Xiaomi has quietly shifted gears with the Redmi Note 15 series. Instead of sticking to its familiar 12-month refresh cycle, the company rolled out the global lineup earlier than expected. And while that might sound like a routine update, Xiaomi insists this generation brings meaningful improvements across display, performance, durability, and battery life.
Leading the charge is the Redmi Note 15 Pro+, the most premium device in the series and the first one under the spotlight in our review. But before expectations run too high, there’s an important distinction to make: the global Redmi Note 15 Pro+ is not identical to the Chinese version.
The China-only model enjoys extras like a dedicated telephoto camera and a larger battery, while the global variant trades those for slightly faster charging and a newer 200MP main camera sensor. It’s not a downgrade in every sense, but it does set a different tone.
So where does the global Redmi Note 15 Pro+ stand in today’s crowded upper-midrange smartphone market? After spending time with the device, here’s a deep dive into what it does right—and where Xiaomi played it a little too safe.
Design and Build: Familiar, but More Premium Than Before
At first glance, the Redmi Note 15 Pro+ doesn’t scream “new.” Xiaomi has clearly chosen evolution over reinvention here. The phone carries forward the squircle-shaped camera module and curved glass panels from last year, but a few subtle refinements make a noticeable difference in daily use.
The biggest design shift is the flat side frame, replacing the curved edges of the previous generation. This aligns the phone with current flagship trends and improves grip, especially on a device with a large footprint. The display curves gently on all four sides, giving it a polished, almost flagship-like feel—something you’d expect from Xiaomi’s higher-end models.
Color options include Black, Glacier Blue, and Mocha Brown, with the latter featuring a vegan leather back. Depending on the variant, the rear panel is either fiber-reinforced plastic or eco leather, both of which feel sturdy and well-finished.
Durability is one area where Xiaomi deserves genuine credit. The Redmi Note 15 Pro+ now comes with IP68/IP69K water and dust resistance, a major upgrade over its predecessor. Add Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front, and this is easily one of the toughest phones in its price bracket.
At 207 grams, it’s not lightweight, but the balance is good, and the slightly thinner body makes long usage sessions comfortable.
Display: Bigger, Brighter, and Easy on the Eyes
The display is one of the most noticeable upgrades this year. Xiaomi has stretched the panel to 6.83 inches, making it ideal for streaming, gaming, and multitasking.
It’s an AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, Dolby Vision support, and an impressive 3840Hz PWM dimming, which is excellent news for users sensitive to eye strain.
Brightness is where this panel truly shines. In real-world testing:
- Manual brightness hovers around 600 nits
- Auto brightness easily crosses 1,500 nits
- Peak HDR brightness reaches close to 3,200 nits
In practical terms, this means outdoor visibility is excellent, and HDR content looks punchy without being overdone.
The refresh rate system is smarter than before. Unlike the previous generation, the phone reliably switches between 60Hz and 120Hz depending on content, conserving battery without sacrificing smoothness.
Performance: Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 Brings Stability, Not Drama
Powering the Redmi Note 15 Pro+ is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, built on a 4nm process. It’s not a flagship chip, but that’s not the point. This processor focuses on efficiency, sustained performance, and thermal stability.
Day-to-day usage is smooth. Apps open quickly, multitasking is reliable, and UI animations feel fluid. Gaming performance is respectable too—most popular titles run well at high settings, though this isn’t a device aimed at hardcore competitive gamers.
Storage uses UFS 2.2, which isn’t cutting-edge, but in real-world usage, it doesn’t feel like a bottleneck. The phone runs Android 15 with HyperOS 2, delivering a clean, customizable experience with plenty of Xiaomi-specific features.
Camera: Strong Main Sensor, Weak Supporting Cast
The camera setup is a mixed bag. On the positive side, the 200MP main camera is a clear upgrade. It captures sharp, detailed images with good dynamic range, especially in daylight. Xiaomi’s image processing keeps colors vibrant without going overboard, and optical image stabilization helps in low-light scenarios.
Night photography is solid for the class, though not industry-leading. The sensor gathers plenty of light, but aggressive noise reduction sometimes softens fine details.
The problem lies with the 8MP ultra-wide camera, which feels dated in 2026. While usable in good lighting, it lacks detail and consistency, making it the weakest link in the setup.
Video recording sees small but welcome improvements. Stabilization is better than before, and 4K footage looks clean, though the frame rate is capped at 30fps.
The 32MP front camera does a good job for selfies and video calls, delivering natural skin tones and reliable exposure.
Battery Life: One of the Best in Its Segment
Battery performance is where the Redmi Note 15 Pro+ truly shines. The new 6,500mAh battery delivers outstanding endurance, comfortably lasting a full day and then some—even with heavy use.
In mixed usage scenarios involving browsing, streaming, navigation, and social media, the phone consistently delivers over 15 hours of active use, a massive improvement over last year’s model.
This kind of battery life makes the device especially appealing to power users, travelers, and anyone who hates reaching for a charger before bedtime.
Charging: Slower on Paper, Still Fast in Reality
Xiaomi has reduced charging speed from 120W to 100W, which might look like a downgrade at first. In practice, the experience is still excellent.
Using Xiaomi’s bundled charger:
- 78% in 30 minutes
- 100% in under 50 minutes
Even with a standard USB Power Delivery charger, charging remains reasonably fast. Xiaomi also includes smart battery protection features, such as charging limits and adaptive charging, for users concerned about long-term battery health.
Speakers and Multimedia: Loud and Punchy
The stereo speaker setup delivers excellent loudness, ranking among the best in its class. Audio output is punchy, with strong bass that adds warmth to music and videos.
That said, the boosted bass sometimes overshadows vocals, making dialogue slightly muffled at high volumes. Still, for casual listening, movies, and gaming, the experience is more than satisfying.
Final Verdict: A Safe but Sensible Upgrade
The Redmi Note 15 Pro+ doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel—and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Instead, Xiaomi focuses on refining what already worked: a better display, stronger battery life, improved durability, and dependable performance.
Yes, the ultra-wide camera feels outdated, and the lack of a telephoto lens may disappoint photography enthusiasts. But for most users, this phone delivers exactly what matters day to day.
If you’re upgrading from an older Redmi Note or looking for a reliable, long-lasting mid-premium smartphone, the Redmi Note 15 Pro+ is a confident, well-rounded choice that prioritizes practicality over flashy gimmicks.