Xiaomi 15T and 15T Pro: New upper class with "walkie-talkie" function

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While the Xiaomi 17 is about to make its debut in China, the manufacturer is launching the 15T series in Europe, which consists of the 15T and 15T Pro. We were able to take a first look at the Pro model, for which Xiaomi is charging from around 800 euros. This makes them cheaper than the model series without the "T," which the manufacturer usually launches for the global market at the beginning of the year.

MediaTek instead of Qualcomm

As with its predecessors, Xiaomi relies on MediaTek processors for the new T models. However, the manufacturer is not yet using the recently introduced Dimensity 9500 top chip; the Dimensity 9400+ introduced in April is used in the Pro model and a Dimensity 8400 Ultra in the basic version.

The Dimensity 9400+ has eight computing cores consisting of a powerful Cortex-X925, three Cortex-X4, and four Cortex-A720 and is manufactured using the 3-Nm process. An Immortalis G925 with twelve cores is used as the GPU. In terms of performance, the 9400+ comes close to Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Eilte, although the MediaTek chip is said to have better efficiency. The Dimensity 8400 Ultra, also with eight cores—but the older Cortex-A715—is located in the mid-range and is manufactured using the 4 nm process. Xiaomi uses a Mali-G720 as the GPU.

There are parallels between the memory of the 15T and the 15T Pro: Both rely on 12 GB of DDR5X RAM and 256 or 512 GB of UFS 4.1 memory; the manufacturer also offers the Pro with one TByte. There is no memory expansion via MicroSD card.

15T Pro with narrower display edges

The displays of the new T models are also largely similar on paper: they have a diagonal of 6.83 inches and therefore the largest screen of a Xiaomi series to date, according to the manufacturer. The display with a resolution of 2772 × 1280 pixels and 447 ppi supports a refresh rate of up to 120 hertz and can reach a peak brightness of up to 3200 cd/m².

Although the displays are similar, Xiaomi has made the edges of the Pro model 1.5 mm narrower all round than the base model. This can also be seen in the dimensions: the 15T measures 163.2 x 78 x 7.50 mm and the Pro 162.7 × 77.9 × 7.96 mm; however, the latter is a touch thicker. In terms of weight, the Pro weighs 210 g, ahead of the 15T, which weighs 194 g. Both are protected against water and dust to IP68.

15T Pro with stronger optical zoom

In terms of cameras, both have three on the back: one wide, one ultra-wide, and one telephoto zoom lens. The models also share a 12 MP ultra-wide-angle camera with a 120° angle of view and f/2.2 aperture. At f/1.62, the 50 MP wide-angle camera of the 15 Pro is brighter than the f/1.7 of the 15T, and the sensor of the Pro model is also larger. Both have optical image stabilization (OIS).

The 50 MP telephoto zoom camera of the 15T Pro also offers a higher magnification of five times optical and ten times lossless zoom, according to Xiaomi. According to the manufacturer, the 15T Pro covers focal lengths from 15 to 230 mm, the Xiaomi 15T from 15 to 92 mm. Both models can record videos in 4K HDR + at 30 fps; the Pro also supports 8K recordings and 4K at 120 fps. A 32 MP front camera is built into both for selfies and video calls.

Larger battery than its predecessor

The battery is larger than in the predecessor: the 15T and 15T Pro both have a 5500 mAh battery; Xiaomi still used a 5000 mAh battery in the 14T and Pro. There are differences in charging: The 15T Pro can be charged with 90 W wired and 50 W wireless charging. However, this requires proprietary charging solutions from the manufacturer. The 15T can only be charged by cable with 67W – does not support wireless charging.

Furthermore, both offer dual SIM operation, and even two eSIMs can be used. Meanwhile, Wi-Fi 7 is only available in the 15T Pro, while the 15T only supports Wi-Fi 6e. Both 15T models at least offer the latest version of the standard with Bluetooth 6.

“Xiaomi Astral Communication”

“Xiaomi Astral Communication,” which allows users of the models to establish a voice connection between two devices where neither a mobile phone nor Wi-Fi network is available, celebrates its premiere on the 15T devices. According to the manufacturer, the range is up to 1.9 km for the Xiaomi 15T Pro and 1.3 km for the Xiaomi 15T. The system is particularly suitable for open regions without conventional network coverage, such as on remote hiking trails or in the countryside, explains Xiaomi.

For this type of communication, the manufacturer relies on an in-house “Xiaomi Surge T1S Tuner,” which flexibly switches between different signal sources such as GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile communications and automatically switches between the available transmission technologies with the help of a high-performance antenna to optimize mobile communications performance and “AI Smart Antenna Switching.”

HyperOS 3.0 is coming

Both smartphones run Android 15 with Xiaomi's HyperOS flavor. As is unfortunately usual with Xiaomi, the devices are equipped with masses of bloatware, which can at least be largely removed. Xiaomi differentiates between the two devices according to the number of Android updates: the 15 T Pro receives five years of new Android versions, the 15T only four years; the manufacturer guarantees both models six years of security patches.

The first major update for the smartphones will be the new HyperOS version 3.0 at the end of October, which could be based on Android 16. According to the manufacturer, the new OS version includes a “revised user interface with enhanced multitasking functions, faster app openings, and revised interface elements, including lock screens, backgrounds, icons, widgets, and a redesigned notification system”.

From 650 Euro

For the Xiaomi 15T Pro, the manufacturer charges from just under 800 euros with 12 GB RAM and 256 GB flash memory. It is available in the colors “Black” (black), “Gray” (grey), and “Mocha Gold.” The 15T is also available in black and grey, with a third color of “Rose Gold” to choose from. It costs from 650 euros. The devices are available to order now.

(afl)