Xiaomi Redmi 15 5G Unboxing Experience
The Redmi 15 5G comes with a surprisingly generous package, considering its affordable price point. Inside the box, you’ll find:
- The phone itself
- A 33W fast charger with USB-C cable
- A protective case
Redmi 15 5G Design and Build
Fresh New Look
Unlike many budget phones that reuse last year’s design, the Redmi 15 5G sports an updated exterior. The back panel is completely redesigned with a new rectangular aluminum camera assembly. Only the top ring houses a functional 50MP main camera, while the second is a depth sensor and the third is purely ornamental.
Color Options
- Sandy Purple – inspired by dune-like textures (with a purple twist)
- Frosted White – icy patterned finish that gleams under light
- Midnight Black – plain and understated for minimalists
Build & Ergonomics
The side frame continues the back panel’s color scheme. On the right, you’ll find the power button with an integrated fingerprint scanner and volume rockers. The top houses the IR blaster, the left has the SIM tray, while the bottom features a single loudspeaker, microphone, and USB-C port.
The phone is wider than the Redmi 13 5G to fit the huge 7000mAh battery, which makes one-handed use more difficult. Build quality is decent, and the device is IP64 certified, but the overall construction still leans heavily on plastic.
Specs at a Glance
| Body | 169.5 x 80.5 x 8.4 mm, 217 g; IP64 dust tight and water resistant (water splashes) |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.90" IPS LCD, 144Hz (practically 120Hz), 2340 x 1080px, 374 ppi, 600 nits (typ), 700 nits (HBM), 850 nits (peak) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 (6 nm): Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55); Adreno 619 |
| Memory | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM; UFS 2.2; microSDXC (shared SIM slot) |
| OS | Android 15, HyperOS 2.2 (HyperOS 3 with Android 16 expected later) |
| Rear camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, 1/2.88", PDAF; Depth: auxiliary lens |
| Front camera | 8 MP, f/2.0 (wide) |
| Video | Rear: 1080p@30fps; Front: 1080p@30fps |
| Battery | 7000mAh; 33W wired, PD 2.0, PPS, QC3; 18W reverse wired |
| Connectivity | 5G; Wi-Fi 5; Bluetooth 5.1, aptX; NFC; Infrared port |
| Misc | Side-mounted fingerprint reader; Virtual proximity sensing; Circle to Search |
Display
Size and Specs
The Redmi 15 5G has a 6.9-inch IPS LCD panel with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 and an advertised refresh rate of 144Hz. Xiaomi claims the display can reach 850 nits peak brightness.
Real-World Performance
The display performance is good for the price. The panel is reasonably high resolution and shows good colors and contrast. Peak brightness is sufficient for outdoor legibility—an improvement over the previous generation.
Limitations of the LCD Panel
- Viewing angles are not ideal; parts of the screen may appear darker or brighter depending on your angle.
- Backlight bleed is visible along the top and bottom bezels and there's slight vignetting in the corners.
- Blacks are not true blacks like those from AMOLED panels.
None of these are deal-breakers; overall image quality remains solid for the segment.
Refresh Rate Reality Check
The display offers several preset refresh rates (30Hz, 40Hz, 45Hz, 48Hz, 50Hz, 60Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz and 144Hz). However, Xiaomi restricts the 144Hz setting to a few trivial apps (Calculator, Recorder), and most real-world apps and games are capped at 120Hz. Practically, this is a 120Hz display despite the 144Hz marketing.
Software
HyperOS 2 on Android 15
The Redmi 15 5G runs Xiaomi HyperOS 2 atop Android 15. Xiaomi promises two years of Android updates and four years of security updates. HyperOS 3 with Android 16 is expected sometime later this year.
UI and Experience
The Xiaomi UI hasn't changed drastically from the MIUI days. It remains relatively easy to use with good customizability. If you're coming from an older Redmi smartphone, you'll feel at home. For long-time Xiaomi users, the UI may feel a bit stale. The design still borrows heavily from iOS's aesthetic, which some users might find derivative.
Bloatware and Ads
The phone comes with a notable amount of pre-installed apps and bloatware, particularly in markets like India. Xiaomi has even replaced its own app store with a third-party store in some regions. Ads and pre-installs are part of the trade-off for the phone's lower upfront price.
Performance
Chipset and Memory
The Redmi 15 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3. In terms of CPU configuration it is practically identical to the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 variants used in the Redmi 13 5G and Redmi 12 5G. Memory options include 6GB or 8GB LPDDR4X, and storage comes in 128GB or 256GB UFS 2.2 variants.
CPU vs GPU
CPU benchmark results are virtually identical to those of the previous two generations, which is disappointing and suggests limited progress in raw processing performance. This also means the device may age faster from a CPU standpoint.
The GPU is where there is a meaningful improvement: the Adreno 619 is roughly 2.5x faster than the Adreno 613 used previously, which boosts graphics performance noticeably.
Gaming
Despite the GPU uplift, the Redmi 15 5G is not a gaming powerhouse. In BGMI the phone delivered around 40–50 fps on the lowest settings. This is playable but falls short of the stable 60 fps many players prefer.
Camera
Rear Camera
Primary: 50MP, f/1.8 with PDAF. The secondary module is a depth sensor; there is no ultra-wide or telephoto lens. Daylight shots are serviceable for social sharing and casual photography but lack the versatility and detail of higher-tier competitors.
Front Camera
Selfies are handled by an 8MP, f/2.0 front camera. Results are acceptable under good light but start to struggle in low-light conditions.
Video
Both front and rear cameras are capped at 1080p @ 30fps. In 2025, this feels conservative compared to rivals offering 4K capture.
Battery and Charging
Massive 7000mAh Battery
The Redmi 15 5G packs a 7000mAh SiC battery, a significant upgrade from the 5030mAh unit in the Redmi 13 5G. Expect reliable two-day endurance under moderate usage.
Charging
The phone ships with the same 33W fast charger that accompanied the Redmi 13 5G. Because the battery is much larger, charging times are slower in comparison—about 15 minutes longer to reach 50% than the previous generation. The device also supports 18W reverse wired charging, which can be useful for powering accessories or another phone in a pinch.
Overall, the tradeoff of slower charging for much greater battery life is advantageous for many users.
Connectivity and Extras
- 5G support
- Wi-Fi 5
- Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX
- NFC
- Infrared (IR) blaster
- Side-mounted fingerprint scanner
- Virtual proximity sensing
- Circle to Search AI feature
Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 15 5G is an endurance-first device. Its 7000mAh battery, fresh design, and smooth real-world display performance (practically 120Hz) make it a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize battery life and day-to-day usability.
However, the phone has clear compromises: the CPU has stagnated across generations, the software includes bloatware and ads, the camera setup is basic and video capture is limited to 1080p, and the 144Hz refresh-rate claim is mostly marketing. Still, for buyers who want dependable battery life, a large usable display, and a comfortable feature set for everyday tasks, the Redmi 15 5G represents a strong value.
Full Summary
Pros
- Huge 7000mAh battery with excellent endurance
- Included 33W charger and protective case in the box
- Bright 6.9" display with smooth scrolling (real 120Hz)
- IP64 dust and splash resistance
- Meaningful GPU uplift (Adreno 619) over previous models
Cons
- CPU performance largely unchanged from last two generations
- 33W charging is slower due to much larger battery
- 144Hz claim is misleading—practically capped at 120Hz in real use
- Plastic-heavy build and wide frame hinder one-handed use
- Lots of bloatware and ads in the software
- Camera setup is basic and video limited to 1080p