Xiaomi raises the bar for budget phone displays

Xiaomi has officially confirmed the display specifications of its upcoming Redmi 15, and the numbers are catching everyone’s attention. The phone will feature a massive 6.9-inch Full HD+ panel with a 144Hz refresh rate, a combination that even many mid-range handsets fail to match. This reveal has stirred excitement among budget buyers looking for premium-level visual performance at a lower price.

The 6.9-inch display is one of the largest screens ever used in the Redmi series, giving users a tablet-like experience. Xiaomi claims the panel will offer crisp resolution, rich colours, and excellent contrast, making it ideal for watching videos, gaming, or browsing. The company has focused on improving viewing angles and brightness levels to ensure the display remains vivid even in outdoor conditions.

What makes this display truly stand out is its 144Hz refresh rate. This feature, once exclusive to gaming or flagship phones, enables smoother animations, faster scrolling, and a noticeably more fluid user experience. Xiaomi says it’s designed to adapt intelligently, lowering the refresh rate when high performance isn’t needed to conserve battery life.

Early testers have reported that the display feels exceptionally responsive, especially during gaming and multitasking. Touch accuracy appears refined, and the adaptive refresh rate transitions smoothly between different modes. For users upgrading from 60Hz or even 90Hz panels, the Redmi 15’s display offers a dramatic improvement in smoothness and overall quality.

Xiaomi has also added protection and durability to the mix. The panel is said to come with Corning Gorilla Glass protection and IP64 resistance for dust and water splashes, features rarely seen at this price. This combination could make the Redmi 15 one of the most durable and display-focused budget smartphones in its category.

In terms of design, Xiaomi has minimised bezels to give a nearly edge-to-edge viewing experience, while keeping the front camera in a small punch-hole cutout. Despite the large screen size, the phone is expected to remain reasonably slim and comfortable to hold, thanks to smart weight balancing and curved edges.

Xiaomi is positioning the Redmi 15 as a device that delivers flagship-like visuals without the flagship cost. The company’s focus on display technology reflects its strategy to bring high-end entertainment features to more affordable smartphones. For many users, the screen alone could be the biggest reason to consider this phone over mid-range competitors.

Compared to rivals in its price segment, such as Samsung’s Galaxy A-series and Realme’s number series, the Redmi 15’s 144Hz panel offers a smoother experience. Many mid-range models still settle for 90Hz or 120Hz refresh rates, giving Xiaomi a clear edge in display performance.

The announcement also hints at Xiaomi’s broader plans for 2025, as the brand continues to blur the line between budget and premium. If real-world performance matches the claims, the Redmi 15 could set a new benchmark for display quality in affordable smartphones.

With such bold specifications, the Redmi 15 is shaping up to be more than just another budget release. Its display could redefine expectations in the under-£200 segment, proving that flagship-level screens no longer have to come with flagship prices.