Xiaomi 15 Extremely vs. Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely

There’s a couple of approach to pores and skin a cat make an Extremely-grade smartphone and the Samsung means is not the Xiaomi means. The Galaxy S25 Extremely is aiming to be probably the most feature-rich Android whereas, within the course of, having a digicam that is excellent. The Xiaomi 15 Extremely, however, is extra of a camera-with-a-phone-attached sort of deal. We’ll attempt to examine the 2 on all of the metrics after which have a look at some footage that can assist you determine which one is greatest for you.

Desk of Contents:

For starters, you possibly can examine the whole specs sheets or immediately proceed with our editor’s evaluation within the following textual content.

Measurement comparability

All of the top-of-the-line fashions are full-size handsets with no actual aspirations for compactness. However there are nuances between these two. The Galaxy S25 Extremely is notably boxier than the Xiaomi – flat show and again, flat sides, sharp corners – it makes fairly a cumbersome impression. Certain, it is considerably considerably thinner and marginally lighter, nevertheless it’s the two.3mm of additional width which can be much more simply felt. In the meantime, the Xiaomi’s extra fluid shapes are typically lots simpler on each your palms and your pocket. That mentioned, the 15 Extremely’s big digicam meeting can get in the best way all by itself – the virtually hidden cameras of the Galaxy barely register.

Within the hand: Xiaomi 15 Extremely • Galaxy S25 Extremely

The Galaxy’s show is protected by an unique sort of Corning-made glass-ceramic, the Gorilla Armor 2. The handset’s again is an older selection – Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The S25 Extremely is the second-gen Galaxy with titanium used for its body and it is a greater grade too this yr.

In distinction, the Xiaomi 15 Extremely makes use of its house-branded Protect Glass 2.0 for its show. The backs are both eco leather-based or glass fiber and the body is aluminum. We’re not precisely certain how a lot better the Galaxy’s supplies are from a long life standpoint, nevertheless it certain does sound prefer it’s constructed more durable. Each telephones are IP68-rated for mud and water resistance (right down to 1.5m for half-hour).

Coloration choices are extra assorted on the Galaxy, with as much as 7 colorways in existence, although three of them are restricted to the corporate’s official on-line retailer (the place obtainable) and none is especially fascinating. The Xiaomi’s glass fiber-backed choices are Black and White, and there is additionally the two-tone rangefinder camera-like eco leather-based choice. We would say the Xiaomi has extra persona.

The Galaxy S25 Extremely has the S Pen to set it aside from another cellphone, the built-in stylus being a boon to productiveness, although it has misplaced a key characteristic this yr – the digicam distant performance. The Xiaomi 15 Extremely has a singular accent of its personal, albeit one which comes at an additional price – the Images package that makes it look and behave much more like a digicam and fewer like a cellphone.

Equipment: Xiaomi Images package (non-obligatory) • Galaxy S Pen (all the time there)

Show comparability

Xiaomi has been placing out 12-bit shows with 68B shade assist for some time now, even on comparatively cheap fashions, so it is no marvel that the 15 Extremely has such a panel. The Galaxy, in the meantime, is caught prior to now with an 8-bit 16M shade panel. How vital that will be to you is debatable nevertheless it’s one of many important variations with regards to show. The opposite differentiator is HDR requirements assist – the Xiaomi has all of them lined, together with Dolby Imaginative and prescient, whereas the Galaxy is sticking to HDR10+.

After all, each screens are OLED, with loads of pixels, and adaptive refresh price within the 1-120Hz vary. The one on the Galaxy is barely bigger, whereas the Xiaomi show is slightly bit brighter, however the S25 Extremely is much less reflective to make up for it.

After all, the S Pen is a serious promoting level for the Galaxy – talked about right here, as a result of it is largely the layers within the show stack which can be doing the work.

Battery life

The Xiaomi Extremely obtained a battery improve this yr and it has 5,410mAh vs. 5,000mAh on the Galaxy S25 Extremely.

The battery take a look at numbers we obtained out of the Xiaomi are usually higher than the Galaxy’s, although the variations aren’t big. Most vital is the 15 Extremely’s lead in internet searching, whereas the voice name and gaming take a look at benefit is smaller. Video playback turned out basically the identical between the 2 in our testing. General, a win for the Xiaomi.

Charging velocity

You’d assume the 15 Extremely would take a simple and decisive win for charging velocity, wanting on the 90W vs. 45W energy rankings. In observe, issues are basically tied on the 15-minute and 30-minute checkpoints, with the Xiaomi snatching a small victory within the race to 100%. That mentioned, you could possibly argue that being slightly faster with slightly bigger battery provides as much as a moderately-sized victory.

Each telephones characteristic wi-fi charging, with some specifics probably making one higher than the opposite for sure customers. The Xiaomi can go as excessive as 80W, almost matching the wired choice when it comes to velocity (although you clearly want to purchase the proprietary peripherals to get there). The Galaxy maxes out at 15W, nevertheless it’s Qi2.1 compliant, so perhaps it’ll get your model new automobile’s charging coils to auto align (a little bit of a distinct segment characteristic, we reckon).

Speaker take a look at

You get the same old stereo speaker association on each telephones – one speaker on the underside, and one other one up high that additionally covers earpiece responsibility. Each handsets earned ‘Very Good’ rankings for loudness in our testing, with a minor benefit for the Xiaomi within the built-in loudness outcome. There are small variations within the tuning, however finally each telephones simply sound nice – we do not assume there’s sufficient separating them that you will be selecting one over the opposite based mostly on speaker high quality.

Efficiency

The Xiaomi 15 Extremely is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, Qualcomm’s flagship silicon for 2025. The S25 Extremely has form of the identical SoC inside, although Samsung and Qualcomm may need you to imagine that the Galaxies are particular by slapping a ‘for Galaxy’ on the tail finish of the chip’s title.

The worldwide 15 Ultras are sometimes obtainable in a 16GB/512GB taste, whereas you will get the worldwide Galaxy S25 Extremely wherever from 256GB as much as 1TB (all with 12GB RAM).

Benchmark efficiency

In benchmarks, the Galaxy has a minor benefit beneath multi-core CPU load (basically equivalent outcomes beneath single-core) and a minor edge in some GPU functions. Weirdly sufficient, the Galaxy is trailing in Antutu throughout all of the disciplines within the take a look at. In the end, each telephones are loads highly effective and ship a clean consumer expertise.

On the subject of software program assist, the Galaxy comes with a promise for 7 years of main OS upgrades and ongoing safety patches. Xiaomi says you possibly can count on 4 OS upgrades and 6 years of safety assist. We would not say the Galaxy’s further years provide a big benefit over the Xiaomi, although extra is extra and there may be that one particular person that can admire it.

There’s additionally the final notion that we’ve got that One UI is probably the most feature-rich tackle Android, with wide-ranging capabilities past the fundamentals. That features the tight collaboration with Google on the AI stuff which tends to place Galaxies a notch above the remainder. The HyperOS on the Xiaomi is sweet in its personal proper, simply not fairly on the identical degree.

Digital camera comparability

Excessive-end Galaxies know a factor or two about taking footage and the S25 Extremely has a quad-camera setup on its again with wide-ranging capabilities. There are two telephotos – one at 3x zoom, the opposite at 5x, a brand new ultrawide this time round, and a 200MP important digicam. The factor is, not one of the modules are all that thrilling or cutting-edge – they’re simply stable bits that do not spark a lot enthusiasm.

The Xiaomi may be very completely different. For one, it is obtained a 1-inch sort sensor on its important digicam – seemingly the one remaining globally obtainable smartphone with an imager of this dimension. Certain, this digicam has misplaced the variable aperture lens of the earlier technology, however that is maybe a simple tablet to swallow.

The opposite thrilling bit is the longer of the 2 telephotos, which pairs a 100mm-equivalent lens (4.3x) with a 200MP 1/1.4″ sensor – one in all our favourite items of digicam {hardware} of the previous yr. The shorter telephoto, a 70mm (3x) 50MP unit can focus tremendous shut, including one other degree of versatility to the setup.

Picture high quality

Photographs from the principle cameras look nice from each telephones, although there may be small benefits right here or there. We would say the 15 Extremely delivers higher sharpness throughout the entire body and customarily crispier element. Maybe slightly subjective, however we’re additionally liking the Xiaomi’s shadow improvement higher too, although the Galaxy’s contrastier take is, in a means, extra correct. So too are the Samsung’s barely extra impartial colours, although it is not just like the Xiaomi is absolutely too far off.

The 15 Extremely tends to be the higher choice for individuals pictures at 1x too – it is higher at gathering photons in dimmer or usually tougher lighting, plus it has a marked edge when it comes to topic separation with out going into Portrait mode.

Daylight photograph samples, 1x: Xiaomi 15 Extremely • Galaxy S25 Extremely

The Xiaomi gives superior element definition at 2x – the Galaxy is doing a stable job, however the 15 Extremely is solely higher.

Daylight photograph samples, 2x: Xiaomi 15 Extremely • Galaxy S25 Extremely

At 3x, the Xiaomi continues to have a significant benefit in decision. It is also, as soon as once more, a greater choice for portraits.

Daylight photograph samples, 3x: Xiaomi 15 Extremely • Galaxy S25 Extremely

It is the longer telephotos the place issues get extra fascinating. The Xiaomi’s 4.3x digicam captures nicer pictures in most situations, with further element and customarily superior rendition when analyzing on a pixel degree. Portraits additionally profit from the massive sensor/shiny lens mixture on the Xiaomi.

Daylight photograph samples: Xiaomi 15 Extremely (4.3x) • Galaxy S25 Extremely (5x)

At twice the zoom of the longer telephotos, the stability is slightly bit bizarre. We would have thought the Xiaomi can be scoring straightforward victories right here, however its outcomes could be a little hazy now and again. When the Xiaomi is sharp, it is correct sharp, and when it is not, it is nonetheless at the very least as detailed because the Galaxy.

Daylight photograph samples: Xiaomi 15 Extremely (8.6x) • Galaxy S25 Extremely (10x)

The ultrawides provide comparable high quality, with minor variations right here or there. If pressured to decide on, although, we might decide the Xiaomi.

Daylight photograph samples, 0.6x: Xiaomi 15 Extremely • Galaxy S25 Extremely

A number of the finer nuances between these two telephones are of their close-up capabilities. The Galaxy can take 5x photographs from as shut as 25cm, whereas the Xiaomi’s 4.3x digicam would not like something nearer than 40cm.

The Xiaomi’s 3x digicam, however, can focus as shut as 9cm, whereas the Galaxy’s counterpart wants at the very least twice that distance for a pointy photograph (along with not being as sharp within the first place). In the end, you’d get the best replica ratio from the 15 Extremely’s 3x digicam.

Shut-up photograph samples: Xiaomi (3x) • Galaxy (3x) • Xiaomi (4.3x) • Galaxy (5x)

Selfies are merely nicer on the Galaxy. Mainly, it is obtained the precise decision sensor plus autofocus – two areas the place Xiaomis have been challenged for years on finish.

Selfie samples: Xiaomi 15 Extremely • Galaxy S25 Extremely

At the hours of darkness, the 15 Extremely’s important digicam is definitely our first alternative right here. It is sharper, cleaner, and with a wider dynamic vary than the Galaxy.

It is price mentioning that the Galaxy would not do a complete lot of Evening mode processing by default, however you possibly can pressure its Evening mode on, which can end in photographs which can be equally not on the identical degree because the Xiaomi’s, however this time they will have completely different shortcomings than within the common mode. Alternatively, the Xiaomi simply would not have a Evening mode, strictly talking – it is obtained a really competent auto Picture mode as a substitute.

Low-light photograph samples, 1x: Xiaomi 15 Extremely • Galaxy S25 Extremely

Considerably unexpectedly given the 1x outcomes at nighttime and the 2x outcomes through the day, the Galaxy really has the higher hand in low-light at 2x.

Low-light photograph samples, 2x: Xiaomi 15 Extremely • Galaxy S25 Extremely

We would name the 3x ends in favor of the Xiaomi as effectively – its pictures are sometimes sharper and cleaner.

Low-light photograph samples, 3x: Xiaomi 15 Extremely • Galaxy S25 Extremely

Zooming in a notch additional, it is a nearer name between the Xiaomi’s 4.3x telephoto and the Galaxy’s 5x unit. The Xiaomi is notably cleaner subsequent to a reasonably noisy Galaxy, and we might say the Xiaomi has a element benefit, however the Galaxy is maintaining effectively regardless of its inferior {hardware}.

Low-light photograph samples: Xiaomi 15 Extremely (4.3x) • Galaxy S25 Extremely (5x)

At 8.6x vs. 10x zoom, it is one thing of a toss-up between the customarily dreamy Xiaomi and the fairly noisy Galaxy. Neither is ideal, each are fairly respectable every in its personal means.

Low-light photograph samples: Xiaomi 15 Extremely (8.6x) • Galaxy S25 Extremely (10x)

Evaluating the ultrawides, the Galaxy by some means emerges victorious, its photographs having a small however constant edge in sharpness.

Low-light photograph samples, 0.6x: Xiaomi 15 Extremely • Galaxy S25 Extremely

Video high quality

Under we’ve got a number of framegrabs from the movies taken by the 2 telephones at every focal size so it is simpler to match to 1 one other.

Each telephones provide wide-ranging video recording capabilities with 4K60 throughout the board, and 8K and 4K120 on some cameras. The Xiaomi can file in Dolby Imaginative and prescient, in contrast to the Galaxy. Each telephones have Professional video modes too.

The Xiaomi is a tad sharper when evaluating ultrawide footage, whereas the 1x zoom degree outcomes are just about indistinguishable, whereas at 2x it is also roughly a tie.

Daylight video samples, 0.6x: Xiaomi 15 Extremely • Galaxy S25 Extremely

Daylight video samples, 1x: Xiaomi 15 Extremely • Galaxy S25 Extremely

Daylight video samples, 2x: Xiaomi 15 Extremely • Galaxy S25 Extremely

At 3x zoom, the Xiaomi has a significant benefit, whereas at 4.3x vs. 5x it is extra of a marginal distinction within the 15 Extremely’s favor. Equally, at 10x on each telephones (the Xiaomi would not have a 2x toggle for video on its telephoto to get to eight.6x so we figured 10x vs 10x is smart) we’re inclined to provide the 15 Extremely the nod.

Daylight video samples, 3x: Xiaomi 15 Extremely • Galaxy S25 Extremely

Daylight video samples: Xiaomi 15 Extremely (4.3x) • Galaxy S25 Extremely (5x)

Daylight video samples, 10x: Xiaomi 15 Extremely • Galaxy S25 Extremely

At the hours of darkness, the ultrawides are neck and neck, whereas the Galaxy has a minor edge at 1x (a lot to our shock), and a extra vital benefit at 2x (a improvement that is bordering on astonishing).

Low-light video samples, 0.6x: Xiaomi 15 Extremely • Galaxy S25 Extremely

Low-light video samples, 1x: Xiaomi 15 Extremely • Galaxy S25 Extremely

Low-light video samples, 2x: Xiaomi 15 Extremely • Galaxy S25 Extremely

On the greater zoom ranges, it is exhausting to name a winner – there’s simply not sufficient of a distinction between the 2.

Low-light video samples, 3x: Xiaomi 15 Extremely • Galaxy S25 Extremely

Low-light video samples: Xiaomi 15 Extremely (4.3x) • Galaxy S25 Extremely (5x)

Low-light video samples, 10x: Xiaomi 15 Extremely • Galaxy S25 Extremely

Verdict

The Xiaomi 15 Extremely introduced some enhancements to a digicam system that was already among the many greatest ones within the business, probably the greatest you will get exterior of China anyway. The brand new mannequin’s enhanced telephoto capabilities put it in a category of its personal, and the 1-inch-type important digicam is much more of a standout characteristic in 2025 than it was in 2024. The Xiaomi can also be an amazing smartphone round the entire digicam factor, with an exquisite show and glorious battery life.

The Galaxy S25 Extremely, in the meantime, has the occasional flash of greatness within the digicam division, however is happier in sustaining extra of a ‘stable cameraphone’ picture than a ‘excellent cameraphone’ one. That is just about its ethos throughout the board, really, making it an general best choice for just about everybody after a high-end cellphone – notably those who take pleasure in having a stylus always and people who admire Samsung’s tight integration with Google within the software program area. Moreover, there may be the value consideration as effectively. The S25 Extremely might have launched on the similar worth because the Xiaomi 15 Extremely, nevertheless it has already gone down in worth since its launch, so it’s the higher deal in the meanwhile.

We’ll finish the best way we began – the Xiaomi 15 Extremely is for the photographers at first, the Galaxy S25 Extremely is for the… common individuals.