Xiaomi Brings Redmi 15 to Kenya with a 7000mAh Battery
Xiaomi has launched the Redmi 15 in the Kenyan market. This comes just a few weeks after it launched the Redmi 15c, which is slightly underpowered compared to its sibling, the Redmi 15.
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| Image Credit: Xiaomi/Redmi official |
The Redmi 15 is available in two versions: the 5G version and the 4G version. Xiaomi has chosen to launch the 4G version in the Kenyan market due to its affordability, as well as the significant increase in 4G connectivity in the country, which now accounts for 81% of all mobile subscriptions. Therefore, it makes sense for Xiaomi to introduce the 4G version first.
This device is ideal for the Kenyan market because of its excellent price-to-performance ratio. It boasts a large screen, a substantial battery, and reliable performance.
In this article, we will explore the specific details, and by the end, you will be able to make an informed decision about whether or not to purchase the phone.
Key Specifications and Feature Breakdown
Display & Design Design
Design
The Redmi 15 features a sturdy design with a quad-curved shape, making it comfortable to hold. On the back, there are three camera sets positioned on a raised plateau.
At the bottom, you get a microphone hole, a USB-C port, and the speaker grill. On the left-hand side, you get your SIM tray, and on the right-hand side, there are your usual volume rocker keys and the power button, which doubles as the fingerprint scanner.
The phone has an IP rating of IP64, making it dust and water-resistant. However, avoid swimming or submerging it in water, as any damage caused will not be covered by the warranty.
Fortunately, Xiaomi has included wet touch technology 2.0, meaning you can use the phone even when your fingers are wet or are covered in oil. Xiaomi claims the phone will respond accurately to every touch.
Display
The display is one of the standout features of the Redmi 15. It boasts a large 6.9-inch IPS LCD with a resolution of 1080 x 2340, which is impressive for this price range, as most phones typically only offer a 720p display.
Additionally, the screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and has an impressive 144Hz refresh rate, which ensures scrolling and gaming is smooth. It’s rare to find a phone in this price range that offers such a high refresh rate.
Performance and Memory
Under the hood, the Redmi 15 features a Snapdragon 685 processor with 6 nm architecture, released way back in 2020. This is the same processor that powered the Redmi Note 12 4G and the Redmi Note 13 4G, and fortunately, I have used both of these phones, and they held up just fine; however, I found the performance leaves less to be desired, especially when playing demanding titles like Call of Duty and Genshin Impact, and multitasking.
I’m not sure why Xiaomi chose to use the Snapdragon 685 in the Redmi 15; they could have opted for the more recent and better-performing MediaTek Helio G99 instead. Perhaps they had leftover Snapdragon 685 processors and decided to utilize them for this model. I suppose we may never know their reasoning.
For day-to-day activities, the Snapdragon 685 will hold up well with activities like scrolling social media, reading through emails, and light gaming.
The phone has two RAM configurations: 128GB 6GB RAM and 256GB 8GB RAM. I'm happy to see Xiaomi shipping their devices with 6Gb of memory rather than the usual 4GB RAM we have seen in the past.
The RAM can be expanded to 16GB through memory expansion. It supports a micro SD card slot of up to 2TB, in case you decide to purchase a 2TB SD card.
If possible, I would recommend you go for the 8GB RAM variant to avoid hiccups while multitasking.
The battery is not your usual lithium-ion battery; Xiaomi used the new battery technology called silicon-carbon battery, and the main difference between the lithium-ion battery and the silicon-carbon battery is that the latter uses, you guessed it, silicon, whereas lithium-ion uses graphite anodes.
According to Xiaomi, the phone should last you for two full days of use with 46 hours of calls and 29 hours of reading. Xiaomi has used a battery extender chip, which enhances performance even at -20 degrees, with 14 hours of video playback and 7 hours of calling.
The phone supports up to 33W of fast charging and also supports 18W reverse charging.
The 50MP main lens captures quality images for daily use. For social media posts, it’s advisable to edit them first.
There is support for auto night mode, and the phone can record videos up to 1080p 30 fps, which is acceptable at this price range.
At the front, you get an 8MP selfie shooter, which should be good enough for your Zoom meetings and random selfies. Nothing too fancy, it can also record videos up to 1080p 30fps.
Software and Connectivity
The phone features Xiaomi's HyperOS 2, which runs on Android 15. While Xiaomi has not specified the duration of software support for the device, they do promise a like-new software experience for up to 48 months, along with ongoing system optimization.
For security, the phone features a side fingerprint scanner integrated into the power button. It supports Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, and NFC, depending on the region.
Real World Use Cases & Kenyan Buyer Perspective
The Redmi 15 is designed for heavy users and students seeking an affordable, reliable smartphone with long-lasting battery life.
Competition in Kenya
Redmi 15 faces some serious competition from the likes of Samsung Galaxy A17 4G, which, for a few bucks more, offers good performance and good cameras with longer battery life. software updates
Longevity and resale in Kenya
The device is expected to have a long lifespan if it is well cared for. It features an impressive battery life that is rated for 1,600 charge cycles. This means that even after completing these charge cycles, the phone should retain at least 80% of its original battery capacity.
The phone's software may not age well, in my opinion, given the weak processor. Although Xiaomi has promised 48 months of fluency, some apps might not function properly after a few years, and if they do, they might slow the phone down.
Finding spare parts for this phone should be affordable and straightforward, as Xiaomi has collaborated with various retailers that likely have the needed parts.
Price and Availability
The Redmi 15 will be available at all official Xiaomi stores across the country, including online platforms like Jumia and Kilimall, as well as other Xiaomi partners.
The pricing for the Redmi 15 is KES 18,000 for the 128GB storage model with 6GB of RAM, and KES 20,000 for the 256GB storage model with 8GB of RAM.
Verdict and Final Thoughts
The Redmi 15 is a solid device overall, but there are a few drawbacks to consider before purchasing it. One major issue is the outdated processor. It's concerning to see an old chipset being marketed as a high-performance option, as this could lead to disappointment in the long run; therefore, this marketing can be misleading.
The other issue is the subpar camera setup of the Redmi 15. While it appears to have three cameras on the back, only one of them is genuinely useful. I believe this decision was made for marketing purposes and aesthetics.
If you want 5G connectivity, then you want to look elsewhere because the phone is LTE only. The good news is that there is a 5G version, although it is not officially available in kenya.
We expect to have our hands on this device so that we can thoroughly test it and give an honest verdict. Stay tuned!
