6 Xiaomi 15 Ultra features I wish were on my Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
by Stephen Radochia · Android PoliceI’ve expressed my displeasure with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. It’s not a bad smartphone, by any means, and if you’re a diehard Samsung fan upgrading from an older Galaxy phone, you’ll be pleased.
However, my frustrations stem from the fact that it's not the best smartphone Samsung could have produced, especially given the S25 Ultra’s hefty price tag. Samsung appears content to only compete against itself, not eager to match the spec sheets of overseas flagships like the new global edition of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. It’s a disappointing mindset for Samsung, and having used the Xiaomi 15 Ultra for a month, I prefer it over the Galaxy S25 Ultra for plenty of reasons. Here are 6 Xiaomi 15 Ultra features I wish Samsung matched on the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
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Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra no longer lives up to its name
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6 Bigger, silicon-carbide battery
The new overseas standard
I was disappointed when Samsung announced that the Galaxy S25 Ultra would continue to use a 5,000mAh lithium-ion battery this year. I wanted the newer silicon-carbide battery seen in the OnePlus 13, and a larger battery capacity would’ve been welcomed, too. However, I wanted to be fair. I scoured the internet for spec sheets on similarly priced (and cheaper) overseas flagships to see if OnePlus was a one-off using newer battery tech or if silicon-carbide batteries were the standard.
Sure enough, I found multiple devices using newer battery technology, including the Xiaomi 15 Ultra I tested. The phone has phenomenal battery life. It can last two full days on a single charge without giving me battery anxiety on the second day — something I can’t say for my Galaxy S25 Ultra. I need a charger for my Samsung flagship sometime in the afternoon. If you charge your phone nightly, it may not be an issue. However, it’s comforting that I'm not stuck the next day if I forget to plug my phone in.
5 Fast charging you feel comfortable calling fast
90W wired and 80W wireless
Samsung’s charging speeds have been lackluster for years. The company appears allergic to above 45W wired charging, even when the competition lapped it. It’s not painfully slow, but I know Samsung can do better, especially when I see multiple overseas devices with significantly faster speeds. It makes a difference when you need to top off your phone quickly, and it’s another way to alleviate battery anxiety if you forget to plug in your phone at night or have a particularly demanding screen day and need more power to get you to the finish line.
My Xiaomi 15 Ultra features 90W fast charging and 80W wireless charging speeds. I’d expect those numbers for a flagship with a wallet-punishing price tag. If I’m paying all the money, I want the maximum specs available, and that’s one reason I’ve preferred using my Xiaomi 15 Ultra for the past month.
4 Cameras worthy of the name Ultra
The best shots I’ve taken on a smartphone
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra has the best smartphone camera I’ve ever used. Although I’m not a shutterbug and am often criticized for not taking enough photos at family events, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra has me searching for photos to take. The natural bokeh effect is incredible, and nighttime photos never disappoint. Unlike Samsung, Xiaomi wasn’t content with AI enhancements and better image processing as the headline of its new flagship. Xiaomi improved the camera hardware, and it's noticeable. Software enhancements are important, but the results are magical when paired with new, impressive camera hardware.
Xiaomi 15 Ultra camera samples
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra’s quad-camera Leica setup is as impressive on the spec sheet as it is in operation. It features a 50MP primary lens with a 1-inch sensor. A larger sensor means more light and data for computational photography to work with, and it’s a significant reason for its stellar nighttime photos. It also includes a 50MP floating telephoto lens, a 200MP periscope telephoto sensor, and a 50MP ultrawide. It’s the most versatile camera system I’ve used, and it’s what I’d expect on a phone called the Ultra.
3 16GB of RAM standard
Enough RAM for today and tomorrow
I’m still baffled by how Samsung could highlight Galaxy AI as a reason you’d buy a Galaxy S25 Ultra, then only fit the phone with 12GB of RAM. I understand we most likely won’t tax 12GB in 2025. However, Samsung promises 7 years of software support for the Galaxy S25 Ultra. I feel like in year 5 or 6, I might need that extra 4GB of RAM. It’s not too much to ask Samsung to match the competition, especially when 16GB is readily available in several other smartphones with prices over $1,000.
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra comes with 16GB in its base configuration. While the global version is more expensive than the base Galaxy S25 Ultra, you get more storage and RAM for the additional wallet hit. I don’t like spending over $1,400 and feeling shortchanged, and I don’t get that impression with the Xiaomi 15 Ultra — something I wish I could say about my Galaxy S25 Ultra.
2 HyperOS 2 features
It’s not better than One UI 7, but I still like it
I’ll state this clearly: HyperOS 2 is not better overall than One UI 7. Samsung’s software is still more reliable, and the company offers more years of support and security updates than Xiaomi. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t elements of HyperOS 2 I prefer. Like most Android manufacturers, Xiaomi has its own suite of AI software, but it’s not thrust in my face. I can use the tools there, but I’m mostly content with letting HyperOS 2’s AI operate in the background, managing RAM and battery efficiency.
I don’t mind AI in my smartphone, but I don’t like front-end features that add nothing to the user experience. I can’t stand Now Brief on my Galaxy S25 Ultra, and Samsung seems intent on making me realize it's there multiple times a day. I want my AI to enhance my user experience under the hood, not above it as a useless ornament.
I dislike the split notification and quick settings panels trending among Android manufacturers. I turn it off on every new device I test, but I haven’t on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. Xiaomi added a visual touch, with the animation flowing from the side of the screen I swiped from. It’s a small item, but it makes a huge difference for muscle memory to ensure I don’t pull down the wrong one or veer too far from the center. It’s well-designed, which is another element I like about HyperOS 2.
1 Not too wonky, even with the huge camera
I enjoy the design of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra
When I first saw the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, I thought its massive camera array would make it unwieldy. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how balanced the phone is and how well it carries its weight despite being almost 230g. The camera hump is confined to the top third of the phone, meaning I can rest my fingers comfortably under the lip of the camera for a secure grip. I also enjoy its slightly smaller display. Its 6.73-inch panel is a fantastic fit for my hands, and I hate that Samsung and others have gone for larger displays on flagship models.
It’s a matter of personal preference, but Xiaomi added character to the 15 Ultra. You know it’s a phone that focuses on its camera by its appearance. I get no such emotion from the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s design. Samsung appears content to offend the least number of people possible, whereas Xiaomi wants you to know what its phone is all about.
Unfortunately, we get what we get
As excited as I am about the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, I can’t recommend buying one unless you’re an enthusiast who knows what they are doing. You’ll need to import the global version to the US and deal with potential carrier incompatibilities. I’ve had no issues using my Xiaomi 15 Ultra on T-Mobile, but you won’t have similar luck with AT&T or Verizon.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra might still be the best choice for most US users, but that doesn’t mean I can’t look overseas and dream of a day when Samsung innovates again and decides to compete against more than just itself.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
7.5 / 10
Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra leaves the Note-like design behind for the very first time. With flat edges, curved corners, and a massive 6.9-inch display, this is a modern flagship through and through — and yes, that S Pen is still here too.