Xiaomi 15 Pro Super Macro Mode Overview
The Xiaomi 15 Pro features a super macro mode that is primarily based on a 2.6x telephoto lens. This mode allows for capturing close-up photos with impressive detail, clarity, and a shallow depth of field. The super macro mode benefits from the telephoto lens's floating elements, offering a shorter minimum focusing distance, which enables shooting close-ups of tiny subjects effectively. Users have noted that the mode delivers wallpaper-grade images with rich details, beautiful bokeh, and good contrast, making it suitable for nature photography, textures, and intricate patterns.
Image Quality and Detail
In super macro mode, the Xiaomi 15 Pro can reveal fine details such as individual hairs or textures when cropping images at 100%. The clarity and sharpness are noted to be impressive, with the telephoto macro performance often regarded as superior to other macro setups that rely on ultra-wide lenses without autofocus. The images typically retain natural colors and details while providing pleasing compression and contrast through the Leica authentic mode applied in the Xiaomi 15 Pro camera system.
Comparison with Other Smartphones
Compared to other flagship smartphones, the Xiaomi 15 Pro's super macro mode stands out for its telephoto-based macro approach rather than an ultra-wide lens. This approach offers better focusing capabilities at close range. Some users and reviewers have praised the Xiaomi 15 Pro for producing macro shots that sometimes surpass competitors, like the Vivo X100 Pro, in terms of natural look and balanced processing at close focal lengths. However, the telephoto lens shines more in telephoto zoom shots, while the macro is highly commendable but slightly secondary to the phone's zoom capability.
Some users from Xiaomi and gadget communities noted that the Xiaomi 14 model offers even closer focusing distances than the 15 Pro, suggesting the 15 Pro's strength lies more in telephoto quality macro shots rather than extremely close ultra-wide macro shots. Still, the overall macro experience, especially in terms of color, bokeh, and detail, is highly competitive for 2025 smartphone cameras.
Limitations and Criticism
Despite the positive aspects, some users have reported that the super macro mode on the Xiaomi 15 Pro (and its Ultra variant) does not always improve photo quality and sometimes makes images worse compared to standard telephoto or zoom shots. Some critiques mention that the macro mode can produce less detail and clarity than expected, which may be due to a difference in processing or autofocus performance. This feedback highlights that while the mode is powerful in the right conditions, it can be situational and might not always outperform standard telephoto or wide macro modes.
Additionally, some comparisons with professional setups, such as using Sony A7RV cameras or specialized macro lenses, show that while Xiaomi's super macro is impressive for a smartphone, it still cannot match the versatility and quality of dedicated professional macro lenses. The macro performance, although very good for smartphone standards, typically serves casual to advanced phone photography needs rather than professional-grade macro work.
User Experience and Practical Use
Using the super macro mode on the Xiaomi 15 Pro is straightforward, often activated from the camera app by enabling the dedicated super macro toggle or through telephoto lens settings. The mode can significantly increase shutter speed, helping to capture sharper images of small objects or fast-moving macro subjects. Its ability to apply portrait-style bokeh effects also adds artistic depth to close-up shots, making the macro photography experience more dynamic and enjoyable for users interested in nature, insects, plants, or intricate details in everyday objects.