If you’re considering upgrading your phone this year, Xiaomi has two tempting options: the Xiaomi 15 and its predecessor, the Xiaomi 14. I’ve spent time with both phones, and while both offer excellent value, they cater to slightly different types of users.
Let’s dive into what sets them apart and figure out which one makes the most sense for your needs.
Design and build
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Holding both phones side by side, the Xiaomi 15 feels slightly more refined. It’s a bit slimmer and lighter than the Xiaomi 14, making it easier to handle one-handed.
The Xiaomi 14, though, is by no means bulky. It just feels slightly less premium when you switch between the two.
Both devices have glass backs and aluminium frames, giving them sturdy builds. Personally, I prefer the more polished feel of the Xiaomi 15, but the difference isn’t drastic enough to sway your decision alone.
Displays compared
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The Xiaomi 15 comes with a 6.36-inch AMOLED display, slightly larger and brighter than the Xiaomi 14’s 6.28-inch panel. Both have Full HD+ resolutions and support 120Hz refresh rates, making scrolling and animations super smooth.
Watching shows like Stranger Things or films like Inception on the Xiaomi 15 felt more immersive because of the slightly bigger and brighter display. However, day-to-day browsing felt nearly identical on both.
If you’re someone who watches a lot of videos or plays games frequently, the Xiaomi 15’s screen is a small but noticeable upgrade.
Performance and software
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Performance-wise, the Xiaomi 15 packs the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, while the Xiaomi 14 runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. In daily use, both are incredibly fast, but the Xiaomi 15 feels slightly snappier, especially when multitasking or gaming.
Apps open marginally faster on the Xiaomi 15, and graphic-intensive games like Genshin Impact run a touch smoother. Yet, if you’re not pushing the phone to its limits, you likely won’t notice much difference.
Both devices run Xiaomi’s HyperOS, which is clean and straightforward. Neither phone feels bloated, and software updates have been timely on both.
Cameras
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The camera setup is perhaps the biggest difference between these two models. The Xiaomi 15 boasts a new 50 MP primary sensor with improved low-light capabilities and faster autofocus.
When comparing night shots, I noticed clearer, brighter images with more detail on the Xiaomi 15. Daylight photos, though, weren’t dramatically better than those taken with the Xiaomi 14’s 50 MP sensor.
Both phones have ultra-wide lenses and telephoto cameras, but the Xiaomi 15’s telephoto lens has slightly better zoom and sharper results. For casual photography, either phone is great, but if you want the best image quality, especially in low light, the Xiaomi 15 is the way to go.
Battery life and charging
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Battery life is another area Xiaomi slightly improved in the newer model. The Xiaomi 15 comes with a 5500mAh battery compared to the Xiaomi 14’s 5000mAh.
Practically, this meant an extra hour or two of screen time each day for me. Both phones support fast charging—90W for the Xiaomi 15 and 67W for the Xiaomi 14.
Charging times were impressive on both, though the Xiaomi 15 charged fully about 10 minutes quicker. It’s a minor improvement, but helpful if you often find yourself topping up your phone in a rush.
Pricing and value
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Price is where things get really interesting. At launch, the Xiaomi 15 costs about £100 more than the Xiaomi 14, depending on your storage choice.
If budget is tight, the Xiaomi 14 represents fantastic value, especially since prices often drop after newer models release. For most everyday users, the Xiaomi 14’s features are more than enough.
However, if you want the latest tech and slightly improved camera and battery life, the Xiaomi 15’s higher price might be justified. Ultimately, the extra spend comes down to how much you value these incremental upgrades.
Personal thoughts
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After spending time with both, I can say the Xiaomi 15 is definitely the better phone on paper. But the improvements aren’t revolutionary—they’re subtle refinements across the board.
If I were upgrading from an older phone or looking for the best available, I’d opt for the Xiaomi 15. The better camera, slightly faster performance, and improved battery life make it worth the extra cost.
But if you currently own a Xiaomi 14 or want to save some cash, the upgrade might not be worth it this year. The Xiaomi 14 remains a highly capable device that won’t disappoint.
So, which should you buy?
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For most casual users, the Xiaomi 14 offers better value, giving you flagship-like performance and great battery life for less money. If photography and gaming are critical for you, however, and budget isn’t a major concern, then you’ll appreciate the subtle improvements the Xiaomi 15 brings.
Both phones are excellent, and your choice really depends on your specific needs and how much you’re willing to spend for incremental improvements.
