Xiaomi has announced that the price of its next flagship smartphone series, featuring the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, will be higher than previous versions.
In a statement shared on Weibo, Xiaomi's CEO Lei Jun explained, “This year, the cost of components has risen significantly and we’ve made major investments in research and development. Therefore, the Xiaomi 15 will require a price increase.”
Anticipated Price Adjustments
This increase in price was somewhat expected. Last year, Jun mentioned that the Xiaomi 14 would be the last model to start at 3,999 yuan (about $562).
Lu Weibing, Xiaomi’s president, supported this claim, pointing out that the new flagship processor not only enhances performance but also comes with increased costs. He also noted that the rising memory prices are another reason for the price hike.
Possible Starting Price of Xiaomi 15
While he did not provide a specific price, Lu compared it to the Vivo X200, a competing flagship that features the Dimensity 9400 chip. He mentioned that the price of that device had risen by “more than 300 yuan,” and asked, “What do you think would be a fair price increase for the Xiaomi 15?”
This implies that the Xiaomi 15 series could have a similar increase of around 300 yuan (approximately $43), which could set the starting price at 4,299 yuan ($604).
Features and Design Insights
As anticipated, this announcement follows several months of leaks that hinted at rising smartphone prices due to the increased costs of high-end processors and essential components. Xiaomi’s confirmation provides a clear example of this trend.
Moreover, leaked information about the OnePlus 13, which also uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, suggests a price increase compared to its earlier version.
When it comes to specifications, both the Xiaomi 15 and 15 Pro will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 and will feature a triple-camera setup on the back, with each camera boasting 50 megapixels.
In terms of design, they are expected to closely resemble their predecessors. Xiaomi is also planning to launch a Titanium version of the Xiaomi 15 Pro that includes satellite communication capability. However, both the 15 Pro and the Titanium variant are said to be exclusive to China, similar to earlier models.
