This time around, we’re comparing two compact smartphones that are also high-end devices at the same time. We’ll be comparing the Samsung Galaxy S25 vs Xiaomi 15 specs. Both of these smartphones have reached global markets this year. For the Galaxy S25, that happened in January, while the Xiaomi 15 arrived in March. Do note that the Xiaomi 15 originally launched in October last year, in China, though.
In any case, both of these devices are quite powerful, the most powerful compact devices the two companies have to offer. They’re also members of the most powerful smartphone lineups these two companies have. There are quite a few differences between them, which we’ll highlight in this article. So, let’s get to it.
Samsung Galaxy S25 vs Xiaomi 15, respectively
– Screen size:
6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X (flat, 120Hz, 2,600 nits max brightness)
6.36-inch LTPO AMOLED display (flat, adaptive 120Hz, 3,200 nits max brightness)
– Display resolution:
2340 x 1080
2670 x 1200
– SoC:
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen Elite for Galaxy
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite
– RAM:
12GB (LPDDR5X)
12GB/16GB (LPDDR5X)
– Storage:
128GB/256GB/512GB (UFS 4.0)
256GB/512GB/1TB (UFS 4.0)
– Rear cameras:
50MP (wide, f/1.8 aperture, 1/1.56-inch sensor, OIS, Dual Pixel PDAF), 12MP (ultrawide, 120-degree FoV, f/2.2 aperture, 1/2.55-inch sensor, 1.4um pixel size), 10MP (telephoto, f/2.4 aperture, OIS, PDAF, 1/3.94-inch sensor, 3x optical zoom)
50MP (wide, f/1.6 aperture, 23mm lens, 1.2um pixel size, OIS, 1/1.31-inch sensor size), 50MP (ultrawide, 115-degree FoV, f/2.2 aperture, 1/2.76-inch sensor size), 50MP (telephoto, f/2.0 aperture, 60mm lens, OIS, PDAF, 2.6x optical zoom, 10cm macro)
– Front cameras:
12MP (wide, f/2.2 aperture, Dual Pixel PDAF, 1/3.2-inch sensor size, 22mm lens)
32MP (wide, f/2.0 aperture, 0.7um pixel size)
– Battery:
4,000mAh
5,240mAh
– Charging:
25W wired, 15W wireless (Qi2 Ready), 4.5W reverse wireless (charger not included)
90W wired, 50W wireless, 10W reverse wireless (charger included)
– Dimensions:
146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mm
152.3 x 71.2 x 8.1/8.4/8.5 mm
– Weight:
162 grams
189/191/192 g
– Connectivity:
5G, LTE, NFC, Wi-Fi, USB Type-C, Bluetooth 5.4
– Security:
In-display fingerprint scanner (ultrasonic), facial scanning
Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner, facial scanning
– OS:
Android 15 with One UI 7
Android 15 with HyperOS 2
– Price:
$799.99+
€999+
– Buy:
Samsung Galaxy S25 (Samsung.com)
Xiaomi 15 (Amazon)
Samsung Galaxy S25 vs Xiaomi 15: Design
From the front, the two phones do look quite similar. They both have flat displays, with very thin bezels around them and a centered display camera up top. The bezels are also uniform on both smartphones. Even the corner curvature is similar between them, while both phones also have physical buttons on the right-hand side. The power/lock button is located below the volume up and down buttons on both of these smartphones.
Both smartphones are made out of metal and glass. To be more accurate, they’re both using aluminum for their frame. The frame is flat all around on both smartphones. The backplate on the Galaxy S25 is entirely flat, as is on the Xiaomi 15, but in the case of Xiaomi’s handset, the frame curves into the backplate. You’ll also find an infrared port at the top of the Xiaomi 15. It’s not present on the Galaxy S25.
If we flpi them over, you’ll see notably different camera setups on the back. The Galaxy S25 features three vertcally-aligned cameras in the top-left corner, three of them. Each of them protrudes from the back separately. The Xiaomi 15, on the other hand, has a rectangular camera island in the top-left corner, with three cameras on the inside. Both devices are also IP68 certified for water and dust resistance, and both are quite slippery. Their slippery nature is easier to control, thanks to their size.
Speaking of the size, the Galaxy S25 is a bit smaller as it has a smaller display. It’s shorter, narrower, and thinner than the Xiaomi 15, while also being around 30 grams lighter. Both are quite compact, though.
Samsung Galaxy S25 vs Xiaomi 15: Display
The Samsung Galaxy S25 features a 6.2-inch fullHD+ (2340 x 1080) Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display, which is flat. It offers an adaptive refresh rate (1-120Hz), and supports HDR10+ content. The peak brightness is 2,600 nits, while the screen-to-body ratio is around 91%. The display aspect ratio here is 19.5:9, while the display on the phone is protected by the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 from Corning.
The Xiaomi 15, on the flip side, has a 6.36-inch LTPO AMOLED display. That panel is also flat, and it supports an adaptive refresh rate (1-120Hz). Dolby Vision is also supported, and the same goes for HDR10+ content. The maximum brightness this panel can offer is 3,200 nits, in theory. The screen-to-body ratio is at 90%, while the display aspect ratio is 20:9. Xiaomi opted to use the Xiaomi Shield Glass to protect this panel.
Both of these displays are quite good. They’re vivid, have good viewing angles, and are more than sharp enough for their size. The blacks are as deep as you’d expect them to be, considering these are OLED displays, while the touch response is also good. The Xiaomi 15’s panel does have the advantage of offering high-frequency PWM dimming, though.
Samsung Galaxy S25 vs Xiaomi 15: Performance
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor fuels the Galaxy S25. That is an overclocked variant of the regular Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. It is a 3nm processor, which is paired with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM here. UFS 4.0 flash storage is used. The Xiaomi 15, on the other hand, is fueled by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, while it utilizes up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 flash storage. Do note that neither phone supports storage expansion.
Both of these phones are very snappy when it comes to general performance. Regardless of whether you’re opening apps, jumping between them, or doing proper split-screen multitasking, the performance stays very fluid. Chances are you won’t have to worry about performance for years to come on either device, unless an update makes a problem down the line.
Something similar can be said for gaming too, actually. They can both handle games without a problem, even the most demanding ones. Both phones will get quite warm while gaming, especially with demanding games, but we did not have overheating issues with either phone. Games should not be a problem, that’s the whole point, no problem at all.
Samsung Galaxy S25 vs Xiaomi 15: Battery
The Samsung Galaxy S25 includes a 4,000mAh battery. The Xiaomi 15, on the other hand, has a 5,240mAh battery on the inside. That’s a major difference. The Xiaomi 15 does have a larger display, but it’s only 0.16 inches larger. Xiaomi opted to use a silicon-carbon battery, which allowed the company to offer much more capacity. Samsung opted for a 4,000mAh Li-Ion battery here.
Now, the Galaxy S25 battery life is not bad, not at all. In fact, it’s quite good, considering the capacity we’re dealing with here. The question remains if it will stay that way a couple of months in, as that was an issue in the past. The Xiaomi 15 offers outstanding battery life, and compared directly to the Galaxy S25, it’s not even a competition. If you’re looking for a phone with a better battery life of the two, it’s the Xiaomi 15, no doubt.
The Xiaomi 15 also has a major advantage in the charging department. The phone supports 90W wired, 50W wireless, and 10W reverse wireless charging. The Galaxy S25, on the other hand, supports 25W wired, 15W wireless (Qi2 Ready), and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. The Xiaomi 15 does charge a lot faster. Neither phone comes with a charger in the box, though.
Samsung Galaxy S25 vs Xiaomi 15: Cameras
Both of these phones have three cameras on the back, but they’re notably different. The Samsung Galaxy S25 features a 50-megapixel main camera (1/1.56-inch sensor size), a 12-megapixel ultrawide unit (1/2.55-inch sensor size, 120-degree FoV), and a 10-megapixel telephoto camera (1/3.94-inch sensor size, 3x optical zoom).
The Xiaomi 15, on the other hand, has a 50-megapixel main camera (1/1.31-inch sensor size), a 50-megapixel ultrawide unit (1/2.76-inch sensor size, 115-degree FoV), and a 50-megapixel telephoto camera (1/2.76-inch sensor size, 2.6x optical zoom). Do note that Leica lenses are used here, and Leica also participated on the camera software side of things.
When it comes to main and telephoto cameras, we mostly preferred shots from the Xiaomi 15. They were more realistic and usually looked sharper, especially in low light. The Xiaomi 15 does tend to leave shadows darker than the Galaxy S25, so keep that in mind. Their ultrawide cameras were a tossup, it all depends. Neither ultrawide camera is great, to be quite honest. Xiaomi does have a notable advantage when it comes to main and telephoto snappers, however.
Audio
Both of these phones also come with stereo speakers. The ones on the Xiaomi 15 are technically slightly louder, but the difference is so small that you probably won’t even be able to hear it. The sound output is good from both smartphones.
You will not find an audio jack on either phone. However, you can use their Type-C ports if you’d like to connect your wired headphones. Both phones do offer Bluetooth 5.4 for wireless connectivity, if you’d prefer to go wireless.
