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one way to make an incredible camera phone. Some brands max out on pixels; others are all-in on processing smarts. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra takes the brute force approach: this no-holds-barred flagship has what is arguably the most capable set of snappers ever squeezed into a single handset.
The one-inch lead sensor is as physically large as phone cameras get, to maximise light intake and deliver dreamy amounts of natural bokeh blur. Two telephotos – one 50MP and one 200MP – handle zoom, while a 50MP ultrawide brings up the rear. With a bit of sensor cropping and digital trickery, that’s an enormous total focal length of 14-400mm. Leica-approved picture profiles and some impressively nuanced image processing then deliver truly exceptional shots in all lighting conditions.
Want an experience more akin to a traditional compact camera? The optional photography kit combines a protective case with a clip-on battery grip. The former has a handy 67mm thread for fitting filters, and the latter adds a physical shutter button. Customisable controls then handle zoom and other functions without having to tap the screen.