CHENNAI: It’s one of the first smartphone drops of 2026. We came away impressed with our first brush with the Redmi Note 15 5G that lands in the highly competitive sub Rs 25K price bracket.
At a time when the buzz around the expected increases in smartphones and gadgets has only heightened, Xiaomi would like us to believe that this device packs serious value at its asking price. Does it?
The first thing that impressed us about the Note 15 is the form factor. It’s ultra-slim and looks particularly good in the Mist Purple variant with its unique finish. The device is also available in Black and Glacier Blue colour ways. The device is under 180 g and is just over 7mm thick despite a robust battery and a massive display. It’s both IP65 and IP66 certified for splash and dust resistance. Xiaomi tells us that the device is also geared for daily drops.
One of the highlights is the vibrant 6.77-inch AMOLED display (2372 x 1080 pixels) that hits a peak brightness of 3200 nits and features a 120Hz refresh rate. If curved displays are your thing, you’re likely to gravitate towards the Redmi Note 15.
The other handy touch is Hydro Touch 2.0 which ensures the display remains responsive even when fingers or the screen are damp, allowing uninterrupted use during rain, workouts, or travel.
The Dual stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos add to the immersive appeal of this display. This display is backed by a robust 5520 mAh battery that powers up in quick time with the 45W fast charger (the device also offers 18W wired reverse charging) in the box.
At its heart is a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset with 8GB of RAM that should please most regular users. You get a choice of two internal storage options (8GB/128GB and 8GB/256GB). The other hardware highlight is the 108MP MasterPixel Dual AI camera that marks the global debut of the Samsung ISOCELL HM9 sensor.
This rear cam gets a boost from OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation) while 3× in-sensor zoom maintains clarity across wide shots, portraits, and close-ups. There’s also a 20MP selfie shooter in the mix. The Redmi Note 15 marks a solid start in 2026 for Xiaomi. It ought to be on your radar if you’re looking for a fully loaded smartphone that won’t break the bank.
(Rs 22,999 onwards)