The Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro+ 5G represents the next generation of highly popular mid-range phones, traditionally offering a very good price-to-performance ratio. But how significant are the compromises? Who is this mobile for, and how does it differ from higher-end series? And most importantly: what does its camera with a 200 MP sensor offer?

Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro+ 5G and the 200 MP Sensor

Just like in previous years, the Xiaomi Redmi Note series offers a truly diverse quintet of models for different types of users this year. Each has slightly different specifications and, of course, a different price: ranging from the top-tier Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro+ 5G (which we are examining today) to the truly basic and cheap Xiaomi Redmi Note 15.

I admit, it is very easy to get lost in the exact specifications, so here is a clear specification table: Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Series Specs Comparison: All 5 Models. The fundamental difference is that the trio of “Pro” models offers a 200 MP sensor, while the two lower models have “only” 108 MP sensors—with the most basic model lacking an additional ultra-wide lens.

So today, we will look at the highest model, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro+ 5G, which, besides the best equipment, is also the only one featuring the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset, which is quite crucial for performance. And summarized in one sentence: very similar characteristics apply as for last year’s model—it simply offers a truly very good price-performance ratio. Of course, it is impossible to expect top-tier flagship performance, but for normal and undemanding photography, it offers truly very good performance. And basically, even more demanding users won’t be disappointed.

Although there are, of course, a number of limits to count on (especially the absence of a telephoto lens), if the owner learns to handle these limits, the photos will simply be solid. Let’s not forget that the price usually drops very quickly over time—and the still very good last year’s model can be purchased for roughly 400 USD—and specifically in these categories of mobiles, it holds true that buying a slightly older generation makes sense. In short: this means decent results for a good price.

Please note: if you want to see the photos in the best possible quality, I recommend watching the video—you will see many more photos from the test there.

Video: Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro+ 5G – Review – 11 min in 4K

Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro+ 5G – Camera: Specifications

As usual, let’s start with a look at the photographic equipment—what camera does the Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro+ 5G actually have? Here is a clear table.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro+ 5G – Camera: Lenses and Sensors
Main Camera	23mm, 200 MP, f/1.7* Size 1/1.4″, pixel 2.24μm, OIS
Ultra-wide Camera	15mm, 8 MP, f/2.2
Front Camera	22mm, 32 MP, f/2.2

* Note: In some materials, Xiaomi states the aperture as f/1.65; here I stick to f/1.7, which the mobile writes into metadata and shows during playback.

The absolutely crucial element of this mobile is, of course, the main sensor and lens with 200 MP. Those “magical” 200 MP used to be the main draw of this series, but I dare say that is in the past: mobile owners are no longer so easily “trapped,” they know that more pixels do not necessarily mean better photos (often quite the opposite; due to—for example—higher noise, it is better to avoid higher pixel counts). On the other hand, the essential point remains: this sensor does a very decent job and, together with the processor, is truly the vital “heart and brain” of this mobile. It is also of great importance for zooming, as any telephoto lens is missing here. And it even makes sense to switch on shooting in full resolution—especially when photographing landscapes or cities, where a large amount of detail comes in handy.

Then there is the ultra-wide sensor and lens—it has only 8 MP, which is usually on the borderline. When viewing on higher-resolution displays, it happens with some mobiles that the drop in quality is quite visible. Here, no significant drop in quality is apparent, although one must reckon with fewer pixels.

There is no telephoto lens—in a way, this is the main “defining feature” of this series of mobiles—unlike better-equipped mid-range mobiles à la Xiaomi 15T, there is no special “zooming” lens here. And all zooming happens digitally from the main lens.

In total, the differences compared to the previous generation are not large, the parameters look similar. But as always, fact-based comparison is very difficult: companies are very tight-lipped about exact parameters, and it is almost impossible to trace whether a hardware component is the same or newer. To some extent, it doesn’t matter: the processor algorithms are always different.

The front camera has different parameters than last year: compared to 20 MP, there are more pixels: 32 MP, but even here, the results will basically be comparable.

Naturally, there are also a number of additional functions, including night shooting, full-resolution shooting, and PRO mode. Plus, as always, we have a number of filters available—but unlike the higher Xiaomi series, they are not developed in cooperation with the famous German company Leica. Which is another significant difference worth mentioning when comparing series.

Video offers up to 30 fps when shooting in 4K, which is now standard, but the ability to shoot in HDR is missing here, which I think is one of the inconspicuous but actually quite fundamental limits (see below). However, it is possible that this option will be added in future updates—I tested the mobile before its market launch, and subsequent updates are often very significant.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro+ 5G – What I Liked

Very solid performance in its class—this is probably the most important statement and summary of the entire review: this mobile simply takes very decent photos. As you can see from the gallery and video, performance in different situations and conditions is very good. Just what we would expect from a model in this class. Naturally, in the overall sum, it cannot be compared with the highest classes, whether we are talking about equipment (missing telephoto lens) or image processing (which can simply be better). But similarly to previous generations, considering the price, this mobile offers performance that will definitely not disappoint undemanding users and basically won’t offend even more demanding ones.

Digital zoom works very decently—as we already know, any zooming happens solely via “cropping” from the main sensor. This means that with any zoomed photo, we have to count on a loss of quality. The zoom handles up to 30× magnification; that is, of course, more of a technological curiosity, these photos cannot really be used much (see examples here and in the video). But on the other hand, it must be said that zooming to more reasonable distances actually works surprisingly well—somewhat better than in previous generations.

Shooting in full resolution works surprisingly well—the mobile offers the option to take photos in full resolution, i.e., 200 MP. And it must be said that it works surprisingly well. Which is not a rule at all: on the contrary, to this day, especially with cheaper mobiles, it is more of a technical curiosity and the photos are practically unusable. Here it is different: it is not, of course, a function for everyday use, but in certain situations, it really makes sense: for example, when photographing a city, where it is useful to capture the maximum amount of detail.

The ultra-wide lens doesn’t feel like an afterthought—as I already mentioned, the ultra-wide lens has only 8 MP, which is generally really low today. With other mobiles, this is felt in strictly lower recording quality, but here it doesn’t matter much more or less, and the photos seem balanced and do not deviate from the quality range set by the main sensor. Thus: the ultra-wide lens is simply not an accessory, but basically an equal part of the photographic equipment, which is important. (Personally, I use it gladly and often on various mobiles).

Night photography works very well—I like evening and night photography, which is why I test almost all mobiles that get into my hands during it. And this model does a really good job here—yes, it is true that this can be said about most mid-range mobiles, but even so, it deserves to be highlighted. Shooting during the blue hour was simply really fun for me.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro+ 5G – What to Watch Out For

It is a relatively cheap mid-range mobile—a key part of considering whether to buy this mobile is, of course, the statement that it is simply a mobile belonging rather to the cheaper segment of this class. Thus, it is good to keep in mind that compromises cannot be avoided—which is not necessarily a criticism, but simply a statement.

The competition from slightly more expensive Xiaomi mobiles is considerable. It is quite crowded in the mid-range, and the competition is really big—which also applies to the Xiaomi 15T and Xiaomi 15T Pro (review here), which is for me one of the most distinctive mobiles of recent months. Sometimes it can be bought in various sales for really favorable prices, which in my opinion doesn’t help the Xiaomi Redmi Note series much. Because, in vain glory, the 15T mobiles offer not only telephoto lenses but also filters, software, and optics from Leica. And that simply counts.

Digital zoom is limiting—we have already mentioned this several times, along with the fact that it is not actually “something bad.” The telephoto lens is missing because it is simply a characteristic of this relatively affordable mobile. However, it is simply true that if the owner needs to zoom in on something, digital zoom is really limiting, and it is good to look around for alternatives.

Video does not have HDR. This is a small detail, which nevertheless surprised me a little. HDR (High Dynamic Range) is becoming an increasingly standard part of mobiles, and I think it should be so. It’s not that regular users necessarily need glowing skies and vibrant colors; one can certainly live without that. But in a few years, when thanks to better displays HDR display becomes completely common, these shots will simply be terribly boring—unlike photos, where HDR works, of course. A pity. To which, just to be sure, a note: I tested the mobile before its market launch, and it is possible that some future update will solve this trifle.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro+ 5G – Summary

Like the previous generation of Redmi Note mobiles, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro+ 5G offers a very decent price-performance ratio. It is, of course, impossible to expect flagship performance, but for ordinary photography, it offers very decent results that will not disappoint the owner. However, it is important to mention that the competition from slightly better-equipped models is quite large: for example, the Xiaomi 15T offers better equipment (telephoto lens) for a still very favorable price.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro+ 5G – More photos from the test

Review Summary