Xiaomi 15T Pro Review: Flagship Power Without the Ultra Price

Xiaomi just dropped two new T-series phones, and the 15T Pro is the heavyweight contender we’re here to dissect. While its sibling, the 15T, also made an appearance, the ‘Pro’ packs a serious punch. Forget a minor upgrade; the 15T Pro boasts the beastly MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ processor and a spec sheet that demands attention. This isn’t just another phone launch; it’s a statement.

Forget exorbitant prices and underwhelming specs. The Xiaomi 15T Pro arrives, draped in a sleek, premium design that belies its accessible price tag. It’s a powerhouse that won’t break the bank, delivering serious performance without emptying your wallet. While the Xiaomi 14 Ultra still reigns supreme as the brand’s apex predator, the 15T Pro carves its own niche: high-octane thrills at a fraction of the cost. Buckle up; we’re diving in.

Table of Contents

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Specs
Xiaomi 15T Pro Review: Design
Xiaomi 15T Pro Review: Accessories
Xiaomi 15T Pro Review: Display
Xiaomi 15T Pro Review: Performance
Xiaomi 15T Pro Review: Battery Life
Xiaomi 15T Pro Review: Camera
Xiaomi 15T Pro Review: Software
Xiaomi 15T Pro Review: Audio
Xiaomi 15T Pro Review: Should you buy it?

Specs

Xiaomi 15T Pro Specs

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Xiaomi 15T Pro Review: Design

The Xiaomi 15T Pro embraces the popular flat design trend, but don’t mistake it for boring. Picture this: a sleek, flat front meeting a similarly flat back, all hugged by a flat frame. Now, imagine the edges of that frame, subtly softened with a gentle curve, whispering promises of comfortable handling. And those corners? Rounded just enough to disrupt the severe boxiness, offering a tactile embrace that begs to be held. It’s a study in contrasts, a dance between sharp lines and smooth curves, making the 15T Pro a delight to behold and a pleasure to hold.

It has thin display bezels

The phone’s face is a sleek, uninterrupted plane, save for the discreetly centered camera dot nestled at the top of the screen. Razor-thin, uniform bezels hug the display, creating an immersive viewing experience. On the right spine, a power button rests comfortably beneath the volume rocker. A solitary USB-C port, flanked by the primary speaker grill and the SIM card tray, punctuates the bottom edge.

The phone’s aluminum frame melts seamlessly into a mystery rear panel. Is it glass, echoing the luxurious feel of its ancestor? Or a cleverly disguised plastic? Frankly, it’s hard to tell, but the premium sensation suggests the former. Dominating the top-left corner, a bold camera island houses a trio of lenses. However, it also encompasses four meticulously placed cutouts. These aren’t just for show, each cutout has a purpose and makes the design visually striking.

The camera island looks… interesting

Forget chunky camera bumps. The Xiaomi 15T Pro sports a surprisingly elegant camera island. Xiaomi’s clever design prevents the dreaded "brick" look. It rises sharply, then gracefully slopes away at the sides, creating a visual illusion of slimness. It’s a genuinely smart, visually appealing solution. Make no mistake, though, the Xiaomi 15T Pro remains a substantial phone, measuring 162.7 x 77.9 x 7.96mm.

Despite its smooth, almost elusive feel, this phone nestles comfortably in the hand. At 210 grams, it defies expectations, feeling surprisingly lighter. While the top half carries a bit more heft due to the camera array – a design reality – the weight remains balanced enough not to be a bother. I’m no stranger to larger phones, so the size felt immediately natural. But the design? That’s where this phone truly shines, especially in this Mocha Gold finish. It’s easily one of my favorite Xiaomi designs in recent memory. Black and Gray are available, but trust me, this gold is the one to covet.

It is IP68 certified

The phone boasts the expected IP68 rating, a comforting promise against the elements. I experienced a brief baptism under a light rain, and while I didn’tintentionallydunk it, that certification offers a welcome layer of security. Design-wise, Xiaomi truly nailed it. Honestly, I’m struggling to find a single flaw.

Xiaomi 15T Pro Review: Accessories

Unboxing bliss, minus one piece. Inside the box, you’ll find a USB-C to USB-C cable standard fare these days. Paperwork and a SIM tray tool are also present. But Xiaomi throws in a bonus: a silicone case! It’s a practical, gray shield against daily bumps and bruises. Think of it as a placeholder while you hunt for theperfectcase. And, straight out of the box, a screen protector is already applied, scratch-free right away.

Xiaomi 15T Pro Review: Display

Prepare to be mesmerized by the Xiaomi 15T Pro’s expansive 6.83-inch AMOLED display – a portal to visual ecstasy. Imagine colors exploding with vibrant life, thanks to a silky-smooth 144Hz refresh rate that makes every swipe and scroll feel like liquid silk. Responsiveness is king, with a 480Hz touch sampling rate anticipating your every command.

Feast your eyes on a razor-sharp 2772 x 1280 pixel resolution, boasting a pixel density of 447 ppi – images so crisp, they practically leap off the screen. And don’t worry about eye strain; DC dimming technology is your silent guardian, protecting your peepers during those late-night binges.

Brace yourself for retina-searing brilliance. This display can theoretically hit a peak brightness of 3,200 nits, making it visible even under the harshest sunlight. Fortified with Corning’s Gorilla Glass 7i, it’s ready to shrug off scratches and bumps with ease.

But the magic doesn’t stop there. Immerse yourself in the cinematic world of HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, unlocking richer colors and deeper blacks. Plus, a suite of TUV certifications ensures that this display is not only stunning but also kind to your eyes. The Xiaomi 15T Pro doesn’t just offer a display; it delivers a visual experience.

The display is big, beautiful, and super smooth

Immerse yourself in a visual feast with this display! Its expansive screen boasts vibrant colors and razor-sharp clarity that make everything pop. The touch response is impressively accurate, and the high resolution renders images with breathtaking detail. While the default settings offer a balanced and stunning visual experience, the customization options let you tailor the colors to your exact preference. Viewing angles are flawless, ensuring consistent image quality from any perspective. Buttery-smooth performance is a given, thanks to the adaptive refresh rate that intelligently scales up to 144Hz during intense gaming sessions, delivering a competitive edge. Most of the time it cruises at a slick 120Hz, offering a seamless, fluid experience.

There’s almost nothing to complain about

Adaptive brightness – a feature designed to soothe our eyes and save battery life, right? For me, it was more like a caffeinated squirrel wrestling with the screen’s luminance. During my first week, the brightness danced wildly, never quite hitting the sweet spot. Always a touch too dim, even for someone who prefers subtlety over retina-searing intensity. I persevered, hoping it would learn my preferences, but the screen’s mood swings continued. By day five, I threw in the towel and embraced manual control. While this is a quick fix, Xiaomi, a little refinement here would go a long way. Aside from this brightness battle, everything else shone.

Xiaomi 15T Pro Review: Performance

The Xiaomi 15T Pro doesn’t just run; itroarsto life, thanks to the MediaTek Dimensity 9400+. This isn’t some run-of-the-mill chip; it’s a powerhouse that used to headline MediaTek’s entire lineup. Time and again, this processor has proven its mettle, delivering face-melting speed without guzzling power like a gas-guzzling monster…assumingXiaomi’s software wizards have worked their optimization magic. We’ll delve into the software alchemy later.

Under the hood, a staggering 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM teams up with a blazing-fast 1TB UFS 4.1 storage. Xiaomi threw everything but the kitchen sink at the memory and storage, opting for top-tier components. But the heat is on, literally. To combat thermal throttling, Xiaomi integrated its 3D IceLoop System. On paper, this powerhouse configuration is a beast, but does the Xiaomi 15T Pro unleash its fury in the real world?

The performance is excellent, as it should be, considering the hardware

Lag? Forget about it. The Xiaomi 15T Pro doesn’t even know the word. Performance is exactly what you’d expect: buttery smooth and blisteringly fast. Everyday tasks? Handled with effortless grace. Gaming? Crank up the settings and prepare to be amazed. Xiaomi’s HyperOS, coupled with lightning-quick animations, creates an experience so fluid, you’ll wonder why other Android phones feel like they’re stuck in slow motion. No need to tweak any settings here – everything justworks.

I put the phone through its paces, a digital decathlon of multitasking mayhem, and it largely held its own. Was it a flawless victory? Not quite. Think fleeting stutters rather than full-blown freezes – the kind of micro-lapses most users wouldn’t even register. However, I did spot some dropped frames in moments where performance should have been seamless. The silver lining? These glitches were infrequent, almost ghostly. The camera app, however, stumbled noticeably twice while shooting in dim conditions. The viewfinder bogged down, a frustrating slow-motion effect that I hope Xiaomi can iron out.

You can easily play whatever game you want

My fingers danced across the glass, weaving through digital worlds. Addicted? Hardly. Invigorated? Absolutely. Sure, after an hour-long Genshin Impact marathon, the phone radiated warmth, a testament to its valiant effort. But it never faltered. From the vibrant landscapes of Teyvat to the augmented reality of Pokémon Go, the smooth glide of 8 Ball Pool cues, and the adrenaline-fueled subway runs, the phone conquered every game I threw at it. Performance wasn’t just adequate; it was exhilarating.

Benchmarks:

Geekbench:

| | | | | | — | — | — | — | |Device|Single-Core|Multi-Core|GPU| | Xiaomi 15T Pro | 2,610 | 7,863 | 20,822 | | OnePlus 13 | 3,036 | 9,150 | 18,342 | | Google Pixel 10 Pro XL | 2,267 | 6,034 | 2,948 |

3D Mark (Wildlife Extreme Stress Test):

| | | | | | — | — | — | — | |Device|Best Loop|Lowest Loop|Stability| | Xiaomi 15T Pro | 6,029 | 3,663 | 60.8% | | OnePlus 13 | 5,918 | 4,373 | 73,9% | | Google Pixel 10 Pro XL | 3,264 | 1,839 | 56,3% |

Capcut video export:

| | | | — | — | |Device|Time to export (seconds)| | Xiaomi 15T Pro | 9.02 | | OnePlus 13 | 6.55 | | Google Pixel 10 Pro XL | 8.5 |

Thermals:

3D Mark (Wildlife Extreme Stress Test) thermals:

| | | | — | — | |Device|Temperature (F)| | Xiaomi 15T Pro | 109.2 | | OnePlus 13 | 115.8 | | Google Pixel 10 Pro XL | 109 |

Genshin Impact thermals:

| | | | — | — | |Device| ****Temperature (F)**** | | Xiaomi 15T Pro | 103.4 | | OnePlus 13 | 97.7 | | Google Pixel 10 Pro XL | 105.8 |

Xiaomi 15T Pro Review: Battery Life

Power up your life with the Xiaomi 15T Pro, fueled by a massive 5,500mAh battery – a powerhouse elegantly packed within. Should you somehow manage to drain this beast, prepare for warp-speed charging! Xiaomi’s 90W wired and 50W wireless HyperCharge tech catapults you from zero to hero in record time. Unleash the full potential of these charging speeds with compatible HyperCharge adapters. While a Xiaomi charger ensures peak performance, the 15T Pro plays well with others, supporting Power Delivery 3.0 and Quick Charge 4. Get ready to kiss battery anxiety goodbye!

The battery life is a non-issue, quite the contrary

Boasting a massive 5,500mAh battery fueled by the MediaTek Dimensity 9400+, this phone laughs in the face of battery anxiety. Prepare for marathon screen-on times; I squeezed nearly 8 glorious hours out of a single charge, still clinging to a 20% safety net. Even during heavy camera use and gaming sessions, I consistently clocked around 7 hours of screen time. The bottom line? This phone’s battery delivers all-day power, even for the most demanding users. As an added bonus, battery performance seemed to improve noticeably after the initial few charging cycles, promising even greater longevity.

The charging is… extremely fast

Juice Up! This phone boasts a blazing-fast 90W wired and 50W wireless charging – a fact worth repeating. I put the wired charging to the test, pairing it with a UGREEN charger to unlock its full potential. The result? A full charge in a mere 37 minutes. Wireless charging remains a mystery for now, sadly.

| | | | | — | — | — | |Device|Battery life|Charging| | Xiaomi 15T Pro | 22:41:17 | 0:37:27 | | OnePlus 13 | 22:35:49 | 0:38:40 | | Google Pixel 10 Pro XL | 23:43:20 | 1:19:20 |

Xiaomi 15T Pro Review: Camera

Xiaomi’s 15T Pro boasts a Leica-engineered triple camera array, a photographic powerhouse that demands attention. Anticipation ran high as I prepped for this review, and the specs alone explain why. Let’s dive in. Anchoring the system is a 50MP Light Fusion 900 sensor (1/1.55") paired with a bright f/1.62 aperture lens. Optical image stabilization (OIS) ensures crisp shots, and the 23mm equivalent focal length offers a versatile field of view. Xiaomi trusts Leica’s VARIO-SUMMILUX 1:1.62-3.0/15-115 ASPH lens to maximize the sensor’s potential.

Ultrawide & telephoto cameras are notably less impressive than the main one… on paper

Unleash your inner photographer with a trio of rear cameras: a 12MP ultrawide lens (120° field of view) that captures breathtaking landscapes, and a 50MP super telephoto lens (115mm equivalent, OIS) that brings distant subjects into sharp focus. Not to be overlooked is the front-facing 32MP selfie camera (90° field of view, 21mm equivalent), ensuring crystal-clear self-portraits. Capture life’s moments in stunning detail with 8K video recording (up to 30fps) or smooth 4K footage (up to 120fps).

Forget sensor sizes and spec sheets for a moment. The real story of this phone’s camera starts when you press the shutter. While it may not boast the headline-grabbing hardware of titans like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, the main lens punches well above its weight class. Prepare for a deeper dive soon. Now, the ultrawide… let’s just say it’s the camera equivalent of that quiet cousin at the family reunion. The burning question: does reality live up to the promise, or will theory crumble under the weight of practical use? Let’s find out.

The main camera offers great performance, regardless of lighting

Prepare to be wowed. This phone doesn’t just have a good camera; it boasts a photographic powerhouse. While there’s a subtle hierarchy in image quality across its three lenses, the color science harmony is astonishing. I leaned heavily on the Leica Vibrant setting – the images simply explode with life (though Leica Authentic offers a moodier, vignetted alternative). Expect photos bursting with vivid color, incredible detail, and impeccable balance. The main camera? A steadfast workhorse, churning out consistently stunning shots with unerring white balance. Forget reality; these photos are art. Expect heightened contrast and a vibrant punch – the kind of output that’ll make your social media sing. Simply put, they look fantastic.

Main camera samples (daytime):

Low-light performance? The main camera delivers. Indoor or outdoor, the sensor drinks in the available light, producing surprisingly good photos, provided you’re not enveloped in total darkness. No, these aren’t the most exquisitely detailed low-light images you’ll find, but they’re solid. Streetlights posed no significant challenge, banishing the dreaded halo effect. Only when I intentionally provoked it – by snapping a close-up of a glaring street lamp – did lens flare appear. A torture test, really, and hardly representative of typical usage. Consider it a non-issue.

Main camera samples (low light):

The ultrawide camera is the least impressive one

The ultrawide lens tells a different story, though it’s a capable one. Colors shift subtly, leaning towards a moodier palette, and shadows deepen. Unsurprisingly, the main camera still reigns supreme in overall image quality. Daylight shots with the ultrawide are compelling. As dusk settles, performance hinges on the specific scene. Expect a noticeable dip in clarity as light diminishes, with details fading into the increasing darkness, and images darkening more noticeably compared to the main lens. All things considered, it punches above its weight class. I’ve encountered far weaker ultrawide performers at this price point.

Ultrawide camera samples:

A telephoto camera does great with portraits, and during the day

The periscope telephoto lens: a daytime hero with a nocturnal split personality. Bathed in sunlight, it captures crisp, vibrant details – a respectable understudy to the main camera. Portraits? Stunning. This lens was my close second favorite during testing, nipping at the heels of the primary shooter.

But when darkness descends, consistency fades. Nighttime performance is a gamble. Half the shots are keepers, half destined for the digital dustbin. In truly low-light situations, image quality crumbles. Hardly shocking, given the limitations.

The verdict? Treat this lens as a sun-seeker. Stick to well-lit scenes, and it will reward you. Venture into the shadows unprepared, and you might be disappointed.

Periscope telephoto camera samples:

Xiaomi’s camera UI is a masterclass in intuitive design. Forget hunting through endless menus – everything you need is right at your fingertips. Swipe, tap, and boom, you’re adjusting settings like a pro.

The five core camera modes are a simple swipe or tap away, but the real magic happens when you swipe up, unlocking a treasure trove of creative options. Zoom ranges are conveniently placed above the shutter, while a tap grants access to even more granular controls above the screen.

The Leica integration is pure artistry. Inject a touch of timeless elegance with their signature filters on the right or fine-tune your depth of field with effortless aperture control on the left. And for those seeking the pinnacle of photographic expression, Leica shooting modes are discreetly tucked away in the top-right corner.

It’s a symphony of simplicity and power, making it a joy to capture the world exactly as you envision it. A personal favorite.

4K video recording thermals:

| | | | | — | — | — | |Device|5 minutes|10 minutes| | Xiaomi 15T Pro | 96.5 | 101.9 | | OnePlus 13 | 89.2 | 93.9 | | Google Pixel 10 Pro XL | 94.6 | 98.7 |

Xiaomi 15T Pro Review: Software

The Xiaomi 15T Pro arrived, breathing fresh Android 15 air, seasoned with HyperOS 2. My experience with this phone pre-dates its official launch – a privilege Xiaomi extended. (It’s common practice; we get early access, they tell us when crucial updates are imminent.) Straight out of the box, it boasted July’s Android security patch. Then, mid-testing, boom – an upgrade landed, bringing August’s security refinements.

HyperOS works really well, and it offers plenty of customization

HyperOS delivered a surprisingly smooth experience on the device. While personal preference still leans elsewhere, its appeal is undeniable. Dive in, and you’re greeted with a playground of customization options, brought to life by impressively fluid animations. However, the experience isn’t flawless. Xiaomi’s design decisions occasionally raise eyebrows, like the baffling limitation of notification icons in the status bar – initially capped at a single icon! This, and other quirks, might not sit well with seasoned Android enthusiasts.

It is quite different than stock Android

Forget stock Android; HyperOS is a whole new playground. Imagine a UI where semi-transparent icons float on your screen, a blend of Android’s flexibility and iOS’s sleekness. Love the app drawer? Keep it. Prefer the iOS-style home screen sprawl? You got it. HyperOS bends toyourwill. Dive into a sea of themes, personalize your lock screen until it screams "you," and tweak every last icon. Fonts feeling drab? Swap ’em out! Want an Always-On Display that wows? Done. Even the fingerprint unlock gets a makeover with customizable effects. HyperOS isn’t just an OS; it’s a digital canvas begging for your personal touch.

Dealing with a phone the size of a small tablet? One-handed mode is your friend. Activate it and conquer that screen. Like pure Android? You’ll feel right at home with this implementation. Beyond the basics, gesture shortcuts like a three-finger swipe offer extra speed. Craving even more control? Meet the ‘Quick ball’ – a customizable, floating orb of shortcuts at your fingertips. Dive into the settings, personalize these options, and bend the phone to your willbeforediving in. Your perfect setup awaits.

If you like using third-party launchers… this is not a phone for you

HyperOS throws a curveball to launcher aficionados: ditch your beloved Nova or Action Launcher. Gesture navigation? Forget about it with third-party launchers. Unless you’re clinging to on-screen buttons, you’re stuck with the stock experience. Xiaomi’s unwavering stance on this issue remains a head-scratcher. While this restriction keeps HyperOS from topping my list of favorite Android skins, I can’t deny its glow-up; it’s undeniably alluring.

Xiaomi 15T Pro Review: Audio

Crank up the volume! This phone packs a punch with its dual stereo speakers, delivering surprisingly rich sound. It’s not just loud; it’s nuanced. Immerse yourself in Dolby Atmos, or stream pristine audio thanks to Hi-Res and Hi-Res Wireless certifications. Your ears will thank you.

The phone’s audio punches well above its weight. Crisp and clear, never tinny, the sound fills the room without distortion. Honestly, the speakers and earpiece are flawless. Calls are crystal-clear. The triple microphone array? Standard fare, sure, but it ensures your voice cuts through the noise, loud and clear.

Xiaomi 15T Pro Review: Should you buy it?

Forget flagships flirting with four-figure price tags. The Xiaomi 15T Pro lands with an €800 thud, daring to deliver premium thrills without bankrupting you. Forget "good enough" – this phone struts in with a dazzling display that’ll make your eyeballs sing, performance that’ll leave lag in the dust, and a main camera that captures memories, not blurry approximations.

Sure, compromises exist; it’s not Xiaomi’s ultimate power-beast. But think of it as a finely tuned sports car, not a monster truck. The battery keeps going and going, and with a compatible charger, you’ll be back in action faster than you can say "top up."

The Xiaomi 15T Pro isn’t just holding its own; it’s setting the pace. If you’re seeking flagship-level experiences without the flagship-level financial commitment, consider your search over. Personally? I’d grab this over the standard 15 in a heartbeat.

You should buy the Xiaomi 15T Pro if you:

Want a flagship-tier phone for under €800
Appreciate great design
Like larger phones
Plan on gaming quite a bit
Like great cameras, but don’t need the best of the best
Enjoy what Xiaomi offers software-wise

You shouldn’t buy the Xiaomi 15T Pro if you:

Use third-party launchers
Want all three rear cameras to be top-tier
Like stock Android software experience

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