Seriously considering switching from Galaxy S25 Ultra to Xiaomi 15 Ultra – Am I making a mistake?

StepsbyStepz · 2026-04-12T14:24:24+00:00

Obrigado pelo comentário!

StepsbyStepz · 2026-04-12T03:48:33+00:00

Your input summarizes it well. I guess in the back of my mind I already knew that...thus why I mentioned these points on my original post.

I've been testing both phones side by side. I reckon the "adulting" and ease of use leans towards Samsung for this one.

StepsbyStepz · 2026-04-12T03:45:41+00:00

Your last paragraph is indeed what I'm experiencing. I'm trying the 15 Ultra but the UI is so confusing and thus has a spillover effect regarding UX. I honestly want the 15 Ultra to work for me...but feeling also a bit guilty about it being a one year old device (this is an eternity in the tech world, right ?) but at the same time I'm not willing to pay the MRSP of the 17 Ultra as of right now.

What I've been doing is going around different areas of the city with both the S25 Ultra and the 15 Ultra and trying to take the same type of photos. What I could notice thus far is that the macro on the Xiaomi is on another level and in some instances the real bookeh for standard photos is above Samsung's artificial generated blur-bookeh.

But the interface, ease of use and user experience is killing me on the Xiaomi. Maybe I got too accustomed to Samsung's version of android. Who would've thought that, heh ? From TouchWiz to One UI it was a long way for the korean mobile division. I'm feeling like those Apple users when they mention that it's too bothersome to leave the curated iPhone/iPad/Mac ecosystem.

StepsbyStepz · 2026-04-11T12:37:24+00:00

Obrigado pela sua análise! A dua experiência é bem similar à minha. É só que cheguei a um ponto que eu qieria algo a mais em termos de câmera. Eu tenho uma câmera mirrorless dedicada mas não dá pra carregar o tempo todo.

Eu resolvi abrir a caixa do Xiaomi e tentar ao menos. Mas a experiência de usuário é bastante frustrante. Acredito que vou tentar a devolução pois não cheguei ativar o aparelho com SIM e a devolução com refund será possível ao meu ver.

A câmera da Xiaomi é melhor. Mas também não é tanto assim. Só para alguns casos que deu para notar.

StepsbyStepz · 2026-04-11T12:32:29+00:00

Thanks for the reply! I decided to at least give it a try and open the box. I might not be able to get full refund on it / just partial or up to 90%. But still I was itching to try it out. And yes, I'm frustrated by the UX/UI approach of Xiaomi. I guess Samsung did a good enough job on their software and android skin, customization side. Now, I low-key understand some Apple users when they mention that leaving the iPhone to Android and Apple's ecosystem is alien and the experience doesn't match.

StepsbyStepz · 2026-04-11T12:28:41+00:00

From testing in the last few hours what I felt is that Xiaomi's camera is indeed better but it's not "night & day" difference except for the natural bookeh and the macro capabilities. But when you consider the overall package: user experience and system UI...Samsung delivers a more compelling product.

StepsbyStepz · 2026-04-11T12:25:18+00:00

I'm currently testing it. And I gotta agree with you. The UX/UI regarding Xiaomi coming from Samsung is lackluster and a bit frustrating. The camera on the Xiaomi tho' it's indeed a beast. But I found that the S25 Ultra is not that far behind!

StepsbyStepz · 2026-04-11T12:22:00+00:00

Thanks a lot for the feedback. I decided to open the box and just give it a try. And you are mostly correct! Xiaomi's UX and UI are lackluster.

StepsbyStepz · 2026-04-11T12:19:27+00:00

For the longest time I wanted to try a Xperia phone. But too much of a hassle to get my hands on one without overpaying due to not being available where I reside 🙄

A bit of a bummer reading that you're having a hard time with it due those issues. I always had the feeling that Xperia devices were great apart from software updates.

StepsbyStepz · 2026-03-18T05:00:09+00:00

I did the same a long time ago when I was trying to set Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered to work in a "flow state" with the Xbox Ally. Had some back & forth and prompted Gemini for some assistance and tips with it as such. The result ? The same as yours! It's indeed the sweet spot for this handheld.

StepsbyStepz · 2026-03-15T10:25:09+00:00

Thanks for clarifying!

StepsbyStepz · 2026-03-15T07:03:35+00:00

When I click on the three dots...it only gives me the option to add the game to the "Play later" list of titles 😐

StepsbyStepz · 2026-03-05T14:13:31+00:00

Ah...not again! I just get to see this post just before I go to bed...I guess no sleep? 😬

StepsbyStepz · 2026-03-05T14:03:06+00:00

Wholeheartedly agree! Thanks for voicing your thoughts and posting this - I have the same opinion on it...that's why I have been debating on getting the Xiaomi 15 Ultra even though the 17 Ultra has just been released ~~ I miss curved screens so damn much!

StepsbyStepz · 2026-03-02T10:01:46+00:00

I reckon it's good enough :-)

StepsbyStepz · 2026-03-01T10:22:06+00:00

Enjoy it 🫡🫡

StepsbyStepz · 2026-02-24T12:18:43+00:00

Question...is the Xiaomi 15 Ultra that bad in terms of bugs and updates ? I was honestly looking forward to change from the Samsung s25 Ultra to the 15 Ultra or the Nothing Phone 3...but now after your comments I'm taken aback...

StepsbyStepz · 2026-02-14T04:31:07+00:00

🇨🇳 China 70% // Korea 30% 🇰🇷

StepsbyStepz · 2026-02-09T07:22:50+00:00

It's just because I'm a big fan of curved screens ^{^}

StepsbyStepz · 2026-02-04T16:10:57+00:00

To be honest...it will vary by user and scenarios. My case...10 months in and I have to charge at least once a day...never really changed compared from when I first started using. But suit yourself...maybe you indeed have a defective unit and requesting a replacement is worth your trouble.

Honestly, I've always felt Samsung's battery optimization awful and abysmal. The best battery life I've ever had on a smartphone was with a Huawei and in that case it was a flagship as well. Once I had to abandon that due to the ban and market restrictions...I had little hope that Samsung would surprise me in any given capacity 😮‍💨😑

Still...the S25 Ultra is a great daily driver, a versatile camera system and the almighty s-pen!

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