Phone (3a)
Xiaomi 15 Ultra
🏆 Verdict
Xiaomi 15 Ultra is the better pick overall by 28.6 points, leading in Charging, Performance and Build & durability. The gap is large; Phone (3a) only makes sense for a lower price or one specific feature.
Phone (3a) offers more for the money ($379 vs $1,619 at launch).
By category
Performance
Xiaomi 15 Ultra is faster with the Snapdragon 8 Elite (performance index 100 vs 52). You notice it in heavy games and video editing, less in daily use. Xiaomi 15 Ultra has more RAM (16 GB vs 12 GB), which helps multitasking.
Camera
Xiaomi 15 Ultra zooms further optically (4.3× vs 2×).
Battery
Xiaomi 15 Ultra's battery is 410 mAh larger (5,410 vs 5,000 mAh), about 8% more. Real battery life also depends on chip and display efficiency.
Charging
Xiaomi 15 Ultra charges faster over cable (90W vs 50W). Only Xiaomi 15 Ultra supports wireless charging.
Display
Phone (3a) has the larger screen (6.77" vs 6.73"). Xiaomi 15 Ultra's screen is sharper (521 vs 388 ppi).
Build & durability
Xiaomi 15 Ultra is rated IP68 vs IP64 on the other. Phone (3a) is 25 g lighter.
Updates
Xiaomi 15 Ultra should get OS updates for longer (4 vs 3 years, per the maker's policy at launch).
Specifications
| Phone (3a) | Xiaomi 15 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 | Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| 8 GB / 12 GB | RAM | 16 GB |
| 128 GB / 256 GB | Storage | 512 GB / 1 TB |
| 6.77" AMOLED | Display | 6.73" LTPO AMOLED |
| 120 Hz | Refresh rate | 120 Hz |
| 2392×1080 (388 ppi) | Resolution | 3200×1440 (521 ppi) |
| 3,000 nits | Peak brightness | 3,200 nits |
| 50 MP | Main camera | 50 MP |
| 8 MP | Ultrawide | 50 MP |
| 50 MP · 2× | Telephoto | 200 MP · 4.3× |
| 32 MP | Front camera | 32 MP |
| 5,000 mAh | Battery | 5,410 mAh |
| 50 W | Wired charging | 90 W |
| None | Wireless charging | 80 W |
| IP64 | Water & dust rating | IP68 |
| plastic | Frame | aluminium |
| 201 g | Weight | 226 g |
| 3 years | OS updates (estimated) | 4 years |
| $379 | Launch price | EUR 1,499 (≈ $1,619) |
| 2025-03 | Released | 2025-02 |
Official source: Phone (3a) · Official source: Xiaomi 15 Ultra
Phone (3a)
Pros
- Light at 201 g
- Lower price ($379)
Cons
- Slower chip
- Smaller battery
- Slower charging (50W)
- No wireless charging
Xiaomi 15 Ultra
Pros
- Faster chip (Snapdragon 8 Elite)
- 16 GB RAM
- 4.3× optical zoom
- 5,410 mAh battery
- 90W charging
Cons
- Heavier (226 g)
- Pricier ($1,619)
How is the score calculated?
Each phone gets 0–100 points in seven categories (performance, camera, battery, charging, display, build, updates), computed only from its published specs, then combined with fixed, published weights. A gap under 2.5 points counts as a tie. The performance index is an estimate based on benchmark results published at launch.
Figures come from the manufacturers’ official pages. Some specs vary by market. We do not sell devices or earn commissions.