Xiaomi 15T and 15T Pro: Bigger Screens, Smarter Cameras, and More Endurance

When Xiaomi rolls out its “T” series every year, I always expect something interesting — not groundbreaking, but just enough polish to keep things fresh without breaking the bank. The new Xiaomi 15T and 15T Pro fall right into that sweet spot. They’re bigger, sleeker, and a little smarter than last year’s models. But do they truly raise the bar? Well, yes and no.

Let’s start with the obvious: both phones now come with 6.83-inch OLED displays. That’s a noticeable jump from the 6.67 inches on the 14T pair. On paper, it sounds fantastic — bigger screens for videos, gaming, and scrolling endlessly through TikTok. But there’s a catch. The brightness tops out at 3,200 nits, which is technically great, but still a step back from last year’s Pro model that hit 4,000. Was anyone really asking for less brightness? Probably not. Still, outdoors you’ll be fine.

The refresh rates are split: the 15T Pro gets 144Hz, while the regular 15T maxes at 120Hz. Honestly, unless you’re a hardcore gamer who notices every frame, that difference feels minor. Both look smooth, both support HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, and both sound solid with Dolby Atmos stereo speakers.

The 15T Pro is the one Xiaomi wants you to lust after. It runs on the Dimensity 9400+, paired with a generous 12GB of RAM and up to a full 1TB of storage. The funny part? That chip isn’t even the latest anymore — MediaTek already pushed out the 9500. Does it matter? Not really. Unless you’re counting milliseconds in benchmarks, this phone will chew through anything you throw at it.

Cooling gets a boost with Xiaomi’s 3D IceLoop system, which is marketing speak for “your phone won’t fry itself while gaming.” Good to have, even if you’ll never think about it again.

The big talking point is the camera. The main sensor is the same 50MP unit as before, solid but not new. The real upgrade is the 5x telephoto lens with OIS. Finally, some real zoom power. Last year’s 2.6x lens felt like a half-measure, but now you can actually get close without smudgy digital zoom artifacts. The ultra-wide is fine at 12MP, and the 32MP selfie shooter will keep Instagram happy.

Video-wise, the Pro flexes with 8K at 30fps (even if you’ll probably never use it) and 4K up to 120fps, plus a 10-bit Log mode for the color grading nerds.

Powering all this is a 5,500mAh battery with 90W wired and 50W wireless charging. Xiaomi says you’ll get over 15 hours of constant use. I believe them. Battery life is rarely Xiaomi’s weak point.

The regular 15T dials things back, but it’s not a bad deal. It runs on the Dimensity 8400-Ultra, has the same 12GB RAM, and storage options top out at 512GB. In day-to-day use, you’re not going to miss the Pro’s horsepower. The screen is basically the same too, just with that lower 120Hz cap.

The main camera is where Xiaomi cuts corners. Gone is Sony’s sensor from last year, replaced with the Light Fusion 800. On paper, it’s still a 50MP shooter with OIS, but don’t expect miracles in low light. The telephoto is just 2x, which feels a bit old-school when the Pro is flaunting 5x.

That said, it still has Leica Summilux lenses and the new Portrait Master mode, which should give you sharper portrait shots with better color tones. Video caps at 4K HDR10+, no 8K here, but honestly — do you need 8K? Exactly.

The battery is the same 5,500mAh, but charging drops to 67W wired only. That’s not slow by any means, but if you’re spoiled by Xiaomi’s faster charging, you’ll notice.

Both phones slim down a bit this year. The Pro is 7.96mm thick, while the regular 15T goes even thinner at 7.5mm. Weight stays reasonable: 210g for the Pro, 194g for the 15T. They also share an IP68 rating, which means a quick dunk in water isn’t the end of the world.

One thing I really like: Xiaomi’s after-sales policy. You get one free screen replacement within the first six months, plus 12 months of labor-free out-of-warranty repairs. It feels like Xiaomi is saying, “Yes, we know accidents happen.” More companies should do this.

Pricing is where Xiaomi usually wins. The 15T starts at €650/£600, and the Pro at €800/£650. Considering the specs, that’s aggressive. You’re not getting absolute flagship power, but you’re also not paying €1,200+.

So, what’s the verdict? The 15T Pro is the obvious choice for enthusiasts — that 5x tele lens alone is worth the extra money. But the regular 15T might be the smarter buy for most people. You still get the big display, the strong battery, and plenty of performance at a lower price.

In the end, Xiaomi played it safe this year. Bigger screens, bigger batteries, a nice camera upgrade for the Pro. Nothing revolutionary, but plenty to keep the T-series relevant. If you’re upgrading from something two years old, you’ll notice the difference. From last year’s 14T? Maybe not.