Xiaomi 15 Ultra Camera Sample Shows Low-Light Periscope Power

Key Takeaways

1. Xiaomi is set to launch the Xiaomi 15 Ultra by the end of this month, showcasing significant advancements in low-light photography.
2. The camera sample highlights the performance of the 100mm periscope telephoto lens, rumored to use a 200-megapixel Samsung ISOCELL HP9 sensor.
3. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is expected to feature a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, a 2K micro-curved display, and support for satellite communication.
4. The camera configuration includes a 50-megapixel main sensor, ultra-wide lens, telephoto lens, and the advanced periscope camera.
5. A price increase is anticipated for the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, likely exceeding the previous model’s launch price of 6,499 Yuan (about $890).

Xiaomi is gearing up to reveal the Xiaomi 15 Ultra by the end of this month. Before the official launch, Lei Jun, the founder, chairman, and CEO of Xiaomi, has posted the first camera sample on Weibo, highlighting its performance in low-light situations. The photo indicates notable advancements in night photography, especially with the periscope telephoto lens.

Impressive Low-Light Performance

The sample shared comes from the 100mm periscope telephoto lens of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, and not from the main sensor. Thus, it seems this image was taken using the rumored 200-megapixel Samsung ISOCELL HP9 periscope camera. This sensor, which measures 1/1.4 inches, employs 4×4 pixel binning technology to boost low-light performance, enabling sharp and detailed telephoto images in dim settings. It’s also anticipated to offer 4.3x optical zoom along with 100x AI-enhanced digital zoom, positioning it as one of the leading periscope telephoto cameras available.

Camera Advancements and Expectations

Previously, Lei Jun mentioned that the Xiaomi 15 Ultra would introduce revolutionary changes in night photography, implying that its periscope camera could redefine low-light telephoto imaging. The sample image seems to validate these statements, showcasing remarkable clarity, minimal noise, and well-balanced highlights.

Specs and Pricing Insights

In addition to its camera capabilities, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is rumored to be equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, a 2K micro-curved display, an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor embedded in the screen, and will support satellite communication, with its top model featuring Beidou dual-satellite connectivity.

The camera configuration for the 15 Ultra is expected to include a 50-megapixel LYT-900 main sensor, a 50-megapixel Samsung JN5 ultra-wide lens, a 50-megapixel IMX858 telephoto lens, along with the 200-megapixel Samsung HP9 periscope telephoto sensor. A 6,000mAh battery with support for 90W wired and 50W wireless charging might also be included.

Lei Jun hinted there might be a price increase due to rising costs in research and components. The previous Xiaomi 14 Ultra was launched at 6,499 Yuan (about $890), and considering the trends, the 15 Ultra is likely to exceed this price. Nevertheless, the precise pricing will be disclosed at the launch event expected later this month.