Is Redmi 15 5G the Best Phone Under ₹15,000? Full Review
After a long wait, Redmi’s number series is finally back in action, and this time with a bold statement—the Redmi 15 5G. Skipping “14” altogether, Xiaomi has jumped straight from Redmi 13 5G to Redmi 15 5G, raising expectations for what this upgrade brings. On paper, the phone looks promising, but does it live up to the hype? Let’s find out.
Design and Build Quality
The first thing you notice about the Redmi 15 5G is its premium look and feel. Despite being a budget phone, the design language leans towards the mid-range category. The back panel sports a matte polycarbonate finish, while the highlight is undoubtedly the aerospace-grade metal camera deco, which gives it a solid and classy touch.
The device feels bold and sturdy, weighing over 200 grams—a result of its massive battery. At 8.2mm thickness, it manages to stay relatively slim considering the 7000mAh cell inside. The phone is also IP64-rated, offering protection against dust and splashes.
It comes in three colors: Black, White, and Purple, with Black carrying a distinctly sleek and bold personality. Overall, Redmi has made clear improvements in design compared to the Redmi 13 5G, making this one of the most premium-looking phones under ₹15,000.
Display
The Redmi 15 5G boasts a massive 6.9-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD panel with an adaptive 144Hz refresh rate. This makes it one of the largest and smoothest displays in its segment. The punch-hole cutout at the top is a welcome change compared to the dated waterdrop notches we usually see in budget phones.
With a peak brightness of 850 nits (up from 550 nits in the Redmi 13 5G), the display feels bright enough for both indoor and outdoor usage, though it doesn’t quite hit flagship-level brightness. Colors are vibrant, details are sharp at 1080p resolution, and the overall viewing experience for movies and videos is enjoyable.
On the certification side, the panel is TÜV Rheinland certified and comes with flicker-free technology, which reduces strain during long usage.
Verdict on Display: A clear upgrade from the Redmi 13 5G—bigger, smoother, and brighter.
Performance
Under the hood, the Redmi 15 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 chipset, clocked at 2.3GHz. It is paired with LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage, starting at 6GB RAM with 128GB storage.
Performance is decent for day-to-day tasks and multitasking. For gaming, the phone supports HD/Ultra settings at 40fps in titles like BGMI. While it won’t replace a gaming phone, the performance is smooth enough with only minor frame drops here and there.
Benchmark-wise, the phone scores over 463,000 on Antutu, which is respectable for this price range.
Verdict on Performance: Reliable and balanced, with enough power for casual gamers and multitaskers under ₹15K.
Cameras
The Redmi 15 5G features a dual-camera setup on the back:
- 50MP main sensor
- 2MP depth sensor
On the front, you get an 8MP selfie shooter.
Photos taken with the main camera are surprisingly good for the price, with bright colors, fast shutter response, and decent edge detection. While there is some over-sharpening (common in budget phones), the results are better than expected. Skin tones appear natural, avoiding the reddish tint often seen in low-cost devices.
Selfies are acceptable, though slightly soft in detail. For casual social media use, they get the job done.
Video recording is capped at 1080p 30fps (both front and rear), with no OIS or EIS. Video quality is fair, though nothing groundbreaking. The camera app also includes Night Mode, Ultra HD Mode, and Timelapse for added versatility.
Verdict on Cameras: Good enough for a budget device, better than Redmi 13 5G, but don’t expect flagship-level results.
Battery and Charging
This is where the Redmi 15 5G truly shines. It comes with a huge 7000mAh battery, making it one of the largest in its price bracket. Redmi has also introduced silicon-carbon battery technology, allowing the phone to house such a big battery while keeping the device relatively slim.
Charging is handled by a 33W fast charger included in the box (a welcome move), and the device also supports 18W reverse wired charging, letting you charge other gadgets with it.
In practical use, this battery can easily last two days of moderate usage—a standout feature in this category.
Verdict on Battery: A massive upgrade from the 5300mAh unit in the Redmi 13 5G. One of the best in the segment.
Software and Features
The phone runs on HyperOS 2.0 based on Android 15, with a promise of 2 years of OS updates and 4 years of security updates.
AI features play a big role here, including:
- Circle to Search
- Google Gemini Live integration
- AI Eraser for photos
- AI Sky editing tools
Connectivity options include 7 standalone 5G bands, dual-band Wi-Fi, and USB 2.0. There’s no NFC, which may disappoint some users.
Key Upgrades from Redmi 13 5G
Compared to the previous generation, here are the most significant improvements:
- Design – Premium aerospace-grade metal accents and IP64 certification.
- Display – Bigger (6.9"), smoother (144Hz), and brighter (815 nits).
- Battery – Jump from 5300mAh to 7000mAh with reverse charging.
Performance and cameras remain in a similar range, but the upgrades in design, display, and battery make the Redmi 15 5G a much stronger package overall.
Pricing and Value
While the exact pricing is yet to be confirmed, the Redmi 15 5G is expected to launch under ₹15,000. If Redmi delivers at this price point, the phone will easily stand out as one of the best value-for-money smartphones in the budget segment.
Final Verdict
The Redmi 15 5G is a well-rounded device that offers:
A premium design rarely seen in budget phones- A huge, smooth display perfect for content consumption
- A massive 7000mAh battery that sets it apart from competitors
While the performance and cameras are more incremental upgrades, the overall package feels balanced and future-ready.
If you’re looking for a budget phone under ₹15K that doesn’t compromise on design, display, or battery life, the Redmi 15 5G is an easy recommendation.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5) – A true value-for-money package.
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