Redmi 15C
A few weeks ago, Xiaomi reached out for us to review their latest budget smartphone. We gleefully accepted because it’s the price-range that do not usually get much attention these days. I’ve got to be honest – it was a bittersweet acceptance because we’re addressing a need for content for our readers who are looking for a new budget smartphone, but I was quite fearful for its assumed performance when I read that its specs might not be the most competitive in the previous line-up of budget products we reviewed. More than a week later, this review serves as a confirmation of my assumptions. Was I correct? You’re about to find out in this review of the Xiaomi Redmi 15C.
Redmi 15C…
Redmi 15C A few weeks ago, Xiaomi reached out for…
Build and Design
The Xiaomi Redmi 15C looks and feels much better than you’d expect from a budget phone. It’s slim at just 7.99mm and sits comfortably in my hand. The 3D quad-curved back makes it feel natural to hold, and the phone’s not too heavy even with its big battery—just around 205 grams.
You get an impressive choice of colors: Midnight Black, Mint Green, Moonlight Blue, and Twilight Orange. The Moonlight Blue and Twilight Orange colors really pop, inspired by ocean and sunlight. The overall effect is stylish. Even the rear camera design, which Xiaomi calls the “floating crater deco,” adds some personality without looking cheap. Redmi sent the black one.
There’s also a nice layer of protection here: IP64 dust and water resistance isn’t something you usually get around this price. That’s peace of mind for rainy days or if you’re sometimes clumsy. And you still get a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is great if you still use wired headphones like me.
Display
The Redmi 15C comes with a giant 6.9-inch Dot Drop display. Colors are rich, making it fun to watch videos or scroll through socials. Browsing and multitasking are easier since there’s just so much screen space.
It supports up to 120Hz AdaptiveSync refresh rate, which is only (sometimes) noticeable when browsing our site. It also gets pretty bright (up to 810 nits at max), so outdoors isn’t a problem. What I really noticed though is Xiaomi’s focus on eye comfort. The display is certified for low blue light, is flicker-free, and uses DC dimming, so your eyes won’t get tired during long sessions, even in dim places.
Hardware
Here’s one area where the Redmi 15C shows its budget roots. You get a MediaTek Helio G81-Ultra, paired with 4GB RAM (with RAM extension up to 4GB more). I used the 4GB version, and honestly, it’s just not enough anymore. Everyday use is fine, but some heavy apps stutter a bit or take time to load, especially when you’ve got a few running at once.
RAM extension is nice on paper. It uses your storage as virtual memory to crank it up to 8GB, but it’s no replacement for real RAM. So, if you do lots of multitasking, consider spending a bit more for the higher-RAM variants.
The 128GB version is plenty for most people, and can be expanded it up to 1TB with a microSD card. On connectivity, you get Bluetooth 5.4, dual-band Wi-Fi, NFC, and dual SIM support, which is all you really need.
Benchmark
This isn’t a powerhouse phone, so don’t expect flagship-like benchmark numbers. Compared to competitors like HONOR X7C, POCO M7, Panalo Phone 5G, and Itel RS4, the Redmi 15C lags behind in pure performance scores and in side-by-side real-world use. Apps run fine, but if you push it with games or lots of background tasks, things can slow down.
I tested games like Little Nightmares, Townsfolk, and Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion. They all worked surprisingly well—no major hiccups or crashes. You can still play on this phone, just not the most demanding titles, and don’t expect to max out graphics.
Software and Other Features
Redmi 15C runs on Xiaomi’s new HyperOS 2 on top of Android 15. There are some cool features like Circle to Search with Google and Gemini integration. You’ll also get handy device interconnectivity like Call Sync and Shared Clipboard if you’re in the Xiaomi ecosystem.
But, here’s the thing: the software feels sluggish at times. Some apps open slowly, and transitions aren’t as smooth as I’d like. This mostly circles back to the low RAM, especially on the 4GB model. If you use RAM extension to go up to a “virtual” 8GB, it helps a bit, but heavy users will still notice lags or force-closes with many apps open.
A side-mounted fingerprint sensor is neat and works quickly. There’s also Wet Touch Technology 2.0, so the screen stays responsive even with wet hands, and you get a loudspeaker mode that boosts volume up to 200%. That’s handy in noisy spots.
Camera
This is maybe the most impressive part of the Redmi 15C, and it surprised me. You get a 50MP main camera with AI, and it takes sharp, colorful photos during the day or in low light. The images look better than what you’d expect at this price, beating some competition.
Low-light performance is good for the price. Sure, it’s not perfect—there’s noise if it’s really dark, and sometimes details get soft. But overall, for spontaneous shots or social posts, you’ll be happy with the results. The front camera is 8MP and handles selfies fine, with a beauty mode if you want to touch things up.
Video recording maxes out at 1080p at 30fps for both the back and front cameras. Quality is just okay—usable for sharing, but don’t expect cinematic results.
Audio
Audio is about what you’d expect. The built-in speaker is loud thanks to the volume boost feature, so you won’t miss calls or notifications, even outdoors. There’s some distortion at the highest volume, but that’s pretty normal. And as mentioned earlier, there’s also a headphone jack, so you’re all set if you like wired audio.
Battery
The battery is a major highlight: 6,000 mAh is huge. Expect up to 22 hours of video playback or 82 hours of music, so charging anxiety isn’t a problem. The 33W turbo charging helps too. You get to 50% in just over half an hour, which is quick for such a big battery. Reverse charging is a bonus; you can use your phone like a power bank in a pinch.
The smart charging engine helps keep the battery in good health, even after hundreds of cycles. After a year or two, you’ll still be getting good usage times.
Verdict
So, is the Redmi 15C worth it? Here’s the bottom line:
You get great value with this phone. The design and display look premium, battery life is excellent, and the camera exceeds expectations in most conditions. Gaming is possible with popular lighter games, and the screen and battery make it fun for entertainment.
But don’t expect a flawless experience. The 4GB RAM option, in particular, is limiting. The software feels sluggish at times, and although RAM extension softens the blow, it’s still behind the competition in speed. If you want a phone for lots of multitasking or heavy gaming, you’ll want to spend a bit more for extra RAM or look at performance-first competitors.
What sets the Redmi 15C apart is its price. At around ₱5,299 for the base model, this is a phone that looks and lasts better than its sticker might suggest. Just know you’re trading a bit of speed for savings.
In short: If you need a budget phone that looks great, lasts long, takes decent photos, and you don’t mind some hiccups when running lots of apps, the Redmi 15C should be on your shortlist. If speed matters a lot, or you run many heavy apps, it might feel too slow. It’s not perfect, but for the price, you get more than enough phone for most everyday needs.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
