Xiaomi 15 Ultra

[Djingonthenet]

DOF, not everything in focus'. If only they discovered the 14U had variable aperture, which they didn't even mention. . Of course, 1" phone will have shallower DOF than the smaller one (guess they know it?). They obviously like infinite DOF and fake bokeh. But again, the samples speak for themselves - and show how flawed DXO scoring actually is. And if they can do such rubbish phone reviews, why would anyone believe in their real camera, sensors or lenses reviews?

Comment on 15U: The omission of variable aperture is the actual concern I have about it. Seems one cannot have it all.

They have mentioned before that all shots are taken in auto mode, so open camera app, point, click button - no other photography skills needed. They also mentioned that phones with "special powers" so to speak are set to default settings, I think in the case of the 14U that meant a rigid f1.63 - the understanding being that it wouldn't be fair on other phones that didn't have the feature. Which is like a car reviewer saying we tested the latest Ferrari against a Fiat Panda, the Panda has higher scores because we kept the Ferrari in reverse all the time as the Panda doesn't have a semi-auto gearbox.

So as we all say, well most of us, let your eyes decide (based on auto mode of course). On this occasion it's a clear win for the 15U over the iPhone even without venturing into Pro mode - which would be a bloodbath. Going back historically iPhones didn't come anywhere near the top.....then they introduced new sections such as "Preview" which the iPhone excelled at....which, all of a sudden, propelled them into the top 5.

 

[Panino Manino]

ZorSy wrote:
for example the 'king' of all phones is Huawei Pura. Seriously, the phone which cannot be used in a good part of the (west) world? Admittedly, one could live without Google services and far from banning it from access to Google being justified - but let's face it: great camera, not so usable phone.

What any of this have to do with the quality of the camera? DxO doesn't review "phones", they review the capabilities of cameras on phones.

 

[Dick Dastardly]

If the improvements in phone photography were as advertised in the last decade, in 2025 we'd be having smartphones with a week long battery life and images capable of replacing a basic mirrorless camera of recent manufacture, among other things. In reality, not there yet.

The camera performance varies according to what lens and sensor is being used in a particular photo and IQ varies wildly from one image to another, no matter what smartphone model or manufacturer is being used as reference.

There is too much advertising and too little change in year to year releases in order to justify spending $1500 every 12 months on the newer model, something that reminds me of the period around 2010, when there were loads of standalone cameras released by every manufacturer and the digital camera industry was booming. Now, it's smartphones.

Realistically speaking, i think you need to wait 4-5 years to see real improvement in smartphone photography, yet some manufacturers try to release new models every 6 months, Vivo for example tried that. All done to stirr up exitement and to shorten the lifespan of the device, while increasing revenue.

Xiaomi phones are good, but unpolished when you cross the $1000 barrier, where i personality would expect top quality and excelent CQ and design. Xiaomi phones have been having issues with battery life and overheating, camera fogging up among other things. All manufacturers have good and bad models no matter the price point, all i'm saying is that there is a big difference between reading a model presentation leaflet and the actual product.

[ATTACH alt=""More accurate image purity" or gibberish, as i call it. "]3757636[/ATTACH]
"More accurate image purity" or gibberish, as i call it.

 

[ZorSy]

ZorSy wrote:
for example the 'king' of all phones is Huawei Pura. Seriously, the phone which cannot be used in a good part of the (west) world? Admittedly, one could live without Google services and far from banning it from access to Google being justified - but let's face it: great camera, not so usable phone.

What any of this have to do with the quality of the camera? DxO doesn't review "phones", they review the capabilities of cameras on phones.

YES, you are right -got carried by the notion even if I buy it, it cannot be used in Australia as the phone. Not Huawei's fault - stupid people believe it has a weapon on mass destruction built in...

Their phones were on the forefront of phone camera technology and still are. The big 3? Samsung is the only one who could, if they wanted.

 

[Djingonthenet]

There is too much advertising and too little change in year to year releases in order to justify spending $1500 every 12 months on the newer model, something that reminds me of the period around 2010, when there were loads of standalone cameras released by every manufacturer and the digital camera industry was booming. Now, it's smartphones.

You're not wrong, everywhere I look, go or listen all I see is endless Apple, Samsung and Pixel adverts - funnily enough never seen an advert (in the past 5 years) for Xiaomi, Vivo, Huawei, Honor, Oppo, Sony, Oneplus or Nothing and yet the former 3 are the biggest culprits in the "too little change in year to year releases" category.

Realistically speaking, i think you need to wait 4-5 years to see real improvement in smartphone photography, yet some manufacturers try to release new models every 6 months, Vivo for example tried that. All done to stirr up exitement and to shorten the lifespan of the device, while increasing revenue.

You're not wrong, I mean what's the FE, SE, E, A versions all about? And don't get me started on the Triopolies (sorry Duopoly, I had no idea that Pixel sales are tiny compared to Apple & Samsung) business model which is sucks every last penny from their consumers (in order to maintain shareholder value).

Xiaomi phones are good, but unpolished when you cross the $1000 barrier, where i personality would expect top quality and excelent CQ and design.

Unpolished? In what way? I've had 2 Xiaomi flagships now and they have been the best phone available at the time of purchase
I expect top quality too, and have always got it.
CQ and design has been beyond anything that I would expect from any other flagship manufacturer.

How many Xiaomi flagships have you owned by the way?

Xiaomi phones have been having issues with battery life and overheating, camera fogging up among other things. All manufacturers have good and bad models no matter the price point, all i'm saying is that there is a big difference between reading a model presentation leaflet and the actual product.

"All manufacturers have good and bad models no matter the price point" You're not wrong. Samsung, exploding batteries (severe overheating I'd say), screen panel issues, Apple deliberately slowing down phones forcing you to upgrade, endless moaning about quality of iOS updates, shoddily installed back panel glass, battery life (it appears not to be an issue with Xiaomi phones alone), dreadful modems and signal, Tensor chips that are 5 years behind the competition, removal of power supplies "to make the world greener" (and the shareholders wealthier). I could go hunting for horror stories too.

More marketing gibberish below.

 

[The Point and Shoot Pro]

I would be more worried about the environmental sealing inside the 15U. The 14U always fogs up when moved between environments. Something the "big 3" have no issue with. That's way more important that a 1/100 "better" image since once the lens fogs your better image is trash anyways.

 

[Sho-Bud]

I would be more worried about the environmental sealing inside the 15U. The 14U always fogs up when moved between environments. Something the "big 3" have no issue with. That's way more important that a 1/100 "better" image since once the lens fogs your better image is trash anyways.

Always is a big word. Mine never fogs up.

 

[The Point and Shoot Pro]

I would be more worried about the environmental sealing inside the 15U. The 14U always fogs up when moved between environments. Something the "big 3" have no issue with. That's way more important that a 1/100 "better" image since once the lens fogs your better image is trash anyways.

Always is a big word. Mine never fogs up.

 

[Djingonthenet]

I would be more worried about the environmental sealing inside the 15U. The 14U always fogs up when moved between environments. Something the "big 3" have no issue with. That's way more important that a 1/100 "better" image since once the lens fogs your better image is trash anyways.

You're obsessed with fogging, I've never had it and know of one person that has (Mark) I know several people that's got this phone and no one has ever experienced it. 99.999% of 14U users have no issues and get spot on photos with it.

 

[The Point and Shoot Pro]

I would be more worried about the environmental sealing inside the 15U. The 14U always fogs up when moved between environments. Something the "big 3" have no issue with. That's way more important that a 1/100 "better" image since once the lens fogs your better image is trash anyways.

Your obsessed with fogging, I've never had it and know of one person that has (Mark) I know several people that's got this phone and no one has ever experienced it. 99.999% of 14U users have no issues and get spot on photos with it.

Damn right I am. Makes the camera useless. Why buy the best camera in a smartphone when it's useless if you walk outside with it. And no. It's not just mark having an issue. As I said it's enough of an issue xiaomi issued at statement to not go from inside to outside if you want to use your camera.

 

[Djingonthenet]

I would be more worried about the environmental sealing inside the 15U. The 14U always fogs up when moved between environments. Something the "big 3" have no issue with. That's way more important that a 1/100 "better" image since once the lens fogs your better image is trash anyways.

Your obsessed with fogging, I've never had it and know of one person that has (Mark) I know several people that's got this phone and no one has ever experienced it. 99.999% of 14U users have no issues and get spot on photos with it.

Damn right I am. Makes the camera useless. Why buy the best camera in a smartphone when it's useless if you walk outside with it. And no. It's not just mark having an issue. As I said it's enough of an issue xiaomi issued at statement to not go from inside to outside if you want to use your camera.

Here's a random photo from my useless camera (could have picked any from thousands). Good luck replicating it on your far superior Pixel

 

[The Point and Shoot Pro]

I would be more worried about the environmental sealing inside the 15U. The 14U always fogs up when moved between environments. Something the "big 3" have no issue with. That's way more important that a 1/100 "better" image since once the lens fogs your better image is trash anyways.

Your obsessed with fogging, I've never had it and know of one person that has (Mark) I know several people that's got this phone and no one has ever experienced it. 99.999% of 14U users have no issues and get spot on photos with it.

Damn right I am. Makes the camera useless. Why buy the best camera in a smartphone when it's useless if you walk outside with it. And no. It's not just mark having an issue. As I said it's enough of an issue xiaomi issued at statement to not go from inside to outside if you want to use your camera.

Here's a random photo from my useless camera (could have picked any from thousands). Good luck replicating it on your far superior Pixel

I see nothing spectacular about that other than the heavy post processing. And yes, I could get that same exact shot using my pixel. I cannot help that the 14U has a flaw. You cannot help it either. That does not make it any less true.

--
Fronterra Photography Tours
The Point and Shoot Pro
One Lens, No Problem

 

[Patrick T. Kelly]

Nonsense. It only matters when the indoor/outdoor environments are drastically different. I would suspect humidity plays a part, too, but I don't know. I live where it never gets cold. Therefore, fogging up doesn't effect my 14U unless I want to take photos of a walk-in freezer. Then, maybe.

That said, I doubt I'll be buying a 15U. I haven't heard the price but buying one from England and having it imported to Mexico isn't cheap. My 14U will suit me for another year.

 

[André BARELIER]

I would be more worried about the environmental sealing inside the 15U. The 14U always fogs up when moved between environments. Something the "big 3" have no issue with. That's way more important that a 1/100 "better" image since once the lens fogs your better image is trash anyways.

Your obsessed with fogging, I've never had it and know of one person that has (Mark) I know several people that's got this phone and no one has ever experienced it. 99.999% of 14U users have no issues and get spot on photos with it.

Damn right I am. Makes the camera useless. Why buy the best camera in a smartphone when it's useless if you walk outside with it. And no. It's not just mark having an issue. As I said it's enough of an issue xiaomi issued at statement to not go from inside to outside if you want to use your camera.

Here's a random photo from my useless camera (could have picked any from thousands). Good luck replicating it on your far superior Pixel

Not everyone expresses themselves the way you do. Nobody is saying that your camera is useless.
Nobody but you is saying that the P8P is "far superior" to the 14U.
I agree that defects on the 14U are very rare.
What's shocking is not the defect: after all, it can happen.
What's shocking is that Xiaomi doesn't take it into account. That's what is unacceptable. When I buy a device costing over €1,000, and even though I'm not responsible for the defect, I expect it to be guaranteed to work for the legal period (2 years in France).
Xiaomi's refusal is unacceptable.
As for your photo, frankly, I don't see what's so extraordinary about it. Obviously, you're happy with it and with your device. That's what matters. But to challenge somebody to get the same result with a P8P is childish.
It's tiring. This forum isn't a playground.

--
André

 

[Djingonthenet]

I would be more worried about the environmental sealing inside the 15U. The 14U always fogs up when moved between environments. Something the "big 3" have no issue with. That's way more important that a 1/100 "better" image since once the lens fogs your better image is trash anyways.

Your obsessed with fogging, I've never had it and know of one person that has (Mark) I know several people that's got this phone and no one has ever experienced it. 99.999% of 14U users have no issues and get spot on photos with it.

Damn right I am. Makes the camera useless. Why buy the best camera in a smartphone when it's useless if you walk outside with it. And no. It's not just mark having an issue. As I said it's enough of an issue xiaomi issued at statement to not go from inside to outside if you want to use your camera.

Here's a random photo from my useless camera (could have picked any from thousands). Good luck replicating it on your far superior Pixel

Not everyone expresses themselves the way you do. Nobody is saying that your camera is useless.
Nobody but you is saying that the P8P is "far superior" to the 14U.
I agree that defects on the 14U are very rare.
What's shocking is not the defect: after all, it can happen.
What's shocking is that Xiaomi doesn't take it into account. That's what is unacceptable. When I buy a device costing over €1,000, and even though I'm not responsible for the defect, I expect it to be guaranteed to work for the legal period (2 years in France).
Xiaomi's refusal is unacceptable.
As for your photo, frankly, I don't see what's so extraordinary about it. Obviously, you're happy with it and with your device. That's what matters. But to challenge somebody to get the same result with a P8P is childish.
It's tiring. This forum isn't a playground.

Oh ok, I refer you to exhibits A & B

" way more important that a 1/100 "better" image"

Implying that 99 times out of 100 a pixel, iphone or Samsung produces a better image, is that a definition of far superior? in which case I picked a photo at random, scrolled through the gallery and clicked where it stopped. .a photo taken in low light of a moving insect roughly 5mm in length, for a mobile phone impressive - or ten a penny for everyone it would seem.... Haven't seen any evidence to prove to the contrary though, which is what I was asking for. Also said that I could have picked one from thousands taken, which does make the 1/100 claim rather daft. I drive a mini, if someone bloke tells me that they drive a Bentley I don't instantly tell him that there's less that 0.5% difference in ride quality - I wouldn't expect any other mini owners to back me up.

"Makes the camera useless. Why buy the best camera in a smartphone when it's useless if you walk outside with it."

The over use of the word useless implies that he thinks that the cameras are erm useless, not forgetting that he had mentioned previously that the hardware difference is less than 1%! Not even the CEO of Alphabet believes that bearing in mind that the camera hardware of the pixel appears in mid range phones. Not being childish, just pointing out that his arguments are pretty comical yet mine are the only ones being criticised.

I will admit that it is a poor showing not to accept liability for the small percentage of devices that have experienced this issue, I'm not defending Xiaomi for this, I will defend the hardware when it works though.

Here is the original unprocessed photo taken from RAW.

 

[The Point and Shoot Pro]

Not a minor occurrence. The xiaomi help form is full of people with the same issue. and yes, look at the images people have been posting there. the fog renders the camera useless. the images are OMG......FOGGY! Congrats if you are one of the lottery winners that does not have the issue, but me, for one won't be buying sub par devices with lack of support from the company that knows there are issues.

[Xiaomi 14] Foggy Lens Fix | Xiaomi Community

--
Fronterra Photography Tours
The Point and Shoot Pro
One Lens, No Problem

 

[André BARELIER]

Not a minor occurrence. The xiaomi help form is full of people with the same issue. and yes, look at the images people have been posting there. the fog renders the camera useless. the images are OMG......FOGGY! Congrats if you are one of the lottery winners that does not have the issue, but me, for one won't be buying sub par devices with lack of support from the company that knows there are issues.

[Xiaomi 14] Foggy Lens Fix | Xiaomi Community

I assume you're replying to Djingonthenet. I think it's a waste of time. Personally, I'll leave it at that. I've got better things to do!

--

André

 

[The Point and Shoot Pro]

Not a minor occurrence. The xiaomi help form is full of people with the same issue. and yes, look at the images people have been posting there. the fog renders the camera useless. the images are OMG......FOGGY! Congrats if you are one of the lottery winners that does not have the issue, but me, for one won't be buying sub par devices with lack of support from the company that knows there are issues.

[Xiaomi 14] Foggy Lens Fix | Xiaomi Community

I assume you're replying to Djingonthenet. I think it's a waste of time. Personally, I'll leave it at that. I've got better things to do!

Yes I was.

Peace!

 

[Vermont3133]

Rather nice review here with a lot of samples.

I recon this is almost as good a Pixel 8 Pro!! [ jus stirrin the pot.... ;-) ]

 

[André BARELIER]

Rather nice review here with a lot of samples.

I recon this is almost as good a Pixel 8 Pro!! [ jus stirrin the pot.... ;-) ]

The samples, with or without fogging ?

--

André