Xiaomi 15 Long-Term Review After 8 Months – Battery, Gaming & Camera Test (2026)
I have been using the Xiaomi 15 since July 2025 as my primary daily driver. After eight months of real-world usage — including gaming, photography, and travel — here is my honest long-term review in 2026.
Why I Bought the Xiaomi 15
Before upgrading, I used the Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro for over six years and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus for work. I wanted a powerful yet balanced smartphone under ₹80,000 with a strong chipset and long software support.
I considered the Vivo iQOO 13, Apple iPhone 16, and Xiaomi 15. The base iPhone 16 (8GB + 128GB) is priced close to ₹79,990, which felt expensive compared to competitors offering higher refresh rate displays and better hardware specifications.
Display quality was another deciding factor. Moving from an older device, I preferred a high refresh rate panel with minimal distractions. Xiaomi 15 offered a compact 6.3-inch display that felt comfortable in the hand while still delivering flagship performance.
Performance
Gaming performance was a major factor in my decision. I regularly play Genshin Impact, and after version 5.0, my Snapdragon 855-powered Redmi K20 Pro started struggling with overheating and frame drops.
The Xiaomi 15 handles demanding games smoothly, maintains stable frame rates, and manages heat better during extended sessions. Storage was also important since Genshin requires over ~50GB of free space.
During extended gaming sessions, the Xiaomi 15 does warm up, which is quite expected from a compact smartphone. Smaller phones typically have limited space for heat dissipation compared to larger devices, so they tend to heat up more quickly under heavy load.
However, Xiaomi has implemented effective thermal management. The device cools down relatively fast once the intensive task is reduced or stopped, returning to a normal temperature without affecting overall performance significantly.
Design, Features & In-Hand Comfort
The Xiaomi 15 offers:
- 50W wireless charging
- eSIM support
- Up to 6 years of major OS updates
- Compact and premium build quality
The 6.3-inch display size feels ergonomic and easy to use with one hand. The phone strikes a balance between portability and flagship performance.
Camera Performance After 8 Months
The triple 50MP camera system is one of the strongest aspects of the Xiaomi 15. During a recent trip near Raipur, I tested the camera in multiple lighting conditions.
Day Time Camera Samples
Color balance, sharpness, and dynamic range are impressive. Low-light performance is reliable, and Leica Vibrant mode adds a rich and lively look that makes photos social media-ready without heavy editing.
Changing Lighting Conditions or Low Light Photography
Color balance, sharpness, and dynamic range are impressive. Low-light performance is reliable, and Leica Vibrant mode adds a rich and lively look that makes photos social media-ready without heavy editing.
The primary 50MP sensor performs consistently well, and I really enjoy photography. It delivers good photos with remarkably fewer grains. The same photo taken with a different lens can sometimes show a minor color difference, and the ultra-wide occasionally struggles in challenging lighting conditions.
Video Recording
Video quality is generally good with strong color reproduction and detail retention. The main camera delivers stable and sharp footage, though minor stabilization inconsistencies can appear occasionally.
This video was shot on the hills of Mainpat; the zooming capabilities are impressive, and it maintains good dynamic range. TheXiaomi 15 can record in Dolby Vision, and the video becomes punchy and eye-pleasing.
Xiaomi 15 tends to get hot during long video sessions, and the capture frame rate drops or the footage develops a jittery appearance, although this happens in summer when temperatures generally exceed 35 degrees.
Low Light Video
This video is shot from fornt camera, the video quality is usable, it contains grains, but my face is recognisable.
Battery Performance
After using the Xiaomi 15 as my daily driver for over 8 months, the battery performance has remained reliable and consistent. The device is equipped with a ~5000 mAh battery, which is good for a compact smartphone and comfortably supports full-day usage under normal conditions.
As of now, my unit shows 98% battery health, which is quite impressive and within expected standards after eight months of regular use. This indicates stable battery optimization and long-term durability.
Xiaomi 15 Battery as a Daily Driver
I don't have to charge my smartphone too often; it lasts over 18 hours in moderate use of YouTube, Internet surfing, and the camera, and on many occasions I used it without charging for over 30+ hours.
- Average Screen-on-Time: 4-5 hours
- Battery Drain Pattern: Stable and predictable
- Standby Efficiency: Good
Battery drain while gaming - Personal Experience
- 60 minutes of continuous gaming: 48-50% drop
- Device Temperature: Warms up but cools down quickly ( without any frame drop)
Final Verdict After 8 Months
After long-term usage, the Xiaomi 15 proves to be a well-balanced flagship smartphone in 2026. It offers strong performance, reliable cameras, a long 4 years of software support, and comfortable ergonomics.
If you want a compact flagship with balanced performance rather than a gaming-focused device, the Xiaomi 15 remains a solid choice in its price segment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Xiaomi 15 overheat while gaming?
The Xiaomi 15 warms up during long gaming sessions but cools down quickly. No major frame drops were observed.
How is Xiaomi 15's battery life after 8 months?
After 8 months of usage, battery health remains at 98%, and the phone comfortably lasts a full day under moderate usage.
Is Xiaomi 15 good for Genshin Impact and Other AAA Games?
Yes, the device runs Genshin Impact and heavy-titled AAA gamessmoothly on high settings, though battery drain is significant during long sessions.
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