Welcome Citizen!

Sign in to start sharing and discover the best products you can buy today!

Welcome Citizen!

Setup your account or continue reading!

Settings
Xiaomi REDMI Note 15 Pro+ 5G on tarmac

REDMI Note 15 Pro+ 5G Review: We Dropped It 100 Times & Shot an Entire Drift Video With It

It's just built different

Priced at RM1,699, the REDMI Note 15 Pro+ 5G is Xiaomi's latest mid-range champion, promising durability, photography chops, and enough battery to outlast your longest workday. But does it actually deliver? We put this phone through the wringer (we literally dropped it 100 times) to find out.

Here's how our time with the REDMI Note 15 Pro+ 5G went.


Editor

Denise chevron_right

Denise combines seven years of tech journalism expertise with testing to deliver trustworthy product recommendations. An analytica ...

REDMI Note 15 Pro+ 5G Specifications

  • Display: 6.83" 1.5K AMOLED, Up to 120Hz refresh rate, 3200 nits peak brightness, Corning® Gorilla® Victus 2
  • Dust & Water Resistance: IP66/68/69/69K
  • Processor: Snapdragon® 7s Gen 4 Mobile Platform
  • RAM+ROM: 8GB + 256GB | 12GB + 256GB | 12GB + 512GB
  • Camera: Rear Camera: Main camera: 200MP | ƒ/1.7 | OIS, HPE, 1/1.4" sensor size // Ultra-wide: 8MP | ƒ/2.2 || Front camera: 32MP | ƒ/2.2 || Video recording: 4K at 30fps, 1080P at 30fps/60fps, 720P at 30fps
  • Battery: 6500 mAh
  • Built: High-strength fibreglass, REDMI Titan Structure
  • Durability: SGS Premium Performance Certification for Drop & Crush & Bend Resistance
  • Audio: Dual speakers, 400% volume boost
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, 5G cellular, Dual SIM (nano SIM + nano SIM or nano SIM + eSIM)
  • Weight: 207.1g (Black, Glacier Blue) & 208g (Mocha Brown)
  • Available Colours: Black, Glacier Blue, Mocha Brown (with vegan leather)

Design & Build Quality

Let's address the elephant in the room: we dropped this phone 100 times. Not 10. Not 20. A full century of drops - indoors and outdoors - because Xiaomi claimed it's got the industry's first SGS Premium Performance Certification for Drop & Crush & Bend Resistance. And you know what? It lived up to the hype.

The REDMI Note 15 Pro+ 5G is built with high-strength fibreglass and what Xiaomi calls their REDMI Titan Structure. After our brutal drop test, the phone showed some visible battle scars (especially from the outdoor concrete tests), but to our surprise, it functioned perfectly. No cracked screen, no weird glitches, just a phone that kept on trucking.

One of our testers, Celine, said it best: "I was more tired dropping and picking up the phone than the phone was from being dropped." Though fair warning - each drop echoed throughout the office like a gunshot. Your colleagues will hate you if you try this at work.

At 207-208g, depending on the colour, the Note 15 Pro+ feels substantial without being top-heavy. Credit goes to the thinner camera bump, which keeps the weight distribution balanced.

We got hold of all three colours, but we want to particularly mention the Mocha Brown variant with vegan leather. Not only does it look premium, but it also offers a confident grip even when your hands are wet. No more death-grip paranoia every time you use your phone near water.


Display

The 6.83-inch display is a real treat, especially if you're into mobile photography or binge-watching Netflix during your commute. Its 1.5K resolution makes everything look crisp, and the 120Hz refresh rate keeps scrolling buttery smooth.

The brand claims 3200 nits peak brightness, and we found outdoor visibility to be genuinely good. You won't be squinting at your screen while waiting for your Grab under the midday sun. That said, during absolute peak sunlight hours (think 1-2 PM at KLCC Park), it could be slightly better—but that's us being nitpicky.

The Corning® Gorilla® Victus 2 glass is tough stuff, complementing the phone's overall durability focus. Paired with the 1.5K eye-care sunlight display tech, your eyes won't feel sandpapered after extended use.


Performance

Powered by the Snapdragon® 7s Gen 4 Mobile Platform, the REDMI Note 15 Pro+ handles everyday tasks without breaking a sweat. Apps launch quickly, multitasking is smooth, and you won't notice lag when juggling between Instagram, WhatsApp, and your food delivery apps.

The real test came during our 6-hour drift video shoot. Yes, you read that right—we filmed an entire drift video with this phone in continuous shooting mode, outdoors, in peak sunlight and heat. The phone went from 100% to 89% battery. That's impressive not just for battery life (more on that later), but also for heat management.

Thanks to the Xiaomi IceLoop cooling system, the phone didn't overheat even under heavy use in demanding conditions. This is the kind of real-world performance that matters when you're using your phone for extended video recording or gaming sessions.


Camera

The main camera was the standout performer in our tests. Image quality from the primary sensor is genuinely impressive for a mid-range phone, with good detail and accurate colours in various lighting conditions.

What works well:

  • Main camera delivers sharp, detailed shots
  • Macro mode is surprisingly decent for close-up photography
  • In-sensor zoom (not digital zoom) means better resolution when cropping in—your zoomed photos will actually look good

What doesn't work as well:

  • Video capabilities are just okay—nothing to write home about
  • No pro mode for video, which limits creative control
  • Ultrawide can only shoot at 1080p, not 4K

Camera verdict: If you're a photography enthusiast, the main camera will satisfy you. However, you might feel limited if you're a videographer or content creator who needs 4K ultrawide or advanced video controls.

The lack of pro mode for video and the 1080p cap on ultrawide are the biggest disappointments here. But for everyday photography and social media content? This camera setup will serve you well.


Battery & Charging

Here's where the REDMI Note 15 Pro+ really shines. The 6500mAh battery is massive for a mid-range phone, and the real-world performance backs up the specs.

During our 6-hour drift video filming session, the battery only dropped from 100% to 89%. That's just 11% battery drain for continuous, demanding use in hot outdoor conditions. For everyday use—scrolling social media, video calls, navigation—you're easily looking at a full day and then some.

Moderate users will probably charge every day and a half to two days. Heavy users should still comfortably make it through a full day without anxiety. This is the kind of battery life that changes how you use your phone—no more constant checking of the battery percentage or carrying power banks everywhere.


Get the REDMI Note 15 Pro+ 5G because...

  • You need a phone that can survive anything. If you're clumsy, work in rough conditions, or just want peace of mind, the REDMI Note 15 Pro+ is genuinely built to last. We dropped it 100 times, and it kept working—that's not just marketing.
  • You want excellent battery life. The 6500mAh battery is no joke. If battery anxiety is real for you, this phone will cure it.
  • Photography matters more than videography. The main camera is legitimately good for the price. If you're shooting mostly photos for Instagram, this will make you happy.
  • You need a reliable workhorse. Whether you're filming content, gaming, or just using your phone heavily throughout the day, the cooling system and performance keep things running smoothly.

Don't get it if...

  • Video is your main content format. The lack of pro mode and 1080p-only ultrawide will frustrate serious content creators. There are better options in this price range if video is your priority.
  • You need the absolute best camera in every scenario. While the main camera is solid, low-light performance and overall versatility don't quite match those of a flagship or even some competing mid-rangers.

Who's this for?

The REDMI Note 15 Pro+ 5G at RM1,699 is perfect for people who need a reliable, durable daily driver that won't quit on them. If you're tired of babying your phone, constantly worrying about drops, or running out of battery at the worst times, this phone solves those problems.

It's ideal for:

  • Active users who need durability (athletes, outdoor enthusiasts, parents with young kids)
  • Photography hobbyists who don't need pro video features
  • Heavy users who need a battery that actually lasts
  • Anyone who wants flagship-level durability at mid-range prices

The REDMI Note 15 Pro+ 5G isn't trying to be the best at everything. Instead, it excels at being tough, reliable, and long-lasting—qualities that matter more in real life than spec sheet bragging rights.

To find out more about the REDMI Note 15 Pro+ 5G, visit Xiaomi Malaysia. Stay updated with ProductNation on our website, Instagram & TikTok.


More related recommendations:

End of Article