Xiaomi’s latest 15T Pro smartphone offers consumers flagship photography and advanced mobile technology at below S$1,000. Running on the top-spec MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ CPU with Dimensity 8400-Ultra GPU, this smartphone delivers commendable performance that does not break the bank.
I brought it with me for my 2-week Japan holiday in Hiroshima, and while the overall phone performance is not as snappy as the “Ultra” flagship model, the camera performance is sufficiently impressive.
The overall design makes the 15T Pro very satisfying to use with its large 6.83-inch display that achieves peak 3200 nits brightness, 144Hz refresh rate and 3840Hz PWM dimming. It has the largest display yet among Xiaomi series smartphones, and the screen bezels are also slimmer than previous models. The matte aluminium alloy frame has a noticeable curve on the edge, which offers excellent handholding comfort.
With a 5500 mAh battery capacity and aggressive battery management, the Xiaomi 15T Pro easily lasts the whole day during my vacation, while its thermal management system keeps the device running with little heat. Even when the battery is low, it supports 90W wired HyperCharge, allowing the device to charge rapidly within minutes.
Other than fitting the black silicone casing included in the retail package, I tested the Xiaomi 15T Pro without applying a screen protector and observed no scratches at the end of my 2-week vacation, as the screen is reinforced with Corning Gorilla Glass 7i.
The smartphone is also certified IP68 water and dust resistant, which can withstand the elements.
The Leica triple camera system covers an optical zoom range from 15mm to 115mm, with digital zoom all the way to 230mm, making it a sufficiently versatile system to capture anything and everything within my field of vision.
The camera offers several bokeh effects and aperture values to adjust the blur intensity. These settings do accurately create the shallow depth of field effect to achieve an effect similar to large-sensor cameras.
Even in extreme lighting conditions, the Xiaomi 15T Pro captures the scene with stunning detail.
Nightscape scenes are rendered warmer with brighter exposures. I have no issues getting the shots without a tripod.
When zooming in to capture landmarks from a distance, the camera shows no sign of digital compression, retaining the skyline details and tonal dynamics.
Like most smartphones, the camera system analyses the scene and applies appropriate contrast and tone. The shots are still conservative even when selecting Leica Vibrant mode, but the photo edit function allows ease of adjustment to bring up the vividness.
Shooting with the main camera offers the best resolution and detail when pixel-peeping. But digital zoom beyond the 5x limit reaps acceptable results, as seen in the image below.
The Xiaomi 15T Pro may not be a flagship smartphone model, but its Leica camera system makes it an attractive buy for consumers who want premium camera images without paying a high price.
The Xiaomi 15T Pro retails start from S$799 at Xiaomi Store and authorised outlets.
