In the ever-evolving landscape of smartphones, each era often showcases a defining aspect. Initially, we saw a transition from plastic to metal designs, focusing on premium materials for aesthetics. This was followed by the camera-centric era, where manufacturers raced to enhance camera capabilities, emphasizing computational photography.
Currently, the trend is shifting towards artificial intelligence, but equally noteworthy is the rise in display brightness. Smartphones have made significant strides in display technology, with OLED screens achieving impressive peak brightness levels. It’s now commonplace to see devices reaching between 2,000 to 3,000 nits of brightness, providing tangible real-world benefits, such as improved legibility in bright environments.
Recently, I had the opportunity to review the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, a device that stands out not only for its versatile camera setup but also for achieving remarkable display brightness. In our tests, it reached a staggering 3,287 nits, surpassing the manufacturer’s claimed peak of 3,200 nits. This measurement was taken in automatic brightness mode, hinting that it may exceed that figure in high-brightness settings.
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra, while exceptional, isn’t alone in this arena. Other flagship devices, such as the Galaxy S25 and Pixel 9 series, also feature high brightness screens. Our benchmarks highlight these devices’ capabilities, showcasing a competitive landscape of mobile displays.
In practical terms, the bright screen of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra significantly enhances user experience, especially in bright conditions. Personally, I’ve found it usable outdoors even while wearing sunglasses. Moreover, as displays advance, they are becoming more energy-efficient, allowing for extended battery life without compromising brightness.
While high brightness is crucial, other factors like anti-reflective coatings also play a vital role in visibility. Overall, the increasing display brightness is not merely a selling point; it offers genuine usability improvements, hinting at a bright future for smartphone technology.