Phone (3a)
Xiaomi 15
🏆 Verdict
Xiaomi 15 is the better pick overall by 24.4 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 $1,079 at launch).
By category
Performance
Xiaomi 15 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 has more RAM (16 GB vs 12 GB), which helps multitasking.
Camera
Xiaomi 15 zooms further optically (2.6× vs 2×).
Battery
Xiaomi 15's battery is 240 mAh larger (5,240 vs 5,000 mAh), about 5% more. Real battery life also depends on chip and display efficiency.
Charging
Xiaomi 15 charges faster over cable (90W vs 50W). Only Xiaomi 15 supports wireless charging.
Display
Phone (3a) has the larger screen (6.77" vs 6.36"). Xiaomi 15's screen is sharper (460 vs 388 ppi).
Build & durability
Xiaomi 15 is rated IP68 vs IP64 on the other.
Updates
Both have about the same update window (3 years).
Specifications
| Phone (3a) | Xiaomi 15 | |
|---|---|---|
| Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 | Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| 8 GB / 12 GB | RAM | 12 GB / 16 GB |
| 128 GB / 256 GB | Storage | 256 GB / 512 GB |
| 6.77" AMOLED | Display | 6.36" LTPO AMOLED |
| 120 Hz | Refresh rate | 120 Hz |
| 2392×1080 (388 ppi) | Resolution | 2670×1200 (460 ppi) |
| 3,000 nits | Peak brightness | 3,200 nits |
| 50 MP | Main camera | 50 MP |
| 8 MP | Ultrawide | 50 MP |
| 50 MP · 2× | Telephoto | 50 MP · 2.6× |
| 32 MP | Front camera | 32 MP |
| 5,000 mAh | Battery | 5,240 mAh |
| 50 W | Wired charging | 90 W |
| None | Wireless charging | 50 W |
| IP64 | Water & dust rating | IP68 |
| plastic | Frame | aluminium |
| 201 g | Weight | 191 g |
| 3 years | OS updates (estimated) | 3 years |
| $379 | Launch price | EUR 999 (≈ $1,079) |
| 2025-03 | Released | 2024-10 |
Phone (3a)
Pros
- 6.77" screen
- Lower price ($379)
Cons
- Slower chip
- Slower charging (50W)
- No wireless charging
- Only IP64 rated
Xiaomi 15
Pros
- Faster chip (Snapdragon 8 Elite)
- 16 GB RAM
- 2.6× optical zoom
- 90W charging
- 50W wireless charging
Cons
- Pricier ($1,079)
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.