PhoneLifespan

Xiaomi 15

Safe to buyValue Score 66/100
$750
used/import street price; not officially sold in the US
$999 at launch

By Muhammad Tahir · Updated June 2026 · how we review

A 6.36-inch flagship that is genuinely pocketable at 191g, with a Snapdragon 8 Elite, three 50MP Leica cameras including a 60mm floating telephoto, and a 5,240mAh battery. Compact flagships are nearly extinct — this is one of the last good ones.

Is the 15 still supported?

Official promise

Supported until March 2030 · Buy-by March 2028

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Yes — the 15 is supported until March 2030, roughly 3.5 more years.

2025◆ Buy-by Mar 20282030

Xiaomi promises 5 years of updates for this phone, so it's supported until March 2030 — buying it today still gets you about 3.5 years of safe use (verified June 2026).

Source: Xiaomi's official policy · last verified 2026-06-11 · how we compute this · what happens when support ends

TrueCost

Street price ÷ months of safe use remaining. How we compute it.

$17.98/month

31% above the $600–900 median ($13.76/mo, dying phones excluded)

Should you buy the 15 in 2026?

Pros

  • Genuinely compact at 6.36 inches and 191g, without cutting the specification
  • Snapdragon 8 Elite with 12GB RAM
  • Triple 50MP Leica system: main, ultra-wide and a 60mm floating telephoto
  • 5,240mAh battery is large for the footprint, with 90W wired and 50W wireless
  • 1–120Hz LTPO AMOLED at 3,200 nits and IP68

Cons

  • No official US sales — import pricing and no local warranty
  • 90W charging is fast but the 14T Pro's 120W is faster for less money
  • 6.36 inches will feel small to anyone used to a 6.8-inch phone
Best for: Buyers who want a small high-end phoneBest for: Photography enthusiasts who like Leica colourBest for: Long-term keepersAvoid if: You need US warranty and carrier supportAvoid if: You want the biggest possible screen

Full specifications

Display
Screen6.36-inch CrystalRes AMOLED, 2670×1200 (460 ppi), 1–120Hz LTPO, up to 3200 nits peak, Dolby Vision/HDR10+
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Elite
RAM12GB
Storage256GB / 512GB
Cameras
main (Light Fusion 900, f/1.62)50MP
ultra-wide50MP
telephoto (Leica 60mm floating)50MP
front32MP
Battery & charging
Battery5,240 mAh
Charging90W wired, 50W wireless
Build
Dimensions152.3 × 71.2 × 8.08 mm
Weight191 g
MaterialsAluminum frame, Gorilla Glass (Victus 2-class)
Water resistanceIP68
Software & connectivity
SoftwareAndroid 15 with HyperOS 2 at launch
Connectivity5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, USB-C
Update policy4 OS upgrades · 5 years of security updates (official promise)

Better-value alternatives

Similar price, lower cost per month of safe ownership.

Frequently asked questions

How long will the Xiaomi 15 be supported?

Four OS upgrades and five years of security patches from its March 2025 release, so support runs to March 2030. That is a published commitment for Xiaomi's flagship line, though shorter than the seven years now offered by Samsung and Google on comparable phones.

Is the Xiaomi 15 genuinely compact?

By modern standards, yes. At 6.36 inches and 191g it sits between an iPhone 17 and an iPhone 17 Pro in footprint, and it is one of very few phones that pairs that size with a full flagship chip, a triple camera and a 5,000mAh-plus battery. Most compact phones make you give up something significant; this one largely does not.

What is a floating telephoto and why does it matter here?

The 60mm Leica telephoto uses lens elements that physically shift across a wider range than a fixed design, so the same module covers both portrait-length zoom and close macro focus. Practically it means the Xiaomi 15 shoots genuinely good close-ups without needing a throwaway 2MP macro sensor, and portraits at a natural focal length.

Should I import a Xiaomi 15 or buy a Galaxy S25?

The S25 is the safer buy: official US support, seven years of updates against five, easy warranty service and better resale. The Xiaomi 15 gives you a better camera system, faster charging and a more distinctive compact design. If you are comfortable importing and value photography, it is a genuinely appealing phone; if you want the fewest headaches, buy the Samsung.

Compare it

Specs are collected from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers and change often. Support end dates follow each brand's official policy (or, for Apple, its documented historical pattern). Last verified 2026-06-11.