Introduction—Redmi’s Big Move in the Budget 5G Space
Redmi has always been a family name in India when it comes to affordable smartphones. The brand’s mission over all these years has been simple: give the best features for the lowest possible price without compromising on reliability. Redmi 15 5G, launched by Xiaomi India in August 2025, has raised the bar higher.
This new phone boasts a 7,000 mAh battery, a 6.9-inch 144 Hz display, 5G support, and HyperOS 2.0 on Android 15, all wrapped in a premium build that begins at a mere ₹14,999. That’s a tall order for budget-conscious shoppers who are looking for performance, battery life, and future-proofing.
In this review, we’ll dive deep into everything the Redmi 15 5G offers—from design and performance to battery, cameras, and software—and see whether it really deserves the “budget beast” tag.
Design and Build—Premium Touch at a Budget Price
Redmi 15 5G Review: At first glance, the Redmi 15 5G doesn’t feel like a typical run-of-the-mill sub-₹17k smartphone. Xiaomi has introduced what it calls the Royal Chrome Design, which combines an aerospace-grade metal camera island with a curved glossy back panel. This gives the phone a premium, mirror-like look without compromising on durability.
Design Highlighting Points
- Colors available: Frosted White, Sandy Purple, and Midnight Black.
- Build: Durable plastic back with a metallic-finished camera module.
- Slim profile: The phone is surprisingly slim and light despite carrying a humongous 7,000 mAh battery, and it surpasses its competitors in this regard.
- IP64 rating: Dust and light water splash protection, a welcome addition in a price bracket where it’s mostly found lacking.
This blend of high-end design and functionality-based ruggedness is what makes the Redmi 15 5G stand out in the budget offering.
Redmi 15 5G specs:
Display—Giant Screen with Flagship-Level Smoothness
Redmi 15 5G boasts a 6.9-inch FHD+ IPS LCD with 1080×2340 resolution, making it one of the largest screens in its segment at 288 Hz. Such a huge screen is perfect for gaming, binge-watching, and those who use their phone as their central entertainment hub.
But size is not the only thing. Xiaomi has also packed in a 144 Hz refresh rate with 288 Hz touch sampling, giving users buttery-smooth scrolling and very responsive touch performance.
Display Features
- Size & Resolution: 6.9-inch, Full HD+ (1080×2340).
- Refresh Rate: 144 Hz adaptive for smooth switching.
- Eye Comfort: Low blue light certified, flicker-free, and circadian-safe brightness adjustment.
- Brightness: Bright enough for outdoor use.
At under ₹17,000, to be able to find a 144 Hz giant screen is nothing less than a victory, especially for gaming and entertainment buffs.
Performance – Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 Power
Under the hood, the Redmi 15 5G relies on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 processor based on a 6 nm process. While not as powerful as flagship Snapdragon 8 series processors, it’s more than enough for day-to-day multitasking, casual gaming, and 5G connectivity.
Hardware Breakdown
- Processor: Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 (6 nm).
- RAM variants: 6GB and 8GB.
- Storage: 128GB or 256GB UFS storage, expandable up to 2TB via microSD.
- GPU: Adreno-class GPU that is suitable for gaming performance.
Real-World Performance
- Day-to-Day Usage: Seamless app switching, web surfing, and streaming.
- Gaming: Gamifies BGMI and Call of Duty Mobile on medium to high settings.
- 5G Experience: Good connectivity with support for Indian 5G bands.
It’s not a gaming monster like Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 flagships, but keeping the price segment in mind, it gets the balance between power efficiency and performance right.
Software – HyperOS 2.0 on Android 15
The Redmi 15 5G ships with HyperOS 2.0 based on Android 15, making it one of the first budget phones to bring the latest Android experience. HyperOS is Xiaomi’s refined UI that feels smoother and more lightweight compared to MIUI.
Software Features
- OS version: Android 15 with HyperOS 2.0.
- Update policy: 2 years of OS upgrades (till Android 17) + 4 years of security patches.
- UI Improvements: Better resource management, smooth animations, and more refined notifications.
- AI Features: AI Erase for photos, AI Sky filters, and context-aware suggestions.
HyperOS also focuses on battery life and security, adding to the phone’s huge 7,000 mAh battery. photos,
Battery Life – A 7,000mAh Endurance Champion
Battery is where Redmi 15 5G truly excels. A 7,000 mAh silicon-carbon battery in such a thin device is breathtaking engineering.
Charging & Efficiency
- Charging: 33W fast charging support.
- Reverse charging: 18W, letting the phone double up as a power bank.
- Battery claims: 80% capacity retention even after 4+ years of usage.
- Standby mode: Up to 13.5 hours standby even at 1% charge, thanks to hibernation mode.
Endurance Tests (as per Xiaomi’s claims)
- Video streaming: 26+ hours.
- Music playback: 105+ hours.
- Gaming: 15–16 hours.
This makes it a heavy user’s dream phone—from gamers and streamers to travelers who want a phone that won’t meet its demise halfway through their trip.
Cameras—Good But Not a Game-Changer
The Redmi 15 5G features a dual rear camera setup:
- 50MP primary sensor
- Auxiliary lens (depth/AI assist)
An 8MP front camera for self-portraits.
Camera Features
- AI filters and features.
- Night mode and HDR optimizations.
- 1080p video recording.
Real-Life Performance
- Daylight: Clear, sharp, and color-corrected shots.
- Low-light: Tussles a bit, but night mode improves performance.
- Selfies: Decent for social media, but not flagship.
Generally, the camera is okay for average users but not photography enthusiasts. Its main forte is performance and battery over photography.
Multimedia & Extras
In addition to the basics, Redmi has added a few quality-of-life features:
- Speakers: Dolby-optimized dual speakers for better sound immersion.
- Fingerprint sensor: Side-mounted for quicker unlocks.
- IR Blaster: A common Xiaomi feature for controlling home appliances.
- 3.5mm headphone jack:Yes, it’s still there.
This blend makes it so very usable as a daily driver.
Price and Variants in India
Redmi 15 5G price in India: Xiaomi has priced the Redmi 15 5G competitively to appeal to price-sensitive buyers:
- 6GB + 128GB: ₹14,999
- 8GB + 128GB: ₹15,999
- 8GB + 256GB: ₹16,999
Availability starts in late August 2025 on mi.com, Amazon India, and retail stores.
Pros and Cons of Redmi 15 5G
Pros
- Huge 7,000mAh battery with 33W fast and 18W reverse charging.
- Smooth 144 Hz big screen.
- Long-term-updated HyperOS 2.0 based on Android 15.
- Streamlined appearance with IP64 splash protection.
- A good price for features.
Cons
- Cameras are middle of the pack compared to the competition.
- IPS LCD instead of AMOLED (Competition offers AMOLED in the same price bracket).
- Mid-range processor not made for heavy gaming.
Comparison with Competition
Redmi 15 5G vs Realme Narzo 70 5G
- Battery: Redmi (7,000 mAh) trumps Realme (5,000 mAh).
- Display: Redmi (6.9″ 144 Hz) compared to Realme (6.6″ AMOLED 120 Hz). AMOLED gives a color gain to Realme, but Redmi wins with size and refresh rate.
- Price: Both around ₹15k, but Redmi runs longer.
Redmi 15 5G vs iQOO Z9x
- Performance: iQOO has slightly better gaming performance.
- Battery: Redmi takes the lead with 7,000 mAh.
- Software: Redmi with HyperOS 2.0 is smoother for daily usage.
Redmi 15 5G vs Samsung Galaxy M15
- Brand trust: Samsung does it on after-sales and software updates.
- Battery: Redmi trumps hands down.
- Display: Samsung’s AMOLED panel is better but slower at 90 Hz.
Who to Buy the Redmi 15 5G For?
The Redmi 15 5G is for individuals who:
- Desire a big screen for gaming, movies, or reading.
- Require a humongous battery for long use without recharging.
- Would like future-proof 5G on the affordable side.
- Love the sleek design with splash protection.
It’s not that great for professionals looking for pro-level cameras or gaming capabilities.
Final Verdict—A Battery Monster with Balanced Features
The Redmi 15 5G is a do-it-all budget phone from top to bottom. It’s not perfect—it’s got unremarkable cameras and an IPS instead of an AMOLED screen—but what it does have, it does in abundance, including amazing battery life, buttery-smooth screen response, up-to-date software, and good 5G connectivity for the money.
For ₹14,999 to ₹16,999, it’s one of the best budget 5G smartphones in India right now, at least if your priorities are battery + display + value.
