Redmi Note 15 5G review: Sleek, reliable, and value-packed

The Redmi Note series has long been the backbone of Xiaomi’s success in India, setting a benchmark for what a “value” smartphone could be. From the Redmi Note 5 through to the Note 7 era, the lineup cemented its legacy as a category leader, enjoying near-monopoly status across both online and offline channels.

Over time, however, the landscape changed. New and aggressive players entered the market, prices crept up, and Xiaomi’s broader push toward the flagship segment left the Redmi Note brand in a slightly awkward middle ground—no longer the obvious default choice it once was.

With the Redmi Note 15 5G, that balance appears to be restored. Rather than chasing spec-sheet headlines, this year’s Note focuses on the fundamentals that originally made the series successful. In a segment that’s more competitive than ever, Redmi seems to have found the formula again and in this review, we break down why.

Price and availability

The Redmi Note 15 5G starts at ₹22,999 for the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variant, while the 8GB + 256GB model is priced at ₹24,999. It’s already available in India in Glacier Blue, Black and Mist Purple colour options.

Design & Display

Redmi has clearly moved away from the familiar Note-era design language we all remember from the early days, and the Redmi Note 15 5G feels very much shaped by what consumers expect in 2026. It’s one of the sleekest Redmi Notes in recent memory. At just 7.35mm thick and weighing 178g, the phone feels light, well balanced, and surprisingly premium in the hand.

The curved edges are done tastefully and don’t dig into your palm during long usage sessions. Despite the slimmer profile, the phone doesn’t feel fragile. The inclusion of IP65 and IP66 ratings adds a layer of reassurance that many phones in this segment still skip, making it clear that Redmi hasn’t compromised on durability while chasing a sleeker look. This is a device you can realistically rely on for everyday use and the occasional bump.

Upfront, you get a 6.77-inch curved AMOLED display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, 12-bit colour support, and a claimed peak brightness of 3,200 nits. In real-world usage, the panel delivers where it matters. It’s sharp, vibrant, and remains comfortably readable outdoors. Scrolling feels consistently smooth, and the in-display fingerprint scanner is quick and reliable.

We watched content across platforms ranging from YouTube to Netflix, and the overall viewing experience was largely satisfying, with good colour reproduction and contrast. The only real miss here is the lack of HDR playback support, which feels like an odd omission on an otherwise capable display especially at a time when streaming content increasingly leans on HDR formats.

Still, taken as a whole, this is a display and design combination that shows Redmi understands where the Note series needs to be today.

Software & Performance

The Redmi Note 15 5G runs HyperOS 2 based on Android 15, and on paper, Redmi’s software commitment is one of the strongest we’ve seen in this segment. The company is promising four years of Android OS updates and six years of security patches, which goes a long way in addressing long-term reliability something the Note series has traditionally been known for.

Performance remains a key indicator for any Redmi Note device, and this is one area where Redmi simply cannot afford to compromise. In our experience, the Note 15 manages to deliver where it matters most. It’s powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, paired with 8GB RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage. In day-to-day use, the phone feels smooth and dependable. Social media, web browsing, OTT streaming, and casual gaming run without hiccups, making it well suited for everyday users.

That said, this isn’t a performance powerhouse. Push the phone with heavy multitasking or extended gaming sessions and you’ll start to see its limits. Titles like Call of Duty Mobile are perfectly playable, but you’ll need to dial down graphics settings to maintain consistent frame rates. The upside is thermal management heat is well controlled, and the phone never gets uncomfortably warm, even under sustained load.

AI features here are fairly modest. You get essentials like Circle to Search, Gemini integration, and a handful of gallery-based tools, but nothing that fundamentally changes how you use the device. On the downside, bloatware continues to be Redmi’s biggest software drawback, and it’s still something users will need to spend time cleaning up.

Battery life, however, is a clear strength. The 5,520mAh battery is a genuine workhorse and easily lasts a full day for most users, even with mixed usage. When you do need a top-up, fast charging ensures you’re back up and running quickly, reinforcing the Note 15’s focus on reliability and everyday endurance rather than headline-grabbing specs.

Camera

The Redmi Note 15 comes equipped with a 108MP primary camera, an 8MP ultra-wide, and a 20MP front-facing camera. On paper, it’s a familiar setup for the series, but in practice, there are some noticeable improvements over previous generations.

In good lighting, the main camera can deliver decent, and at times pleasing results. Colours are generally accurate, portraits look natural, and dynamic range is acceptable for the segment. That said, performance isn’t always consistent. In some scenarios, colours can appear slightly muted, and fine details tend to soften when you start zooming in, limiting how much you can push the sensor.

The lack of a dedicated telephoto lens is felt. The phone relies on digital cropping for its 3x zoom, and image quality drops off quickly—especially in challenging lighting conditions. Low-light performance, in particular, remains an area where the Note 15 struggles. Glare, visible noise, and a loss of detail mean night shots are serviceable at best, but rarely impressive.

Where the phone does pleasantly surprise is with the 20MP front camera. Selfies come out consistently good, with natural-looking skin tones and reliable edge detection in portrait mode. Whether shooting in daylight or indoors, the front camera feels more dependable than the rear setup.

Overall, while camera performance on the Redmi Note 15 is clearly improved compared to earlier models, it still isn’t the phone’s strongest suit. It’s good enough for everyday photography and social media, but users who prioritise camera quality above all else may want to look elsewhere.

Verdict

The Redmi Note 15 5G gets almost everything right its sleek, lightweight design feels premium and balanced, the display is vibrant, performance is reliable, and the battery easily lasts a full day. That said, the market has evolved, and users today are more willing to experiment with bold, standout designs, which is where brands like Nothing and CMF are gaining an edge among younger audiences. On merit, however, the Redmi Note 15 still outperforms most contemporary alternatives, making it a dependable choice for those who value consistency and practicality.