Xiaomi 15 Ultra vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra Comparison: Features, Performance, and More Differences

The Xiaomi Ultra series, featuring Leica cameras, represents the pinnacle of smartphones. In this comparison, we will take a look at the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, released in 2025, and its predecessor, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

Compare the body designs of Xiaomi 15 Ultra vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra side by side.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra

Xiaomi 14 Ultra

Let's take a look at the design. As you can see, the design keeps the same concept as the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, with a large camera unit placed centrally. This design stands out, and preferences may vary depending on whether you view the device as a camera or a smartphone.

The back of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra features nano-technology vegan leather, which makes it resistant to slipping and easy to grip when shooting. It is resistant to wear and dirt, enhancing durability. If you're concerned about dirt, black might be a better choice than white. The design celebrates the iconic "LEICA M10-P" from the 100th anniversary while seamlessly blending modern craftsmanship.

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra, on the other hand, is designed with a more premium and classic approach. The silver chrome finish combines new aerospace-grade fiberglass and PU leather to create a luxurious, classic appearance. The white version features a silk-like design, also exuding a sense of luxury. The black variant has red decorative rings around the camera unit, giving it a professional feel. All of these colors are worthy of a flagship model, meticulously designed.

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra adopts the next-generation Xiaomi Guardian Structure, with a newly shaped high-strength aluminum frame and camera decorations protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, improving resistance to drops and wear. This is a great feature, especially since the camera will be used more frequently.

Compare the Xiaomi 15 Ultra vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra Body and Display at Actual Size

Let’s compare the body and display dimensions side by side. As you can see, the body size is nearly identical, with only a difference of about 0.1mm, and the overall size and corner shapes are almost the same, showing that the design concept has been maintained.

Both devices feature the All Around Liquid Display, with all four sides and corners curved. This thoughtful design ensures a comfortable grip, making it easy to hold both as a smartphone and as a camera.

Additionally, both displays are WQHD+ with the same resolution, size, and refresh rate. The peak brightness on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is 3,200 nits, while the Xiaomi 14 Ultra reaches 3,000 nits. Although there is a slight improvement in brightness, it is unlikely to make a significant difference during regular use.

Compare Xiaomi 15 Ultra vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra in a Specifications Chart

When it comes to the Xiaomi Ultra series, the camera is undoubtedly a key feature. Let’s compare the cameras first.

Both devices feature the same 1-inch SONY LYT-900 image sensor for the main camera, but the major difference is that the Xiaomi 15 Ultra does not include the variable aperture. The variable aperture allowed for the creation of starbursts (light streaks) from streetlights and car lights. Unfortunately, with its absence in the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, capturing such effects becomes difficult, reducing the expressiveness of the camera, which is a disappointing change.

Both devices have 50MP ultra-wide cameras, but the aperture for the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is f/1.8, while the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is f/2.2, and the field of view has also narrowed from 122° to 115°.

The telephoto camera uses the same SONY IMX858 image sensor in both devices. Although the focal lengths differ slightly, they are essentially the same.

The super-telephoto camera has a focal length of 120mm in the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, while the Xiaomi 15 Ultra uses 100mm, but with a significant increase in resolution to 200MP.

In summary, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra has downgraded the main and ultra-wide cameras while enhancing the super-telephoto camera, making it more focused on zoom capabilities.

In terms of weight, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra weighs 219.8g, whereas the Xiaomi 15 Ultra weighs 226g—a weight increase of around 6g, which is a negligible difference, constituting about 3% of the total weight. In return, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra comes with a larger battery of 5410mAh, which is a much-needed improvement, especially considering the Xiaomi 14 Ultra's battery drain was noticeable.

Both phones are IP68 water-resistant, but neither supports Felica. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra does not support eSIM, whereas the Xiaomi 15 Ultra does, which is a welcome upgrade.

Additionally, as expected from a flagship, both devices are equipped with the best processors available. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, offering significant improvements in processing speed. This enhances image processing for the camera and is also beneficial for gaming and generative AI applications, making it more than just a camera-centric smartphone.

	Xiaomi 15 Ultra	Xiaomi 14 Ultra
Manufacturer	Xiaomi	Xiaomi
Release Date
Screen Size	6.73 inch	6.73 inch
Resolution	1,440 x 3,200	1,440 x 3,200
Display Details	AMOLED	AMOLED
Max Refresh Rate	120 Hz	120 Hz
Max Brightness	3200 nits	3000 nits
Body Size	75.3mm x 161.3mm x 9.35mm	75.3mm x 161.4mm x 9.2mm
Weight	226 g	219.8 g
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
OS	Android 15	Android 14
Main camera 1	50-megapixel(f/1.63)	50-megapixel(f/1.63)
Main camera 1 details	LYT-900, 1", OIS, 23mm	f/1.63-f/4.0, LYT-900, 1/1", OIS, 23mm
Main camera 2	50-megapixel(f/2.2)	50-megapixel(f/1.8)
Main camera 2 details	ultra wide angle 115°, 14mm, 5cm macro	ultra wide angle 122°, IMX858, 12mm, 5cm macro
Main camera 3	50-megapixel(f/1.8)	50-megapixel(f/1.8)
Main camera 3 details	3x zoom, OIS, IMX858, 70mm, 10cm macro	3.2x zoom, OIS, IMX858, 75mm, 10cm macro
Main camera 4	200-megapixel(f/2.6)	50-megapixel(f/2.5)
Main camera 4 details	4.3x zoom, OIS, Samsung HP9, 100mm	5x zoom, OIS, IMX858, 120mm, 30cm macro
Main camera 5
Main camera 5 details
Sub camera 1	32-megapixel(f/2)	32-megapixel(f/2)
Sub camera 1 details
Sub camera 2
Sub camera 2 details
Battery	5,410 mAh	5,000 mAh
Video playback time	25 hours
RAM(GB)	16 G	16 G
ROM(GB)	512/1000 G	512 G
Antutu	2,709,000 ver10(estimated)	1,893,000 ver10
Water resistance	IPX8	IPX8
Dust resistance	IP6X	IP6X
SIM	Dual SIM (nano SIM + nano SIM or nano SIM + eSIM, eSIM + eSIM)	dual sim（nano SIM + nano SIM）
NFC	NFC-enabled	NFC-enabled

In the end, which is better, Xiaomi 15 Ultra vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra?

With the release of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, which made a significant impact on the smartphone industry and earned great acclaim, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra has managed to maintain the same concept while addressing the shortcomings of its predecessor and incorporating the latest trends.

As a result, the design and display have not changed drastically, and even after the introduction of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra still doesn't feel outdated, making it very much a viable model. This ability to develop a new model without rendering the previous one obsolete can be attributed to the emphasis on honoring the tradition of Leica, which has been an integral part of Xiaomi’s concept.

In 2025, flagship smartphones will continue to prioritize camera features, with a particular focus on enhancing zoom functionality through generative AI and ultra-high-resolution cameras. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra follows this trend, but Xiaomi smartphones also emphasize cost-effectiveness. As a result, the enhanced zoom functionality comes at the cost of slightly downgrading other features. This is evident in the omission of the variable aperture in the main camera and a slight downgrade in the ultra-wide camera's performance. While this is disappointing, if you're aware of these differences, there may still be a good reason to choose the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

If you prioritize the camera's zoom functionality and plan to make full use of the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra would be the recommended choice. However, if you want to enjoy the expressiveness of the main camera and ultra-wide camera, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra can provide a unique shooting experience. Additionally, with the launch of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, the price of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is likely to drop, making it a more affordable option.

Let's Compare Xiaomi 15 Ultra vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra in More Detail

We recommend comparing the Xiaomi 15 Ultra vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra in more detail through the following link and making an informed purchase decision.