Redmi Note 15 Pro Review: Safe upgrade or smart upgrade?

I always look forward to the Redmi Note series launches, simply because this is the lineup that most people actually buy. Because let’s be honest, while Xiaomi’s ultra-premium phones might be fan-favourites, they don’t actually sell in big numbers. And, the Note series is where Redmi usually gets its balance right. I have been using the Redmi Note 15 Pro as my primary phone for the past two weeks, and my experience with it has been… familiar, but in a good way. It feels like Redmi has focused more on polishing the core experience rather than chasing big headline upgrades. You still get a big AMOLED display, a 200MP main camera, and a massive battery, but the real question is whether these refinements translate into a better day-to-day experience, or if the Note series is starting to play things too safe.

Let’s break it down.

Redmi Note 15 Pro: Design

If you have seen last year’s Redmi Note 14 Pro, the Redmi Note 15 Pro will look instantly familiar. Redmi has largely stuck to the same design language, and while that might disappoint users looking for something different, it makes sense from a brand identity perspective.

The Note 15 Pro features a squarish camera module at the back, a flat frame, and a clean overall look. The biggest change this year is the move from a curved display to a flat display. Personally, I see this as a positive move. Flat displays are more practical, easier to protect with screen guards, and generally better for gaming and daily usage.

The back panel is made of plastic, and so is the frame, but Redmi has done a decent job with the finish. The Silver Ash colour that I tested looks clean, subtle, and premium enough for this segment. The matte texture also helps in resisting fingerprints and smudges. Apart from Silver Ash, the phone is also available in Mirage Blue and Carbon Black.

Despite packing a massive battery, the phone does not feel excessively heavy. The weight distribution is good, and while the device is slightly wide, it remains comfortable to hold for long sessions. The buttons are placed in familiar positions, and the tactile feedback is solid, which is something many brands still get wrong.

You get dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support. Redmi also advertises a 400% volume boost. Yes, it can get extremely loud, but at maximum volume, the sound quality takes a noticeable hit. Keeping it around 70 to 80% delivers the best balance between loudness and clarity.

Another classic Redmi touch is the IR blaster on the top, which allows you to control TVs, ACs, and other appliances. Durability is an area where Redmi has clearly stepped up. The Redmi Note 15 Pro now comes with IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K certifications, offering strong protection against dust, water immersion, and high-pressure water jets. On the front, you get Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection, along with slim bezels that give the phone a modern look.

There is an optical in-display fingerprint scanner. It works reliably, but it is not the fastest in its class. Face unlock is also present and works well in good lighting conditions.

Redmi Note 15 Pro: Display

The Redmi Note 15 Pro features a 6.83-inch flat 1.5K AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and this is easily one of the strongest aspects of the phone. The panel is sharp, colours look vibrant without being overly saturated, and viewing angles are excellent. Whether you are browsing social media, watching YouTube, or streaming shows, the display delivers a consistently pleasing experience.

I watched several episodes of Peaky Blinders on the Note 15 Pro, and the contrast, shadow details, and colour reproduction looked fantastic. The phone supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision on supported apps like Netflix, which further elevates the multimedia experience.

In our Digit test lab, the display achieved an average Delta E of 2.6 in the Calman Colour accuracy test, which is a solid result for this segment. Colour gamut coverage stands at 100%, meaning it can reproduce the full range of standard colours accurately.

Redmi claims a peak brightness of 3,200 nits, and in real-world testing, the panel reached around 3,120 nits. That is excellent. Outdoor visibility is not a problem, even under harsh sunlight.

The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling feel smooth, and adaptive refresh rate behaviour helps conserve battery when high refresh is not required. Simply put, if display quality is high on your priority list, the Redmi Note 15 Pro will not disappoint.

Redmi Note 15 Pro: Performance & gaming

Powering the Redmi Note 15 Pro is the MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Ultra SoC. It is an upgraded chip compared to the previous generation, but it is not designed to be a performance monster.

For everyday usage, the Note 15 Pro feels fast and responsive. App launches are quick, multitasking is smooth, scrolling through social media, switching between apps, and browsing with multiple tabs open do not cause any stutters.

In gaming, the experience is good, though not flawless. In BGMI, you can play at 60fps, and while gameplay is mostly smooth, you will occasionally notice frame drops during intense moments.

In Call of Duty: Mobile, the phone supports up to 90fps, and again, performance is generally stable with minor dips. One positive aspect is thermal management. Even after extended gaming sessions, the phone does not get uncomfortably warm, which indicates decent heat control.

Benchmark scores provide a clearer picture of where this chip stands:

• AnTuTu: 9,37,605
  
• Geekbench Single-core: 1,052
  
• Geekbench Multi-core: 2,949
  
• 3DMark Wild Life Extreme: 1,009
  

These numbers place the Redmi Note 15 Pro in the upper-midrange category. It is powerful enough for most users, but hardcore gamers who want consistently high frame rates in demanding titles may want to look at phones with higher-end processors.

Redmi Note 15 Pro: Camera performance

Redmi continues its love affair with high-resolution sensors, and the Redmi Note 15 Pro features a 200MP main camera paired with an 8MP ultra-wide lens. On the front, you get a 20MP selfie camera.

Starting with the main camera, the results are impressive in good lighting. Photos come out detailed, sharp, and with natural-looking colours. The dynamic range is solid, and highlights are generally well controlled.

The high-resolution sensor also allows for decent 2x and 4x zoom using sensor cropping. At these zoom levels, images retain good detail and remain usable.

Portrait mode at 2x produces good results. Subject separation is decent, and edge detection is mostly accurate.

The 8MP ultra-wide camera is usable, but it is clearly a secondary option. Details are not that great, but colour consistency between the two lenses is fairly good, which is nice to see.

Video recording is supported up to 4K at 30fps. However, video quality is not a strong point. Footage lacks the sharpness and stabilisation that some competitors offer in this price range.

The 20MP selfie camera does an acceptable job. Selfies look decent, but there is some softness, and the camera tends to add a bit of extra brightness to faces. For social media and video calls, it is fine, but it is not class-leading.

Overall, the camera system is going to impress folks who prioritise still images, especially from the main sensor. Videographers, however, may feel underwhelmed.

Redmi Note 15 Pro: Software

Out of the box, the Redmi Note 15 Pro runs HyperOS 2 based on Android 15. While the software is smooth and feature-rich, I would have liked to see Android 16 on a phone launching in 2026.

That said, HyperOS 2 offers plenty of customisation options, fluid animations, and a responsive interface. You can tweak themes, icons, lock screen styles, and always-on display designs to suit your preferences.

There is some pre-installed bloatware, which is disappointing, but most of it can be uninstalled.

On the positive side, Redmi is promising four years of Android version updates and six years of security patches. This level of long-term support is becoming more common, and it is great to see Redmi adopting it as well.

Redmi Note 15 Pro: Battery and charging

Battery life is another major highlight of the Redmi Note 15 Pro. The phone packs a massive 6,580mAh battery, which is larger than what most competitors offer in this segment.

With heavy usage that includes gaming, streaming, social media, and photography, I consistently got around 9 hours of screen-on time. With lighter usage, the phone can easily last one and a half days on a single charge.

Charging is handled by a 45W wired fast charger, which is included in the box. The phone also supports 18W reverse wired charging, allowing you to top up accessories or another phone in an emergency.

In my testing, the phone charged from 0 to 100% in around 1 hour and 18 minutes. It is not the fastest charging solution on the market, but considering the large battery capacity, it is perfectly reasonable.

Pricing and Variants (India)

• 8GB RAM + 128GB storage – Rs 29,999
  
• 8GB RAM + 256GB storage – Rs 31,999

Verdict: Should You Buy the Redmi Note 15 Pro?

The Redmi Note 15 Pro is a classic Redmi device in the best possible way. It does not chase extreme specifications or gimmicks. Instead, it focuses on delivering a balanced, reliable, and polished experience. You get an excellent AMOLED display, solid battery life, a capable main camera, good performance for everyday use, strong durability ratings, and long-term software support.

However, it is not perfect. The processor is not the fastest in its class. Video recording quality could be better. The ultra-wide camera is okay. And launching with Android 15 in 2026 feels slightly outdated.

That said, if your priorities are display quality, battery endurance, and a good all-around experience, the Redmi Note 15 Pro makes a strong case for itself.

Also read: Best Xiaomi Phones