is already a thin PET one that comes pre-applied.

The rear camera system, meanwhile, again uses Corning Gorilla Glass 7i as its defence, which, looking at my year-old 15 Ultra's camera, proves to be a suitably resilient option for everyday use.

Xiaomi 17 Ultra review: accessories

Xiaomi does also include a clear case in the box, which is appreciated, but as with its predecessors, you do also have the option of a photography kit, two in fact: a standard and a 'Pro' version.

As well as offering additional protection (with IP54 certification to boot), the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Photography Kit features a dedicated video record button and a two-stage shutter button.

The design gives the phone a more 'camera'-inspired aesthetic (with better grip), in a nice two-tone finish with faux leather (available in black, white, or purple). Bluetooth connectivity makes for easy pairing and setup, but proprietary pogo-pin charging and the need to travel with a dedicated cable make it a little less convenient than it could have otherwise been.

As with previous iterations of the Ultra, rather than a single shell, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Photography Kit Pro comes in two key parts: a case and a grip. This generation's case includes magnets to allow for connectivity with MagSafe-style accessories, like stands or even lights. It also sports a mounting ring, which lets you attach conventional 67mm ND filters and the like.

As for the grip, it connects directly to the phone's USB port, latching in place. It also doubles as a power bank, thanks to an integrated 2,000mAh battery (which itself charges via a USB port in the grip).

As well as a two-stage shutter key and record button — like the non-Pro camera kit — here you also gain a zoom rocker, a thumb rest, and a customizable dial (a new addition for this generation), which can be programmed to control ISO and the like.

All in all, Xiaomi seems to have paid particularly close attention to refining this generation of Ultra phone, and that carries through to these accessories too.

Serious mobile photographers might dock Xiaomi a couple of points for omitting a teleconverter — the likes of which you'll get with equivalent photography kits for the Oppo Find X9 Ultra and Vivo X300 Ultra — but that doesn't stop this generation from being an excellent refinement on its predecessors.

• Design score: 5 / 5

Xiaomi 17 Ultra review: display

• Huge 6.9-inch 120Hz 1200 x 2608 OLED screen
• Up to 3,500nits across a 25% APL
• Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor

At 6.9 inches, this is the largest display on one of Xiaomi's Ultras to date, and despite a drop in resolution (moving from 522ppi down to 416ppi), compared to the 15 Ultra, in real-world use, it certainly doesn't feel like a downgrade.

That's thanks in part to a new sub-pixel structure, which Xiaomi calls 'HyperRGB,' granting greater clarity that helps mitigate the generational loss in resolution. The TCL CSOT-supplied screen also features the company's M10 emissive material, which promises improved power efficiency, while support for 12-bit color depth (achieved by pairing a 10-bit panel with frame rate control or 'FRC') adds an extra layer of future-proofing to the viewing experience.

You're also getting a brighter peak output of 3,500 nits (up from 3,200 nits) across a 25% APL (Average Picture Level), rather than a single-point figure, while LIPO (low-injection pressure over-molding) — popularized by the iPhone and previously seen on the likes of the Xiaomi 15T Pro — gives the 17 Ultra impressively thin bezels.

Pair all that with the underlying OLED tech, and you're getting excellent contrast and an immersive, bright, vivid viewing experience.

Being an LTPO panel, the 17 Ultra's 120Hz refresh rate is truly dynamic too, able to scale between 1Hz and 120Hz, with Xiaomi's tuning serving up consistently higher refresh rates than other 120Hz LTPO phones I've tested of late, across both first and third-party apps.

Xiaomi's display settings let you control the color space with impressive granularity, while also letting you toggle between refresh rate modes, eye comfort tools, and more. It's really only Honor that has gone deeper into the display customization experience.

The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is pleasingly consistent and quick, with the added bonus of being able to unlock the phone when the screen is off, too. All in all, then, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra boasts one of the best mobile displays on the market.

• Display score: 5 / 5

Xiaomi 17 Ultra review: software

• HyperOS 3 atop Android 16 out the box
• Xiaomi HyperConnect works with Windows, iOS, MacOS and more
• 5 years OS + 6 years security update support

One aspect that's previously hurt the best Xiaomi phones has been longevity; not in terms of battery life, but in terms of software support.

Xiaomi's commitment to OS and security updates has lagged behind the likes of Apple, Google, and Samsung, which — especially when it comes to the brand's pricier phones — undermines their long-term value.

Thankfully, while still not quite on par with those aforementioned competitors, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is closer than ever in terms of software longevity, gaining an extra year of OS upgrade support over its similarly pricey predecessor, with five years of releases, paired to six years of security patches.

Like the base Xiaomi 17, the Ultra arrives with the company's latest HyperOS 3 release (atop Android 16), which comes with its own eccentricities that will take some getting used to, especially if you're accustomed to a cleaner build of Android, as found on the likes of the best Pixel phones and best Motorola phones.

Those making the jump from iOS, however, might actually be surprised by how familiar HyperOS 3 looks and feels. Xiaomi (much like Honor and Oppo) has clearly taken a lot of inspiration from the last few iterations of Apple's iPhone operating system.

HyperIsland is one prominent new addition that — as with Honor's Magic Capsule and Oppo's Live Alerts — gives the 17 Ultra some Dynamic Island-like functionality. Active tasks like music playback, timers, and audio recording can run simultaneously, as well as be swiped between and interacted with, all without you having to open up any of their respective apps completely. While unoriginal, it's nonetheless a handy new feature.

Xiaomi's also been ahead of the curve with regard to interoperability, with 'HyperConnect' allowing for fast AirDrop-style wireless file transfer between Xiaomi and Windows or iOS/iPadOS/MacOS devices, long before Samsung or Google even considered adding native AirDrop compatibility.

The company's AI features are ever-expanding, and in addition to Google Gemini Live with Camera Share, its native image editing tools — although not best-in-class — are both varied and do a decent job for things like upscaling, outpainting, and object erasure. That's on top of an already powerful set of non-AI image editing tools within HyperOS' native Gallery app.

While Xiaomi is also responsible for some great affordable phones, the HyperOS experience they offer tends to come littered with additional bloatware and even baked-in ads, both of which soil an otherwise rich user experience. Thankfully, when it comes to the company's more premium offerings, those faux pas are pleasingly absent.

• Software score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 17 Ultra review: cameras

• Standout 50MP 1-inch main sensor w/ LOFIC + 200MP telephoto w/ mechanical zoom
• Leica presets and APV codec support
• Up to 4K/120fps video recording w/ Dolby Vision

Big sensors remain at the heart of the Ultra camera experience this year. As with the 15 Ultra, Xiaomi's latest phone again boasts a 50MP 1-inch main camera, with a 23mm-equivalent focal length, but Sony's sensor tech has been swapped out for OmniVision's this time around.

The Light Fusion 1050L sensor is among the first to support LOFIC (Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor) tech on mobile, improving the 17 Ultra's dynamic range by an additional 2.5 stops, compared to the 15 Ultra's main lens. The base Xiaomi 17 (which lacks LOFIC) offers a 13.5EV range, to the 17 Ultra's outstanding 16.5EV stops.

Rather than relying solely on combining bracketed shots for HDR processing, LOFIC grants the 17 Ultra's main sensor additional headroom at a hardware level to prevent highlights from blowing out. This not only improves dynamic range, but also reduces the risk of artifacting, especially with longer exposures and low-light shooting.

The ultra-wide hardware appears unchanged, and there's only a single telephoto in place of the 15 Ultra's pair of sensors, but don't despair. Xiaomi has only gone and given the huge new 1/1.4-inch 200MP HPE telephoto sensor mechanical optical zoom, between an equivalent 75mm and 100mm (3.2x to 4.3x), as well as "optical quality" zoom up to 17.2x (equivalent to 400mm).

Sprinkle all that with a hybrid glass-element lens construction, the first example of an APO Leica lens on a smartphone, and an evolution of the same superb image processing as its predecessors, and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra easily finds its place among the best camera phones of the moment.

Xiaomi 17 Ultra camera samples

Dynamic range is, understandably, the star of the show with the shots produced by the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, but it honestly excels in all sorts of ways.

Colors are vivid without looking cartoonish, skin tones are well reproduced, there's nary a hint of meaningful noise (even in low-light scenes), and the bokeh (further augmented by Xiaomi's and Leica's processing, of course) looks pleasing and natural.

Although the minimum focus distance isn't anywhere near as close as the 15 Ultra, the new telephoto still delivers when it comes to macro photography, while the high-resolution selfie snapper offers crisper visuals too.

The versatility of the triple-lens system is also undeniable and carries across to video capture. Expect impressively smooth transitions when switching between focal lengths, respectable image stabilization, and the ability to shoot at up to 120fps in 4K, with Dolby Vision or LOG capture enabled. 8K 30fps recording is on the table, too.

Within the native camera app, you also have the ability to leverage that new main sensor's LOFIC tech from a dedicated shooting mode, as well as helpful tools like focus peaking with a false color overlay and zebra stripes for correct exposure in Pro Video mode.

Even with all these inclusions, though, it's clear that, unlike its predecessor, the 17 Ultra is unquestionably built to excel at still photography first and foremost.

While there's a clear difference in image processing when comparing stills to video — namely with the default color science at play — Xiaomi's imaging pipeline can't redeem the low-light video performance offered up by the ultra-wide in low light. By comparison, footage is soft, noisy, and significantly darker than footage captured using the phone's other lenses, undermining its versatility for videographers.

The company has seemingly walked back on its professional video pipeline aspirations for the Ultra series, too. The official Xiaomi Rec. 709 LUT that was introduced with the 15 Ultra (along with accompanying documentation) is no longer available from official sources, while features are seemingly tied to the native Xiaomi camera app.

You can't switch lenses while recording above 4K/60fps (instead, you're locked to either the main or telephoto sensor, once you hit record); there's no native option for industry-standard frame rates, like 23.98, 24, or 25fps; and that aforementioned LOFIC video mode isn't available if you want to use the phone's Pro Video controls.

Third-party apps can bypass Xiaomi's ISP and image processing to give you more direct control of the signal coming off the phone's sensors, as well as the ability to choose from more frame rates and codecs (including the Samsung's new APV codec, meant to rival Apple ProRes), but such apps lose out on support for the phone's mechanical zoom and — for those using the Leitzphone version — the ability to use the physical control ring, too.

• Cameras score: 4.5 / 5

Xiaomi 17 Ultra review: performance

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset
• LPDDR5X RAM & UFS 4.1 storage
• 3D dual-channel 'IceLoop' cooling system

Unless you're Apple, you can't really launch an uber-flagship right now without it sporting Qualcomm's current best mobile chip: the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.

It's the same SoC found in the likes of the OnePlus 15, Honor Magic 8 Pro, and the brand-new Oppo Find X9 Ultra, and as you might expect, it's a beast.

Artificial benchmarks place it at the top of the pile and, in the case of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra specifically, it actually outpaced the other 8 Elite Gen 5-powered phones I've reviewed in the likes of Geekbench, if only by a hair.

One of the biggest improvements between the 15 Ultra and 17 Ultra isn't the chip, but rather the newer phone's '3D dual-channel IceLoop' cooling system. Despite the thinner form of this year's Ultra, that new processor, paired to Xiaomi's more thermally conductive 5500mm² vapor chamber, grants the 17 Ultra notably improved power efficiency and heat dissipation.

In real-world use, this means longer high-fidelity gaming sessions. The phone never really dipped below its 120fps maximum (with low settings) or 70fps (at max settings) in Call of Duty: Mobile, even with extended play time. You also gain longer video recording when using that impressive camera system, even at higher resolutions and frame rates.

In side-by-side tests with 3DMark's Wild Life Extreme stress test benchmark, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra repeatedly survived the 20-minute gauntlet, despite a 36ºC increase in temperature over the total run. Compare that to the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, which, despite even being actively cooled beforehand on some runs, had to abandon each attempt due to consistent overheating.

Pair this impressive performance with some of the fastest and most power-efficient RAM and storage standards in the business, and there's little the Xiaomi 17 Ultra can't handle, from a performance standpoint.

• Performance score: 5 / 5

Xiaomi 17 Ultra review: battery life

• 6,800mAh (China) | 6,000mAh (RoW) Xiaomi Si-C Surge battery
• Supports 90W wired, 50W wireless, and 22.5W reverse wired charging

Similar to Honor, the global models of Xiaomi's phones tend to come with smaller batteries in comparison to their Chinese counterparts, and that's as true as ever with the Xiaomi 17 Ultra.

Even so, the model I reviewed still comes with a sizeable 6,000mAh silicon-carbon power source; that's the same capacity as the battery inside the Chinese Xiaomi 15 Ultra, and 11% larger than the cell inside the international version of the 15 Ultra (which clocks in at 5,410mAh) I reviewed last year.

Factor in this larger cell, more efficient display and chipset, and improved thermal performance, and it's no surprise that the Xiaomi 17 Ultra outperforms its predecessor in terms of real-world longevity. It doled out eight hours of screen-on time in my testing, which is an hour more than the 15 Ultra managed; it's able to stretch to two days of use on a single charge, if you're careful.

While such an improvement here is welcome, that figure still lags well behind rivals like the OnePlus 15, whose 7,300mAh battery helped deliver more than twice the screen-on time.

As with the last few Ultras, Xiaomi hasn't seen the need to up the 90W wired and 50W wireless charging speeds, and honestly, I agree. Even though the smaller Xiaomi 17 benefits from even faster 100W wired charging, I was still able to refill the 17 Ultra in just 45 minutes, with the phone surpassing 80% charge in 30.

You technically have to enable 'Top Speed' charging mode within the phone's settings to get the best speeds possible, but even with the default charging profile, the phone still refills quickly.

Xiaomi's Surge batteries also come with the company's own assurances and protections, plus the promise of 80% retention of its original charge capacity after 1,600 cycles, which means longevity should be ensured over years of use.

Depending on the market in which you pick your 17 Ultra, it likely won't come with a power adapter in the box, but you no longer need to rely on Xiaomi's own-brand chargers to replenish this phone at top speed. Xiaomi has included support for PPS charging at 90W, as well as 22.5W reverse wired charging to boot, opening you up to alternative chargers and power banks, without compromise.

• Battery score: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Xiaomi 17 Ultra review: also consider

How I tested the Xiaomi 17 Ultra

• Review test period: Two months
• Testing included: Everyday use, web browsing, social media, photography, video calls, gaming, streaming video, music playback
• Tools used: Geekbench 6, Geekbench AI, PCMark, 3DMark, native Android stats

My Xiaomi 17 Ultra sample arrived just ahead of its international launch in February 2026, and I've been using it constantly since then.

It's been with me practically every day, and as such I've spent plenty of time testing the usability of HyperOS 3, conventional usage and multitasking, gaming (with titles like Call of Duty: Mobile and The Division: Resurgence), streaming HDR content, and liberal camera usage.

Beyond putting the camera to the test across a myriad of scenarios, Xiaomi did later send me the official Photography Kit, so I could test its usefulness as an official accessory when shooting out in the wild, too.

I already owned an official 120W Xiaomi charger, which I used to test the phone's fast-charging abilities, once I enabled 'Top Speed' within the battery settings, while real-world use was the main driver for my screen-on time figures.

I've been testing smartphones for the last 15 years, and have the context of the majority of the latest flagships on hand for comparison.

Read more about how we test.

• First reviewed: April 2026

Xiaomi 17: Two-minute review

There are plenty of amazing flagship phones on the market, but these days, they all have pretty massive screens. If you prefer a smaller phone, but you don't want to compromise on specs, then your options are more limited.

Of course, the iPhone 17, Google Pixel 10, and Samsung Galaxy S26 fit the description, but what if you wanted to try something different? In that case, you might find yourself looking at the Xiaomi 17. It has a 6.3-inch screen, just like the other devices I mentioned, but the specs are much more appealing.

The Xiaomi 17 boasts the speedy Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, a massive 6,330mAh battery, 100W charging and 50W wireless charging, and a triple 50MP camera array with Leica color tuning. On paper, it's the best of the bunch.

After testing the phone for a couple of weeks, I wasn't left disappointed. This is an all-rounder that doesn't fall short in any area. It's fast, the battery lasts well over a day, and it charges extremely quickly.

A solid display and speakers make for a great gaming experience, as does the thermal management. The cameras are easily among the best in their class, too.

My main complaints with the Xiaomi 17 are the lack of autofocus on the ultra-wide camera, which limits its utility, and the fact that it can't zoom as well as its Ultra sibling — but that's none too surprising.

In the past, the best Xiaomi phones have been seen as budget-friendly alternatives to the best iPhones and best Samsung phones, but that's no longer the case. The Xiaomi 17 is on the upper end of the price spectrum. It's certainly not cheap, but considering what's on offer, I think its price tag is justified.

If you're looking for a do-it-all flagship with a smaller footprint, the Xiaomi 17 is very easy to recommend. It's not a massive improvement on its predecessor, but it's still one of the most enticing options around.

Xiaomi 17: Price and availability

• 256GB model costs £899 / AU$1,399
• 512GB model costs £999 / AU$1,599
• Not available in the US

The Xiaomi 17 is available to order now in most regions globally, but as always, that list excludes the US. In the UK and Australia, the base model (with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage) will cost you £899 / AU$1,399, rising to £999 / AU$1,599 for the 512GB version.

This pricing puts the Xiaomi 17 in direct competition with heavy hitters like the iPhone 17, Samsung Galaxy S26, and Google Pixel 10. In fact, it's on the more expensive side of that list, but there's a good reason for that.

The Xiaomi 17 has a larger battery, faster charging, and better camera specifications than most of its direct competition. So, while it's certainly not a bargain, the Xiaomi 17 doesn't seem overpriced, either.

• Value score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 17: Specs

Here’s a look at the Xiaomi 17’s key specs:

Xiaomi 17 review: Design

• Aluminum frame and glass back
• Black, Venture Green, Alpine Pink, and Ice Blue options
• IP68 dust- and water-resistant

One of the defining features of the Xiaomi 17 is its size. It's not a tiny phone, but it's similar to the base-model iPhone 17 or Samsung Galaxy S26. If you have smaller hands or hate carrying a big slab in your pocket, but you still want flagship specs, the Xiaomi 17 will suit you well.

This year, Xiaomi has ditched its usual black rectangular camera island in favour of a much more iPhone-like camera configuration. This design is unlikely to turn heads, but it looks decent enough, and you get an extra camera compared to the iPhone 17.

To be clear, I'm not complaining. The phone looks and feels premium. I've always been fond of Apple's hardware, and it's no surprise that I like this, too.

The biggest design difference between the Xiaomi 17 and the latest iPhones is that Xiaomi's base model lacks the Camera Control and Action Button. All you get here is the volume rocker and a power/lock button. On the other hand, Xiaomi includes a basic clear case in the box, and a factory-applied screen protector; I can't imagine we'll ever see the same from Apple.

When it comes to color options, the Xiaomi 17 is available in Black, Blue, Green, and Pink. I have the green version in for testing, and I'm very fond of the shade. The color is matched on the side rails, no matter which one you pick.

The Xiaomi 17 is IP68 rated, which means you don't need to worry about dust, and it'll even survive brief dips in fresh water. It doesn't quite match the IP69K rating of its Ultra sibling, but it's likely to be water-resistant enough for most people's needs.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 17 review: Display

• 6.3-inch 120Hz OLED display
• 2160Hz PWM dimming
• 3,500 nits peak brightness

The Xiaomi 17 has a 6.3-inch 1220 x 2656 OLED display with an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz. The specs aren't too dissimilar to those of last year's Xiaomi 15, but the display on the Xiaomi 17 has a higher peak brightness of 3,500 nits (up from 3,200 nits), as well as superior 2160Hz PWM dimming (up from 1920Hz).

The extra brightness is appreciated, but the Xiaomi 15 was no slouch in that area, either. In any case, the phone is very easy to see outdoors in direct sunlight. I'm not sensitive to flicker, so I can't say I noticed the higher PWM frequency, but some users will certainly appreciate it.

The Xiaomi 17's screen looks excellent straight out of the box, with vibrant, accurate color reproduction and the deep, dark blacks that high-end OLED panels are known for. Of course, if you prefer to tinker, there are plenty of color options in the settings menu, too.

The main thing that sets this display apart is that it's more compact than most. It's large enough so as not to feel cramped, but it's small enough that reaching the top of the display doesn't feel like a chore. If you have smaller hands, I think you'll really appreciate it.

• Display score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 17 review: Cameras

• 50MP main (f/1.7)
• 50MP ultra-wide (f/2.4)
• 50MP 2.6x telephoto (f/2)
• 50MP selfie camera (f/2.45)

The Xiaomi 17's rear cameras have the same specs as those on the Xiaomi 15. This means you get a 50MP resolution on every camera, with a 17mm-equivalent ultra-wide, a 23mm main camera, and a 60mm telephoto.

My main complaint about the Xiaomi 15 was that the ultra-wide camera lacked autofocus, which meant you could only use it for wide landscape shots. Unfortunately, that hasn't been addressed here, so don't expect to use the ultra-wide for close-ups or group photos.

Otherwise, the cameras on this phone are quite impressive. I especially enjoyed using the 2.6x telephoto, which has macro focusing capabilities and can focus on objects that are just 10cm away from the lens. Funnily enough, the Xiaomi 17 is actually better than the Xiaomi 17 Ultra for telemacro shots, because that clever optical zoom technology in the latter phone increases the minimum focus distance.

The Xiaomi 17's main camera has a respectable 1/1.3-inch sensor size. It's easily the best performer in low-light conditions, and it's capable of producing some authentic background blur when your subject is close enough.

The selfie camera is the only lens that benefits from a spec bump. It's 50MP, up from 32MP, and it now has autofocus. The difference is measurable. Selfies look much sharper and more detailed on the newer model.

In the past, I've found Xiaomi's image processing to be a little hit-and-miss, but that's changing rapidly. The Xiaomi 17 is very consistent, with natural-looking colors and a gently boosted contrast that makes images look eye-catching and exciting.

There are loads of great filters to play with, and portrait mode has excellent subject detection and convincing bokeh effects. You can take some stunning images with this phone.

Video performance is strong, too. The native camera app allows you to shoot in Log at up to 4K 60fps on all of the rear lenses, and gives you full manual controls, if you want them.

• Cameras score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 17 review: Camera samples

Xiaomi 17 review: Performance

• Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
• 12GB of RAM
• 256GB / 512GB of storage

The Xiaomi 17 is powered by one of the most powerful mobile chips on the market, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and it's paired with 12GB of RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of storage.

With specs like these, it's no surprise that the phone is a powerful beast. From complex video editing to high-end gaming, no matter what I threw at the Xiaomi 17, it handled the task with ease.

Being a smaller phone, I was a little concerned about the thermals, but I needn't have been. Even after a solid hour of playing Genshin Impact on the highest graphical settings, the Xiaomi 17 had barely started to warm up.

A decent game overlay and really solid speakers add to the experience as well. The phone's speakers have a better bass response than most rivals', and plenty of clarity, which makes getting immersed in a title easy.

• Performance score: 5 / 5

Xiaomi 17 review: Software

• HyperOS 3, based on Android 16
• New iOS-inspired makeover
• 6 years of updates and security patches (EU)

The Xiaomi 17 runs the latest version of HyperOS, which is a very heavily customized version of Android 16.

If you've used a recent device from Xiaomi, Redmi, or Poco, you won't be in for too many surprises, as the basic layout and functionality remain the same.

Aesthetically, though, there are quite a few changes. The OS feels more iOS-influenced than ever, complete with its own version of the Dynamic Island, a very familiar-looking quick settings panel, and lock screen options with depth effects and oversized clocks.

Personally, I quite like HyperOS 3, and I also appreciate how customizable it is. If you find something that doesn't look or act in the way you would prefer, there's a good chance you can change it.

It's 2026, and no flagship is complete without a healthy serving of AI features. Here you'll find all the usual tools like translation, transcription, writing assistance, and more.

The features I actually found myself using on the Xiaomi 17, though, were the AI image editing tools. Xiaomi includes all the favorites, like outpainting, object removal, upscaling, beautification, and so on. Everything I tried worked excellently.

Overall, I find HyperOS 3 very easy to live with; my only major complaint is that the battery optimization measures are a little heavy-handed. You might need to tweak some settings to make sure your notifications arrive promptly.

When it comes to long-term support, Xiaomi promises six years of updates and security patches. That's not a bad offering, but it's slightly behind the updated terms committed by Samsung and Apple.

• Software score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 17 review: Battery

• 6,330mAh silicon-carbon battery
• 100W wired charging
• 50W wireless charging

One of the most surprising things about the Xiaomi 17 is that, despite being a smaller phone, it actually packs a larger battery than the Xiaomi 17 Ultra.

Using the latest silicon-carbon tech, Xiaomi has somehow managed to cram a 6,330mAh cell into this phone, while the Ultra only gets a 6,000 mAh equivalent (at least in Europe).

With my normal use, I found myself going to bed with about 40% battery remaining. I wasn't able to get two days on a charge, but the battery would get me well into the second day. So, if you use your phone sparingly, a full two days might be achievable.

Charging is rapid, too. The Xiaomi 17 supports wired speeds of up to 100W, and wireless charging up to 50W. There's no charger included in the box, but thankfully, Xiaomi supports the PPS charging standard, so you won't need an official Xiaomi charger to make the most of that impressive wired speed.

My Sharge HyperTower 170 powerbank, for instance, was able to deliver the full 100W, which took the phone from fully dead to around 65% charged in just half an hour.

When it comes to wireless charging, you'll need the official Xiaomi charging stand to get the maximum 50W speed. The phone will still work with Qi2 accessories, but you'll have to wait much longer to get to 100%.

• Battery score: 5 / 5

Should you buy the Xiaomi 17?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Xiaomi 17 review: Also consider

The Xiaomi 17 is an excellent compact flagship, but it's important to consider the competition, too. Here are a couple of competitors that are worth looking at.

How I tested the Xiaomi 17

• Review test period: One week
• Testing included: Everyday use, including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
• Tools used: Geekbench 6, 3DMark, native Android stats

I put my SIM card into the Xiaomi 17 and used it as my main phone for around two weeks. I used it exactly as I would any other phone, taking lots of photos, gaming, messaging, working, streaming video, and navigating with Google Maps and Waze.

I also compared the experience of playing graphically challenging games like Genshin Impact to my experience on other Android flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Oppo Find X9 Pro. I ran lots of benchmarks on the handset, including 3DMark and Geekbench, to confirm my performance findings.

I assessed the battery performance based on my real-world usage, and charging times were measured using PPS-supported chargers from Ugreen and Sharge, along with the included charging cable.

First tested April 2026

I spent an entire month last year using the Xiaomi 15 Ultra as my primary camera. It ticked a lot of boxes for me as a long-time photographer, and has become my favorite camera phone, not least for the natural photo quality from its large 1-inch sensor.

That phone was recently updated with the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, which appears to be a relatively minor upgrade, but which shares the same hardware as Leica's first globally available phone (other than in the US), the co-branded Leitzphone. (There was no Xiaomi 16 series, as Xiaomi hopes to "directly [compete] with the iPhone in the same generation.")

Both phones pack a triple-camera unit comprising the main 1-inch sensor camera, a 3-4x optical-zoom telephoto camera, and an ultra-wide camera, and which is powered by Qualcomm's latest and most powerful mobile chip, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.

Leica has added its own design twist on the phone's exterior and it's a characteristically classy one, with a black finish and a knurled silver trim, plus a unique mechanical control ring that surrounds the circular camera unit and which can control zoom, but which be assigned to another control instead, such as exposure compensation.

There's also a nod to Leica's camera UI, with the camera app UI sharing the same style and typeface, which will be familiar to folks who have used a digital Leica camera such as the D-Lux 8. And, perhaps inevitably, when it comes to price there's also the 'Leica tax': the Leitzphone costs £1,700 / AU$2,299 (around $2,000), which is around 20% more than the Xiaomi 17 Ultra.

I approached my time with the Leica Leitzphone effectively treating it as an upgrade of my favorite camera phone, and so I couldn't resist comparing its image quality to that of my pro mirrorless camera in a few tests.

I'll soon share a deep dive on my experience with the Leitzphone as a photographer, based on using it every day over two weeks, but here I'm going to highlight one aspect of that experience: comparing the same portrait taken with the Leitzphone's telephoto camera and with my Nikon Z6 series camera paired with the superb Viltrox 85mm f//1.4 Pro lens.

Leitzphone vs full-frame mirrorless

Before I take you through how I shoot and edit portraits with the Leica Leitzphone, let's take a look at the two photos together, and see if you can spot which one is which.

One photo is taken with the Leica Leitzphone's telephoto camera, the other with a Nikon Z6 II and Viltrox 85mm f/1.4 Pro. For context, the kind of quality that my camera and lens pairing is capable of is equivalent to camera gear costing in the region of $5,000 / £4,500 / AU$8,000.

Reckon you know which photo was taken with which camera?

How I shoot portrait photos with the Leitzphone

You might have an idea already, but before I reveal which photo is taken with which camera, allow me to unpack how I came to the final edit of the portrait shot with the Leitzphone.

I used the Leitzphone's 3-4x telephoto camera to get a similar perspective to the stunning Viltrox 85mm f/1.4 lens used in this comparison. However, the 1/1.4-inch sensor of the phone (for the 3-4x camera), while bigger than the sensors in most other phones and able to blur backgrounds nicely, is dwarfed by my full-frame mirrorless camera's, and therefore the background blur, or bokeh, needs an additional helping hand.

For portraits, the Leitzphone offers a 'portrait' mode. It utilizes the 3-4x telephoto camera, and the captured photo looks the same as if you'd used the camera's regular photo mode. However, there's one key difference: the edit.

Selecting portrait mode enables a bokeh effect option — you can use a slider to dial in (fake it) a wider aperture effect. I selected f/1.4 to match my mirrorless camera's aperture setting (see the screen recording below).

It's also possible to select a bokeh shape — I opted for the natural (and desirable for purists) circular bokeh shape, while the Viltrox's bokeh is a little more cat's-eye in places, so now it might be a little more obvious which image is which.

Another tell is that the Leitzphone captures a greater depth of field than a full-frame 85mm lens at f/1.4, so the detail in the subject is sharper throughout, whereas the Nikon mirrorless camera portrait's depth is shallow — see the end of the beard, which is out of focus.

If you haven’t already worked it out, the top image was taken with the Leitzphone, and the bottom one with my Nikon Z6 II and Viltrox 85mm f/1.4 lens. I don't blame you if you struggled to tell the difference, especially if you're reading this feature on mobile — the differences between the two are minor, and proof of just how smart smartphone cameras have become.

In a way, the Leitzphone offers the best of both worlds in this scenario – big bokeh (albeit achieved computationally) with more depth in the subject. At a pinch, you could stop the mirrorless lens aperture down for more depth in the subject and go through the same edit process to increase bokeh size.

While I was at it, I did a light edit on the brightness, sharpness and tones of the Leitzphone portrait to get the look I liked. The preview makes the bokeh effect look ugly when you view the edit close up, but once the image is saved, most of those artifacts around the subject are gone (see before and after, below).

Honestly, when you look at the end result from the Leitzphone's portrait mode, it's mind-blowingly good.

I don't know about you, but the effect is so convincing, especially when viewed on a smart device, that I would happily use the Leitzphone for portraiture. It's not about to replace my mirrorless camera, but it might just make me think twice about packing it.

I've added a few more photo comparisons below. I hope you enjoy — and let me know what you think about the Leitzphone in the comments below.

Poco X8 Pro Max two-minute review

It may not be the best Android phone ever made, but if you need a certain type of mobile, the Poco X8 Pro Max might just end up being the best phone you can buy.

This new Android-powered device from Xiaomi’s mid-range sub-brand is the first of its family to bear the iPhone-copying ‘Pro Max’ suffix — an odd decision, since there’s no non-Pro model at the time of writing, but for all intents and purposes, this is the top-end Poco phone of 2026.

While most ‘Pro Max’ or ‘Ultra’ phones opt for flashy features and high prices, Poco goes the other way. The X8 Pro Max is possibly the ultimate workhorse smartphone, designed not for fancy gimmicks you play with once and forget about, but to be a handset you can use every day for years without worry.

Case in point: it has one of the biggest batteries you'll find in a smartphone. Its 8,500mAh power pack is absolutely huge, and it allows the Poco to last for literal days without needing to be recharged. 'Two-day battery life’ is a common claim you hear from Apple and Samsung, with dubious accuracy, but in the Poco, it’s a reality.

I imagine light phone users could even get three days' use out of the X8 Pro Max, and when you do run low, its fast charging capabilities will get you back on the move in minutes. I comfortably kept to a two-day routine, but I was using the Poco intensively to review it, and you (hopefully) won't use your device as much as me.

This is no one-trick pony either. The charging speed is equally impressive, hitting 100W, which means you can fill that massive power pack up in a reasonable time (about 45 minutes, depending on your charger). Its processor and display are both pretty great for the price, too, and I used the phone for gaming without issue.

The Poco X8 Pro Max isn’t a phone for everyone. Its cameras are fine for day-to-day use but aren’t designed for photographers, and the software isn’t as refined as on some alternatives. The addition of two LED ring lights around the camera lenses is a neat addition on paper, but they don't amount to much in practice.

But when you consider that this is a fairly affordable phone, it’s easy to forgive a few rough edges. The X8 Pro Max is a mid-range mobile that’s easy to pick up without worrying too much about the up-front cost, and it’ll last you for absolutely ages, so you won’t need to think about replacing it for many years.

Poco X8 Pro Max review: price and availability

• Released on March 17, 2026
• 256GB storage: $469 / £469 (about AU$940)
• 512GB storage: $519 / £519 (about AU$1,040)

The Poco X8 Pro Max was announced alongside its non-Max equivalent, the Poco X8 Pro, on March 17, 2026, and at the time of writing, there's no non-Pro entry in the lineup. We’ll wait and see, though.

The handset starts at $469 / £469 (about AU$940, but Xiaomi doesn’t sell its Poco phones in Australia). Despite the presence of a USD cost, Xiaomi phones aren’t technically available in the US, and this is just the official reference price for the device. You can still ship the X8 Pro Max to the US, but it'll incur additional costs, and you might find support spotty.

That base model has 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, but for an extra $50 / £50 (about AU$100) you can double the latter capacity to 512GB storage. If you're buying this as a power-hungry work phone, that's not much money for a lot more storage.

Poco X8 Pro Max review: specs

Poco X8 Pro Max review: design

• Average-looking Android in black, blue or white
• Not too thick, but a little heavy
• Ring lights around camera

The Poco X8 Pro Max isn't as chunky as you'd expect for a phone harboring a veritable power bank under its skin. It measures 162.9 x 77.9 x 82.mm, which is about average for a phone of its ilk, and it only tips the scales a little more than average at 218g.

That weight likely comes from the glass front and back, and the aluminum frame, more than anything. The phone is IP68-rated, so it's well-protected against dust and immersion in water, though in some regions you'll get an additional IP69K rating. This isn't the case with the UK model.

At the end of the day, the X8 Pro Max is not an especially novel-looking phone. The model I tested, the white one, has a barely-perceptible vertical-stripe pattern on the back, but beyond that, it looks like your average Android. I presume the other models, which come in blue and black, are the same.

Look hard enough, and you'll find two LED rings; one surrounding each camera bump. These can be toggled to light up under specific circumstances: for an incoming call, to double as a camera app timer, or when music is playing. Honestly, though, I found these lights quite situational, and I barely saw them in action during my testing.

The power button and volume rocker, both on the right edge, were within reach of my thumb when I was using the handset one-handed, but that may not be true for smaller-handed users. The camera bump doesn't stick out too much, so the phone could be placed almost flush on surfaces. That's not a given these days.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Poco X8 Pro Max review: display

• 6.83 inches, 1280 x 2772 resolution
• 120Hz refresh rate, 3,500 nits max brightness
• AMOLED with 68 billion colors

The Poco X8 Pro Max has a sizeable 6.83-inch screen, like many other mid-priced Android phones on the market right now.

The rest of its display specs are in line with the competition too: you get a 1280 x 2772 resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, 3,500 nits of max brightness, and support for HDR10+.

Thanks to its AMOLED panel and support for up to 68 billion colors, the phone has a little bit of extra juice for watching movies or TV shows. This technology reduces the amount of banding you see (no more weird stripey sunrises in your shows!), and it combines well with the Dolby Atmos support also offered by the phone.

• Display score: 4 / 5

Poco X8 Pro Max review: software

• Android 16 with HyperOS 3
• Lots of bloatware to delete
• Four years of OS updates

The perpetual problem of Xiaomi's cheaper phones is that they always come pre-loaded with loads of bloatware; random games, third-party apps, and the company's own apps result in your main menu being cluttered before you've even started using the device.

You can delete them, but it's a chore to do so. You essentially have to claw your way back to the basic interface, which is Android 16 with Xiaomi's HyperOS 3 laid over the top.

To the same degree as most Chinese-made OSes, you get out of HyperOS what you put in; it doesn't have distinctive system-wide theme controls like One UI or stock Android, and instead tasks you with building your own interface with controls over the app icons, font, wallpaper, and so on.

As someone who doesn't like the overbearing system-wide themes of rivals, I'm a fan of Poco's approach, but it's not for everyone. If you want a simple and cohesive 'look', this phone isn't for you (unless you're willing to play around with its settings).

Poco doesn't make a huge song and dance about the AI features available in HyperOS, probably recognizing that consumers are a little tired of the subject at this point, but there are a few hidden away nonetheless: Circle to Search, Speech Recognition, and wallpaper generation are all here, and both Gemini and Copilot come pre-installed.

In terms of longevity, you'll get four years of operating system updates and six years of security fixes with the Poco X8 Pro Max. That's not the longest update commitment around, but it's a lot better than two or three years offered by some mid-range Android phone manufacturers.

• Software score: 3 / 5

Poco X8 Pro Max review: cameras

• 50MP main, 8MP ultra-wide, and 20MP front cameras
• Pictures are detailed but not optimized
• A few handy video features

Poco has never made a serious camera phone, and the X8 Pro Max doesn't change that fact. The phone has the same two-part lens array as basically every other Poco of the past few years: there's a 50MP f/1.5 main camera and 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide, with a 20MP f/2.2 camera on the front to round out the party.

It’s a tried-and-tested combo for budget phones: these lenses are great for taking pictures of pets, scanning documents, and capturing holiday shots, which is what most casual users will be using them for anyway.

But people who take their photography seriously will want to opt for an alternative device with a telephoto lens or bespoke camera modes.

As you can see from the camera samples below, snaps I took on the Poco are perfectly fine: the phone performs admirably in low-light conditions, and captured plenty of detail in various environments. The f/1.5 aperture on the main camera is a bit wider than we sometimes see in this category, and that probably explains why my pictures were nice and bright.

What differentiates this device from a bona fide camera phone, other than its lack of a telephoto lens, is its optimization capabilities (or lack thereof). Post-processing on the Poco X8 Pro Max is light-touch — the phone's software will make slight brightness and contrast adjustments, but that’s it. It doesn’t add vibrancy or color to pictures, which makes some of the photos below look a little duller than they otherwise would.

Video recording goes up to 4K at 60fps, and I was pleasantly surprised by how stable the recorded footage came out. A few other tools, like focus peaking and exposure 'zebra stripes', make the Poco X8 Pro Max a little more advanced for videography than I’ve come to expect from budget phones. However, there's no slow-mo, which I’d come to understand was a staple of phones at this price range.

• Camera score: 3.5 / 5

Poco X8 Pro Max camera samples

Poco X8 Pro Max review: performance and audio

• Solid Dimensity 9500s chipset + 12GB RAM
• Performs well in gaming, even if not top-end
• Stereo speakers or Bluetooth 6.0

If you want a solid, affordable phone for gaming, the Poco X8 Pro Max has you covered, as it’s one of the more powerful handsets you can buy without stretching your budget to the dizzy heights demanded by a top-end mobile.

The phone has a MediaTek Dimensity 9500s chipset, designed by MediaTek as a slightly stepped-down version of the brand’s flagship Dimensity 9500 processor (which itself is considered a step down from Qualcomm's flagship Snapdragon range). That 9500s chipset is paired with 12GB RAM, whichever model you pick up.

Despite that 's' suffix, though, the Poco's Dimensity 9500s chipset proved an admirable performer in benchmark tests, even if it didn’t match up to the true top-end chipsets found in bespoke gaming phones. The phone's average Geekbench 5 multi-core score was 8603, while 3D Mark’s Wild Life Extreme scores hovered around the 6000 mark. For context, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, which I tested before, hit 7300.

What’s in 1300? Not much, because I found that the Poco X8 Pro Max could easily handle all the usual testing games I play: online shooters, PC strategy ports, and assorted indie titles. It could generally grapple with all the high-graphics options I threw at it, too, though sometimes it would find Ultra presets taxing. Still, titles loaded quickly and played smoothly, with none of the overheating issues that we often see on Snapdragon-loaded handsets.

For audio, you'll get a set of stereo speakers on the Poco X8 Pro Max, smartly positioned so you don't block them when holding the phone horizontally for gaming.

There's also Bluetooth 5.4 support for wireless headphones, but no 3.5mm jack for a cable connection.

• Performance score: 4 / 5

Poco X8 Pro Max review: battery life

• Massive 8,500mAh battery
• 2-3 days battery life, depending on use
• 100W charging

It’s taken us a while to get here, but battery life is, for me, the best part of the Poco X8 Pro Max. Xiaomi has packed the phone full of juice: its battery is 8,500mAh, one of the biggest I’ve seen on a consumer smartphone before. Apparently, some even regions get a 9,000mAh version, but in the UK, that model isn’t on sale.

Suffice to say, an enormous battery like this lasts absolutely ages on a single charge. I’m talking two straight days of average phone use, and you’ll still have something left over. I have no doubt that the Poco X8 Pro Max is the longest-lasting phone I’ve ever reviewed.

Exorcising charging from your daily routine isn’t the only benefit of a huge battery like this. It ensures you can throw some gaming, video capture, or lots of screen time into your routine, without any kind of battery anxiety creeping in.

With such a big battery, fast charging seems almost unnecessary, but Poco has sweetened the deal with 100W wired powering. You’ll need to buy your own charger to hit this speed, though, as there’s a cable in the box but no wall plug.

With this charging speed, you can power the phone up from empty to full in just under 50 minutes. That doesn’t sound quick, but bear in mind the power pack is huge. You can also use the Poco as a power bank to charge up other devices, with 27W reverse wired charging. This phone is a battery champion.

• Battery score: 5 / 5

Poco X8 Pro Max review: value

I've never used a Poco smartphone that didn't offer value for money in some way, and that streak remains unbroken with the X8 Pro Max.

The phone offers an unparalleled experience if you need something reliable that'll last you for ages without charging. Sure, it doesn't offer flashy features or advanced cameras, but it's trying to be the panacea for people who just want a reliable mobile.

It's also built to last better than most flagships, ensuring you won't need to buy a replacement phone every other year.

• Value score: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Poco X8 Pro Max?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Poco X8 Pro Max review: Also consider

Not quite sold on this budget battery blower? Here are a few similarly-priced alternatives which are also worth your consideration.

How I tested the Poco X8 Pro Max

• Review test period = 3 weeks
• Testing included = Everyday usage, including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
• Tools used = Geekbench 6, 3D Mark, native Android stats

I used the Poco X8 Pro Max for roughly three weeks before writing this review, and tested it alongside the non-Max version of the phone, which I was also sent.

Part of testing was lab-based: I used benchmark apps like Geekbench and 3D Mark, conducted battery tests, and timed it charging. The rest of my testing was experience-based: I used the Poco for normal smartphone purposes, gaming, and taking photos.

I've been reviewing smartphones for TechRadar for seven years, and in that time have tested countless mobiles from a variety of brands and price points. These include past Poco and Xiaomi devices, and other battery-focused phones.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed March 2026

While Xiaomi has a habit of staggering major phone launches between its native China and the rest of the world, the Xiaomi 17 series has taken a particularly long time to make it across international waters.

Thankfully, that wait is over with the company’s February 28 Barcelona launch event playing host to an abundance of new Xiaomi tech; including tablets, scooters, power banks, AirTag competitors, smartwatches, and of course, phones.

Sadly, the Xiaomi 17 Pro and Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, with their ‘Dynamic Back Displays’ aren’t releasing internationally (Xiaomi has a habit of keeping the Pro models as China-only). But we still get a lineup of top-notch new flagships to enjoy: the compact 6.3-inch Xiaomi 17 and the brand’s latest camera king: the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, which also arrives in a premium form internationally, dubbed the Leica Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi (known as the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition in China).

Xiaomi was kind enough to grant me access to the international version of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra ahead of its February event. And considering the Xiaomi 15 Ultra has been my favorite camera phone of the last 12 months, I was excited to find out how the company has improved upon the recipe, one year later.

Xiaomi 17 Ultra specs and price

New variable telephoto camera

Naturally, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is all about that camera. Xiaomi has a long-standing partnership with famed camera brand Leica, and I’d say it’s put such a collaboration to use more effectively than any other phone maker, historically.

The Ultra’s new lead camera benefits from Xiaomi’s latest and greatest 1-inch Light Fusion 1050L sensor, which features new LOFIC (Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor) HDR tech, helping at-capacity pixels from blowing out the bright parts of a scene, even in dark or high contrast scenarios. This also means a wider 16.5EV stops of dynamic range (the base Xiaomi 17 – without LOFIC – has only a 13.5EV range).

That’s paired with ‘Leica UltraPure optical design,’ which just refers to the seven-element hybrid lens, consisting of one glass element and various optical coatings, to reduce glare, distortion and improve clarity.

As impressive as that all sounds, however, it was the telephoto camera that I was most curious to test out. When you look at the back of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, compared to its predecessor, the most obvious difference is the loss of the secondary 3x telephoto sensor.

This year, Xiaomi has instead opted for a more complex and technically impressive system, with the Ultra’s sole telephoto camera able to mechanically shift between an equivalent 75mm and 100mm focal length, without relying on sensor cropping; not to mention it boasts a maximum optical zoom range of 17.2x (equivalent to 400mm).

While I’ve used phones with mechanical zoom before – namely Sony’s Xperia 1 IV – it’s the pairing of the huge new 1/1.4-inch 200MP HPE sensor, the first example of an APO Leica lens on a smartphone, and that Xiaomi/Leica image processing that I fell in love with on last year’s 15 Ultra, that gives the 17 Ultra such a huge advantage.

Admittedly, the move between 75mm and 100mm doesn’t feel huge, but it has allowed Xiaomi to slim down this generation of Ultra, without compromising on the camera experience.

Thinnest Ultra ever

One of the big talking points with this year’s Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, is that it’s the thinnest in the series yet, but that’s also true with the new Xiaomi 17 Ultra.

Clocking in at 8.29mm, the 17 Ultra is between 11% and 13% thinner – depending on which Xiaomi 15 Ultra colorway you’re comparing against (it’s also lighter). While smartphone cameras are already massively more convenient and pocketable than conventional mirrorless cameras, even subtle savings on thickness like this go a long way, especially in the case of Xiaomi’s Ultras, which have some of the most prominent camera bumps around.

The big contradiction here is that the 17 Ultra also has significantly better thermal performance than its predecessor. A thinner body, inherently means a smaller thermal envelope, but the 17 Ultra’s Dual-Channel IceLoop cooling system is actually twice as effective as the 15 Ultra’s.

In practice, this means cooler charging, better sustained performance, longer gaming sessions, and more.

Bigger, brighter display

While some might be turned off by the generational drop in resolution, in side-by-side comparisons, the jump from 522 ppi down to 416 ppi isn’t as noticeable as you might think. In exchange, Xiaomi has graced the 17 Ultra with the series biggest and brightest panel yet.

A 6.9-inch 1200 x 2608 LTPO 120Hz AMOLED, with a peak output of 3,500 nits (up from 3,200 nits on the 15 Ultra). And that isn’t a single point peak figure either, but a 25% APL (Average Picture Level) quoted figure. This translates to a beautifully immersive viewing experience, helped by the display’s razor-thin bezels (achieved through the same LIPO manufacturing process used by the iPhone).

Xiaomi’s custom M10 display material – which I first encountered on the respectable Poco F8 Pro – also renders it more efficient, while the brand’s ‘HyperRGB’ pixel layout means you get similar sharpness to a conventional PenTile pixel layout.

Early thoughts

Although the Xiaomi 17 Ultra isn’t an earth-shattering reimagining of the previous few generations in the line, it didn’t need to be. There’s clear evidence of innovation, from that variable telephoto sensor, to the thermal advancements, the slimmed-down design, bigger battery, more immersive display, the list goes on.

While companies like Honor, Oppo, Vivo, Apple, Samsung and Google are all known for producing some of the best camera phones, their generational improvements are typically more predictable than what Xiaomi and Leica have created with the 17 Ultra. And that’s all before you look at its wider feature set.

Do I wish the tactile focus ring control from the Leitzphone version had been made standard across the whole line? Of course. Rather than splintering the Photography Kit into two tiers, should they have just added a shutter button to the phone itself? I would have loved that. But as it is, there’s clearly depth to the Xiaomi 17 Ultra experience yet to be unearthed. Check back for the full review soon.

• Leica unveils the Leitzphone, its first globally available phone
• The US is set to miss out, though
• The camera hardware is similar to Xiaomi's latest flagship

Leica makes phones, but you probably wouldn't know it because so far they have been exclusive to Japan. That situation just changed, however, with the new, globally available Leitzphone.

There's bad news if you're in the US, however, because that's the one market set to miss out on what looks like a fabulous flagship phone – especially for photographers.

Powered by Xiaomi and wrapped in a typically premium Leica shell, the Leitzphone shares much of the same hardware as the latest flagship Xiaomi phone — meaning an iPhone and Galaxy-beating triple camera unit.

The main camera is equipped with a large 50MP 1-inch sensor and LOFIC tech, for natural photo quality and less of a reliance on HDR and computational processing. For camera nerds, LOFIC stands for Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor. In short, the capacitor sits at the pixel level and reduces clipping, thus increasing dynamic range. Leica hasn't provided me with the actual numbers.

What's unique to the Leitzphone model — besides its slick Leica design and UI / UX that's consistent with its actual cameras, and which is a first for phones as far as I know — is a mechanical ring around the camera unit. It's a real design centerpiece for photographers, providing a tactile way to manually control a setting of the camera.

By default the control ring is set to zoom, this avoiding screen tapping to switch between cameras and zoom settings. (The 200MP telephoto lens has a 3x to 4x optical zoom.) However, the ring can be reassigned to functions such as exposure compensation and white balance. Proper photographer's stuff.

The Leitzphone will also be compatible with the latest version of Xiaomi's camera grip, which comes in a photographer's kit, and which will go a long way in improving the phone's handling for photography. That was certainly my experience with the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.

There's one version of the Leitzphone; a matte black with silver knurled trim, priced at £1,700 / AU$2,299 (around $2,000). Inside the box you'll find a cleaning cloth, red wrist strap, silver lens cap plus a case (which is compatible with the mechanical ring).

My dream phone for photography?

I have previously declared the Xiaomi 15 Ultra as my favorite camera phone, and although I'm yet to properly try out the new Leitzphone, I'm pretty sure it'll win my heart.

It's equipped with the latest Xiaomi tech, as per the 17 Ultra announced on the same day ahead of MWC in Barcelona. I really felt that the larger 1-inch sensor delivered the natural photo quality I expect from a premium compact camera, rather than the overly processed look I often experience with camera phones.

Throw in Leica's gorgeous design and UI, plus the various color profiles and bokeh characteristics inspired by Leica cameras and lenses, and it looks set to be my dream phone for photography.

One profile is inspired by the Leica M9 — the last Leica camera to feature a CCD sensor (before CMOS became the industry standard). Images made with CCD sensors have a different look about them.

A black-and-white mode is inspired by Leica's new Monopan 50 film roll, too — its first film, revealed last year.

Leica isn't skimping elsewhere, either. The Leitzphone features a healthy 6.9-inch display with 3500nit brightness, 16GB RAM, 1TB storage, 6,000mAh battery, and a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset.

Speaking of chipsets, there's a unique (to phones) additional security chip, designed for securely embedding content credential information onto images — the industry standard way of authenticating images as real.

All in all, the Leitzphone feels like the luxury phone for photographers and, ironically, one of the more affordable ways to shoot with a Leica. I'll report back once I've had an extended time photographing with the phone.

• The Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition will be called the 'Leica Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi' outside China
• This phone has a mechanical zoom ring for the camera
• It's launching on February 28

Late last year Xiaomi unveiled one of the most interesting phones we’ve seen in a while, and no, we’re not talking about the second screen-packing Xiaomi 17 Pro and Xiaomi 17 Pro Max. Rather, we’re referring to the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition, which only has one screen but includes a mechanical zoom ring for the camera, which can also be used to adjust the focus or exposure.

That launch was just for China, but the phone is about to go global, and Xiaomi has just confirmed that it will do so under a new name.

Posting on its Spanish X account (via Phandroid), the company has revealed that the Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition will be sold outside China as the Leica Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi, and added — according to the AI translation — that this phone "takes mobile photography one step further."

A tweaked design but the camera ring's intact

Based on leaked images shared by @Frankforphones it seems that this change in name will be accompanied by some tweaks to the design, with this version seemingly ditching the two-tone rear of the Chinese version, and rotating the Leica logo 90 degrees.

But the mechanical zoom ring — which is its most interesting feature — seems to still be present, and we’d expect the specs will be similar too.

For reference then, the Chinese model has a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, up to 16GB of RAM, up to 1TB of storage, a 6.9-inch 120Hz screen, a 6,800mAh battery with 90W charging, a 50MP wide camera, a 50MP ultra-wide, and a 200MP periscope camera which you can control with that zoom ring.

We’ll find out if there are any spec differences for the global model soon, as Xiaomi is unveiling it tomorrow (February 28) at MWC 2026 in Barcelona.

• The Xiaomi 17T and Xiaomi 17T Pro could launch four months earlier than expected
• That would mean an announcement in or around May
• These phones may have similar designs and cameras to iPhones

You get a lot more choice of features and specs with Android phones than with iPhones — but if you want something that’s actually quite a lot like an iPhone, but running Android, you could soon have a new option.

According to Chinese leaker Experience more (via GSMArena), the Xiaomi 17T and Xiaomi 17T Pro will launch around four months earlier than their predecessors did last year, which would mean a launch sometime around May.

Why is that relevant to iPhones? Well, Xiaomi’s recent T-series phones have had a fair few similarities to Apple’s handsets. Last year’s Xiaomi 15T (Xiaomi is skipping the number 16) has a very similar design to the iPhone 16 Pro, especially when it comes to the camera block, and the camera specs are somewhat similar too.

Those similarities may extend to the Xiaomi 17T line, which according to this leak won’t have significant camera upgrades.

That means for the Xiaomi 17T itself we can probably expect something similar to the 50MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, and 50MP 2x telephoto of the Xiaomi 15T, while the Xiaomi 17T Pro might inherit its predecessor’s 50MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, and 50MP 5x zoom cameras — giving it the same number of cameras and the same zoom power as the iPhone 17 Pro.

Bigger batteries and faster chipsets

The main upgrades this time around will apparently be to performance and battery life. The Xiaomi 17T will apparently have a MediaTek Dimensity 8500 chipset, while the Xiaomi 17T Pro is said to have a MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chip. The latter of those only falls slightly behind the iPhone 17 Pro’s A19 Pro chipset in some benchmarks, so these should be powerful phones.

As for battery, this leak doesn’t get specific, but a previous leak (again via GSMArena) pointed to a 6,500mAh battery with 67W charging for both phones — specs which would actually have Apple's current phones beat.

Of course, we’d take all of this with a pinch of salt for now, but if these phones do indeed land in May we should learn all about them before too long — and long before we see the iPhone 18 series, as those phones likely won’t launch until September.

I’ve always loved the idea of a clamshell foldable phone. Ever since the reveal of the original Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, I’ve been enamoured by the prospect of having a second little screen - almost like a smartwatch built directly into your phone.

Being able to see the time at a glance without picking up your phone is a massive convenience especially if, like me, you sit at a desk for hours a day and don’t want to constantly be reaching for your phone.

When you’re out and about it makes quickly switching between your music an absolute breeze too, and is a crowd pleaser if you’re taking photos at a social event. Seriously, I’ve never seen some of my friends more excited than when they realised they could use the tiny little screen like a mirror for the perfect shot. Unfortunately, actually living with the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra for multiple weeks, brought all my rose tinted hopes crashing down.

It’s not a bad phone, don’t get me wrong, but the clamshell design leads to so many inevitable compromises. The battery life was pretty poor, especially compared to my Honor Magic 7 Pro daily driver at the time, as there’s only so much you can cram into such a tiny form factor. The folding screen itself also feels like a disaster waiting to happen, with a fragile hinge that could come to a violent, crunchy end thanks to just one wayward speck of sand.

Throw in the infamous crease, which is distractingly visible while you’re trying to watch movies or play games, and you end up with a product that’s cute and cool, but not very practical for day-to-day use.

But what if I told you that there was an upcoming flagship with all my favorite features of a clamshell foldable, without any of the big drawbacks? Meet the Xiaomi 17 Pro, the phone that’s shot straight to the top of my most wanted list.

You don't have to know much about the world of phones to see what's special with this one. It’s business up front with a conventional 1220 x 2656 AMOLED display and a very, ahem, iPhone inspired overall look. Turn it over to reveal a party in the back, though, with a little screen in the camera bump that can be used for all kinds of cool features.

You can customize it with your own wallpaper and a range of handy widgets that do everything from telling you the time with your choice of clocks to displaying the local weather and your next calendar appointment.

Media controls appear automatically when something is playing too, letting you flick through songs without having to reach for the phone when it’s face down on a table - reducing the chances of you getting pulled away from your current task by the allure of your TikTok feed.

Of course, it can display notifications and incoming calls too. If your phone vibrates, you don’t need to wake up the main screen to see if it’s actually something worth responding to. Open the camera app and suddenly it's a little viewfinder, finally letting you take proper selfies with the mega triple 50MP main camera rather than the single selfie lens.

The gamer in me is also very excited by the ability to play small games on it. It’s definitely a gimmicky feature, but Xiaomi is even selling a sweet official case with buttons like that of a Nintendo GameBoy so you can control these tiny challenges more easily.

Ultimately, I’m just glad that one manufacturer is releasing something that makes phones feel fun again. In a world where companies like Samsung and Apple seem devoted exclusively to making increasingly thin generic slabs, I'll take something a little more whimsical like this any day.

• The Xiaomi 18 Pro will reportedly have two 200MP cameras
• Previous leaks suggest upcoming phones from Oppo, Vivo, and Honor could as well
• Megapixels aren't everything, but they could make a real difference to zoom shots

You might have thought the megapixel wars were largely over, with phones no longer competing to out-megapixel each other, as things like battery life and AI have become bigger focuses. But it seems among Chinese brands at least, the megapixel war might be back – but in a slightly different form.

Rather than trying to pack in a single sensor with more megapixels than we’ve seen before, now several brands are rumored to be equipping upcoming phones with multiple 200MP cameras.

For reference, some phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra already have a 200MP sensor, but only one – we’re yet to see any with two.

According to a new claim from Digital Chat Station (via GSMArena) though, an upcoming phone – believed to be the Xiaomi 18 Pro – will have two 200MP cameras and a 6.3-inch screen. For comparison, the Xiaomi 17 Pro also has a 6.3-inch screen, but all three of its rear cameras are 50MP.

Multiple models with many megapixels

And this isn’t the first we’ve heard of a phone with dual 200MP cameras, as the same source (via GizmoChina) has previously said that both the Oppo Find X9 Ultra and the Vivo X300 Ultra will have two 200MP snappers. Leaker Fixed Focus Digital has also suggested (again via GizmoChina) that the upcoming Honor Magic 8 Ultra could have two 200MP cameras as well.

So it seems that 2026 could be the year of the dual 200MP phone. But this might be more than just a gimmick or a spec for the box, as more megapixels can allow for more detailed, sharper images.

Arguably, 200MP is more than you need, especially if you’re mostly going to view the photo on your phone. But all those megapixels also allow images to be cropped without losing too much detail, which in turn means you can get something approaching an optical-quality zoom, just by cropping the sensor – much like recent iPhones do with their 2x zoom mode.

It’s likely that one of these 200MP sensors will be used for the main camera, and if the other is used for the telephoto then that could allow for quite a few different zoom levels. For example, it might offer a 3x optical zoom and then a 5x sensor crop zoom, and might go even further with multiple levels of cropping.

Of course, that’s just speculation, as it remains to be seen what approach Xiaomi and these other brands will take – if they even do have multiple 200MP cameras, but there’s certainly potential in this rumored upgrade.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery – or so they say. That’s certainly true in the world of phone design, where a trend started by one company can echo through the industry in months or even weeks.

One of those trendsetters is Apple, which sends shockwaves through the phone market with the reveal of each new generation of iPhone. Last year’s iPhone 17 series was no different, and the new designs for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, as well as the new iPhone Air, have served as – ahem – inspiration for plenty of other phones already.

However, there's a point where inspiration goes a bit too far, but for some phone makers being accused of taking design elements from Apple’s latest handsets doesn’t seem to be a worry.

In fact, I’d say there are some phones on the market now that are just blatant iPhone 17 series clones (we’re including the iPhone Air as an iPhone 17 series model as it came out at the same time). Keep scrolling for a list of the five most shameless iPhone 17 series clones from other phone makers — just keep in mind that none of these phones are available in the US.

Honor Magic8 Pro Air

Let’s start with the new kid on the block, the Honor Magic 8 Pro Air – no prizes for guessing which iPhone this Android handset takes its inspiration from.

Announced in January 2026, the Honor Magic 8 Pro Air looks conspicuously similar to the iPhone Air, and Honor’s naming scheme makes the link pretty obvious. What’s odd about the Honor Magic 8 Pro Air (apart from its long name) is that, on paper, it’s a more capable handset than the iPhone Air in a couple of key ways.

The Magic 8 Pro Air has three rear cameras and a 5,500mAh battery – larger than even the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s battery capacity. For reference, the iPhone Air was widely criticized for its single rear camera and limited battery life. With that said, Honor’s slim flagship isn’t quite as thin as Apple’s, as the Magic 8 Pro Air measures 6.1mm thick compared to the 5.6mm iPhone Air.

Still, it’s hardly the most original design we’ve seen, and near enough copies the ‘plateau’ motif from the iPhone Air as well as the orange color of the iPhone 17 Pro.

It’s not even original enough to be the first Honor phone to nab design ideas from the iPhone Air – that title goes to the Honor 500 (released in China in November 2025), which arguably looks even more similar to Apple’s thin flagship. For now it seems that the Magic 8 Pro Air is a China-exclusive release, and the Honor 500 has only launched in select Asian markets – we’ll be on the lookout for a global launch for either or both handsets.

Honor Power 2

Double trouble – we’re sticking with Honor for the next entry on this list, the Honor Power 2, which despite being a mid-range handset takes more than a few cues from the most expensive iPhone on the market.

While the name of this phone doesn’t give quite as much away as the Magic 8 Pro Air, once you get your eyes on the Honor Power 2, it becomes clear that someone at Honor’s R&D department has a bit of a thing for the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

What makes this so obvious is that the Honor Power 2 has the same plateau at the top of the phone, housing a triple-camera setup in a triangular pattern. With how simple phone design is these days, that means it already looks almost exactly the same as the iPhone 17 Pro. And did I mention it’s also bright orange?

That’s right, Honor didn’t just stop at construction – the brand has also nicked the quirky orange color scheme from this year’s flagship iPhone. How imaginative.

Xiaomi 17 Pro and Xiaomi 17 Pro Max

I’m torn about including this next entry in the list, because despite a good helping of Apple inspiration, I do think the final product has some original and worthwhile ideas.

I’m talking about the Xiaomi 17 Pro and Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, released in China in late September 2025. On the surface, these phones aren’t that similar to Apple’s top-end handsets. The biggest difference is in the rear display on the Xiaomi flagships, which takes cues from the cover display on flip phones to offer a convenient way to check the time, receive messages, or take photos with the rear camera system.

However, we can’t ignore the name scheme here, which is not just similar to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, but absolutely identical. What’s more, Xiaomi skipped over the Xiaomi 16 Pro entirely just to catch up to Apple, jumping straight from the 15 series to the 17 series.

I’m a fan of the best Xiaomi phones, and understand the need to keep pace with the big names in the industry, but this just seems desperate, even if the phones themselves are both cool and capable.

Poco F8 Pro and Poco F8 Ultra

Sticking with Xiaomi, we’re heading over to gaming-focused sub-brand Poco for the next iPhone-inspired models on this list, the Poco F8 Pro and Poco F8 Ultra, released in November 2025. Once again, the giveaway is the raised camera plateau, which houses three cameras and a flash module in Xiaomi’s typical square arrangement.

How similar these mid-range phones look to the iPhone 17 Pro depends on how it’s configured. In the silver colorway, the Poco F8 Pro very much resembles a silver iPhone 17 Pro, but the other color options are less directly tied to Apple’s models.

And considering that there’s no basic Poco F8 to speak of, it’s possible that the ‘Pro’ suffix was added to bring Apple’s high-end flagships to mind alongside the similar design.

As for the Poco F8 Ultra, the Bose speaker on the plateau and optional denim material option help to differentiate it from Apple’s design. I can’t see Apple releasing an iPhone that feels like a pair of jeans any time soon.

Inifinix Note Edge

Infinix isn’t a brand we talk about much here at TechRadar, as it’s mainly focused on releasing phones in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. But I had to include the recently announced Infinix Note Edge handset on this list, as it’s another clear-cut iPhone Air copy with a dose of iPhone 17 Pro design in there for good measure.

We’re talking about another thin, large phone with a camera plateau – but Infinix goes one step further with an Android wrapper that looks almost exactly like iOS 26.

However, Infinix seemingly at least had the good sense to withdraw its bright orange color option by the time of the phone’s official announcement (via GSMArena). I also find the name – Note Edge – pretty humorous, as it brings to mind the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge or older Galaxy Note phones much more than it does any Apple handset.

And to give credit where credit’s due, the Infinix Note Edge does sport some impressive specs, especially when it comes to its 6,500mAh battery capacity, which more than doubles the iPhone Air’s 3,149mAh capacity.

By the looks of these iPhone clones, it seems that Apple’s influence on phone design is set to continue – be sure to check out our list of the best iPhones if you’re thinking about picking up the real thing anytime soon.

• Xiaomi has launched a new Poco phone with a Bose-tuned subwoofer
• This is likely to deliver deeper bass than most handsets
• It also has a top-end chipset and a big battery

Poco – a sub-brand of Xiaomi – has come up with a novel way to make its latest handset stand out, and it’s something that you might not appreciate if you often get public transport.

You see, the company has partnered with Bose to equip the new Poco F8 Ultra with a subwoofer, along with dual stereo speakers. While stereo speakers aren’t unusual on phones, a subwoofer is, so this should be capable of delivering stronger bass than most smartphones.

That, of course, is a mixed blessing, as while it could turn the F8 Ultra into a genuinely useful mini speaker, it also inevitably means some people will take full advantage of the feature in public settings.

Still, it’s nice to see new and unusual features on phones, so we applaud Poco for that, even if we can already feel a headache coming on just imagining the antisocial ways this phone might be used.

A big screen and a massive battery

Subwoofer aside, the Poco F8 Ultra has a top-end Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, a 6.9-inch 120Hz OLED screen, a trio of 50MP cameras (one of which offers 5x optical zoom), a massive 6,500mAh battery, and 100W charging – or 50W when wireless.

It comes in two configurations – a version with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for $729 / £749, and one with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage for $799 / £799. That said, there’s no word on when you’ll actually buy it in the US, and if you get it in the UK right now, it’s available at a hefty discount, with these two models currently reduced to £549 and £599 for the 12GB and 16GB versions, respectively.

Alongside this, Poco has also launched the F8 Pro, which also has dual stereo speakers tuned by Bose, but lacks the subwoofer.

It also has slightly inferior specs all round, including a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, 12GB of RAM, a 120Hz, 6.59-inch screen, a 6,210mAh battery with 100W charging, a 50MP wide camera, an 8MP ultra-wide, and a 50MP telephoto (with 2.5x optical zoom).

This one costs £549 / $579 for a model with 256GB of storage and £599 / $629 for one with 512GB of storage – but again, there’s no word on when you’ll actually be able to buy it in the US, despite pricing being announced, and you can currently get it at a reduced price in the UK, with it – presumably temporarily – going for £399 for 256GB of storage and £449 for 512GB.

• Xiaomi's president has warned that smartphone prices could increase a lot
• This is due to the rising cost of memory chips
• Memory pricing would affect all phone brands, not just Xiaomi

If you thought smartphones were expensive now, you could be in for a shock next year, as according to Xiaomi President Lu Weibing, their prices could be in for a “sizeable rise.”

This claim was made during an earnings conference call (via Reuters), with the rising cost of memory chips being the reason given.

You see, memory chips are in high demand right now, as they’re used in artificial intelligence servers, so prices for memory chips are soaring, and that will also affect the price of the memory used in phones.

Since this claim of smartphone price rises comes from the president of Xiaomi, we can be almost certain that Xiaomi’s upcoming phones will cost more than they might have otherwise – so for example next year’s Xiaomi 18 series could be extremely expensive.

A problem for everyone

But this issue isn’t one that only Xiaomi will be facing – the whole industry will have to address rising memory prices, which will presumably mean either higher smartphone pricing or lower profits for the companies if they don’t pass the costs onto consumers.

Since most companies aren’t known to be fans of sacrificing profits, we’d assume that in most cases there probably will be price rises. That means big-name handsets like the Samsung Galaxy S26 series and the iPhone 18 line might also cost more than their predecessors.

Indeed, South Korean publication Chosun recently reported that a price increase for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra was expected. Though interestingly News Pim has claimed that the base model Galaxy S26 won’t have a price rise – but that this will be achieved by reversing course on some planned upgrades. So that’s another possibility – that we’ll see smaller upgrades than usual next year in order to keep prices at current levels.

Neither of those options sound great, so for now we’d suggest you get saving if you were planning to upgrade your phone next year – or hold out a little longer and hope memory chip pricing eventually drops again.

Xiaomi sub-brand Redmi has revealed the K90 Pro Max, a new mid-range smartphone with a built-in subwoofer and some ridiculously powerful internal hardware.

The Redmi K90 Pro Max comes with a 6.9-inch OLED display, a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, a triple-camera system with three 50MP sensors and a 5x periscope lens, an enormous 7,560mAh battery with 100W (100W!) wired charging and 50W wired charging, and, as mentioned, a 2.1 speaker system with two linear stereo speakers, a rear-firing subwoofer, and sound tuning by Bose. It also comes in a blue denim design option.

As TechRadar’s Staff Writer for Mobile Computing and one of the team’s many resident music nerds, that latter feature has certainly caught my attention. This is the first phone I’ve ever seen with a subwoofer – while other devices have made attempts at audio-focused hardware, I’ve never seen a separate speaker for bass before.

Though we haven’t tested the K90 Pro Max, this standalone subwoofer should, in theory, allow for punchier, fuller bass, while taking pressure off the main speakers and allowing more detail to come through. The K90 Pro Max won’t launch in the US, but I’d be curious to try it for myself should it come to Europe under the Poco brand (as Android Authority speculates).

In fact, the apparent strangeness of a phone with a subwoofer – or any kind of additional speaker for that matter – has me wondering why there are so few smartphones with any kind of specialised audio hardware.

Phone speakers are essential

You probably use your phone’s speakers every day. Whether you’re watching videos, listening to voice messages, playing games, or streaming music, chances are that some kind of audio makes its way from your phone to your ears on a daily basis. I’m streaming Spotify through my phone as I write this.

However, it’s really very rare that you see a phone maker make any kind of noise (get it?) about its phone’s audio capabilities. During your average phone release keynote, you might get a cursory mention of an upgrade to a new version of Bluetooth or support for higher-quality streaming, but never the speakers themselves.

It’s odd, really. Phone makers are keen to shout about their displays, touting even minor upgrades as reasons to purchase an entirely new handset, but won’t do the same for the audio experience, often the opposite side of the same coin.

I’m not saying there aren’t reasons for this; phone speakers have to be pretty small in order to fit inside a compact frame, which, thanks to those pesky laws of physic,s puts a pretty low ceiling on detail, clarity, and bass response.

Even though I was previously impressed with Apple’s efforts on the iPhone 15's speaker system, it can still struggle to keep up with dedicated speakers thanks to its tiny drivers. Some phone makers may keep quiet about their phone speakers in recognition of the fact that they’ll never quite match dedicated speakers.

And then there’s the marketing side – how do you advertise better sound quality? It’s pretty easy to show off a nice new display on a billboard or TV spot, but audio quality is a much more abstract thing, and much harder to signify.

Still, I think it’s high time that phone makers started paying a little more attention to audio quality – a feature most of us use every day deserves to be more than an afterthought.

Giving 'speakerphone' a whole new meaning

Though it might seem hard to believe, the Redmi K90 Pro Max isn’t the first speaker-focused phone to catch TechRadar’s attention.

Back in 2022, we published our AGM H5 Pro review, a rugged phone with a ridiculous 109db speaker mounted on the rear panel. For reference, that’s more than twice as loud as a motorcycle engine, and our review mostly found it to be an annoyance.

Then, in 2024, we covered the ZTE Nubia Music, a cheap phone with two headphone jacks and another huge speaker on the back – but as reviews came in, it became clear that the quality of this massive vinyl-inspired speaker wasn’t all that great.

I’m hoping the Redmi K90 Pro Max, should it land on Western shelves, can serve as something of an ambassador for speaker phones by being, well, actually good. The Bose branding on the back does give me some hope – Bose being the brand behind many of the best sound bars and the best headphones – but we’ll have to wait and see (wait and hear?) for ourselves.

In any case, the K90 Pro Max could land at a very reasonable price. In its home market of China, the phone starts at CNY 3,999, which works out to about $560 / £420 / AU$860 – pretty impressive for a phone with such powerful hardware. Let us know what you think of this bass-boosted handset in the comments below – we’re all ears.

Xiaomi 15T Pro: One-Minute Review

Xiaomi’s T-series phones serve up an almost-flagship class experience, while making considered concessions in order to hit a significantly lower price point than typical top-tier offerings.

This year’s Xiaomi 15T Pro is a little different, however, breaking convention by toting functionality that not even the premium Xiaomi 15 Ultra has to offer, while significantly undercutting similarly-sized flagship rivals like the iPhone 17 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. It's not just me saying so, Xiaomi execs made the unusual move of explicitly comparing the new phone to those rivals at the 15T Pro’s launch.

The design and software take some heavy-handed inspiration from Apple's Pro iPhones and iOS, but the 15T Pro is generally better for it. With a more elegant look and feel compared to last year's more utilitarian 14T Pro.

Software support that surpasses even the 15 Ultra helps up the value proposition, as does the assortment of launch offers Xiaomi serves the 15T Pro up with; from YouTube and Spotify Premium, to out-of-warranty repairs.

One of the largest and nicest screens we've even seen on a T-series phone sits front and center on the 15T Pro, held back only by a lower peak brightness compared to its predecessor, and the absence of a fully dynamic refresh rate that's found on full LTPO display-toting flagship rivals.

The Dimensity 9400 Plus is an excellent piece of silicon that enables top-tier everyday performance, high-fidelity gaming and decent AI capabilities too, but at least on paper, lags behind the new wave of flagship silicon now emerging from MediaTek and Qualcomm.

The Leica-backed camera experience is the best I've seen from the T-series to date, not least because of that capable new 5x periscopic telephoto camera. A rich camera user experience helps too, but collectively highlights the weaknesses in the ultra-wide in particular, which now feels like it's lagging behind the rest of the camera system.

A huge 5500mAh battery delivers great results in lab tests, but proved a little more pedestrian – in terms of longevity – in my real-world use. It nonetheless still renders the 15T Pro a capable all-day phone, and 90W fast charging gets you back up to full charge in well under 40 minutes.

All in all, this is an excellent (if a little unoriginal) next-gen entry in Xiaomi's T-series, and thanks to design, camera and software support improvements, really puts pricier rivals to shame.

Xiaomi 15T Pro review: Price and Availability

• Starts at £649 / €799
• Announced and on sale from September 24
• Not available in the US

Xiaomi’s September event in Munich served as the international launch for the Xiaomi 15T series (consisting of both the Xiaomi 15T and the Xiaomi 15T Pro). Unlike the base Xiaomi 15 series, which saw a staggered rollout that started in the company’s homeland of China, before arriving in markets elsewhere.

Just like the its predecessor (and the new iPhone 17 series), storage starts at 256GB, paired to 12GB of RAM, for which you’ll pay £649 in the UK. That’s the same as its predecessor and great value considering what the phone serves up. What’s more, Xiaomi pairs it with longer software support than even the Xiaomi 15 Ultra; increasing its value in the long-term even further.

At the phone’s launch, the company also brought Google out on stage to reveal a three-month free Google AI Pro offer and (at the time of writing), new Xiaomi 15T Pro owners also get a three-month trial of YouTube Premium, four months of Spotify Premium, a free screen replacement within the first six months after purchase and an out-of-warranty repair within 12 months, inclusive of labour costs.

While you’ll find the Xiaomi 15T series in most markets across Asia, Europe and the UK, Xiaomi doesn’t sell its phones Stateside, so US fans will have to look at importing, if you’re dead-set on getting your hands on either of these latest phones. Doing so means no warranty, none of the above offers and potential incompatibility with local mobile carriers, however, so keep that in mind.

Whilst Xiaomi listed a ton of carrier partners at the phone’s launch, in the UK it looks like you’ll need to pick the phone up off-contract; either direct from Xiaomi’s website or from retailers like Amazon UK (who at the time of writing already offer the phone with a 12% discount).

• Value score: 5 / 5

Xiaomi 15T Pro review: Specs

Xiaomi 15T Pro review: Design

• Refined (if unoriginal) aesthetics and ergonomics
• IP68 dust and water resistant up to 3m
• Available in Mocha Gold, black or gray

I wasn’t sold on the aesthetics of last year’s Xiaomi 14T Pro; it was more utilitarian than its predecessor, and lacked coherence and flow. The result was an uninspired design, that while sturdy, wasn’t all that nice to handle either.

With the 15T and 15T Pro, Xiaomi’s design team took things in a different direction, and the phones are all the better for it. The satin-finish flat-sided aluminum frame feels great in the hand, and despite sporting a larger display than last year’s Pro, this year’s entry doesn’t get any heavier (still 210 grams), also boasting a thinner waistline (7.96mm, down from 8.39mm).

Tolerances are tighter, the low-profile metal hardware controls on the phone’s right side still offer up a satisfying ‘click’ when pressed, and there’s a nice contrast with the reworked metal surround around the flush new rear triple camera system. Chamfered edges adopt a polished finish that falls on the right side of looking luxurious, rather than cheap.

Although not the most adventurous compared the wider smartphone space, the Mocha Gold of my review sample (pictured) is the most head-turning colorway of the three that the phone comes in (there are also black and Gray [silver] options too), lending itself nicely to the 15T series’ generally sophisticated appearance.

The finish also repels fingerprints exceptionally well, but if you are still worried about scuffs or marks, Xiaomi does also include a dark gray flexible TPU case in-box.

One of the reasons I think I like the look of the 15T Pro so much may have to do with familiarity. That new slightly rounded frame, flat back and the pleasingly thin (27% thinner than on the 14T Pro) uniform bezels surrounding the display all echo one of the most well-known phones of the last twelve months: the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

This isn't the only heavily iPhone-inspired aspect of the 15T Pro, but it's one of the most obvious (more on that later).

While the 15T Pro doesn't also share Apple's fleeting appreciation for titanium, Xiaomi has stated that the frame on its new phone is now even stronger (by about 17%, compared to the 14T Pro). The phone's IP68-certified protection has also improved, with support for submersion in up to three meters of water; twice the IP standard's minimum requirement.

The front is protected by Corning's mid-range Gorilla Glass 7i, which promises improved scratch resistance (it's also used to protect the camera on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra and has held up extremely well after months of use, in my tests). The pre-fitted plastic screen protector, meanwhile, doesn't repel scratches all that well, even if it is still appreciated to have such added protection out-the-box.

I was totally fooled by the 15T Pro's back, which I assumed was lightly textured glass, but as confirmed by the company's Terrence Xiao at the phone's launch, it's actually fiberglass.

While not as premium on paper, Xiaomi's efforts at imitation, in reality, pay off. Not only is fiberglass going to be harder wearing than glass in the long run (boasting a tensile strength of 3000MPa), it helps keep weight down, and is likely one of the main cost-saving measures that allows the 15T Pro to hit its competitive price point.

Xiaomi states that the 15T Pro is also twice as drop-resistant as its predecessor.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 15T Pro review: Display

• 6.83-inch 12-bit AMOLED display
• ‘1.5K’ 2712 x 1220 resolution
• Up to 144Hz dynamic refresh rate

The flat display on the 14T Pro was already capable, meaning the main benefit here is the larger size of the 15T Pro's panel (6.83-inches up from 6.67). Xiaomi has also adjusted the resolution to grant this year's larger iteration similar sharpness too (447ppi).

The more expansive viewing experience it serves up is made all the more immersive thanks to those dramatically thinner and even 1.5mm bezels. Something Xiaomi was able to achieve by using a LIPO ( low-injection pressure over-molding) process; just like Apple's Pro phones, as it happens.

The only real trade-off is this larger panel's lower brightness ceiling, with the phone promising a peak 3200-nit output, down from 4000nits on its predecessor.

Even so, in practice you can expect a great viewing experience; especially when soaking up HDR content. The 15T Pro's display offers all the benefits OLED tech is known for; deep blacks, vibrant but accurate colors, and respectable viewing angles, with minimal distortion, even when viewed off-angle.

Its abilities are bolstered by the likes of 12-bit color depth and Dolby Vision support, as well as 480Hz touch sampling, which paired with this year's larger-sized panel means it's a great screen for gaming, as well as watching media on.

One small caveat comes with the phone's refresh rate. Just as I found with 14T Pro, while the screen is rated for super-smooth visuals at up to 144Hz, finding games or experiences that can actually hit that number eluded me. Even games like Minecraft – which supposedly supports uncapped frame rates within its own settings – topped out at 60Hz/60fps on the 15T Pro, while Call of Duty: Mobile allowed for (still impressive) 120Hz/120fps play.

The 15T Pro also doesn't use a fully-fledged LTPO panel, like you'd find on the new iPhone 17, and full-fat flagships, like Pro Pixels and the Galaxy S25 series. So although the refresh rate still adjusts dynamically, it does so in larger increments; like 30Hz, 60Hz and 120Hz. This still means power savings when possible, but when using the 15T Pro's Always-On display, for example, the panel rests at 30Hz, where an LTPO-toting phone can rest at just 1Hz, saving far more battery.

Xiaomi always spoils you, when it comes to display customization. There are three preset color profiles, plus a full custom option where you can tweak every color space attribute you can think of. Similarly to OnePlus' 'AquaTouch' screen tech, Xiaomi has Wet Touch, and there are even display options for AI-backed video upscaling, SDR to HDR conversion and motion smoothing (all of which you can turn on and off).

The 15T Pro also features an optical in-display fingerprint sensor, which while not as swish as the Xiaomi 15 series' ultrasonic sensors, worked quickly and consistently during review.

• Display score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 15T Pro review: Software

• HyperOS 2 atop Android 15 at launch
• Deep personalization
• 5 years OS + 6 years of security updates

Sticking with the display for a second, one thing that Xiaomi continues to inexplicably bury is select native Android features. One of the first things I have to do on any Xiaomi phone is download a third-party Hidden Settings app, to grant easier access to frequently-used features, like Extra Dim. Why Xiaomi's software team has been hiding such functionality since the days of MIUI is beyond me; especially when the user experience is otherwise heaped in functionality.

On the flip side, one of the things I was worried about after reviewing HyperOS 1 on the Xiaomi 14T Pro, was the presence of ads littering the UI and first-party apps, but it looks like Xiaomi has thankfully reined them in for the experience on the 15T Pro. This phone may be cheaper than a conventional flagship, but for the price, users shouldn't be running into baked-in ads, and thankfully you won't.

One other perk to bear in mind is that the Xiaomi 15T series will be the first of the company's phones to make the jump to HyperOS 3 (atop Android 16). It felt like an upgrade Xiaomi was hoping to have ready for the 15T line's debut, but they didn't quite make it (the company's has slated the update to arrive sometime in October 2025).

I tried pre-release devices running HyperOS 3 at the phone's launch and generally, it doesn't feel like a seismic upgrade, but there are some notable (if unoriginal) additions. HyperIsland behaves exactly like iOS' Dynamic Island – save for the added ability to expand island elements out into full floating-windowed apps – plus, there's a new Liquid Glass-like search bar that persists across your home screens.

In the here and now, however, the HyperOS 2 experience on the 15T Pro is otherwise generally good. It feels wonderfully snappy (and you even have the option to toggle on richer UI animations if you want), animations are smooth and playful, there are a wealth of ways to easily access multitasking, be it the Side Toolbox (shortcuts which you swipe in from the edge of the screen) or from Xiaomi's unique take on Android's app switcher.

While there aren't any ads to worry about, there are a few duplicate apps – as examples Xiaomi's App Mall and Mi Browser – which can't be uninstalled, plus a few pre-loaded third-party inclusions – like AliExpress and WPS Office – which thankfully can.

HyperOS can also be a little convoluted at times. Game Centre grants access to free instant web games, but an app icon for Game Turbo (Xiaomi's gaming performance management overlay) will only appear if you dip into the Security(?) app of all places, and enable a home screen icon from there.

The Xiaomi 15T Pro's user experience does boast some of Xiaomi's latest HyperAI features; like the ability to generate animated wallpapers from your photos and one of the best gallery apps around, with regards to image editing. It also features additional AI imaging tools, that are generally useful and capable, although object and reflection removal need more work (Samsung currently offers the gold standard in object removal on mobile).

One of the best oddities about the Xiaomi 15T Pro's software experience is support, with the promise of five years of OS updates and six years of software support. On the operating system side, that's an additional year over the uber-flagship Xiaomi 15 Ultra. Whilst odd, it further improves the 15T Pro's value, and spells good things for the international release of the Xiaomi 17 series.

• Software score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 15T Pro review: Camera

• 50MP ƒ/1.62 Light Fusion 900 main sensor w/ OIS
• First 5x periscopic telephoto on a T-series phone
• 12MP ultra-wide & 32MP front-facer

Generally speaking, you're going to love the look of the photos produced by the 15T Pro's camera setup. Xiaomi's ongoing partnership with Leica means Leica color science, which, paired with the tuning on Xiaomi's own custom Light Fusion 900 main sensor, doesn't fall foul of the over-brightened look the likes of Google's Pixels tend to produce.

Shadows are allowed to be shadows, but you can still expect detail and decent dynamic range. Colors appear rich (samples in this review use the default Leica Vibrant color profile, but you do have the option of the more muted Leica Authentic profile) too.

The big upgrade this year is the jump to a 5x periscopic telephoto sensor; a first for the T-series and welcome inclusion that proves its worth. It's better suited to capturing subjects further away and compressing a scene, as its 115mm equivalent focal range is a little too long for general portrait shooting, but it does well enough in such scenarios too, in a pinch.

With a maximum zoom for 100x, the phone resorts to generative AI to make up for lacking raw image data past 20x, but I wouldn't bother zooming beyond 60x if you want a convincing final shot. Any further and it's too obvious where the AI is filling in the gaps.

With regards to portrait capture, the 15T Pro is a great option, with great edge detection and subject separation. If we're splitting hairs, the most obvious giveaway of the phone's smaller main sensor compared to the 15 Ultra comes with the quality of the bokeh. You'd be forgiven for mistaking shots taken on the Ultra as coming from a conventional camera, whilst the 15T Pro's equivalent images still look like (very good) smartphone photos.

As the smallest sensor on the back of the 15T Pro , the 12MP ultra-wide is great in bright lighting but suffers the most when less light is available. Expect more punchy and contrast-heavy images across the board, but lower fidelity shots when the lights go down.

As a tool for creators, the Xiaomi 15T Pro seems like an excellent option, not just at its price point but in general. HDR10+ video capture across all focal lengths, up to 4K 120fps or 8K 30fps recording, plus LOG capture, LUT import and viewfinder support (i.e. an applied LUT isn't burnt into the recorded video and needs to be applied after capture), and even a teleprompter mode too.

While I feel like I'm splitting hairs, beyond physical sensor sizes, there are only subtle improvements I can think of asking Xiaomi for the next-gen T-series camera experience.

Motion tracking focus at 4K 60 and up would be great, Leica filter support above 1080p video capture, richer audio capture (most recorded audio lacked bass, in my opinion), and bigger refinements to the ultra-wide and selfie sensors, which feel as though they're being left behind.

• Camera score: 5 / 5

Xiaomi 15T Pro review: Performance

• 3nm MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ chipset
• 12% larger 3D IceLoop cooling system than 14T Pro
• Xiaomi Offline Communication up to 1.9km

While Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips inhabit the majority of today's best Android phones, MediaTek's premiere Dimensity silicon does sometimes find its way inside certain combatants too.

At the tail end of 2024, I was mightily impressed with the Dimensity 9400 powering the Oppo Find X8 Pro, and the 15T Pro uses a boosted '+' variant of this same chip. Xiaomi also isn't as stingy as, say, Google, with its RAM and storage; with 12GB of fast and power efficient LPDDR5X RAM (across all storage options), pared to equally capable UFS 4.1 storage – in 256GB, 512GB (as tested here) and 1TB capacities.

Xiaomi cites 12% better CPU performance, compared to the 14T Pro's previous-gen Dimensity chip (along with 41% better GPU performance and 20% better AI performance speeds), and in testing the 9400+'s Geekbench 6 multi-core score actually put it 15% ahead of the 14T Pro's Dimensity 9300+. It also slots in just behind the likes of the Snapdragon 8 Elite, found inside this year's Oppo Find N5.

In real-world use, using the Xiaomi 15T Pro feels like a premium experience, with fast app load times, consistently smooth animation and competent proglonged gaming performance, even with demanding titles.

The Dimensity 9400+ doled out a solid 60fps in games like Zenless Zone Zero (which cap at 60fps); defaulting to a blend of 'medium' and 'high' graphical settings. Heat build-up was instantly noticeable with such titles, but nothing I became concerned about, not least because the brand's 3D IceLoop cooling system (a vapor chamber cooling solution) is 12% larger on this generation Pro T-series phone.

The Xiaomi 15T and Xiaomi 15T Pro are also the first of the company's phones to support Xiaomi Offline Communication, which allows for calls and texts with another compatible device at a range of up to (in the case of the 15T Pro) 1.9km, without cellular signal, so long as a SIM is inserted (or an eSIM registered).

While not quite as outlandish as the iPhone's satellite communication, this more localized take on cellular-free communication is a pretty cool addition, which should only improve with time as Xiaomi seeds more devices with support for the feature.

• Performance score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 15T Pro review: Battery

• 5500mAh battery
• Up to 90W wired charging + 50W wireless charging
• Rated for 1600 charge cycles

On paper, the Xiaomi 15T Pro's battery setup promises great things, with the largest capacity power pack ever seen in a T-series phone (5500mAh), backed by up to 90W wired Xiaomi HyperCharge tech. In practice, I found there was a little more nuance to the 15T Pro's longevity.

Using PCMark's Work 3.0 battery test (with the screen set to 200nits), the Xiaomi 15T Pro was one of the longest-lasting phones I've tested, with a score of 15 hours 24 minutes; clocking in just behind the 6000mAh-backed OnePlus 13R and OnePlus 13.

However, in real-world use battery life was far more pedestrian; clocking in between 5.5 and 6 hours of screen-on time per charge. In my experience, that equates to a confident day's heavy use, but not much more.

For comparison, despite only possessing a 9% larger battery, both OnePlus phones delivered 9.5 and 13 hours of screen-on time, respectively. This disparity likely comes from a mix of display, OS and processor inefficiency, compared to the OnePlus phones, but doesn't mark the 15T Pro as a weak performer by any stretch.

This remains a capable all-day phone and battery anxiety can also be kept at bay thanks to those fast recharge speeds.

Whether you get a power adapter in-box will depend on which market you're buying in, but in the UK and Europe, you'll have to source one separately to get the 15T Pro's maximum recharge speeds. You also have to enable 'Top Speed' mode in the battery sub-menu, where the phone will warn you about potential heat build-up when using the mode.

Out the box, with standard charging enabled, the phone's 5500mAh power pack reached only 21% charge in 30 minutes and didn't reach 100% until almost 2.5 hours. However, with Top Speed enabled, the phone hit an impressive 85% in 30 minutes and was fully charged in 37, right in line with Xiaomi's claims; so it pays to pick up the right power adapter, if you want to capitalize on this fast-charging prowess.

One small note is that, despite being faster than the majority of its more costly competition, the Xiaomi 15T Pro's 5500mAh battery does technically recharge slower than the 14T Pro's; with the previous-gen phone boasting quicker 120W wired charging.

As with the 14T Pro, the Xiaomi Surge Battery inside the 15T Pro is once again rated for 1600 charge cycles, which equates to more than four years of charging before the battery loses 80% of its original capacity. Respectable.

While there's no full-fat passthrough charging, the GameTurbo overlay does include a 'slow charge' option; designed to reduce strain on the battery during extended gaming sessions, without you worrying about losing too much juice.

• Battery score: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Xiaomi 15T Pro?

Buy it if...

Don’t buy it if...

Xiaomi 15T Pro review: How I tested

• Review test period: 2.5 weeks
• Testing included: everyday use including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
• Tools used: Geekbench 6, Geekbench AI, 3DMark, GFXBench, 3DMark native Android stats, Xiaomi 120W charger

I received the Xiaomi 15T Pro just ahead of travelling out to Munich for the phone's global launch, and used it every day since taking delivery of it.

It became my main camera, I used it for everything you'd expect from the phone in your pocket; spanning social media to gaming, web browsing and more.

I dipped into developer settings to assess certain aspects of the 15T Pro's performance more closely and used industry-standard benchmarks to quantify and verify the performance I experienced.

Having reviewed smartphones for 15 years, including numerous Xiaomi smartphones, as well as devices from the company's key competition, I felt equipped to review the 15T Pro; assessing its strengths and abilities against the market it's competing in.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed October 2025

• The Xiaomi 17 series has been unveiled, with the Pro models having two screens
• The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max has a massive 7,500mAh battery
• All three phones have a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset

Hot on the heels of its mid-range Xiaomi 15T and 15T Pro launch, Xiaomi has just announced its new flagships in the form of the Xiaomi 17 series, and these phones have a lot of eye-catching specs.

The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is the top model, and the most interesting one, with both this and the Xiaomi 17 Pro having a second display on the back, which looks a bit like a smaller version of the cover screen on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7.

This second screen can be used to frame selfies taken with the rear cameras, display widgets from apps, and even play games – if paired with an official Game Boy-like case.

In the case of the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max this is a 2.9-inch screen, while the Xiaomi 17 Pro has a 2.7-inch one, and they both have a 120Hz refresh rate.

As for their main displays, the Xiaomi 17 Pro has a 6.3-inch one and the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch one, and both again have a 120Hz refresh rate.

Massive batteries and top-end chipsets

Another highlight of these phones though is their battery capacities, with the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max having a frankly ridiculous 7,500mAh capacity, and the Xiaomi 17 Pro having a 6,300mAh battery. For comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has just a 5,000mAh battery and the iPhone 17 Pro Max has a 5,088mAh one (or 4,832mAh outside the US).

Both phones charge at 100W – or 50W if using wireless charging, and both have a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, which is Qualcomm’s brand-new flagship chipset, and should make these handsets more powerful than any currently available Android phones.

They also both have a trio of 50MP cameras on the back, including wide, ultra-wide, and 5x telephoto options, along with a 50MP camera on the front. Plus there’s up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage in both phones.

The base Xiaomi 17 is a little less interesting as it doesn’t have a second screen, but you still get a 6.3-inch main display, a 50MP triple-lens camera, a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, and a huge 7,000mAh battery.

These phones are so far only launching in China, but we’d expect that one or more of them will land in Europe early next year – though a US release is very unlikely, as Xiaomi doesn’t have much of a presence there.

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Xiaomi has revealed the 15T and 15T Pro, two new mid-range phones in the brand’s long-running T series.

The 15T and 15T Pro follow the mainline Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Ultra launched earlier this year, and as is typical for Xiaomi's T series the phones focus on photography and value for money.

The Xiaomi 15T Pro sports the MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ chipset, and 12GB of RAM. Its 6.83-inch display features a 2772 x 1280 resolution and 144Hz refresh rate and up to 3200nits of brightness. The phone also has a 5,500mAh battery which supports 90W wired and 50W wireless charging.

As for cameras, the 15T Pro sports a triple camera system, with a 50MP main camera, 12MP ultra-wide camera, and 50MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom. It's rare to see a 5x telephoto camera on a mid-range phone.

The Xiaomi 15T Pro also supports video recording at up to 4K resolution at 120fps.

The standard 15T gets the MediaTek Dimensity 8400-Ultra chipset, 12GB of RAM, and the same 6.83-inch display as its Pro sibling, with a reduced refresh rate of 120Hz. It also gets a 5,500mAh battery with up to 67W wired charging, though it has no wireless charging support.

The 15T comes equipped with a 50MP main camera, 12MP ultra-wide camera, and 50MP telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom range. It comes in the Gray, Black, and Rose Gold color options.

Design-wise, the two new phones are very similar. Both feature an aluminum frame, fiberglass rear panel, and square camera housing with chamfered edges.

The Xiaomi 15T Pro starts at 799 Euros (approximately £700) for the model with 256GB of storage. The Xiaomi 15T starts at 649 Euros (approximately £570) for the model with 256GB of storage. We'll update this article with detailed pricing and availability information as we hear it, though Xiaomi does not do business in the US.

The Xiaomi 15T and 15T Pro launch alongside the brand's latest mobile operating system update, HyperOS 3. This brings a handful of new software features to the 15T and 15T Pro, as well as the Xiaomi 14 and 14T series models.

HyperOS 3 adds the ability to access your Xiaomi phone on Mac or iPad, with real-time screen mirroring, as well as the ability to unlock multiple linked Xiaomi devices by unlocking just one phone or tablet.

Additionally, the new Xiaomi Offline Communication feature allows two 15T series phones to connect and communicate with no network connection at a range of up to 1.9km.

HyperOS 3 also adds new AI tools, like AI-powered device-wide searching, to AI-powered voice clarification for voice notes. Google Gemini features like Circle to Search are present as in previous generations, and both the Xiaomi 15T and 15T Pro come with a three-month trial for Google Gemini Pro.

Xiaomi devices rarely make our list of the best Android phones due to their limited availability, but the Xiaomi 15T and 15T Pro could be a solid choice for those looking for a great camera phone for less than typical flagship prices. Let us know what you think of the Xiaomi 15T and 15T Pro in the comments below.

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• Don't get distracted by 'scratchgate' - the iPhone 17 Pro is still an excellent phone
• Some early iPhone 17 users are experiencing intermittent Wi-Fi problems
• I'm not ashamed to love the iPhone Air

• The Xiaomi 17 Pro and Xiaomi 17 Pro Max have been teased
• These phones have an iPhone-inspired name and camera block
• However, they also have standout features like a rear screen and a powerful new chipset

Xiaomi has just teased its next flagship phone series, and so far, there are three quite notable things about these handsets – two of which sound promising, and the other being more questionable.

That questionable aspect is the name, particularly of the top model, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max. Yes, you read that right: Xiaomi's next flagship phone is called the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max. For reference, the current top model in the series is the Xiaomi 15 Ultra.

So, Xiaomi has skipped the number 16, in all likelihood, to coincide with the same number as the iPhone 17 series. On top of that, it's renamed the top model to match the naming of the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

What's more, the camera block on the new Xiaomi flagship – shown off in a teaser video (via Android Authority) – looks wider and more iPhone 17 Pro-like here than on previous models.

But, in fairness, Xiaomi looks to be making better use of the large camera block than Apple, because rather than much of it just being empty space, it houses a ‘Magic Back Screen’.

This is a secondary display on the back of the phone, one that you can use to view the clock, as a viewfinder for selfie photos (meaning you can use the main cameras for those), and to see information from apps.

This actually isn’t a new thing for Xiaomi, as the company tried a similar idea with the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra years ago. To my mind, that made it one of the most interesting phones of that year, and while Xiaomi ditched the rear screen for subsequent models, I’m pleased to see it’s returning here – and in what looks to be a larger and more capable form.

This could be genuinely useful, and should certainly help the Xiaomi 17 Pro and Xiaomi 17 Pro Max stand out from rivals – including the iPhone 17 series.

Extreme power too

The other notable aspect of these phones is that they will be the first to use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Extreme Edition.

Breaking that down, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is the confusingly named successor to the Snapdragon 8 Elite – a chipset that powers many of this year’s best Android phones.

So, it’s very new and very powerful, and the Extreme Edition is even more powerful, with this having a slightly faster 4.7GHz prime CPU core.

These phones are set to launch before the end of September, so there’s not long to wait for them – though whether they will launch globally at that point or initially just in China remains to be seen.

But whenever they do land, thanks to that rear screen, they have a chance at being among the most interesting handsets available.

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• Xiaomi has revealed that its upcoming chipset is 3nm
• That should put it in competition with the best smartphone chipsets from Apple and Qualcomm
• This chipset is being fully unveiled on Thursday

Right now, the biggest names in smartphone chipsets are Apple, Qualcomm, and MediaTek, and these are the only three firms that have so far made smartphone chipsets using a 3nm (nanometer) process. But now Xiaomi is about to announce a 3nm chipset of its own this week.

Posting on Weibo (via TechNode), Xiaomi’s CEO has revealed that its XRing 01 chipset will be fully unveiled on Thursday and that – excitingly – it uses a 3nm process.

As a general rule, the smaller the number there, the more powerful the chipset is, and being 3nm should put the XRing 01 in competition with the likes of the A18 Pro powering the iPhone 16 Pro series and the Snapdragon 8 Elite powering the Samsung Galaxy S25 line. In short, this should be an extremely powerful chipset.

Of course, we won’t know exactly how powerful until we’ve put it to the test, but early benchmarks spotted by leaker @UniverseIce suggest it could give the above chipsets a run for their money.

An affordable alternative

That could be a big deal, as it might allow Xiaomi to more affordably equip its phones with top-end chipsets – and there’s a chance those savings could be passed on to consumers.

In the unlikely event that the XRing 01 outperforms the Snapdragon 8 Elite then it would also be the most powerful chipset available to Android phones – and if Xiaomi keeps it exclusive to its own handsets then that could give the company a real edge.

Of course, even if it really is as powerful as benchmarks suggest, it may have issues, such as not being overly energy efficient. But either way, Xiaomi being the first mainland Chinese company to hit the 3nm benchmark is still a notable moment for smartphones.

We should have a clearer idea of its real-capabilities on Thursday, when Xiaomi fully details the chipset – and an even clearer idea once we’ve tested it for ourselves.

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• A new rumor suggests that Xiaomi's next flagship phone could sport a 7,000mAh battery
• That could see Xiaomi almost double the battery capacity of the current-gen iPhone 16
• The Xiaomi 16 is extremely unlikely to come to the US

Another day, another futuristic specs rumor concerning a Chinese phone maker – this time, we’ve heard about a major step forward in mobile battery capacity from tech giant Xiaomi.

The folks over at Phonearena spotted a Weibo post by notable tipster Smart Pikachu, who claims the Xiaomi 16 could come equipped with a massive 7,000mAh battery, which would make the Xiaomi 16 the first phone with a battery of this capacity.

Before I dig into that, let me caveat the tip by noting this post was translated from Chinese using the translation option in Google Chrome, so this information isn't crystal clear. But the hashtag Smart Pikachu is using appears to be in reference to the Xiaomi 16, and Phonearea believes the '7' in the translated post (which I've screenshotted and posted below) references the battery size.

We’ve only recently seen phones approach and cross the 6,000mAh mark, and the current-generation Xiaomi 15 sports a 5,240mAh battery – so 7,000mAh seems like a very ambitious target.

The Xiaomi 15 launched this year, so we’d expect the Xiaomi 16 to launch at some time in 2026 – as PhoneArena highlights, that’s the same year we expect to see the iPhone 18, Samsung Galaxy S26, and Google Pixel 11 series launching.

In fact, a 7,000mAh battery would put the Xiaomi 16 at the cutting edge of what’s even possible for a flagship smartphone – there are phones on the market with larger cells, but these are typically bulky and hefty rugged phones.

Our in-depth Xiaomi 15 review found the phone’s battery life impressive, especially for a compact-frame phone – it’s easy to see that a 33% increase up to 7,000mAh could take Xiaomi’s flagship into the highest echelons of mobile battery champs.

And though I still think 7,000mAh is a lofty target, it’s true that Android phone makers – particularly Chinese companies – have been pushing ahead at pace when it comes to battery hardware. It’s got me thinking about whether a certain Cupertino-based tech giant will be looking to catch up any time soon.

Capacity opacity

Apple is famously shy with its mobile battery capacities, instead opting to list the practical battery life of an iPhone in hours of video playback.

That’s probably for the best, as the exact figures recovered from teardowns and deconstructions after release show that iPhones rarely have batteries as large as their Android counterparts.

For example, the iPhone 16 sports a 3,561mAh battery – less than the 4,000mAh cell found in the Samsung Galaxy S25. The Google Pixel 9 is well ahead, at 4,700mAh – which is closer to the enlarged iPhone 16 Plus’ 4,674mAh cell (which is itself undersized compared to the 5,000-6,000mAh cells found in larger phones from Oppo, Samsung, and Xiaomi).

That’s not to say that iPhones don’t offer good battery life – in recent years especially Apple seems to have upped its game with software optimization and power efficiency – but iPhones are rarely considered battery beasts in the way the best Android phones are.

I’m wondering if the arrival of an Android phone – the Xiaomi 16 or indeed another model – with a 7,000mAh battery could change that. For reference, that’s almost double the capacity of the iPhone 16, a feat enabled by space-saving and efficiency-boosting silicon-carbon battery technology.

Apple has always been content to do its own thing when it comes to hardware, but I’m not sure that it would be happy to have the iPhone quite so obviously lapped by Xiaomi.

Optimistically, I’d like to see Apple a little spooked by this Xiaomi rumor – as mentioned, the iPhone 16 already gets a lot from its relatively small battery thanks to Apple’s efficient chipsets and tight software integration.

A 4,000mAh battery, or even larger, could see the iPhone living up to its strong processing performance, cameras, and software experience in the battery department.

However, with Xiaomi showing no signs of entering the US market any time soon, it’s possible Apple won’t even consider this latest rumor in its planning. Still, I’m hopeful that Apple can give the best iPhones a little more juice in generations to come.

Let us know what you think of this new Xiaomi 16 rumor, and whether you’re counting on Apple to respond with its future phones, in the comments below.

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Poco F6 Pro review: Two-minute review

Chinese tech giant Xiaomi has sub-brands, with Redmi already having built a strong reputation, but you should also start to take notice of Poco. The latter originally launched as Poco by Xiaomi, though it soon spun off as its own independent brand while remaining under the Xiaomi umbrella.

Poco aims to provide customers with "everything you need, nothing you don’t" – delivering devices for those on strict budgets, promising to offer near-premium smartphones for less. The Poco F6 Pro is its most high-end offering, calling it an "all-around flagship that closes the gap on high-end performance phones," and in many ways, it succeeds.

The pricing and model availability of the Poco F6 Pro can be a little tricky to pin down. It comes in three models: 12GB RAM and 256GB/512GB storage and the 16GB RAM/1TB model that I've reviewed here. While the UK get all three models, only the 512GB F6 Pro is available in Australia, priced at £549 / AU$999.

The Poco F6 Pro isn't officially available in the USA but, similarly to the 256GB and 1TB versions in Australia, international models can be purchased through AliExpress (as well as Amazon and Kogan in Australia).

I'm not a hardcore mobile gamer, but across casual titles like Marvel Snap, Hearthstone and Clash Royale, as well as more demanding games like Fortnite, Rocket League, and PUBG Mobile, the Poco F6 Pro ran flawlessly with a steady 60FPS at high graphics settings.

It boasts a large, bright 6.67-inch WQHD+ display with sharp, vibrant colors. The 120Hz refresh rate makes gaming smooth and, combined with the 3200 x 1440 resolution, I found myself – a movie snob who desires the best possible viewing experience – genuinely enjoying watching movies and TV shows on the Poco F6 Pro. Perhaps most impressive is its 4000-nit peak brightness, just short of the OnePlus 12’s 4500-nit display.

With a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide lens and a 2MP macro camera, the Poco F6 Pro offers a solid setup for casual photographers. While it doesn’t quite match the vibrancy or feature set of the best camera phones – or the best budget camera phone – it produces sharp, well-defined images, even in incredibly dark environments, where it's assisted by AI to restore details and deliver clear images.

One feature I personally enjoyed – but might not be for everyone – is the iOS-like interface, specifically regarding the iPhone's swipe-down control center that HyperOS almost completely copies. As an iPhone user in my daily life, it made for an easier transition compared to something like Samsung’s One UI.

Now, for the bad – bloatware, and lots of it. Right out of the box, the Poco F6 Pro comes loaded with an abundance of applications, from duplicates with the Google suite to random games (Bubble Shooter, really?) and third-party apps that clutter the app drawer. Worse yet, you can't mass-delete them, forcing you to hold down each one individually and drag them to the bin.

Worse yet, ads appear within system apps like Themes. While they can be disabled, the fact that customers would have to traverse ads on a phone they've paid for is baffling, if not insulting. Despite enjoying my experience once I'd removed (most) ads, the sour taste they left was hard to forget.

In the budget phone market where high-quality UX is offered by Samsung, Google, Motorola, and now Apple with the iPhone 16e, it's a relatively small drawback that stops the Poco F6 Pro from sitting in the upper echelon of cheap phones.

Still, once beyond the initial setup pains, you're left with a stunning display, powerful performance and all-day battery life within a premium build. Poco even includes a 120W Type C pin charger (in certain countries), USB-C cable and a surprisingly high-quality phone case in the box.

Whether you’re a gamer, casual photographer, or someone who just wants a fast, reliable phone for streaming, scrolling and playing, the Poco F6 Pro delivers exceptional value.

Poco F6 Pro review: price and availability

• Released in May 2024 for £549 / AU$999 (12GB/512GB model)
• Not always available from reputable retailers
• 16GB/1TB model is only available in certain countries

The easiest way to purchase the Poco F6 Pro in the UK and Australia is through the Xiaomi online store. In Australia it is also available via independent retailers: Amazon, Kogan and AliExpress. Amazon and AliExpress reliably stock it for the UK too, while the latter is your only easy option in the US, where you could get it for a discounted price at around the $400 mark.

While the F6 Pro launched in May 2024, it didn't hit the Australian market until August 2024. It comes in three configurations: the 12GB/512GB model is priced at £549 / AU$999, a 256GB storage variant is also available, currently available for approximately £499, though it’s only available in select markets. The 16GB/1TB model is priced at £599, but is available in even fewer markets.

When I first got my hands on the Poco F6 Pro, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It’s a lesser-known brand – at least in Australia where this phone was tested – claiming to offer impressive value even among the best budget phones. Yet, after testing it, I found it mostly delivered on its promise of flagship visuals and performance at a more accessible price.

Adding even more value, the Poco F6 Pro includes a 120W charger and a Europlug CEE 7/16 wall plug (in compatible countries), a USB-C cable, and a protective case – a rarity in an era where many brands are cutting back on in-box accessories.

Despite some minor drawbacks, the Poco F6 Pro consistently impressed me with its price-to-performance ratio. While the newer and cheaper Poco X7 Pro might be a better pick for those purely seeking ultra-budget gaming power, the Poco F6 Pro stands out as an excellent all-rounder with a gaming focus in the mid-range market.

• Value score: 4.5/5

Poco F6 Pro review: specs

Given the nomenclature, it's seems obvious that the Poco F6 Pro would be the more expensive handset compared to the standard Poco F6, but the story isn't so simple. The Poco F6 Pro is a gaming-focused all-rounder in the mid-range market, but its regular sibling actually outperforms the Pro in some areas, which a much more dedicated focus on speed.

The F6 Pro sports the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, while the Poco F6 sports the newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The Poco F6 Pro is also beaten in durability, with the IP64 durability rating and Gorilla Glass Invictus protection of the Poco F6 beating the Gorilla Glass 5 and IP54 of its Pro sibling.

Worth highlighting in the specs list is the F6 Pro's 6.67-inch display (3200 x 1440 resolution), 50/8/2MP rear camera trio, and 5,000mAh battery with 120W wired charging.

Poco F6 Pro review: design

• Smooth quad-curved glass back
• IP54 durability rating
• Two color options

Much like the all-new iPhone 16e, the Poco F6 Pro sticks to just black and white options, ditching the more vibrant yellow seen on many other Poco phones. The result is a premium, albeit slightly boring-looking smartphone.

Unlike the plastic design of the F6, the Poco F6 Pro features an aluminum frame and marbled, smooth quad-curved glass back, giving it a high-end feel that exceeds expectations for its price.

My review unit was the white model, and while I usually prefer the more understated black, I quickly warmed to the color – especially since I had the option to cover the device with the included black case anyway.

Speaking of the included rubber phone case, it actually feels substantial, more like something you’d buy off Amazon than a flimsy throwaway addition.

However, the case won't protect your F6 Pro from its biggest design flaw – an IP54 dust- and water-resistance rating. This means the Poco F6 Pro offers limited protection against dust ingress and water sprays, and compared to other phones in its class that offer a minimum IP67 rating, it simply falls short.

This could be a deal breaker for those who work in dusty environments or need their phone in inclement weather.

The only part of the Poco F6 Pro that (literally) sticks out when using the case – besides the (thankfully) minimal Poco branding – is its camera array. Three large lenses and a flash dominate the top of the rear of the device, which avoid the all-too-common table wobble.

Attractive from any angle you look at it, comfortable to hold with either one or two hands and going without the Poco yellow, the design of the F6 Pro would be one of my favourite features… if it wasn't more impressive in other areas.

• Design score: 3.5/5

Poco F6 Pro review: display

• 6.67-inch display (3200 x 1440) with 120Hz refresh rate
• 4000-nit peak brightness
• Visible Gorilla Glass 5 protector

Alongside its gaming prowess, the Poco F6 Pro’s display is one of its standout features – and one of the best you’ll find at this price visually.

As someone who previously loved the compact iPhone 12 mini, I’ve had to adjust to using larger smartphones and, while bigger isn’t always better, the 6.67-inch screen on the Poco F6 Pro hits the sweet spot between usability and immersive viewing.

Not all screens are built the same. In the past I've struggled with the long and narrow 6.7-inch Motorola Edge 50 Pro, whereas the 6.6-inch Samsung Galaxy A55 feels much more comfortable to hold. It's worth noting that I have larger hands, but the Poco F6 Pro sits closer to the Samsung in terms of usability, with an excellent in-hand feel.

Beyond size, the Poco F6 Pro impresses with its 3200 x 1440 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate (which you’ll need to activate in settings, with a 60Hz base), and 4000-nit peak brightness. Whether I was reading, gaming, or watching videos, the display looked fantastic – even outside under the bright Australian summer sun.

Unfortunately, one of the Poco F6 Pro’s biggest weaknesses is its durability. Strangely, the cheaper Poco F6 is actually tougher as it features Gorilla Glass Victus, while the F6 Pro is stuck with older Gorilla Glass 5.

Usually, I'd hope not to have to test the toughness of the screen, but my Poco F6 Pro took a tumble off my bathroom sink onto the tiled floor, coming away with some minor damage. I also found that it's quite easy to scratch up, coming away with a few marks just from sitting in my pocket and bag. My biggest problem, though, is that the glass is visibly sitting on top of the main screen, taking away from the F6 Pro's display.

The Poco F6 has an excellently bright, responsive display that is a joy to both watch and play on, but phones at this price, and considerably cheaper – it's non-pro sibling a prime example – offer stronger displays without a visually obtrusive protector.

• Display score: 4/5

Poco F6 Pro review: software

• Ads in system apps and suffocating bloatware
• HyperOS on top of Android 15
• 3 years of OS updates and 4 of security patches

One of the best things about a new phone is the naked, fresh interface and the Poco F6 Pro felt like it came wearing seven hats, three watches, and nine pairs of socks.

The software of the Poco F6 Pro is perhaps its weakest attribute. Pre-installed apps on Android phones never quite match up with the clean feeling of setting up a new iPhone. Typically, this includes useful essentials like the Google Suite, along with perhaps a few duplicate system apps such as a gallery and Google Photos.

This was my first time using a Xiaomi phone, and the Poco F6 Pro took my experience with bloatware to another level. I've never had to delete so many apps just to clear my home screen and keep only the ones I actually use.

Two app stores, the App Vault, Facebook, TikTok, Farm Frenzy, Booking.com, Bubble Shooter, LinkedIn, Mi Mover, Mi Remote, Mi Video, Gallery, Google Photos, Poco Community – you get the point. And that's far from the full list.

Note that I made things worse for myself by quickly rushing through the setup process and choosing to download several games right at the start. However, even when denying that, you'll still get far too many pre-downloaded, unwanted applications.

Once I cleared out the clutter, Poco’s HyperOS became a straightforward Android experience that I enjoyed.

On the customization front, the Poco F6 Pro offers a wealth of options. You can personalize your lock screen style, icons, fonts, notification effects, and even fingerprint unlock animation. The phone also supports themes that allow you to change multiple elements at once for a cohesive look.

For those who enjoy AI-powered features, the Poco F6 Pro offers plenty. Google Gemini is integrated and activates when holding the power button, allowing you to ask about what’s on the screen, issue voice commands or type requests. You also get Google’s Circle to Search functionality.

Beyond that, AI features extend into Notes, Gallery and Recorder, enabling AI summaries, proofreading, translation, image expansion, editing, transcribing, speaker recognition, summary generation, and more. There’s even an AI Interpreter for real-time translation during conversations or phone calls, as well as AI subtitles for translated video playback.

Overall, I enjoyed Poco’s HyperOS experience, and while the three years of software updates isn’t the most generous I’ve seen, it’s acceptable. However, that positive experience is heavily tarnished by built-in ads and an overwhelming amount of bloatware upon setup.

• Software score: 3/5

Poco F6 Pro review: cameras

• 50MP main camera, 8MP ultra-wide
• 2MP macro, 16MP front camera
• Dull coloring

The ability to snap great photos on a cheap smartphone is one of the key needs for budget buyers. Sure, you want to save money by avoiding bank-breaking flagship devices, but you don't want to struggle to take family photos, or be left with blurry results when you snap a selfie at the end of your hike.

That's why, right next to battery life, camera performance is one of the top qualities of many of the best cheap phones, from the Motorola Edge 50 Pro, to the Edge 50 Fusion, Galaxy A55, Pixel 8a and more. That's not the case for the Poco F6 Pro – it makes no apologies for focusing on gaming power and all-day battery. However, it still does well enough for most users to be happy with their results, especially if it's a secondary need to gaming.

It is not the best camera I have used while testing the other budget phones, but it was satisfactory across the board. From the 50MP main camera, to the 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro and 16MP selfie camera, the Poco F6 Pro lets you take any photo you want.

It's not as feature-rich as other phone cameras in this market – there's not a ton of photo types or filters – and I did struggle to get the phone to focus in macro mode, but it performed well once in position and the subject wasn't moving.

The Poco F6 Pro has a few modes like document scanner and long exposure that allow you to do more than just take regular photos and videos. While the Poco F6 Pro claims to excel in night photography – and it certainly is impressive at pulling some detail from near pitch-black environments, I found it performed inconsistently in low-light environments like dimly lit restaurants.

The Poco F6 Pro isn't one of the best camera phones on the market, and the Motorola Edge 50 Pro, Samsung Galaxy A55 and the Samsung Galaxy A56 surpass it in the budget category. Still though, if you just want a decent enough camera setup for snapping the family, your pets or weekly hike, the Poco F6 Pro is more than up to the task.

• Camera score: 3.5/5

Poco F6 Pro review: performance

• Handles strenuous loads
• Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform
• Stereo audio, no headphone jack

Ranking smartphone processors isn’t always straightforward – some excel in speed, others in gaming, battery efficiency, or specific tasks. Still, the Poco F6 Pro runs on one of the better mobile chipsets available today in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

It delivers excellent, well-rounded performance and particularly stands out in gaming power and battery life. It even outperforms the Dimensity 8400 chip found in the newer Poco X7 Pro.

I reviewed the 1TB/16GB RAM model, and I was impressed by how cool it stayed under pressure. Many budget phones I’ve tested tend to heat up even during basic tasks, and even my personal iPhone 15 seems to get warm when I take a few seconds too long to select a podcast.

The Poco F6 Pro remained cool throughout my testing – even while gaming and charging simultaneously.

Its real-world performance translated well to benchmarks, too. In Geekbench tests, which measure CPU performance, the Poco F6 Pro’s multi-core score (4,733) outperformed the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, Nothing Phone 2, and Motorola Razr 50 Ultra. Its single-core score (1,375), however, placed it alongside mid-range devices like the Pixel 7a, Poco F5 Pro, and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Turbo.

When it comes to 3D Mark gaming benchmarks, the Poco F6 Pro dominates budget and mid-range rivals and even approaches flagship-level performance:

As you can see, in nearly every benchmark test, the Poco F6 Pro significantly outperforms two of the best cheap phones on the market. And from my own experience, I can confidently say it felt just as powerful in everyday use.

As for its audio quality, the Poco F6 Pro connected to my Samsung Galaxy Buds 3, Apple AirPods 4 and Sony WH-1000XM5 very easily. Its dual stereo speakers offer Dolby Atmos where it can, and provided a completely enjoyable sound experience the rare times I wasn't using headphones.

• Performance score: 4.5/5

Poco F6 Pro review: battery

• 20% in 5 minutes, full-charge in around 30 minutes (67W charger)
• Easily handles hours of gaming
• 120W charger included (in certain countries)

You might think that a smartphone that promises power, should have the battery to go with it. But, while that is not always the case, the Poco F6 Pro is certainly in line with that rule.

With a 5,000mAh battery, the Poco F6 Pro's battery capacity matches up to that of some of the best phones, not just the best cheap phones it's competing against. Battery capacity isn't everything, but even phones like the Google Pixel 9 Pro (4,700mAh) falls short in comparison to the Poco F6 Pro, which matches the battery capacities of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Like I said, battery capacity isn't everything, and it's actually the enhanced power efficiency of the F6 Pro, thanks to its LiquidCool Technology 4.0 with lce Loop system that makes it feel as good in use as its battery looks on the specs sheet.

The Poco F6 Pro only ever gets slightly warm when running games on low battery. And, as such, it has no issue lasting all day. So, while it varied depending on my use that day, I found myself with about 20% battery by the time I got home at 6pm after being up and using my phone from 5am.

With the included 120W charger – that's not compatible with Australian sockets – Poco promises a HyperCharge speed that will get you to 100% in just 19 minutes. Though of course you can purchase your own 120W charger to get those speeds.

With the Xiaomi 67W GaN wall charger – which can be purchased from the Xiaomi store – the Poco F6 Pro increased by 22% in just 5 minutes, while 15 minutes would get you around 70%, and it would sit at about 85% after 30.

Playing Fortnite Mobile on the Poco F6 Pro was a blast, and it lasted a touch more than 3.5 hours of continuous, nonstop 60FPS gameplay at high graphics settings and around 80% brightness.

Speaking of, after a day of strenuous testing, the Poco F6 pro was sitting at only 10% battery as I got onto the bus after work, but I still needed some entertainment for my commute. Luckily, six games of Marvel Snap (around 15 minutes), starting with the phone on just 8%, took the F6 Pro to just 2% battery, which the phone stated would last about half an hour if you stopped using it and saved it for emergencies.

For both regular use and heavy gamers, the Poco F6 Pro is an excellent choice in the budget space.

• Battery score: 4/5

Should you buy the Poco F6 Pro ?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Poco F6 Pro review: also consider

How I tested the Poco F6 Pro

• Review test period = 3 weeks (had the device for much longer)
• Testing included = Everyday usage, including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
• Tools used = Geekbench 6, 3D Mark, native Android stats

I received the Poco F6 Pro in October 2024, but due to a combination of reviewing other devices, the Black Friday rush, and the busy Christmas period, I didn't get around to properly testing it until the new year. However, when I first received the device, I did use it as my main device for about a week and carried it with me to work, testing it intermittently during that time.

When I finally dedicated myself to the Poco F6 Pro review, I used it as my primary device for a three full weeks. During this time, I tested its capabilities with regular tasks like texting, video calling, and scrolling through social media for hours, along with gaming and streaming content from the best services.

The only out-of-the-ordinary activity I indulged in was playing mobile games like Fortnite and PUBG – as the device is gaming focused and I'm not much of a mobile gamer. I quickly found myself enjoying it quite a bit, especially when I paired my mobile gaming sessions with my PlayStation 5's DualSense controller.

To ensure accurate performance results, I ran 3D Mark and Geekbench tests several times throughout my review period, factoring in battery performance and daily usage conditions at the time of testing to get the most applicable numbers.

Read more about how we test

[First reviewed March 2025]

Xiaomi 15 Ultra: Two-minute review

Say hello to another bombastic entrant in Xiaomi's Ultra series. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra leads with its Leica-backed camera array, made all the more prominent by the existing 1-inch 50MP main sensor being joined by a new, larger 1/1.4-inch 200MP telephoto sensor.

As with the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, it takes superb shots that don't look as processed or technically 'perfect' as what you might expect out of Google's Pixel imaging pipeline, but they're potentially better for it. Meanwhile, its videography skills have been tailored to meet and beat the likes of the iPhone 16 Pro series across areas including resolution, control, and LOG video capture.

Beyond the excellent imaging experience, the phone's underlining internals impress, with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite running the show. That's backed up by tangible optimization benefits from Xiaomi HyperCore resource management, a new IceCool vapor chamber, and the fastest storage and RAM you'll find on any phone out right now.

HyperOS 2.0 (atop Android 15) expands on the AI feature set introduced on the 14 Ultra, with useful translation, productivity and image editing tools. There's nothing that sets Xiaomi's AI feature set apart from major rivals, but it delivers on its promises (save for Reflection Removal, which refused to work correctly in testing).

Beyond AI, there is a wealth of nice refinements to the look and feel of the user experience, however inconsistencies and some inexplicable choices mean Xiaomi's interface remains one of the more convoluted and trickier to deal with. The company has also only committed to four years of OS and six years of security updates, lagging behind industry leaders and harming the phone's long-term value proposition.

The screen is stunning and boasts better drop resistance than its predecessor's, while the new Si-C (silicon carbide) battery lasts less time than expected but can be replenished quickly, thanks to rapid 90W charging. Presumedly due to some EU regulation, 15 Ultras sold in the EU come with a smaller battery than their Chinese counterparts, although this isn't an ailment that's unique to Xiaomi.

All in all, Xiaomi has improved on everything that made the last Ultra so great, while most of the weaknesses are persistent pain points, more deeply rooted in Xiaomi's approach (primarily to software).

For the price, this is a respectable uber-flagship, however those hoping to get their hands on one in markets like the US or Australia will have a tough time doing so, as Xiaomi doesn't sell its phones in these regions, and carrier support isn't guaranteed.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra review: Price and availability

• Priced from £1,299 / €1,599
• Released February 27 in China, March 2 internationally
• Limited to no availability in US and Australia

As with its predecessor, fans in Xiaomi's homeland of China were treated to a native launch of the 15 Ultra first, on February 27. The company then staged an international release in Barcelona just days later, on March 2.

The phone went on sale on the same day, at 14:30pm GMT, coming in with a starting price of £1,299 / €1,599 across the UK and Europe (the same as its predecessor, in the UK). In some markets, there's also a higher 1TB storage model, which costs £200 more.

In regions like the UK, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra undercuts principle rivals – the Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max – by £50 and £100 respectively, when comparing like-for-like storage capacities. The main difference being that both of those alternatives can be had for less, if you're willing to drop down to 256GB of onboard space, which Xiaomi doesn't offer with the 15 Ultra. Both also come with less RAM than the Xiaomi.

As ever with Chinese phone makers such as Xiaomi, while the 15 Ultra's March 2 launch was heralded as its 'international' release, the brand doesn't sell smartphones in key markets like the US and Australia (although you will find their smart home and lifestyle products there). As such, beyond importing or buying via third-party retailers, you won't find the Xiaomi 15 Ultra locally; not to mention there may be carrier band incompatibilities with networks in those markets.

• Value score: 4.5 / 5

Xiaomi 15 Ultra review: Specs

Xiaomi 15 Ultra review: Design

• Leica camera-inspired colorway
• Xiaomi Shield Glass 2.0 w/ improved drop resistance
• IP68-certified against dust and water

After dropping down display sizes following the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra, subsequent generations of the series have generally hovered around the same weight and dimensions, and that continues with the 15 Ultra.

It's a hefty device (226g or 229g, depending on your choice of finish), and a hair thicker than its predecessor. That makes it one of the weightiest candy bar flagships of the current generation and a trait you'll notice in prolonged use, even if it does also reinforce the Ultra's air of premium power.

Aesthetically, the pillowed glass front, chamfered metal frame and large circular camera bump are consistent with the aesthetic Xiaomi has cultivated over the last few generations of Ultra, and stands apart from the more square-jawed looks of its most prominent rivals (save for, perhaps, the similarly curvaceous Honor Magic 7 Pro).

One of the most notable cosmetic changes is to the camera hardware. Whilst the circular quad-sensor array on the 13 Ultra and 14 Ultra offered a pleasing symmetry, Xiaomi has had to shuffle things around quite drastically to accommodate the phone's new headline telephoto snapper. The result is an asymmetrical assortment of lenses that I'd say is weaker visually but gives the 15 Ultra a more utilitarian look, which some might appreciate.

Along with the base all-black and all-white colorways – as was available on the 14 Ultra – this year you also have the option of a Silver Chrome variant (pictured), which tries to evoke the visual identity of Leica's iconic M3.

It's a bit on the nose, as a representation of the ongoing brand partnership between Xiaomi and Leica goes, but it's also undeniably distinct. Two-thirds of the phone's 'aerospace-grade' fiberglass back is wrapped in black faux leather, which stands in contrast to the satin-finish silver it's next to.

The leather has the practical bonus of added grip and after two weeks of testing, hasn't yet shown any signs of wear. That might be down to the fact that I also threw on the included glossy clear hard-shell case whenever taking the phone out and about, though.

On the subject of durability, like its predecessors, the 15 Ultra packs IP68-certified dust and water resistance, which while great, does now technically lag behind key rivals, like the Oppo Find X8 Pro, OnePlus 13 and aforementioned Magic 7 Pro. In addition to IP68-protection, all three of these alternatives have adopted IP69-certification too (check out our pick of the best rugged phones for a rundown of some of the hardiest handsets out there).

While that pillowed glass frontage does seem a little exposed, especially if you were to fumble the 15 Ultra face-down, it's clad in Xiaomi Shield Glass 2.0. The 14 Ultra sported its first-gen Shield Glass, which claimed to be 10x more drop resistant than the Gorilla Glass Victus on the 13 Ultra, while the 2.0 variant is supposedly 16x more resistant, compared to Victus. In theory, a drop on that 'All Round Liquid Display' shouldn't prove fatal.

Xiaomi hasn't eradicated Corning's presence from the Ultra outright, however, with Gorilla Glass 7i covering the camera array on the phone's back. Despite being as scratch resistant as the brand's top-tier Victus 2 glass, when paying Ultra prices, I'd have hoped for sapphire glass or something with even higher scratch resistance (even at the expense of drop durability), considering part of its job is ensuring camera clarity.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 15 Ultra review: Display & audio

• 6.73-inch 2K 20:9 (3200 x 1440) LTPO AMOLED
• 1Hz to 120Hz variable refresh rate
• Improved 'multi-scenario' 3,200-nit peak brightness

The main generational improvement to the viewing experience on the 15 Ultra is its higher peak brightness: an emissive 3,200-nit ceiling that outpaces all its mainstream rivals (the closest being the Super Actua display on the Pixel 9 Pro line, at 3,000-nits), only really falling short of Oppo's and OnePlus' latest flagships, which both claim to reach as high as 4,500-nits.

As with the 14 Ultra, the viewing experience here is unquestionably excellent. Out of the box, it serves up Full HD+ visuals and a dynamic refresh rate (between 1 and 120Hz), however, you have the option to crank the resolution up in the settings menu, to make the most of the phone's impressive 522ppi pixel density. You can also fix motion at 60Hz (for lower power consumption) or 120Hz (for more fluid viewing), and you can even force that higher refresh rate on an app-by-app basis.

Along with options for resolution and HDR upscaling, as well as motion smoothing and TÜV Rheinland-certified blue light eye protection, the 15 Ultra's display also makes the switch to an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, which proves faster and more reliable than the previous optical solution, even when your hands are a little wet.

Despite an asymmetrical down and forward-firing stereo speaker pair, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra outputs sound with clear separation and clarity through almost the entirety of its volume range.

At maximum volume, the stability of higher frequencies begins to waver, while bass is present throughout, but could be more prominent in the mix. Dolby Atmos support brings with it a set of EQ sliders (including presets) and there's effective spatial audio too.

• Display & audio score: 4.5 / 5

Xiaomi 15 Ultra review: Software

• Launches on HyperOS 2.0 atop Android 15
• New AI features include Interpreter and Reflection Removal
• 4 years of OS + 6 years of security updates

Last year marked a pretty notable shift for Xiaomi's mobile user experience. The company retired MIUI and replaced it with HyperOS, which although familiar on the surface, served up some notable quality-of-life improvements behind the scenes (it took up significantly less space on your device's storage, for example). It also served as the launchpad for their AI feature set.

Now, the Xiaomi 15 series arrives on HyperOS 2.0 (running atop Android 15). For the most part it adds an extra layer of visual polish, with the likes of the Artistic Lock Screens now able to support video, alongside subtle new animations throughout the UI that generally elevate the experience (even if some might be a little heavy-handed).

Better contrast and reworked UI elements across the Settings, Clock and Calendar apps, make them easier to use, as do a tweaked volume control layout and the ability to long-press on control panel entries – like brightness – to expand and access additional features (very iOS-like in its execution).

Frustratingly, Xiaomi insists on continuing to bury or completely hide some fundamental Android controls (such as Extra Dim) without explanation, but it does at least finally let you toggle Today's Recommendations off, which means there's less cruft within your home screen app folders.

HyperOS is a deeply customizable and capable user experience, provided you've got the stones to learn its nuances and forgive its inconsistencies.

There are new and improved AI tools spanning writing, image editing, and language across HyperOS 2.0, with Xiaomi's repetoire most closely mirroring experiences from the likes of OnePlus. Apple, Oppo, Samsung and Google have all leant a little harder into generative imagery on their latest devices, which isn't really part of the experience on the 15 Ultra, beyond image expansion and the ever-creepy AI portrait (check out our Xiaomi 14 review for a deep-dive on that).

The AI Writing toolset has been fleshed out, with summarization, proofreading, extension and tone alteration; all in a handy pop-up card that, once again, looks suspiciously like Apple Intelligence's interface. Like Samsung's Writing Assist, you can call on these tools essentially anywhere you enter text, which creates more opportunities to actually use them.

The translation app – AI Subtitle – has a well thought out and easy to use interface, allowing for conversational use with a speaker sitting either side of the phone, while the existing image editing tools (Expand, Erase, and Sky) have been joined by Enhance and Remove Reflections options (although the latter was next to useless, in testing).

Erase has also been bumped up to Erase Pro, which uses a larger model for improved results, however, unlike the base feature, it relies on an active internet connection to function. In fact, when disabling my data connection, practically none of the 15 Ultra's AI features worked offline, suggesting that the all rely on off-device processing to varying degrees (the exceptions being the base Erase, Remove Reflections and Sky image editing tools).

At the phone's Chinese launch, Xiaomi also showcased interconnectivity with iOS, iPadOS and MacOS devices, including Oppo Find N5-like screen mirroring and wireless file transfer, which is on track to come to global devices in the near future (as such, I haven't been able to test this feature).

Part of the price justification, when it comes to these top-shelf phones, is that they come with long-term support. Apple, Google and Samsung all offer a commitment to around seven years of operating system and security updates, so you know your phone will be supported for the entire time you use it, and also benefit from new functionality over time too.

Despite an improved six years' commitment to security updates with the 15 Ultra, Xiaomi has only promised four years of OS updates, which hurts the phone's value proposition, relative to some of the best phones already on the market.

• Software score: 3.5 / 5

Xiaomi 15 Ultra review: Cameras

• 50MP f/1.63, 1-inch Sony LYT-900 main sensor w/ OIS
• 50MP f/2.2, Samsung ISOCELL JN5 ultra-wide w/ 115º FoV
• 50MP f/1.8, floating 3x Sony IMX858 telephoto w/ OIS + 10cm macro mode
• 200MP f/2.6, periscope 4.3x Samsung ISOCELL HP9 telephoto w/ OIS
• 32MP OmniVision OV32B front camera w/ 90º FoV

The previous Ultra – with the same 1-inch main Sony sensor – in my opinion, captured shots as close as any phone has yet come to emulating what you might more readily expect from the best cameras.

Most of the best camera phones – the Pixels and Galaxys of the world – take technically excellent smartphone photos; replete with tone mapping and HDR processing, detail enhancement and face brightening. While the 15 Ultra has access to all these same tricks, however, it handles images very differently... more authentically.

Xiaomi's processing isn't as technically savvy as, say, Google's and the camera system can be a little inconsistent – especially with attributes like white balance and edge detection (much like on the 14 Ultra) – but it doesn't shy away from contrast and shadow, which when twinned with the natural depth effect afforded to that 1-inch sensor, can help you capture truly arresting shots without really trying.

Add to that the Pro mode manual controls and baked-in Leica filters, and there's a lot you can do with that main snapper, without the need for post-capture editing. That lead 50MP sensor is just the start, of course.

The reason this phone's camera system looks so physically different to its predecessor's is because Xiaomi needed to make room for a huge new 1/1.4-inch telephoto sensor (up from 1/2.51-inches). The 200MP Samsung ISOCELL HP9 that Vivo put to work on its most recent flagship – the X200 Pro – now also finds a home on the 15 Ultra.

Here, it serves up an equivalent 100mm focal length, and helps build on the existing camera system's impressive versatility. That large size means it's able to take in far more light than your average periscopic telephoto sensor (Xiaomi claims 136% more than the 14 Ultra's equivalent), but it's also likely the reason why the 15 Ultra lost out on its predecessor's mechanical aperture; there just wasn't room.

As trade-offs go, it's a compromise I welcome, as this higher fidelity telephoto is far more practical across zoom, portrait and even macro shooting. Speaking of macro, one of the biggest limitations of such a large main sensor is its minimum focal range, which is why it's a relief that the automatic macro mode kicks in and switches to a pleasingly competent ultra-wide.

No longer being unable to stop down in particularly bright shooting scenarios may irk videographers, but at least the Photography Kit allows for ND filters and the like, even if that's more of a band-aid than a solution

As well as filters, Leica's involvement expands to two shooting profiles: Leica Vibrant (the default on Xiaomi's phones) and the more muted Leica Authentic (see above), while some high quality filters can be activatated in-camera too (the monochromatic 'Blue' was a personal highlight).

Xiaomi made a big song and dance about the 14 Pro's video chops, even though stabilization at some resolutions was terrible at launch (later fixed via software updates). Thankfully, that doesn't appear to be a problem with the 15 Ultra's videography skills. You can switch between all the phone's rear sensors while recording at up to 4K/30fps, with options for 4K/120fps, and even 8K/30fps capture, if desired.

The 15 Ultra also joins an exclusive group, by being the only other phone besides the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro lines to support ACES (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) Log video capture (alongside Dolby Vision recording); making it a powerful choice for serious videographers, especially those who prefer Android to iOS.

• Camera score: 4.5 / 5

Xiaomi 15 Ultra review: Performance

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC
• LPDDR5X RAM & UFS 4.1 storage
• Xiaomi HyperCore system management

As with the rest of 2025's Android flagship contingent so far, the 15 Ultra arrives running on Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset; in most regions accompanied by 16GB of RAM and 512GB or 1TB of the fastest and most power efficient UFS 4.1 storage on the market (there is a 12GB RAM/256GB version that's trickier to come by).

Xiaomi says the chip serves up 45% better multi-core CPU performance (compared to the 14 Ultra), artificial benchmarking places on equal footing with the recent Honor Magic 7 Pro and the company even featured a slide during its Chinese launch, highlighting every aspect in which it trumps the iPhone 16 Pro Max; including gaming and networking performance.

A new dual channel 'IceLoop' vapour chamber offers enhanced cooling, which in real-world testing ensured that even after an hour's gameplay on a demanding title like Zenless Zone Zero with cranked visual settings (i.e. 60fps instead of 30fps), the phone never rose past a slight warmth.

Game Turbo is also on-hand to prioritize gaming performance, while also silencing notifications and the like, although finding how to bring the app onto your home screen to manage installed games takes some doing (hint: it's hidden within Xiaomi's Security app, of all places).

As with every other phone that relies on the Snapdragon 8 Elite, it offers buckets of headroom, ensuring whatever phone it's in will feel fast and remain capable longer than most others in the long term. Xiaomi's latest HyperCore technology then sits on top, better managing resource allocation, so that opening and reopening apps is faster; meaning less time staring at those initial splash screens than before.

• Performance score: 5 / 5

Xiaomi 15 Ultra review: Battery

• Larger 5,410mAh battery than predecessor
• Up to 90W wired & 50W wireless charging
• 7 hours of screen-on time per charge

While Xiaomi hasn't disclosed why, as with the Honor Magic 7 Pro, the international version of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra packs in a smaller battery (5,410mAh), compared to the Chinese variant (6,000mAh). That said, 5,410mAh is still pretty capacious, and Xiaomi's Si-C Surge Battery tech offers up increased capacity, without adding addition bulk to the phone's design; Apple and Samsung should take notes.

True to the brand, fast charging is part of the equation here, with the same impressive 90W wired and 80W wireless charging support (just don't expect a charger in-box in Europe or the UK).

If you are able to source the correct adapter, at standard speeds the 15 Ultra refilled to 56% in 30 minutes and hit 100% after 67 minutes. If you dip into the phone's battery settings, however, you can enable Top Speed mode, which warns of more noticeable warmth when charging, in the pursuit of faster recharge speeds. When enabled, the phone hit 44% in 30 minutes and 100% in 50.

If you're the forgetful type, Top Speed mode might better serve you, otherwise the results, to me, suggest it's better to leave the phone in standard charging mode, which still should still prove quick enough for most users (and will likely prolong battery health).

While benchmarking using PCMark 3.0's battery test dished out an impressive score on par to the Ultra's most like-minded and similarly-capacious Si-C battery-toting rivals, real-world longevity underwhelmed at only 7 hours of use per charge. That equates to a day's use, but considering the battery tech, system improvements and capacity of the cell(s), I would have expected closer to the Magic 7 Pro, which has a marginally smaller battery but lasted 45% longer in testing.

• Battery score: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Xiaomi 15 Ultra?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Xiaomi 15 Ultra review: Also consider

It's clear from the jump where the Xiaomi 15 Ultra's strengths lie, but there are numerous alternatives that offer something similar or excel in those areas where Xiaomi still needs to improve.

How I tested the Xiaomi 15 Ultra

• Review test period: two weeks
• Testing included: everyday use including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
• Tools used: Geekbench 6, Geekbench ML, 3DMark, native Android stats, Xiaomi 120W charger

Xiaomi sent me the 15 Ultra just ahead of its Chinese and international launch events. I used the phone as my daily driver over a couple of weeks; taking it to social events for camera testing, gaming and other general smartphone use; from smart home control to social media and web browsing.

Benchmarks were carried out in both Balanced and Performance modes, although most of the time Balanced mode results were actually high. As often happens, Xiaomi devices block access to servers for graphical benchmarking apps, so I was only able to quantify CPU performance, while graphical testing was anecdotal, based on gaming usage and the like.

Having reviewed smartphones for nearly 15 years, including numerous Xiaomi smartphones, as well as devices from the company's key competition, I felt equipped to review this flagship, assessing its strengths and abilities against the market it's competing in.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed February 2025

• A new rumor suggests the Xiaomi 15 Ultra will sport a main camera with a 1-inch sensor and a 200MP telephoto zoom
• On paper, these specs beat competition from Samsung, Apple, and Google
• The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is expected to launch in global markets in early March

The next high-end flagship phone from Xiaomi could rival the best camera phones, with a cutting-edge array of four high-res cameras, if a new rumor proves to be true.

According to noted tipster Yogesh Brar on X (formerly Twitter), the Xiaomi 15 Ultra will come equipped with a 50MP main camera utilizing the Sony LYT-900 1-inch sensor.

For reference, the main camera found on the iPhone 16 Pro uses a 1/1.14-inch sensor, which is roughly 13% smaller than the LYT-900. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and Google Pixel 9 Pro both have an even smaller 1/1.3-inch main sensor.

In camera parlance, the sensor is the surface that light is focused onto by the lens. A larger sensor means more light can be captured, allowing for better low-light performance, improved dynamic range, and less noise (or graininess).

Brar adds that the Xiaomi 15 Ultra also apparently sports a 50MP ultra-wide camera, a 50MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom, and a 200MP telephoto camera with 4.3x optical zoom.

On paper, that’s an extremely impressive array of cameras, and I can already imagine that such a mix of high-resolution cameras at multiple zoom lengths would offer users a lot of versatility and flexibility for photography.

The 200MP periscope camera jumps out as an exciting addition to Xiaomi’s highest-spec phone – the equivalent camera on the current-generation Xiaomi 14 Ultra is a 50MP camera offering 5x optical zoom.

A big sensor to go with all those megapixels

While resolution alone isn’t a reliable indicator of quality, Brar notes that this 200MP zoom camera utilizes the 1/1.14-inch Samsung HP9 sensor – that’s the same size as the main camera on the iPhone 16 Pro and even larger than the main sensor found on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and Google Pixel 9 Pro.

In theory, that combination of a large sensor and high resolution should offer optically zoomed images that are bright, colorful, and detail-rich.

Our Xiaomi 14 Ultra review found that the phone boasts “the best cameras of any phone, ever”, and with improvements like these rumored to be on the way, it seems like the Xiaomi 15 Ultra could continue this winning streak.

As PhoneArena notes, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is expected to be revealed in China on February 26, with an official reveal sometime during MWC, which spans from March 4 to March 6.

The only problem is availability: Xiaomi doesn’t sell in the US, period – this means the company’s phones are nearly impossible to get ahold of in the States (they’re also ineligible for our list of the best phones). That said, I’m sure the Xiaomi 15 Ultra will easily nab a spot on our list of the best Xiaomi phones instead.

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Xiaomi Poco X7 Pro two-minute review

For some reason, Chinese phone maker Xiaomi doesn’t make as much of a song-and-dance about devices from its budget sub-brand Poco as it does about those from its other budget sub-brand, Redmi. However, the Poco X7 Pro is a great example of why it should.

Released at the start of 2025 alongside a non-Pro sibling (and some Redmi phones), the Poco X7 Pro has a price that firmly puts it in the cheap phone category, costing less than half the price of a new iPhone. However, it offers enough useful features that you might consider putting down your Apple mobile or Samsung Galaxy S device for this budget blower. The Poco X7 Pro does a great job at pretending to be a premium handset in all departments except the price.

Like many other Pocophone handsets, the X7 Pro is designed with power in mind — it has the same amount of processing power as many 2024 flagships, as well as oodles of RAM and loads of storage space. In my experience, gaming was just as quick and smooth here as on some of the best Android phones.

The display is fantastic-looking too, squeezing extra pixels compared to most Android phones and offering more nits (the measurement of brightness). It’s bright and colorful enough to make iPhone users green (and you’ll be able to tell which shade of green too!).

You can rely on cheap phones to offer huge batteries but again, Poco has gone above and beyond with the X7 Pro, packing in a 6,000mAh battery. That’s one of the biggest power packs you’ll find on a phone that’s not designed for building sites or wilderness survival, and it’ll make sure the average user can text for days on end without needing a recharge.

The version of the Poco X7 Pro I tested also had a faux leather textured cladding which just adds points to the premium tally, however not all versions of the phone are like this. The green and black versions are just plastic.

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows here and, as usual, Poco drops the ball — or, more likely, opts not to carry it in the first place — in the camera department. Photos aren’t awful but they often look denatured and there aren’t many features you can use to super-charge your photography.

Plus, as phone fans will have been able to guess from the word ‘Xiaomi’ in the headline, the phone’s user interface is chock-full of bloatware when you boot it up.

These are little annoyances but I still feel comfortable recommending the Poco X7 Pro as one of the best budget mobiles you can buy right now.

Xiaomi Poco X7 Pro review: price and availability

• Starts at $299 / £309 (roughly AU$480)
• Several variants on offer depending on region
• Only costs a little more than Poco X7

The Poco X7 Pro was announced alongside its non-Pro sibling right at the beginning of January 2025, and went on sale immediately afterwards.

There are a few versions of the Poco X7 Pro. The cheapest has 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and costs $299 / £309 (roughly AU$480). If you want more RAM, the 12GB/256GB model sells for $239 (around £320 / AU$450). The more powerful version that I tested goes for $369 / £349 (around AU$600) and in the US there’s also an Iron Man Edition of the powerful one for $30 more.

As you can tell from the prices I’ve shared, different options are available in different regions. It's rare to see a Xiaomi phone in the US but the company lists itself on Amazon in the States.

I tested the Poco X7 Pro for a week without knowing the price, and was very surprised at how little it cost when I finally found out. It’s a great-value phone which gives buyers on a budget a really solid option.

For context, the Poco X7 costs $314 / £249 for its cheapest option, and it has a few spec downgrades across the board including a weaker processor and a smaller battery. It’s still pretty good value for money, though.

Xiaomi Poco X7 Pro review: specs

Xiaomi Poco X7 Pro review: design

• Three color options
• Mid-sized phone that'll be big for some users
• IP68 protection

Depending on which version of the Poco X7 Pro you pick up, you might deem it a generic-looking Android phone, or one that looks oddly like a race car.

The phone comes in black or green versions – which clad the mobile in a plastic frame – or, as you can see from the review images, a more unique yellow-and-black one. This version, which uses silicone polymer to create a textured faux leather feel, reminds me of racing-themed mobiles like the Realme GT, and it certainly is a distinctive look. It also feels more premium, and a touch more grip-able in the hand. If you think it’s a bit too ‘extra’, though, you should probably opt for the standard models.

These variants have the almost same dimensions: they’re 160.75 x 75.24 x 8.29 (add 0.14mm to that latter version for the yellow option) and weigh 195g (add 3g for yellow). A difference of under a millimeter, and only 3 grams, is a pretty negligible size and weight difference.

The phone has flat edges, so I could stand mine upright without a support, but they’re not as comfortable to hold in the hand as a curved-edge mobile. The power button and volume rocker are on the right edge while the USB-C port is on the bottom edge.

If you’ve got big hands, you’ll be alright with the Poco X7 Pro, but people with smaller ones should know that you probably won’t be able to reach the volume rocker — I couldn’t and I have pretty average-length digits.

All versions of the phone have IP68 certification, protecting you from submersion in water (for a limited time) and dust ingress. The Poco X7 Pro felt pretty hardy to me.

• Design score: 3.5 / 5

Xiaomi Poco X7 Pro review: display

• 6.67 inches, 1220 x 2712 resolution
• High max brightness and 120Hz refresh
• Well-protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 7i

The Poco X7 Pro’s display clocks in at 6.67 inches, which is basically the average size for a Xiaomi mobile — it’s nice and big without being too unwieldy.

That’s one of the only areas in which the Poco phone aims for ‘average’, though, because many other of its display specs exceed others at its price tag.

You get a few more pixels than on most of its FHD rivals with a 1220 x 2712 resolution, and the maximum brightness reaches up to 3200 nits (that’s in lab conditions, at least, but from my testing, it got really bright).

That latter spec, combined with the use of an AMOLED panel, means that you can get some pretty vibrant colors out of the Poco X7 Pro.

Two other important specs are the 120Hz refresh rate — this feature is par for the course on most Android phones — and the use of Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, which probably explains how the X7 Pro survived so many drops during my testing.

• Display score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi Poco X7 Pro review: software

• Android 15 with Xiaomi's HyperOS 2 over the top
• Three years of OS updates and four of security updates
• Bloatware-riddled software

When you boot up the Poco X7 Pro, you’ll find it running Android 15 with Xiaomi’s HyperOS running over the top. The company has promised three years of updates for the phone, and an extra one of security updates.

A common gripe I have with Xiaomi software is that it comes chock-full of pre-installed third-party apps. These include a huge number of ‘normal’ ones like calculators, compasses and a calendar but for me there were also six games, a Poco app and nine third-party apps including some that I studiously avoid.

If, like me, you’re never going to use AliExpress or WPS Office (or whatever the pre-installed apps are in your region), then you’ll have to start with an app-deletion blitz when you first start using your phone.

Beyond that, HyperOS functions much the same as other Android user interfaces, in that you’re given lots of customization freedom. You can choose the font, always-on display, how icons look, how notifications appear, whether new apps get added to an app drawer or straight to your homepage, and more.

A few AI features are new here; the Notes app can translate, proofread, or summarize your notes; Recorder can create transcriptions; and videos can get AI subtitles. However, these aren’t available in all regions and none were enabled on my test phone.

• Software score: 3.5 / 5

Xiaomi Poco X7 Pro review: cameras

• 50MP main and 8MP ultra-wide cameras, 20MP for selfies
• Photos look a little dull
• Some AI features coming to the phone after release

Camera capabilities have never been the focal point of Poco devices and that stays true here. The phone packs 50MP f/1.5 main and 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide cameras on the back as well as a 20MP f/2.2 selfie camera on the front, and both are totally fit for purpose without being wildly impressive.

Pictures taken on the main camera are clear and bright but lack a bit of flair and color, leading to lifeless shots. It’s apparent in some pictures more than others but greenery lost some zest.

The phone is really quick to try and edit your pictures afterwards though. By default, all are taken in Live Photo mode, in case you press the shutter button at the wrong time and want to see a frame just before or after you pressed. The gallery also employs very obvious processing when you zoom into a photo, noticeably changing its color profile, which sometimes results in worse pictures.

A warning to buyers: the rear camera is exactly where you rest your fingers when you’re holding the phone landscape to take a photo. Remember to move your fingers out of the way — about half the snaps I took during my main photo session have my finger poking into the frame.

Jump over to the ultra-wide camera and you’re getting pictures that don’t look great. They’re desaturated and lose lots of detail in darker areas, leading to a lifeless photo.

Video recording goes up to 4K and 60fps and there’s also Director mode, which lets you adjust things like the white balance, ISO, and aperture for video recording. Not all budget phones have this so it’s a nice addition, although I wouldn’t recommend the X7 Pro for prospective Oscar-winners.

‘Fine’ is also an accurate description of pictures taken on the front-facing camera. Generally, selfies were clear and bright, although again the colors weren’t always sparkling. Portrait mode sometimes had trouble working out where my hair began and ended but it was good at applying correct depth to objects in the mid- and background.

Other than the ones already mentioned, the Poco X7 Pro ticks off the usual camera modes: document scanning, night photography, high-res to shoot at 50MP instead of using pixel binning, slow motion filming, and Pro mode.

Some of the headline camera features of the Poco X7 Pro are AI-based ones: AI Erase Pro works like Magic Eraser to delete unwanted elements of photos, while AI Image Expansion reframes and expands snaps to change their composition. At the time of testing, though, these aren’t available on the phone — Xiaomi says they’ll arrive around March 2025 — so I didn’t test them.

• Camera score: 3 / 5

Xiaomi Poco X7 Pro camera samples

Xiaomi Poco X7 Pro: performance and audio

• Packs a Dimensity 8400 Ultra chipset
• Really powerful for gaming
• Stereo audio but no 3.5mm jack

The Poco X7 Pro is powered by the Dimensity 8400 Ultra, a top-end chipset from Mediatek. It’s paired with RAM and storage that depends on whichever variant you picked up: 8/256GB or 12/512GB.

I had the latter and the phone was fast – it didn’t feel much different to use than a flagship which would cost you $/£1,000 more. Gaming was quick and easy, with the phone handling online titles and intensive single-player ones better than any other mobile I’ve tested at the price. It was seriously impressive.

Moreover, when I was using the mobile intensively, I never suffered any stuttering, and the phone didn’t overheat at all either. If you’re a mobile gamer, I’m going to have to give this device two thumbs up.

In a Geekbench 6 multi-core test, the average score was in the 6,100s, which cements this as a really solid performance phone. It puts it in league with 2024’s top-end phones, and possibly 2025’s too.

For audio, there’s no 3.5mm headphone jack, so if you like wired music you’ll have to get an adaptor for the USB-C jack, and if not rely on the BlueTooth 5.4. There are also stereo speakers and these are fine for unfussy gamers but audiophiles won’t be rocked out of their socks.

• Performance score: 4.5 / 5

Xiaomi Poco X7 Pro review: battery life

• Huge 6,000mAh battery
• Lasts for about two days of use
• 90W fast charging

Phone batteries are constantly creeping up in size, as the Poco X7 Pro reminded me: it has a 6,000mAh power pack, which is bigger than that of the standard Poco X7 or the Poco X6 Pro. In fact, it’s rare to see mobiles with power packs quite this big.

People with battery anxiety, then, will find the X7 Pro a breath of fresh air — it can keep your phone ticking through intensive gaming blasts or long days out.

From my testing, the phone waltzed through a day of use and marched steadily into the second day before needing a recharge. And I used it pretty intensively too — if you don’t pick up your mobile much during the day, I can see it lasting through two full days of use.

On the topic of charging, it’s 90W, which is nice and fast. There’s no wireless or reverse charging, but with speeds like that, I can forgive it.

Poco predicts that this will see your X7 Pro go from empty to full in just over 40 minutes — in my testing period I usually powered the phone from about 10-20% to full and it took about half an hour. It’s a nice fast speed that ensures you can keep the X7 Pro going with brief charging windows, instead of having to tether your mobile to the wall for ages.

• Battery score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi Poco X7 Pro review: value

For certain kinds of users, the Poco X7 Pro offers incredible value for money. It’s relatively cheap but has an impressively fast chipset and great-looking screen.

If you’re into your entertainment, be it gaming or streaming TV shows on the go, you’ll be getting a steal with the X7 Pro.

The Poco still makes a great value proposition for other kinds of users, and it’ll go toe-to-toe with much more expensive rivals, though if you want a camera phone, it won’t cut the mustard.

• Value score: 4.5 / 5

Should you buy the Xiaomi Poco X7 Pro?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Poco X7 Pro review: Also consider

If you want to know what else is out there at this price, beyond the Poco X7 Pro, here are some other phones you should consider:

How I tested the Poco X7 Pro

• Review test period = 2 weeks
• Testing included = Everyday usage, including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
• Tools used = Geekbench 6, Geekbench ML, GFXBench, native Android stats

I tested the Poco X7 Pro for just over two weeks for this review.

To test it, I put it through the paces of my normal phone: I texted, streamed music and TV, took photos, navigated my way around the city, and woke up from its alarms. Significantly, I also played lots of games on it.

As well as real-world use, the phone saw me perform some more 'scientific' tests including performance benchmarking and charging speed tests.

I've been testing smartphones for TechRadar for six years now, and in that time have tested plenty of low-budget mobiles including loads of Poco and Xiaomi devices.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed January 2025

• Xiaomi's rumored phone could have the battery capacity of two iPhone 16s
• The phone is expected to release via Xiaomi's Redmi sub-brand
• Samsung could be eyeing similar tech for next year's Galaxy S26

A new rumor suggests that Xiaomi is working on a new phone with an enormous 7,500mAh battery, tipped for release via the company’s Redmi brand.

Noted tipster Digital Chat Station shared a Weibo post which says Xiaomi has begun testing on the 7,500mAh “super-large” battery for a “sub-series”, which, as Android Authority reports, refers to Redmi, a Xiaomi subsidiary.

It’s likely that a battery with this much capacity would make use of a silicon-carbon design, which offers a much greater energy density than the previously standard lithium-based batteries still found in the iPhone 16, Samsung Galaxy S24, and Google Pixel 9.

For reference, the Google Pixel 9 sports a 4,700mAh battery, the Samsung Galaxy S24 sports a 4,000mAh battery, and the iPhone 16 comes in at 3,561mAh – less than half the capacity of the rumored Redmi phone.

As with most aspects of smartphone hardware, numbers don’t tell the full story – battery life is determined by a wide range of factors in addition to capacity, such as chipset efficiency, display resolution and brightness, and heat dissipation. For example, Apple is able to achieve satisfactory battery life with the iPhone thanks to the company’s famously great optimization.

Still, we would generally expect a phone with a 7,500mAh battery to substantially outlast one with a 3,500mAh battery in an equal test, simply because the hardware gap is so wide.

Across the latter half of 2024, we saw Chinese phone manufacturers fit silicon-carbon batteries to new flagship phones like the Oppo Find X8 Pro and the OnePlus 13, but Xiaomi doesn’t tend to issue flagship-level devices through its Redmi brand.

Typically, Redmi devices occupy the budget to mid-tier space in Xiaomi’s portfolio, which does allow for a handful of higher-end features with each new device. The recently released Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus, for example, comes equipped with a 6,200mAh battery and support for 90W wired charging.

Analysis: Return of the stamina monsters?

While we have seen specialized, battery-focused phones released in the past (see Energizer's 28,000mAh battery phone), as well as ruggedized handsets with very large batteries designed for extended periods away from the charger, a 7,500mAh battery would without a doubt be the largest we’ve ever seen in a conventional smartphone.

Personally, I think developments in battery technology are some of the most exciting in modern smartphone hardware: larger, more efficient batteries are a truly consumer-friendly addition, and could have a positive impact on the environment too if there’s a reduced need for charging.

Furthermore, we’re all no stranger to being out with friends or family and hearing the familiar request for a portable charger or to find somewhere with a wall socket to top up – bigger, better batteries should be able to allay that anxiety.

This is all contingent on the big three phone makers – Apple, Samsung, and Google – taking note of the progress being made by global manufacturers. The best Xiaomi phones are impressive, truly premium units that push the envelope, but with a limited presence in Europe and none whatsoever in the US, it doesn’t have too much of a chance of making waves.

Luckily, we’ve already heard suggestions that Samsung could be picking silicon-carbon batteries for the Galaxy S26 lineup, which we’d expect to launch next year. I’m hoping our list of the best Samsung Galaxy phones will soon be full of handsets that push the envelope when it comes to battery life.

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Xiaomi Mix Flip: Two-minute review

You might not realize it, but Xiaomi's gotten pretty good at making foldables. Although not every entry has launched internationally, the company is now on its fourth generation of Mix Fold. Despite playing in this space since 2021, one thing Xiaomi has never attempted is a clamshell. Until now.

The Xiaomi Mix Flip made its international debut alongside the Xiaomi 14T and Xiaomi 14T Pro, with relatively modest fanfare, but that doesn't detract from what looks to be a capable competitor to the Motorola Razrs and Galaxy Z Flips of the world, not to mention an impressive first foray into what is a new form factor for the company.

The Mix Flip nails the fundamentals, with an expansive 4.01-inch cover display and a killer main display that work beautifully in concert. Performance is top-tier, however, the phone's form factor hinders prolonged performance, from a thermal perspective.

A large battery ensures all-day use, in spite of those demanding screens, while fast 67W wired charging can refill the phone in less than an hour. The company wasn't able to squeeze in wireless charging, or IP68 certified protection against dust or water, for that matter.

Xiaomi's famed image processing holds up what is, underneath, modest camera hardware. Add in Leica's involvement and you've got arguably the best clamshell camera phone currently on the market, though there is room to improve, in terms of detail and clarity.

As I've seen with other Xiaomi phones, it's Xiaomi's software that lets the Mix Flip down. HyperOS is leaner than its predecessor, MIUI, but the end result still plays host to occasionally confusing and restrictive user experience paradigms, paired with app bloat and too many baked-in ads. A shame, especially for a phone at this price.

Offering only one storage and memory configuration might seem restrictive, but Xiaomi chose wisely from a value perspective (12GB RAM + 512GB storage), relative to the likes of Samsung and Motorola. That said, unlike those big-name rivals, and despite an international launch, you won't be able to get your hands on the Mix Flip natively in the US and Australia.

Xiaomi Mix Flip review: Price and availability

• Priced at £1,099 / €1,300
• On sale from September 26, 2024
• Limited international availability compared to rivals

The Mix Flip went on sale internationally on September 26, alongside the aforementioned Xiaomi 14T series. That was a couple of months after its initial debut in China.

Despite launching at a higher starting price compared to its most prominent rivals – the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Motorola Razr Plus 2024/Razr 50 Ultra – the Mix Flip with 12GB RAM / 512GB storage might be a better value than Samsung's latest clamshell.

Although you can pick up a Z Flip 6 for around £50 less in the UK, at £1,049 you get half the storage, in comparison to the Mix Flip. And, if you're looking at like for like, the 512GB Flip 6 actually clocks in at £50 more than Xiaomi's offering, which likely isn't a coincidence on Xiaomi's part.

Motorola's latest entry is £100 more affordable, but that can be explained, in part, by its use of a modest Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset and its shorter OS update roadmap.

Despite being a global release, Xiaomi's smartphone presence doesn't extend to markets like the US or Australia. That means it remains out of reach for those in such regions looking for alternatives to the likes of Motorola or Samsung.

• Value score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi Mix Flip review: Specs

Xiaomi Mix Flip review: Design

• Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
• Functional hinge between 45° and 120°
• No IP-certified dust or water resistance

Xiaomi didn't simply translate the existing design language already established by its long-running Mix Fold line, when deciding on a look for its first clamshell foldable. Instead, the Mix Flip has an aesthetic all its own.

It's distinct from its most obvious rivals, with pillowed glass and a body that – although thicker than Moto's or Sammy's latest clamshells – still makes for a pleasingly slim and comfortable handset to wield in the pocket or hand.

That lightly textured glass on the back works in contrast to the polished metal frame and glossy outer screen of the Mix Flip, to great effect. Its incredibly neat 'dual-link' hinge, meanwhile, reveals an additional microphone when the phone is closed; highlighting a design optimized for functionality, without having to fully open up. I had a blast taking calls and making contactless payments, without ever having to open up the Mix Flip.

Speaking of opening, the Mix Flip's all-important hinge offers up a really nice feel when folding or unfolding, while its construction also allows for easy placement anywhere between 45° and 120°; ideal for watching content without a stand or taking snaps without a tripod.

That said, after testing the phone for a few weeks, I did notice the most subtle lateral shift in the hinge when grabbing the phone out of my pocket. Although a near-imperceptible wiggle that could only be felt and not obviously observed, it isn't something I've run into since the early clamshell days of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3. I've seen no talk of this defect elsewhere, so it's likely unique to my review unit, but I'd be remiss if I didn't mention it.

A couple of other notable quirks include the phone's middling button placement, which leaves the volume rocker awkwardly high up the phone's right edge when unfolded, as well as a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, though it admittedly works quickly and was reliable during my review.

Unlike notable competitors, Xiaomi hasn't sought certification for ingress protection (IP) against dust or water with the Mix Flip, so while it boasts the company's tough Shield Glass (also branded as Dragon Crystal Glass) across its outer display (the main screen relies on UTG or ultra-thin glass, in order to remain flexible) and comes bundled with a color-matched case, the phone doesn't appear to sport any additional protection, beyond some pleasingly-tight tolerances, when it comes to keeping dust or water out of that all-important hinge.

On the subject of color, Chinese buyers have the choice of four finishes, including a fabric-backed variant and silver model, while the Mix Flip's international dressings fall to only a black option or a purple number (pictured), with textured glass that suffers from less grip but offers a nice contrast to the glossy glass of the outer display.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi Mix Flip review: Display

• Consistent viewing experience across inner and outer screens
• Sharper display than rivals
• AOD support on both screens

Despite being a new form factor for Xiaomi, it's clear that the Mix Flip isn't your basic first-gen foldable, by any means. That's perhaps most evident with the near edge-to-edge outer display, which wraps around the phone's dual main cameras: more Moto Razr than Galaxy Z Flip in its execution.

As is often the case with Xiaomi's high-end handsets, you're treated to a killer viewing experience, but here the company has also ensured that it's consistent across both the internal and outer screen, which isn't always the case with this form factor, based on other devices I've reviewed.

Whether you're looking at the near-square 4.01-inch outer screen or the expansive 6.86-inch 21.4:9 main display, you're treated to a pleasingly crisp 460ppi (pixels per inch) and the same adaptive 1 to 120Hz refresh rate, made possible by the use of LTPO AMOLED tech.

Xiaomi teamed up with fellow Chinese electronics giant TCL to develop the C8 Plus displays used by the Mix Flip, and they deliver solid viewing angles, and great color depth and contrast.

They offer consistently superb visibility, with a quoted panel-wide max brightness of 1,600nits and a peak brightness of 3,000nits (the Z Flip 6 peaks at 2,600nits), while the main display also has 2,160Hz PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) dimming, to help prevent eye strain in low light (the outer screen relies on more conventional DC dimming).

To top it off, the phone's display settings serve up heaps of control over things like color balance, app-specific dark mode behavior, and access to the always-on display, which functions across both screens, making the Mix Flip a great nightstand clock too.

• Display score: 5 / 5

Xiaomi Mix Flip review: Software

• 4 years of OS & 5 years security updates
• Launches with HyperOS 1.0 atop Android 14
• To many ads within Xiaomi apps and experiences

At the time of writing, Chinese Mix Flips are already making the move to HyperOS 2.0, but it'll be a little while longer for international units, which come running HyperOS 1.0 atop Android 14, out the box.

With Xiaomi's shift from MIUI to HyperOS – which coincided with the launch of the Xiaomi 14 series near the beginning of 2024 – the company had the chance to rework the approach taken by its mobile user experience.

While there's no denying that HyperOS takes up significantly less of your device's storage relative to the previous MIUI, the experience feels decidedly familiar and is fast falling foul of bad user design practices that are either too rigid to be helpful, or prioritize monetization over quality. That's particularly damaging on a phone that costs four figures.

Examples include the absence of access to native Android features – like Automatic Brightness and Extra Dim – within the phone's quick settings, without the use of third-party apps that resurface such controls. More egregious, though, are the growing number of ads within native Xiaomi experiences.

App Mall, the Theme Store and Game Center all repeatedly fired unwanted notifications to purchasable assets or apps that I had no interest in, while the useful Game Turbo overlay (which grants quick access to performance management controls when gaming) has now been capped by the addition of Game Bird, which serves up game trailers for poor quality, ad-riddled mobile games; the sort you often see as in-app ads or online.

It's not all naming and shaming, though. Tons of native customization, supported by an active Theme Store, filled with user-made submissions, makes for endless and effortless personalization. iPhone users, in particular, will appreciate the way HyperOS lays out its home screen apps, notifications and quick settings.

You'd think the unique aspect ratio of the Mix Flip's outer display might have posed a challenge for the HyperOS team, but the implementation they actually came up with is pretty brilliant.

While about a sixth of the panel is occupied by the phone's main cameras, the rest of the display is divided up into two sections. When unlocked, the small portion next to the cameras plays host to a dedicated widget, which you can swipe through to view the weather, various clock styles, recent apps used and more.

Not unlike Oppo's Find N3 Flip, the remainder of the display works out to about a 16:9 aspect ratio, meaning apps scale far more naturally, compared to the squat, square screen real estate offered up by most of the other best foldable clamshell phones.

As such, the outer screen experience is really nice and natural to use, with great continuity, if you want to switch to the main screen mid-app, by opening the phone up. Typing is understandably cramped but not impossible and Xiaomi cites support for over 100 apps, which in testing included key experiences like Instagram, Spotify, YouTube, TikTok and Google Maps.

If you want to color outside the lines with that cover display, however, there's very little the Mix Flip lets you do. Unlike Motorola's Razrs – which let you try most apps out on the cover display, even if they don't format well, the Mix Flip is more locked down.

There's a one-click tool to enable this feature, but it only works on the Chinese variant of the Mix Flip, while some have managed to rename APK files to trick the Mix Flip into thinking it's running an already-whitelisted app, but neither solution is exactly accessible to international users.

HyperOS also heralds the introduction of AI into Xiaomi's user experience in a meaningful way. The phone's on-device photo editing tool set – including AI Expand (which lets you crop outwards on an photo, filling in the gaps created around the edges) – is one of my favorite additions.

The Mix Flip's AI repertoire also includes object removal, speech-to-text transcription when using the native Recorder app, translation, formatting and summarization within the Notes app, and Google's own Circle to Search functionality.

Performance is on-par with the status quo, in terms of feature diversity and reliability. All the Mix Flip's AI functionality works as advertised, but seldom will a feature deliver a 100% accurate result first try. Something Xiaomi is, no doubt, working to improve across its devices, by improving the quality of its on-device and cloud-based AI models.

• Software score: 3.5 / 5

Xiaomi Mix Flip review: Camera

• 50MP main and 2x external cameras
• 32MP front-facing camera
• Up to 8K at 24fps video recording

Xiaomi is responsible for some of the best camera phones on the market, but the clamshell form factor poses some unique challenges to maintaining a compact design while still including large camera sensors able to deliver a noteworthy photographic experience.

The company's expertise and image processing are what grant the Mix Flip probably the best cameras of any clamshell foldable I've seen, even if they remain hamstrung by the same limitations as this phone's rivals.

The two cameras on the phone's exterior each clock in at 50MP a piece, then use pixel binning to spit out 12.5MP stills, as well as 8K video recording at 24fps.

Xiaomi Mix Flip camera samples

The Mix Flip is fronted by Xiaomi's Light Fusion 800 sensor (a tweaked OV50E sensor, called the OVX8000). Measuring 0.64-inches, it's a fraction bigger than the main sensor on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6. This sensor crops up in Poco F6 Pro too: a phone that costs half as much and doesn't place much emphasis on photography.

In spite of what looks like middling camera hardware, the Mix Flip delivers a pretty well-rounded photographic experience. Color and contrast are the system's best assets; with punchy shots that – unlike the latest iPhones and Pixels – don't suffer from heavy-handed HDR processing that tries to eliminate shadows and flatten everything.

Xiaomi's long-standing partnership with Leica persists on the Mix Flip, with the familiar ability to shoot in Leica Vibrant (my preference) or Leica authentic digital film stocks, along with a set of Leica-approved filters that can be applied at or after capture. Still, the sensors' limitations make me question whether the Mix Flip is worthy of toting the Leica name.

A lack of detail and sharpness are what hold the Mix Flip's cameras back from the true top snappers of the moment, but even so, you can still take great shots with this phone. That's made all the better by the ability to snap selfies with the external cameras, using the outer screen as a viewfinder.

The form factor also allows the phone to stand up hands- and tripod-free and, like the Galaxy Z Flip series, the phone can also be held half open when shooting video, like an old-school camcorder, which genuinely with grip and stability.

• Camera score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi Mix Flip review: Performance

• 4nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset
• 12GB LPDDR5X RAM + Memory Extension up to 8GB
• Sole 512GB UFS 4.0 storage option

Like the cameras, the unique convenience of the Mix Flip's form factor is a double-edged sword when it comes to performance.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, paired to 12GB of RAM, delivers true flagship-class performance, which ensures split-screen or floating window multitasking is fast and fuss-free, and app load times are consistently brief.

Benchmarks place the Mix Flip on par with the brand's current best, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, while high-end games, like Zenless Zone Zero default to 'high' graphical settings.

That said, I wouldn't readily recommend the Mix Flip as a go-to gaming phone. While it can run the latest mobile games with high frame rates and excellent graphical fidelity, the cramped innards makes cooling tricky and sustained performance (like long gaming sessions) are the fastest way to see the phone throttle back to keep heat under control.

In everyday use, however, you're unlikely to run into any sort of major performance ceilings for quite some time, with the chip helped by a heap of fast and power efficient LPDDR5X RAM.

Although not expandable, 512GB of internal storage is more than likely to satiate most users. In China, Xiaomi offers versions of the Mix Flip with 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage, however, I don't think international audiences will be too cut up about the single variant on offer.

• Performance score: 4.5 / 5

Xiaomi Mix Flip review: Battery

• 4,780mAh battery
• 67W wired charging
• No wireless charging

Despite all of this talk of size limitations, one piece of hardware that Xiaomi hasn't gone small on is the phone's battery. In the clamshell foldable market, the Mix Flip's capacious 4,780mAh cell is second only to the fractionally-larger 4,800mAh battery inside the Honor Magic Flip V, which released earlier in 2024.

As for real-world use, screen-on time is respectable enough to get most users through a day, at around 6.5 to 7 hours. While I was expecting it to last a little longer, considering the size of the battery, the more demanding display setup is likely what balances longevity against rivals with smaller power packs, like the 4,000mAh offering inside the Z Flip 6.

Thankfully, Xiaomi has paired it with characteristically snappy 67W wired charging, and using the in-box power adapter, I was able to refill the Mix Flip to full under an hour (55 minutes), with two-thirds of the battery topped back up after just 30 minutes.

The only other caveat is that the Mix Flip forgoes wireless charging of any kind; a small hit to the phone's convenience.

• Battery score: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Xiaomi Mix Flip?

Buy it if...

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