Redmi 15C review

Remember the word “phablet”? We haven’t really used that term in years, mostly because every phone has now grown huge. But pick up the new Redmi 15C 5G, and you realise that phones today can grow even larger than huge.

We’ve been using it for a couple of weeks now, and let’s just say that the brand is out to prove that sometimes you just want a screen the size of a dinner plate and a battery that refuses to die. Here’s our full Redmi 15C 5G review.

Redmi 15C: Design and build

The first thing you will notice is that size. This is a device that measures over 173mm tall, which actually makes it taller than the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Despite that, the weight distribution is well-handled. It weighs 211 grams, which sounds heavy on paper, but because the chassis is so spread out, it doesn’t feel like a dense brick.

For our review, we’ve been treated to the Moonlight Blue version, and it is a looker. The back panel features a ripple-like pattern that catches the light in a way that reminds us of glowing sand on a beach. It is distinct without being tacky. Meanwhile, the frame is flat and made of plastic, though it feels like it can take a beating.

One massive win here is the connectivity. For one, you get a proper 3.5mm headphone jack (yay!). There’s also a dedicated microSD slot to expand storage up to 1TB, which will come in handy for those looking to avoid paying for cloud subscriptions.

Protection is decent for the price, too, as the phone is rated IP64. That means dust is kept out, and splashes of water won’t kill it, though we wouldn’t recommend taking it for a swim.

Redmi 15C: Display

Here is where things get a little complicated. You are getting a massive 6.9-inch IPS LCD panel, which is great for watching YouTube or scrolling through Instagram. It’s also claimed to hit a peak brightness of around 810 nits, which is plenty bright for an LCD panel and allows for acceptable outdoor legibility. The colours are punchy enough, and the viewing angles are respectable.

However, the resolution is stuck at HD+ (720 x 1600 pixels). When you stretch that many pixels across nearly seven inches, the density drops to about 254 pixels per inch. If you have sharp eyes, you will see jagged edges on text and app icons. It isn’t a dealbreaker, but it is noticeable.

On the flip side, the screen refreshes at 120Hz. We’ll go out on a limb and say that the smoothness almost makes up for the lack of sharpness.

Redmi 15C: Performance and software

Under the hood is a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset. This is an entry-level 5G processor, so expectations should be managed. For WhatsApp, browsing the web, and checking emails, it is perfectly adequate.

We experienced very few stutters during daily navigation. Moreover, the use of UFS 2.2 storage – a faster type of memory chip than the older eMMC standard – means apps load quickly too.

Gaming is just okay for the price, nothing more. Casual titles run fine, but if you try to max out graphics on heavy 3D games, the phone will struggle. It stays cool, though. Even under stress, the back panel barely got warm.

Software is where we have to dock points. It runs Xiaomi’s HyperOS 2 based on Android 15. The interface is fluid, but that’s mostly because most animations and visual effects more premium Xiaomi devices feature are disabled.

That’s a bit of a bummer considering the Dimensity 6300 should’ve handled them just fine. On the bright side, Redmi promises security updates until 2031, which is generous for a phone this cheap.

Redmi 15C: Cameras

The camera module on the back has been redesigned into a neat square, housing a 50MP main sensor. In good lighting, this snapper does a commendable job for the price. Photos come out with decent dynamic range, and colours are mostly accurate.

We were also actually surprised by the digital zoom. Usually, cropping in on a budget sensor results in a blurry mess, but 2x shots remained usable and sharp enough for social media. However, once the sun goes down, quality takes a dive. Shadowy areas lose detail, and noise creeps in. There is a night mode that helps, but don’t expect miracles.

Video recording tops out at 1080p at 30FPS. It’s fine for quick clips, but the lack of advanced stabilisation means walking while filming will result in shaky footage. The 8MP front camera is serviceable for video calls and selfies, provided you have good lighting.

Redmi 15C: Battery and charging

This is the section where the Redmi 15C 5G absolutely shines. It packs a gargantuan 6,000mAh battery. Because the screen resolution is lower and the processor isn’t power-hungry, that capacity goes a very long way.

In our testing, which involved hours of streaming video, browsing, and music playback, the battery refused to die. You could easily squeeze two full days of moderate use out of this. Even with heavy usage, we clocked 1.5 days of battery life.

When you finally do hit zero, the 33W wired charging support gets you back in the game. It isn’t the fastest standard around – a full charge takes about an hour and 40 minutes. But considering how long the battery lasts, that is a fair trade-off.

Unboxed Take: Who should buy the Redmi 15C?

The Redmi 15C 5G is a device that knows exactly what it is: a media consumption machine designed for people who want a massive screen and a battery that lasts for days, all without breaking the bank. For the Rs 12,999 price tag, there’s little more to ask for.

Sure, the low-resolution display might feel like a compromise to some, and the slimmed-down software is annoying. But for the price, you are getting solid 5G performance, a battery that puts expensive phones to shame, and a headphone jack.

For all the above reasons, we rate this phone 4/5. Stay tuned to Unboxed by Croma for more such in-depth reviews and all things tech.