Xiaomi 15T vs 15T Pro: which one to choose and why?

This year, Xiaomi introduced two models of the 15T series – the basic 15T and the more powerful 15T Pro. At first glance, they look almost identical, having the same display and battery size. Nevertheless, there are important differences between them that can influence your choice. Let’s take a look at how the phones differ and for whom each model is more suitable.

Design and display: almost identical phones

Both phones share a 6.83-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1280 × 2772 pixels, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+. The basic 15T has a refresh rate of 120 Hz, while the Pro variant offers 144 Hz. In practice, however, you won’t notice the difference – 144 Hz is only activated in a handful of games and benchmarks, the rest of the time the phone runs at 120 Hz, just like the base model.

As for design, the 15T has a plastic frame, while the 15T Pro has an aluminum one. However, both phones have the same glass back panels and IP68 certification for water resistance up to a depth of 3 meters. The weight difference is 16 grams – the 15T weighs 194 g, and the Pro weighs 210 g. It’s noticeable in hand, but not dramatically so.

Performance: good vs excellent

Here comes the first significant difference. The Xiaomi 15T has the MediaTek Dimensity 8400 Ultra chipset (4nm process), while the 15T Pro received the flagship Dimensity 9400+ (3nm process). In the AnTuTu 10 benchmark, the base model scored 1.64 million points, while the Pro scored 2.68 million – almost a million more.

In practice, this means that the basic 15T can handle everyday use, social media, browsing, and games without problems. However, the 15T Pro also handles the most demanding titles – Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile, or CarX Street run smoothly at high settings. I don’t mean to say that the 15T couldn’t handle these titles; on the contrary, I was surprised that, for example, in Diablo Immortal, the performance of both devices was almost identical. It’s more about future-proofing and more stable (not necessarily short-term higher) fps. During longer gaming sessions, however, the phone heats up, and the temperature can exceed 40 °C. This applies mainly to the Pro version, which has a more powerful chip.

If you mainly use your phone for social media, photography, and web browsing, the base model will suffice. However, if you plan on playing more demanding games or editing videos, investing in the Pro makes sense.

Camera: where the real difference lies

This is where the phones differ the most. The Xiaomi 15T has a 50MP main camera with an f/1.7 aperture and a 1/1.55″ sensor, which is decent equipment. In addition, you get a 12MP ultrawide lens and a 50MP telephoto lens with 2× optical zoom.

In contrast, the 15T Pro has a significantly larger main sensor – OmniVision Light Fusion 900 with a size of 1/1.31″ and an f/1.6 aperture. The ultrawide camera is the same, but the telephoto lens is in a completely different league – a 50MP periscope lens with 5× optical zoom (115mm focal length) and optical stabilization.

In practice, this means that while you can take solid photos with slight zoom on the basic 15T, the 15T Pro allows you to photograph distant objects with significantly higher quality. The periscope zoom is also equipped with OIS, so images are sharper even in poorer lighting conditions. Both cameras also collaborate with Leica, so you have access to both Leica Natural and Leica Vibrant filters.

The selfie camera on both phones is 32MP with an f/2.2 aperture, there is no difference here. The base model can record video in 4K at 60 fps, while the Pro can even handle 8K at 30 fps.

Battery and charging: speed vs even greater speed

Both phones have an identical 5,500 mAh battery, which is slightly above average for today’s standards. In real-world use, this means one to two days of battery life depending on usage intensity.

The difference is in charging. The Xiaomi 15T offers 67W wired charging, which charges the phone to 50% in about 25 minutes, and fully in 50 minutes. The 15T Pro has 90W wired charging – you’ll reach 50% in 15 minutes, and 100% in 36 minutes. This is a noticeable difference, especially when you’re in a hurry.

Furthermore, the 15T Pro supports 50W wireless charging, which the base model does not have at all. However, you will only utilize such speed with a proprietary charger, which you will have to purchase separately.

Price: how much extra you pay for the Pro

In the Czech Republic, the Xiaomi 15T starts at an official price of 14,990 CZK for the 12/256 GB version, but in promotional offers, it can be found for as low as 12,499 CZK. The 15T Pro officially costs 18,990 CZK for the 12/512 GB configuration, but during sales, you can save money and get it for 15,490 CZK.

The price difference between both models is officially 4 thousand crowns, and roughly 3 thousand in promotional prices. This is not a negligible sum, but if you take advantage of a sale, the Pro version will cost almost the same as the official base model – which is a very interesting offer.

Which one to choose and why?

Buy the Xiaomi 15T if:

• You primarily use your phone for social media, web browsing, and common applications
• You don’t take photos very often or basic zoom is sufficient for you
• You want to save 4 thousand and don’t mind a plastic frame
• You don’t need wireless charging

Buy the Xiaomi 15T Pro if:

• You play demanding games or edit videos
• You take photos often and want quality zoom
• You appreciate faster and wireless charging
• You want a phone that will last 4-5 years without replacement

The difference between the two phones is not dramatic, but it is there. The basic 15T is a solid phone at a reasonable price that will cover most common needs. However, the 15T Pro is significantly more versatile – it takes better photos, charges faster, and handles more demanding tasks. If you can afford to pay 4 thousand more, investing in the Pro makes sense. But if you’re looking for a reasonable compromise, the base model will suffice.

Which model would you choose?