Redmi Note 15 5G Review: Xiaomi’s Redmi Note series has long been a cornerstone of the Indian smartphone market, known for delivering strong value at competitive prices. After a gap of over a year since the Note 14 lineup, Redmi is back with the Redmi Note 15 5G, a phone that promises a sleek design, a capable camera setup, and long battery life at a relatively affordable price.
But with rivals significantly raising the bar in the mid-range segment, does the Redmi Note 15 5G still stand out? Here’s our detailed review.
Redmi Note 15 5G Design: Slim, Premium, and Familiar
The Redmi Note 15 5G sports a refreshed design that closely resembles last year’s Note 14 Pro Plus. The phone features a large squircle-shaped camera module on a matte-finish plastic back, which resists fingerprints well.
At just 7.35mm thick, the device feels impressively slim in hand. The subtly curved edges on both the front and back enhance its premium feel, though the sharp corners may feel slightly uncomfortable during extended use. Despite the plastic frame, the overall in-hand experience is surprisingly refined for the price.
Colour options include Black, Mist Purple, and Glacier Blue, and Redmi thoughtfully includes a matte TPU case in the box.
Redmi Note 15 5G Display: Bright and Immersive
On the front, the phone packs a 6.77-inch FHD+ curved AMOLED display with minimal bezels. While the top and bottom remain flat, the curved sides add a premium touch rarely seen at this price point.
The display delivers:
- Punchy colours
- Up to 3,200 nits peak brightness
- Excellent outdoor visibility
Streaming content is enjoyable thanks to dual speakers with Dolby Atmos support. The optional 300 per cent volume mode adds extra loudness, though it does cause minor vibrations on the back panel at maximum volume—something most users can easily overlook.
Redmi Note 15 5G Performance: Reliable, Not Class-Leading
The Redmi Note 15 5G is powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset. In benchmarks, it scored:
- 1,015 (single-core) on Geekbench
- 2,913 (multi-core) on Geekbench
This places it on par with phones like the Nothing Phone 3a Lite, though it falls behind performance-focused rivals such as the Lava Agni 4.
In everyday usage, the phone performs smoothly, handling multitasking, navigation, and camera use without noticeable lag. Casual gaming titles like Real Cricket run well even during long sessions.
However, heavier games like Call of Duty Mobile require lower graphics settings for stable performance. While playable, the Note 15 5G is not designed for hardcore gamers.
Redmi Note 15 5G Cameras: Reliable 108MP Main Sensor
The phone features a 108-megapixel primary camera, paired with an 8-megapixel ultra-wide sensor.
Camera highlights:
- Sharp and detailed images from the main camera
- Accurate colours in daylight
- Usable 2x digital zoom
- Good edge detection in portrait mode
The ultra-wide camera performs adequately, though colour consistency differs slightly compared to the main sensor.
On the front, the 20-megapixel selfie camera delivers pleasing results in daylight, with accurate skin tones and solid portrait edge detection. Low-light selfies, however, can be inconsistent.
Video recording:
- 4K at 30fps from the main camera (with OIS)
- 1080p at 30fps from ultra-wide and selfie cameras
- Stable footage from the primary sensor, thanks to OIS
Redmi Note 15 5G Battery Life: One of Its Strongest Suits
The Redmi Note 15 5G houses a 5,520mAh battery, and battery optimisation is clearly one of Xiaomi’s strengths.
- PCMark battery test: Over 20 hours
- Real-world usage: Easily lasts a full day with 20% remaining
- Screen-on time: Around 6 hours, including gaming
The included 45W fast charger takes the phone from 20% to 100% in under an hour, which is impressive for this segment.
Software Experience: Familiar but Bloated
The phone runs Android 15-based HyperOS 2 out of the box. While some rivals have already adopted newer software versions, Xiaomi promises:
- 4 years of OS updates
- 6 years of security patches
HyperOS offers extensive customisation, floating windows, and a dedicated game mode. However, like most budget Redmi phones, the Note 15 5G ships with pre-installed third-party apps, most of which can be uninstalled—except the Indus Appstore. Thankfully, Glance lockscreen is disabled by default.
Redmi Note 15 5G Verdict: Dependable, If a Bit Boring
The Redmi Note 15 5G does almost everything right. It has a great display, solid battery life, dependable cameras, and reliable day-to-day performance. Xiaomi’s long-term software support also adds peace of mind.
What it lacks, however, is a standout feature that truly excites. It doesn’t lead the segment in performance, innovation, or design flair—but it also doesn’t disappoint in any major area.
At a starting price of ₹22,999 (8GB/128GB), the Redmi Note 15 5G is a safe and sensible choice, especially for users who prioritise reliability over experimentation. Still, alternatives like the CMF Phone 2 Pro and Lava Agni 4 offer more exciting propositions in the same price range.
