Redmi is kicking off 2026 in India with a budget phone that clearly doesn’t want to behave like one. With a 108MP camera, a big battery, and a capable Snapdragon chip, the Redmi Note 15 looks like it’s trying to push the “under ₹25K” segment harder than usual. The real question is simple — is this just another launch, or a phone actually worth waiting for? Here’s a straightforward breakdown before the January 6 reveal.

Launch date and availability

Xiaomi will launch the Redmi Note 15 in India on January 6. After the launch, the phone is expected to go on sale through Amazon India, Redmi’s official website, and offline retail stores. Availability shouldn’t be a problem — whether you buy online or prefer visiting a shop, it should be easy to get.

Screen and touch experience

The Redmi Note 15 may feature a 6.77-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. That means smoother scrolling, better animations, and a more premium feel compared to typical budget phones. Redmi is also promoting Hydro Touch 2.0, designed to make the screen more responsive when your fingers are sweaty or slightly wet. In humid Indian weather, that’s not just marketing — it can actually be useful.

Performance and software

Under the hood, the phone is expected to run the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor. Xiaomi claims improvements in both CPU and GPU performance while focusing on long-term smoothness. They even say the phone can stay responsive for up to four years, which is a bold statement for this price range. On the software side, Android 16 with HyperOS 2 on top should bring a cleaner, lighter, and less bloated experience than older MIUI versions. If Xiaomi delivers on optimization, day-to-day performance could genuinely feel stable.

Memory and storage

In India, the Redmi Note 15 is expected to come with 8GB RAM and storage options up to 256GB. That should be more than enough for multitasking, gaming, and keeping a large gallery of photos and videos without constantly deleting older files. For most users, this setup easily covers daily usage.

Camera highlights

The 108MP main camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) is clearly one of the biggest selling points. OIS helps reduce blur and hand shake, especially at night or while recording videos on the move. Features like multi-focal portraits, dynamic shots, and 4K video recording make this phone appealing for people who like creating content but don’t want to spend flagship money. If processing is tuned well, this camera could surprise a lot of people in this segment.

Battery and charging

Power comes from a 5,520mAh battery paired with 45W fast charging. Xiaomi claims around 1.6 days of normal usage on a full charge, which seems realistic considering the battery size. The global model supports reverse charging, but it’s still uncertain whether the Indian version will get it. That small detail could make the Indian variant slightly different, so it’s worth watching at launch.

Expected price

Leaks suggest two variants: 8GB + 128GB and 8GB + 256GB. Expected pricing is around ₹22,999 and ₹24,999 respectively. Xiaomi hasn’t confirmed anything yet, but if these numbers are accurate, the Redmi Note 15 could seriously pressure other phones in the same price bracket. A lot depends on final launch offers and whether Xiaomi avoids cutting any important features for the Indian market.

Final quick take

On paper, the Redmi Note 15 looks like a budget phone that wants to punch above its class — big AMOLED screen, reliable mid-range performance, a high-resolution camera with OIS, and a battery that comfortably lasts more than a day.

If Xiaomi sticks to the rumored pricing, some competitors may have a tough time. Still, the final judgment depends on real-world performance and how aggressively Xiaomi prices it on launch day — and that’s exactly what makes January 6 worth waiting for.