Xiaomi 15 Series Officially Announced for October 29th: Can Surge OS 2 Reclaim Glory at 7PM?

Xiaomi 15 Series Officially Announced for October 29th: Can Surge OS 2 Reclaim Glory at 7PM?The Xiaomi 15 series will officially launch on the evening of October 29th at 7 PM. The launch event will also unveil Surge OS 2 and the mass production version of Xiaomi SU7 Ultra

Xiaomi 15 Series Officially Announced for October 29th: Can Surge OS 2 Reclaim Glory at 7PM?

The Xiaomi 15 series will officially launch on the evening of October 29th at 7 PM. The launch event will also unveil Surge OS 2 and the mass production version of Xiaomi SU7 Ultra. While Xiaomi has maintained a low profile and avoided the pre-launch hype common among other manufacturers, the Xiaomi 15 series remains the most anticipated smartphone product in recent times.

Conventional Hardware Upgrades, Surge OS 2 as the Biggest Draw?

Similar to the Xiaomi 14 series, the Xiaomi 15 series will initially release two models: the standard edition and the Pro edition. In terms of appearance, the Xiaomi 15 series retains the metal frame + rounded chamfered corner design, removing the Parisian nail from the lens. According to digital blogger @Digital Chat Station, the Xiaomi 15 offers a much better grip than the Xiaomi 13, even exceeding the Xiaomi 14 by several levels.

Regarding hardware configurations, the Xiaomi 15 will feature a 6.36-inch 1.5K display with a 1.38mm bezel, supporting ultrasonic fingerprint recognition. It will come equipped with 90W wired fast charging + 50W wireless fast charging, a 5400mAh battery, and a triple 50MP rear camera setup, including a 2.6x telephoto lens. The Xiaomi 15 Pro will boast a 2K full-depth slightly curved display, also equipped with ultrasonic fingerprint recognition and 90W wired fast charging + 50W wireless fast charging. Its battery capacity is expected to be between 5500mAh and 6000mAh, weighing 213g, covered with Xiaomi's Dragon Crystal Glass 2.0. The Xiaomi 15 Pro's main camera will be upgraded to a Hauwei OV50K sensor and equipped with a periscope telephoto lens, supporting 5x optical zoom.

From a hardware configuration standpoint, the Xiaomi 15 series upgrades primarily focus on the display, fast charging, battery, and camera aspects, constituting conventional improvements. However, undeniable is that even in the current landscape of homogenous flagship phone hardware, the Xiaomi 15 series still maintains a commendable configuration level.

However, the biggest draw of the Xiaomi 15 series isn't the hardware upgrades but the brand new Surge OS 2. MIUI once reigned supreme among Android phone systems, even leading to the adage "OnePlus hardware + MIUI = perfect phone." However, in recent years, the MIUI experience has declined. In terms of smoothness, functionality, and security, it no longer stands up to systems like ColorOS and OriginOS.

Lu Weibing, President of Xiaomi Group, President of the Mobile Phone Department, and General Manager of Brand, explicitly stated at the Double 11 launch ceremony that Surge OS 2 will be rebuilt based on the AI large model to create a truly AI-powered phone. It is understood that Surge OS 2 will be classified and optimized for over 25,000 usage scenarios, improving smoothness, boot speed, and reducing power consumption.

Whether Surge OS 2 can live up to Lu Weibing's hype will be crucial for the Xiaomi 15 series' success. Lei Technology will conduct in-depth evaluations of Surge OS 2 and compare it to other mainstream phone systems, offering users a more direct reference.

Xiaomi 15 Ultra Exposed, Aesthetics Yield to Ultimate Experience?

In addition to the standard and Pro editions, the Xiaomi 15 series will also release an Ultra version. Recently, foreign media smartprix revealed renderings of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. Images show that the Xiaomi 15 Ultra retains the full-depth four micro-curved display on the front, not much different from its predecessor. The rear still features a circular camera module, but the lens arrangement takes the form of an inverted "L."

This asymmetrical camera layout has sparked criticism from numerous Mi fans, who deem it aesthetically unappealing. However, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra's camera specifications are compelling.

The three cameras below the Xiaomi 15 Ultra's camera module are all 50MP: a Sony 1-inch large-sensor main camera, an ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 2x telephoto camera. The camera in the upper right corner is a 200MP periscope telephoto camera, utilizing the Samsung ISOCELL HP91/1.4 CMOS, supporting 4.3x optical zoom with an f/2.6 aperture. The larger periscope telephoto camera naturally requires more space, explaining the asymmetrical arrangement of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra's camera module.

Regarding other configurations, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra will be equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, offering a maximum of 16GB + 1TB storage combinations, supporting 90W wired fast charging and 80W wireless fast charging. Its battery capacity reaches 6000mAh, and the display features a 2K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate.

Compared to its predecessor, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra's hardware also predominantly involves conventional upgrades, with the main changes being the SoC and periscope telephoto lens. It is expected to continue the initial price of 6499 yuan from the previous generation.

It is important to note that the exposed Xiaomi 15 Ultra configuration is likely accurate, but the arrangement of the camera module remains uncertain. Multiple renderings of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra have surfaced online, each with a different camera module design. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra has already passed certifications overseas and is anticipated to be released in January next year.

The 15 Series Showcases Genuine Intent, Another Hard Battle for Xiaomi's High-End Positioning

Although Xiaomi has shed its price-performance label, its configurations still remain among the best in the same price range. Taking the Xiaomi 15 as an example, many flagship phones at the same price point still employ short-focus fingerprint unlocking, lacking wireless charging or offering lower wireless charging power. In contrast, the Xiaomi 15 comes standard with ultrasonic fingerprint + 50W wireless charging, showcasing more genuine hardware configurations.

In terms of the system, iOS is no longer the sole leader. In recent years, Android has already incorporated many new features and designs found in iOS. While OPPO and vivo's new systems perform well, MIUI's legacy remains powerful, and Lu Weibing expresses immense confidence in Surge OS 2. It is believed that Surge OS 2 can bring surprises to Mi fans.

Regarding AI, Xiaomi has been more aggressive than Apple, integrating it into the underlying architecture. Apple Intelligence is currently not available in the Chinese market, giving domestic flagship phones a temporary AI experience advantage over Apple. When Apple Intelligence enters China, whether it will be comparable to domestic flagship phones remains to be seen. Only after comparisons can a definitive conclusion be drawn.

As for the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, it's still two months away from launch, and the exposed renderings may not be accurate. It is still necessary to further explore the specific configurations and design.

The Xiaomi 15 is positioned against the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, while the Xiaomi 15 Pro targets the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra aims to transcend its own limitations and is no longer benchmarked against competitor products.

Overall, the Xiaomi 15 series primarily features conventional hardware upgrades, but its configurations still hold a certain advantage over products in the same category, making it worthy of consumer purchase. In today's hardware-saturated market, the system will be the key battleground for smartphone manufacturers. It remains to be seen whether Surge OS 2 can truly reclaim the glory of MIUI. Let's wait and see.