Redmi was once known for providing “more cost-effective” devices, but in recent years, due to its own strategic choices and the rise of competitors, Redmi has gradually lost ground in the mid-range smartphone field. Retailer dissatisfaction, poor product positioning and gains made by rivals are just some of the reasons why its shipments have plummeted, and the outlook now looks bleak. The Redmi 15 5G was launched in India last month in another attempt to turn around the company’s fortunes.
Hence, the phone introduces some market-leading features such as a huge 7,000mAh silicon carbon battery. What’s more, the Redmi 15 5G is priced quite competitively, starting at Rs. 14,999 for the 6GB + 128GB RAM and storage configuration. So, does it have enough courage to reverse Redmi’s fate? I will discuss this in my review.
Redmi 15 5G design: a new look
- Dimensions- 168.4×80.4×8.40mm
- Weight – 217 grams
- Colors- Matte White, Midnight Black and Sand Purple
- Protection level – IP64
The Redmi 15 5G is one of the few phones in the low-end and mid-range segment to be updated with a new design rather than just a new coat of paint over its predecessor. The camera module is said to be made of aerospace-grade metal and is a new addition. It is a rectangular decoration located in the upper right corner of the back cover and contains three rings.
However, don’t be fooled, as only two of them are actual sensors, while the third ring is just a cosmetic addition. Still, the new design of the camera island makes it look more premium.
The Redmi 15 5G is available in three color options, including the matte white shade I reviewed. It captures light beautifully and displays a marble-like texture. It’s nice to see an affordable phone focusing on offering attractive appeal rather than a simple industrial design.
Compared with its predecessor, the camera island of Redmi 15 5G has been redesigned
Weighing in at 217 grams and measuring 8.40mm thick, Redmi’s latest phone isn’t exactly what you’d expect from an iPhone Air. It’s also one of the largest and widest phones I’ve ever used. While its flat frame helps with ergonomics and provides a good grip, people with smaller hands will definitely have trouble reaching the top corners of the phone.
Finally, the Redmi 15 5G has an IP64 rating, making it resistant to dust but only splashes of water. Therefore, you may have to be careful if you plan on spending the day at the pool.
Redmi 15 5G display: almost a phablet
- Size and resolution – 6.9-inch Full HD+ LCD, 1,080 x 2,340 pixels
- Refresh rate – 144Hz
The Redmi 15 5G almost enters the “phablet” category with its huge screen. It’s a big phone even by 2025 standards, and every iteration of smartphones gets bigger. Equipped with a 6.9-inch Full HD+ LCD screen with a refresh rate of 144Hz, a peak brightness of up to 850nits, a touch sampling rate of up to 288Hz, and a pixel density of 374ppi.
Display performance is up to par for the course. The panel has a high enough resolution and outputs good colors and adequate contrast. Since it’s an LCD screen, you won’t find AMOLED-level blacks when watching Netflix or YouTube content. However, this doesn’t feel like a major drawback.
This is partly due to the 144Hz panel, which makes day-to-day use very smooth.
Redmi 15 5G supports up to 144Hz refresh rate, but only in some apps
Scrolling through the user interface (UI) is very smooth, and most third-party apps support high refresh rates. However, please note that the 144Hz refresh rate is mainly a marketing gimmick and the screen remains at 120Hz. In some cases it will hit the peak refresh rate, but this only happens in applications like calculators or voice recorders.
However, what really affects the viewing experience are two factors – bezels and brightness. Even for its price, the Redmi 15 5G has noticeably thicker bezels, especially around the chin. Additionally, I noticed backlight bleed through the top and bottom bezels, as well as slight vignetting around the corners of the screen.
Moving on, the phone has a peak brightness of 850 nits, which, while adequate for indoor use, struggles to use outdoors. I use my phone in harsh sunlight and it’s difficult to read emails and messages.
Redmi 15 5G software: A typical Xiaomi experience
- Software – HyperOS 2
- Version- Android 15
- Commitment Updates – 2 years (OS updates), 4 years (security patches)
The Redmi 15 5G runs on HyperOS 2, the company’s Android 15-based skin. It’s a typical experience that users upgrading from an existing Xiaomi phone will feel right at home, although it may feel a little dated. Animations, app switching, and transitions were mostly smooth when navigating the user interface, although I did notice some lag on the software side.
What’s impressive is the inclusion of features like Circle to Search and Gemini on sub-Rs. 15,000 mobile phones. You’ll also find plenty of customization options, but the experience is hampered by the presence of bloatware. There are many pre-installed apps, with Block Blast, Bubble Shooter and TileFun being common culprits. While I understand brands need to recoup manufacturing and R&D costs, they should also remember that a poor software experience can drive away consumers.
The phone runs HyperOS 2 based on Android 15
One thing to note here is that Xiaomi’s own app store has been replaced by Indus App Store, an alternative to India’s Google Play Store developed by PhonePe. However, it’s not up to par, and we recommend you stick with Google’s robust platform.
The Redmi 15 5G promises two years of OS updates and four years of security patches, which is good for its price.
Redmi 15 5G performance: suitable for daily use
- Processor – Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3
- Memory – up to 8GB LPDDR4X
- Storage – up to 256GB UFS 2.2
In any case, the Redmi 15 5G is not a performance-focused phone. However, that doesn’t mean it’s impressive. “My day-to-day usage involved typical tasks such as calls, messaging, and social media scrolling, and it performed well in all of the aforementioned tasks. I have no real complaints about responsiveness or speed.
Gaming, however, is one area where the phone falls short. For example, you can only play games like Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) at 40-45 frames per second (fps). Anything above this value and performance becomes inconsistent.
The marble-like texture on the back of Redmi 15 5G looks very high-end
Additionally, there is no gyroscope, which means less accuracy, harder aiming, and slower movements. So, if you are a heavy gamer, you may find better alternatives to the Redmi 15 5G. One benefit of this, however, is that you’ll hardly notice any heating or associated throttling issues. The phone runs cool for most tasks.
In addition, Redmi 15 5G is also equipped with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which is very fast to operate. There is a bottom-firing speaker, but it’s not up to par. At higher volumes, the audio becomes slightly harsh. Therefore, the 200% volume feature becomes redundant.
Redmi 15 5G camera: It can be better
- Rear – 50-megapixel primary sensor (f/1.75) + unspecified secondary sensor
- Front – 8 megapixels (f/2.2)
The cameras on the Redmi 15 5G still have a lot of room for improvement, even at a lower level than the R. 15,000 copies of product. The phone’s 50-megapixel main camera is the only real camera available, as the other camera is just a companion sensor. Images captured with the main lens have good colour, dynamic range and exposure.
From top to bottom: 1X vs. 2X daylight camera examples (click to expand)
However, I noticed a few highlights were overexposed or the white balance was a little off. While it’s not critical, the details are, or perhaps are, lacking. Sometimes the image looks like it’s been cropped (or digitally enlarged) by the sensor. Even when shooting in daylight, details are lost. Not surprisingly, images at 2x magnification appear softer.
Redmi 15 5G portrait camera sample (click to expand)
The Redmi 15 5G also performs poorly in low-light performance. The camera struggled to focus at times, and the lack of detail was noticeable. Additionally, the phone takes quite a while to process the image, which means you might miss that perfect shot.
Top to bottom: Low light camera example (click to expand)
The 8-megapixel selfie camera performs better. It can capture selfies with a decent amount of detail, although the colors don’t look great.
Top to bottom: Daylight vs. low-light selfie camera examples (click to expand)
In terms of video, the Redmi 15 5G can shoot videos up to 1080p 30fps. However, it lacks any form of stabilization, meaning clips you capture on the move will appear wonky and ultimately unusable. It’s disappointing to see a phone in 2025 lacking a basic feature.
Redmi 15 5G battery: different
- Battery capacity – 7,000mAh
- Wired charging – 33W
- Charger – 3W (included in the box)
Battery life is one of the strongest points of Redmi 15 5G. It is equipped with a super large 7,000mAh battery based on new silicon carbon technology, which is a huge improvement over the 5,030mAh lithium battery on the Redmi 13 5G. So it performs well here.
I use the phone moderately and get nearly two days of battery life on a single charge. Light users can see it lasting much more than that. In our HD video loop test, the Redmi 15 5G lasted an impressive 29 hours and 37 minutes.
Despite the 7,000mAh battery, the Redmi 15 5G is still quite slim
While battery life has improved over its predecessor, charging speed has not, and it comes with the same 33W charger as its predecessor. It takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to charge the Redmi 15 5G from 0% to 100%. However, longer battery life also means you don’t have to charge as often.
Redmi 15 5G review
The Redmi 15 5G’s position in the market is clear – a phone defined by its exceptional battery life. Its undeniable advantage is the 7,000mAh silicon-carbon battery, which can provide nearly two days of use. Thanks to its almost phablet-sized display, it also makes it a great entertainment option for TV-binges.
However, there are significant compromises. The Redmi 15 5G’s camera performance is mediocre, and gaming performance is also hampered by a lack of processor and gyroscope. While the software is feature-rich, it is riddled with bloatware, which degrades the user experience.
So, who is Redmi 15 5G suitable for? It’s a good choice for those whose top priority is a long-lasting battery or a large display for media consumption. For others, however, the iQOO Z10x 5G (review) and Poco M7 Pro (review) may offer better value for money.
