Xiaomi has just launched the Mi 14 series globally, but with phone launch cycles getting shorter and shorter, we’re already starting to hear details about the Mi 15 series surfacing. While not much is known about these devices, Xiaomi likes to maintain consistency across generations of devices, so there will be a lot of similarities with the Mi 14.
Xiaomi is known to use Qualcomm chipsets in its flagship devices, so it is almost certain that the Mi 15 will be powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. And thanks to years of collaboration with Leica, we know the device will feature the same set of custom effects offered on the Xiaomi Mi 14 series.
We’ll have to wait a while to get a better idea of its design, but here’s an early preview of the Mi 15.
Xiaomi Mi 15: Design
Xiaomi changed the design aesthetic on the Mi 13 series and started to copy Samsung’s strategy. The standard Mi 13 has square sides and a smaller profile (similar to the Galaxy S23), the Mi 13 Pro switches to a sleeker design, and then the Mi 13 Ultra has its own unique aesthetic.
Xiaomi has continued the same design language with the Mi 14, and while I like the phone, the design isn’t particularly great and it doesn’t feel as premium as the mid-range Redmi Note 13 Pro+. For the Xiaomi Mi 15, I would definitely like to see design changes to bring the device in line with the Pro model.
Xiaomi 15: Specifications
Xiaomi has always been good at providing the latest hardware, and the Mi 15 will be powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. The chipset will be built on the 3nm node, so it should offer a considerable efficiency boost over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which was already very good at managing its power.
One new feature debuting with the Mi 15 is satellite connectivity, similar to the SOS feature in the iPhone 15 Pro Max. It’s unclear how Xiaomi will leverage this feature and which countries it will be available in, but it’s an interesting addition and I’ll share an update as soon as I hear more about it.
Battery technology has largely stabilized, and I don’t see any changes in this area in 2025. Xiaomi has a good foundation for its 90W charging technology, which should also appear in the standard Mi 15. That said, the best Xiaomi phones support 120W charging, and I hope the Mi 15 can implement this feature as well.
What I like about Xiaomi’s charging strategy is that it uses the PD 3.0 protocol, so the included charger is perfect for charging many other devices.
Xiaomi 15: Release date
It is estimated that Xiaomi will launch the Mi 15 series earlier than last year. Of course, the announcement comes at Qualcomm’s annual event, where the company unveils its next generation of chips. Since Xiaomi is a launch partner, it usually releases its flagship devices a few weeks after Qualcomm launches the next-generation Snapdragon – which is why the Xiaomi Mi 14 series was launched in China back in October.
Xiaomi won’t deviate from this model, and we’ll once again see the Mi 15 series launch early in China, followed by a global launch sometime in early 2025. Xiaomi usually does two things when launching a phone globally: debut it at MWC, or hold a grand launch event in India. The manufacturer has launched its numbered series at both venues in the past, and if I had to guess, it would be making the world premiere of the Mi 15 at next year’s MWC, just like this year.