The Redmi Note 15 lineup now has a new, more affordable addition. The Redmi Note 15 SE (Special Edition) has been launched in India at a starting price of Rs 19,999, making it the most accessible option in the series. It sits below the Redmi Note 15, while offering a largely similar set of specifications on paper.
To help you understand what sets the two apart, here’s a detailed comparison between the Redmi Note 15 SE and the Redmi Note 15.
Table of Contents
Price
Redmi Note 15 SE is priced lower than the regular Note 15. It starts at Rs 19,999 for the base model and goes up to Rs 23,999 for the top-end variant. In comparison, the Redmi Note 15 launched at a starting price of Rs 22,999, but it has received a price hike, so it now costs Rs 24,999.
Here’s a detailed comparison of prices between the two phones.
| Variant | Redmi Note 15 SE price | Redmi Note 15 price |
| 6GB + 128GB | Rs 19,999 | NA |
| 8GB + 128GB | Rs 21,999 | Rs 24,999 |
| 8GB + 256GB | Rs 23,999 | Rs 27,999 |
If we stick just to the pricing, then the answer is clear. The Redmi Note 15 SE is less expensive, so it would make sense to pick this over the Note 15. But how would that affect the overall performance? Let’s find out.
Design and display: one minor difference
Starting with the design, it’s a similar look between the two phones with the large ‘squircle’ camera at the back and curved edges. Both phones also measure and weigh the same at 7.35mm and 178g, respectively. The Redmi Note 15 SE stands out for its ‘Crimson Reserve’ colour, which has a vegan leather back. The smartphone also comes in Frosted White and Carbon Black colours. The Redmi Note 15, on the other hand, is available in Glacier Blue, Black, and Mist Purple.
In terms of durability, the Redmi Note 15 SE and Note 15 are both IP65 + IP66 certified against water splashes and dust. So, you’re getting the same design and durability with both phones. The choice might depend on the colour preference.
Display is also the same on the Redmi Note 15 SE and Note 15. It’s a 6.77-inch FHD+ (2392 × 1080 pixels) curved AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The large screen size makes it a good choice for entertainment, and the curved screen adds to the immersive experience.
Same chipset but slightly different battery
Both the Redmi Note 15 SE and Redmi Note 15 are powered by the same Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset, so the overall performance experience should be quite similar. In our review, the Redmi Note 15’s performance felt slightly behind some of its rivals, which is something to keep in mind.
There could also be a minor difference between the 6GB variant of the Note 15 SE and the 8GB variant of the Note 15 due to RAM capacity. Since we haven’t tested the Redmi Note 15 SE yet, a direct comparison isn’t possible, but on paper, performance between the two should be largely similar.
Battery is one of the key areas where the two phones differ. The Redmi Note 15 SE has a 5,800mAh battery, which is slightly larger than the Redmi Note 15’s 5,520mAh unit. This suggests that the Note 15 SE would last a bit longer than the Note 15. But since the difference between the battery capacities isn’t too much, it should still be fine to go for the Redmi Note 15.
Cameras: clear hierarchy
Cameras might be the deciding factor between the two phones. This is where Redmi has cut corners with the Note 15 SE. It has a dual-camera setup with a 50MP primary sensor and a 2MP depth camera. For selfies, there’s a 20MP front camera. With the Redmi Note 15 too, you get a dual-camera setup camera but better cameras. It’s a 108MP primary sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide sensor, which means you should get better detailed shots and capture wider views like landscapes. The selfie camera is the same on both phones.
This is where you can decide, depending on your camera requirements. If casual photography is what you want, then you can go for the Redmi Note 15 SE. But if you require better cameras, then the Redmi Note 15 would be the better choice.
Same HyperOS experience
Since both phones run HyperOS 2 with Android 15 out of the box, it would be the same software experience on either of the phones. HyperOS 2 offers a refined and smooth UI with lots of AI integration. Redmi is also offering the same software support, which is 4 Android OS upgrades and 6 years of security updates.
Summing up
The Redmi Note 15 SE and Redmi Note 15 are largely similar, but there are a few differences which do set them apart. If you’re stuck between purchasing the two, then you should consider the Redmi Note 15 SE for its affordable pricing, bigger battery, and vegan leather design. However, if cameras are a priority, then you should go for the Redmi Note 15.
