INTRODUCTION
- The iQOO 15 debuted in China on 20 October 2025.
- The India launch is slated for 26 November 2025.
- It is positioned as a top‐tier flagship device from iQOO focusing heavily on performance, gaming and battery endurance.
- Key competitive segment: premium smartphones in the ₹50,000-70,000 range or equivalent globally.
Specifications overview
- 6.85″ LTPO AMOLED (Samsung M14 panel) with 2K resolution (≈ 1,440 × 3,168 pixels) and up to 144 Hz refresh rate.
- High brightness: Up to ~6,000 nits peak claimed in some listings.
- Very high touch sampling rate in gaming modes (some sources mention up to 300 Hz or beyond) for ultra‐smooth responsiveness.
- Build/weight/thickness: varies by edition; example: Track Edition ~215 g & 8.10 mm thick.
- Color/design variants: “Legendary”, “Track”, “Wilderness”, “Lingyun” etc with different finishes.
Performance (hardware)
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm process) + Adreno 840 GPU.
- Memory & Storage: Up to 16 GB LPDDR5X (or LPDDR5x) RAM and up to 1 TB UFS 4.1 storage.
- Dedicated “gaming chip”: iQOO’s proprietary “Q3” gaming chip that offloads certain tasks for improved frame stability/gaming performance.
Camera system
- Rear: Triple 50 MP setup:
- Main: 50 MP Sony IMX921 (with OIS)
- Periscope telephoto: 50 MP Sony IMX882, ~3× optical zoom (and strong digital zoom up to 100× in some specs)
- Ultrawide: 50 MP ultra-wide lens.
- Front: 32 MP selfie camera capable of 4K video.
Battery & charging
- Battery capacity: 7,000 mAh (silicon-carbon anode single-cell design) claimed.
- Wired charging: 100 W (some commentary suggest being slightly lower than previous models)
- Wireless charging: 40 W support.
- Other: Cooling system for sustained performance.
What stands out: Highlights & strengths
Performance & gaming
- With the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 + Q3 chip combo, the device is built for demanding performance, gaming and multitasking. Early review data shows very high benchmark scores and sustained performance.
- The display specifications 2K + 144Hz refresh + high touch sampling) make it ideal for gamers and power users.
- Enhanced cooling (vapour chamber) helps in keeping sustained loads under control, which is crucial for long gaming sessions.
Battery life & charging
- 7,000 mAh is larger than what many flagship phones offer in 2025 this could translate to extended use without frequent re-charging.
- Wireless charging support (40 W) is a plus, especially insofar as gaming-flagship phones often skip wireless.
- Real‐world usage reviews: Some testers report ~11 + hours of mixed use screen-on time and full charge times around 55–60 minutes.
Display and visual experience
- Premium panel: 2K resolution at 6.85″ size, high refresh, high brightness great for media consumption, gaming and general use.
- The high brightness helps in outdoor readabilityand high refresh ensures smooth UI transitions & animations.
- Extra features: ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner; good build quality.
Feature completeness
- The inclusion of IP68/69 rating, wireless charging, large battery, flagship chipset, premium display – all in one package – is rare.
- For users who want “everything” (performance + battery + display) rather than just one dimension , iQOO 15 competes strongly.
Pricing & availability in India
- While the Chinese launch pricing seems competitive, the Indian pricing may be higher (import duties, localisation, etc). One leak suggests ~₹59,999 starting price.
- Availability (variant, service support) may also impact the value proposition compared to more established brands.
Ideal for
- Gamers: If you play demanding mobile games, want high frame rates, very responsive display, strong cooling and long sessions.
- Power users: If you multitask heavily, need large storage + RAM, heavy content consumption (movies/streaming), and long battery endurance.
- Users who want a “complete package” flagship: top-tier specs, premium display, battery, wireless charging and more.
Might reconsider if
- Photography is your top priority: There are cameras that may beat it in especially tricky lighting or ultra zoom scenarios.
- Ultra-fast charging is a must: If you need 150 W+ wired or ultra-fast wireless (100 W+) charging, there might be better options.
- Budget is a concern: If you can compromise a bit on performance or battery, there may be phones with better value in the mid-segment.
Comparison with the competition
- Compared to other flagship phones from Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi in late 2025, iQOO 15 holds its own in performance and battery.
- The price-to-specs ratio may be favourable if the Indian price is kept competitive.
- Its unique “gaming-first” orientation could set it apart for a niche of users who prioritise speed and endurance over solely camera or luxury design.
The iQOO 15 is a very strong flagship contender in 2025, especially for users whose priorities are performance, display quality and battery longevity. With its 2K/144Hz display, massive 7,000 mAh battery, flagship chipset and gaming-oriented features, it ticks many boxes that many phones compromise on.
However, if your usage leans heavily toward photography, ultra-fast charging or if you place a premium on camera system or brand ecosystem, you should weigh those aspects carefully. The camera system is very capable, but may not be “best-in-class” when compared to camera centric flagships. Similarly, while the charging speeds are good, they’re not the fastest available.