NEWS: Xiaomi SU7 Ultra Enters Gran Turismo 7 in Landmark Gaming Debut

By Jon Donnis

Xiaomi has confirmed that its high performance electric saloon, the SU7 Ultra, will be added to Gran Turismo 7 from 29 January 2026 on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. The car arrives as part of Update 1.67 and marks the first time a Xiaomi vehicle has appeared in the long running racing simulation series. Once the update goes live at 2.00 PM GMT+8, players around the world will be able to drive the SU7 Ultra across the game's circuits.

Gran Turismo is widely regarded as one of the most demanding racing simulations, known for its realism and selective approach to vehicle licensing. Historically, the series has focused on established performance marques, making Xiaomi's inclusion a notable moment for both the brand and the franchise. The partnership between Xiaomi and Polyphony Digital was first announced in June 2025, with the SU7 Ultra chosen to reflect the company's emphasis on performance and technological development.

Gran Turismo producer Kazunori Yamauchi personally tested the SU7 Ultra at several locations, including Beijing, the Nürburgring Nordschleife and Tsukuba Circuit. These sessions involved extensive discussions with Xiaomi EV executives and engineers. To ensure the in game car mirrors its real world counterpart, the two teams collaborated on an extremely detailed digital model. Xiaomi's vehicle dynamics specialists travelled to Polyphony Digital's studio in Fukuoka to take part in final validation work, focusing on accurately reproducing the car's handling and behaviour.

The SU7 Ultra uses Xiaomi's in house Dual V8s plus V6s Hyper Tri Motor system, producing a combined 1,548 horsepower and 1,770 Nm of torque. Built on an 800-volt electrical architecture, it accelerates from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour in 1.98 seconds without one foot rollout. The chassis combines a double wishbone front suspension with a five link rear layout and dual chamber air springs with adaptive dampers, aiming to balance sharp handling with comfort. Xiaomi quotes a CLTC driving range of 630 kilometres and a rapid charging capability that takes the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in 11 minutes.

As the flagship model in Xiaomi EV's range, the production SU7 Ultra made headlines in April 2025 when it tackled the Nürburgring Nordschleife with the optional Track Package fitted. It recorded a lap time of 7 minutes 4.957 seconds, setting a new record for electric executive cars on the circuit. The result was credited to its electric powertrain, torque vectoring chassis control and advanced aerodynamic design.

Lei Jun, founder, chairman and chief executive of Xiaomi Group, previously welcomed the car's selection for Gran Turismo 7, saying he was pleased that players and automotive culture fans would be able to experience Xiaomi's approach to high performance smart vehicles. During 2025, the SU7 Ultra was also displayed in markets including Spain, Singapore, Japan and Berlin, where it attracted attention from industry professionals and enthusiasts.

To mark the in game launch, Polyphony Digital will run a two week official lap time challenge at Monza within Gran Turismo 7. Players worldwide will compete using the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, linking the brand's growing real world presence with its first major step onto the virtual racing stage.

REVIEW: Redmi Note 15 5G (2026 Smartphone)

Photo courtesy of Xiaomi 

Review by Jon Donnis

The Redmi Note 15 5G arrives as a confident mid range smartphone that feels far more considered than its price suggests. Xiaomi has spent years refining the Note series and this model shows a brand comfortable with its strengths. It is not chasing gimmicks or headline grabbing specs for the sake of it. Instead, it focuses on balance, practicality, and day to day usability.

The first thing that strikes you is how slim and light the phone feels. At just 7.35mm thick, it slips easily into a pocket and never feels cumbersome in the hand. Even with the supplied protective case fitted, it remains impressively manageable. The dual curved front and back help here, creating a shape that feels smooth and natural to hold over long periods. It looks smart too. The camera housing is familiar territory for recent Redmi devices and while it does protrude slightly, it never became uncomfortable or distracting during use.

Photo taken with the Redmi Note 15 5G

Battery life is one of the Note 15 5G's strongest selling points. The 5520mAh silicon carbon battery comfortably lasts through heavy daily use, often pushing into a second day without anxiety. Xiaomi claims up to 1.58 days of endurance and that feels realistic rather than optimistic. Video playback figures of around 21 hours stack up well in real world testing. When it does need topping up, 45W turbo charging gets you back on your feet quickly. The inclusion of 18W reverse charging is a genuinely useful extra, especially if you ever find yourself rescuing a friend's dying phone.

Durability is another quiet strength. The display glass is rated to survive face down drops from 1.7 metres, and the aluminium alloy mid frame gives the whole device a reassuring rigidity. Add IP65 dust and water resistance and this is a phone that feels built for everyday life rather than careful handling. Wet Touch Technology 2.0 works exactly as advertised, keeping the screen responsive even with damp fingers or in light rain.

The 6.77 inch AMOLED display is a highlight. Full HD plus resolution keeps everything sharp, while peak brightness of up to 3200 nits makes outdoor use a non issue. PWM dimming at 3840Hz helps reduce eye strain during long viewing sessions, which is easy to appreciate after an evening of scrolling or streaming. Dual speakers with 300 percent volume boost give audio real presence, making this a solid device for video and casual gaming.

Photo taken with the Redmi Note 15 5G

Performance is handled by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset, which keeps the phone feeling brisk and responsive. Apps open quickly, multitasking is smooth, and everyday navigation never feels laboured. It is not aimed at power users chasing flagship benchmarks, but for a mid range device it strikes the right balance between speed and efficiency.

Photography is where the Redmi Note 15 5G really separates itself from cheaper models. The 108MP main camera now includes optical image stabilisation, which makes a noticeable difference in low light shots and video. Detail is excellent, though the large file sizes mean you may want to drop the resolution for everyday snaps. This is the first model in the standard lineup to add an ultra wide camera, giving genuine versatility without stepping up to a Pro device. The 20MP front camera performs well for video calls and selfies, while AI features such as reflection removal and object erasing are useful without feeling overbearing.

Photo courtesy of Xiaomi 

There are compromises, and they are worth acknowledging. The lack of a 3.5mm headphone socket will disappoint anyone who still prefers wired audio, particularly when connecting to older non Bluetooth equipment. Storage expansion is also a familiar frustration. You can use a second SIM or a memory card, but not both at the same time. These are not deal breakers, but they are worth bearing in mind depending on how you use your phone.

Taken as a whole, the Redmi Note 15 5G feels like a well judged mid range smartphone rather than a flashy one. At around £199, it delivers strong battery life, a capable camera system, solid performance, and a design that feels more premium than expected. Xiaomi continues to cement its reputation for offering good quality phones across every price bracket, and this model sits comfortably among its best value efforts.

If you are shopping for a reliable, modern replacement without paying flagship money, the Redmi Note 15 5G deserves a serious look. It does exactly what you expect, and in a few areas, it does rather more.

I score the Redmi Note 15 5G a solid 8.5 out of 10.

Pre-orders will be available on mi.com/uk from 5 January 2026 

Thank you to Xiaomi for providing the phone for review.

The full range.
Redmi Note 15 Pro+ 5G

8+256: £429

12+512: £479

Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G

8+256: £349

8+512:  £379

12+512: £399

Redmi Note 15 Pro

Available in 8+256 and 12+512

Prices start from £249

Redmi Note 15 5G

Available in 6+128 and 8+256

Prices start from £199

Redmi Note 15

Available in 6+128 and 8+256

Prices start from £179

NEWS: Xiaomi Showcases Mobile Photography Innovation at Photo London 2025

Photography by Josh Dowler, captured using Xiaomi 15 Ultra

By Jon Donnis

Xiaomi has marked a major milestone in the evolution of mobile photography with its powerful and emotional showcase at Photo London 2025. As the Official Photo Book Market Partner for this year's 10th anniversary edition, the tech giant is using the world-renowned photography fair to spotlight how smartphones can redefine storytelling through imagery.

Staged at Somerset House from 16 to 18 May, Xiaomi's installation titled "Humanity: Emotions in Focus" offered visitors an immersive journey through everyday emotional moments captured with the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. Shot entirely by UK-based photographer and Xiaomi Creator Josh Dowler, the collection explores the depth and detail that mobile technology can now deliver, both technically and emotionally.

The exhibition acts as a spin-off of Xiaomi's broader creative initiative designed to explore how emotion and innovation intersect in mobile photography. Dowler's work, intimate and candid, is a compelling testament to the capabilities of the Xiaomi 15 Series, which is co-engineered with Leica. The combination of hardware and vision allows fleeting, personal moments to be frozen in time with remarkable clarity and feeling.

Jia Wei, Head of Marketing at Xiaomi Western Europe, explained the brand's direction:

"Mobile photography has evolved into one of the most accessible and expressive art forms of our time. With the Xiaomi 15 Series and the 'Humanity: Emotions in Focus' experience, we aim to show that mobile photography is not only a technical marvel but also a deeply human way to tell stories."

Xiaomi's broader campaign includes digital photo itineraries, highlighting moments of emotion and creativity through the lens of its mobile devices.

Michael Benson and Fariba Farshad, co-founders of Photo London, also recognised the significance of Xiaomi's participation:

"We're pleased to have Xiaomi join us in this anniversary edition. Their presence reflects an exciting shift in photography – one where innovation and emotion go hand in hand, expanding the creative possibilities for photographers everywhere."

By showcasing "Humanity: Emotions in Focus" in this context, Xiaomi is not only presenting its latest flagship device but also making a statement about where photography is heading. This year's presence at Photo London cements Xiaomi's role as both a technology innovator and a creative enabler, championing a new era where everyday storytelling is at everyone's fingertips.