iQOO 15: A Deep Dive into the Flagship Powerhouse

In the fiercely competitive landscape of flagship smartphones, the iQOO 15 emerges as a compelling contender. Packed with top-tier hardware, an enormous battery, and design choices tailored for gamers and power users alike, this device aims to strike a balance between raw performance and everyday usability.

Launch & Availability in India

iQOO has officially confirmed that the iQOO 15 will be launched in India on 26 November 2025.  Pre-bookings for the device reportedly started around 20 November, giving early adopters a chance to secure the phone ahead of its official retail rollout. iQOO Community

The Indian version is expected to closely mirror the Chinese model, particularly in its key specifications. This is good news for Indian tech enthusiasts who want flagship-level power without too many compromises.

Design & Build Quality

One of the first things you’ll notice about the iQOO 15 is its premium feel. According to user impressions:

• The frame is made of matte metal, which not only feels sturdy but also offers a cool touch and fingerprint resistance.

• The corners are gently rounded (“R-corners”) for a more ergonomic grip, especially useful when gaming or holding the phone in landscape mode.

• A very interesting design element: the camera module has a transparent “floating” edge and a hidden RGB light strip, giving the back a visually striking and futuristic look.

Beyond aesthetics, durability is taken seriously: the iQOO 15 is expected to carry IP68 and IP69 ratings, making it resistant to dust and water.

Display: Immersive and Fast

The iQOO 15 prioritizes display technology. Key highlights include:

• 6.85-inch Samsung M14 AMOLED panel with a 2K (1440p) resolution.

• 144 Hz refresh rate, which ensures super-smooth graphics and responsiveness — ideal for gaming and fast-paced action.

• Extremely bright screen: the display is expected to hit peak brightness up to 2,600 nits in some modes.

• Advanced dimming support: 2160 Hz PWM dimming along with DC dimming, which helps reduce flicker and eye strain.

• Biometric security: the phone features an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner, which is fast and secure.

This combination makes the iQOO 15 a strong choice for users who care about display quality, whether for gaming, streaming, or productivity.

Performance & Hardware

At its core, the iQOO 15 is built for power:

• Processor: It’s powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a cutting-edge flagship chip.

• Supplemental Gaming Chip: In addition to the main SoC, the phone reportedly uses iQOO’s Q3 gaming chip, which boosts frame stability, lowers latency, and even supports “full-scenario ray tracing” in games.

• Cooling System: To manage heat during heavy use or prolonged gaming, the device integrates a large vapor chamber (VC) cooling system with an 8,000 mm² plate, plus high-conductivity graphite layers to dissipate heat efficiently.

• Memory & Storage Options:

  • RAM: Comes in 12 GB or 16 GB LPDDR5X variants.

  • Storage: Offers 256 GB, 512 GB, or even 1 TB of UFS 4.1, depending on the model.

• Software: Runs OriginOS 6 based on Android 16, which gives it a fresh, modern UI plus long-term support possibilities.

This high-powered configuration ensures that the iQOO 15 will handle demanding tasks like AAA gaming, video editing, and multitasking smoothly.

Camera System

The iQOO 15 brings a very capable triple-camera setup on the rear, plus a strong selfie system.

Rear Cameras:

1. 50 MP (Sony IMX921) main sensor with OIS (optical image stabilization) — captures detailed and stable shots.

2. 50 MP periscope telephoto lens (Sony IMX882) — provides 3× optical zoom, making it great for portraits and distant subjects.

3. 50 MP ultra-wide sensor — for landscapes, group shots, and more creative framing.

• 32 MP sensor for selfies and video calls.

Other camera-related highlights:

• The periscope lens’s 3× zoom is one of the standout features, giving real optical reach without heavy digital cropping.

• The imaging system is likely tuned for a balance of sharpness, color accuracy, and low-light performance.

Battery Life & Charging

Battery is one of the most impressive aspects of the iQOO 15:

• It packs a 7,000 mAh battery, which is quite large even by flagship standards.

• 100W wired fast charging ensures that the massive battery doesn’t take too long to recharge.

• 40W wireless charging is also supported, giving flexibility for users who prefer cable-free charging.

• Such a combination means you can expect the phone to easily last a full day under heavy use, possibly more under moderate usage.

Gaming & Multimedia Experience

Given the specs, iQOO 15 is clearly designed with gamers in mind:

• The 144 Hz LTPO display provides an ultra-smooth visual experience.

• The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 + Q3 gaming chip combo ensures high frame rates, stable performance, and lower input lag.

• The advanced cooling system keeps thermal throttling in check, even during long gaming sessions.

• For audio, users have reported dual stereo speakers that deliver powerful sound, which is great for gaming and media.

• Haptic feedback (vibration) is enhanced with both X-axis and Z-axis motors, creating more immersive sensations.

This makes the iQOO 15 not just a workhorse for performance, but also a very capable gaming smartphone.

Connectivity & Additional Features

iQOO 15 offers modern connectivity and useful extras:

• It’s expected to support Wi-Fi 7, making high-speed data transfer even smoother.

• Bluetooth v6.0 is onboard, offering better energy efficiency and connectivity.

• USB Type-C for charging and data transfer.

• IP68/IP69 certification ensures strong water and dust resistance.

• Biometric security is handled via the in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor.

Strengths of iQOO 15

1. Flagship Performance: With the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and a dedicated gaming chip, performance will be top-tier.

2. Display Excellence: High refresh rate, great brightness, and modern OLED tech.

3. Massive Battery: 7,000 mAh ensures long usage, and fast wired + wireless charging adds convenience.

4. Versatile Cameras: Triple 50 MP setup with main, periscope, and ultrawide lenses.

5. Gaming-Ready Features: Cooling system + haptics + strong GPU make it very gamer-friendly.

6. Durability: IP68/IP69 rating adds protection.

7. Software: OriginOS 6 on Android 16 is modern and likely to stay updated.

8. Storage Options: High storage densities mean plenty of room for games, media, and apps.

Potential Drawbacks / Trade-offs

No phone is perfect, and there are some areas where iQOO 15 may raise questions or concerns:

• Size & Weight: With a large battery and big screen, the phone is likely to be heavy and bulky (reported weight ~215 g for track version).

• Battery Charging Trade-offs: While 100W wired is fast, it might still take a little while to fully charge such a big battery; wireless charging is slower comparatively.

• Camera Competition: Though the triple 50 MP setup is strong, it faces stiff competition from other flagships with higher-res sensors or more optimized imaging.

• Price Point: As a high-end device, it’s expected to be expensive, especially for the 16GB / 1TB variant.

• Software Bloat / Updates: Depending on how iQOO handles software, long-term update promises may or may not fully materialize (though there are reports of good support).

• Display Issues: Some early users have reported display problems like lines or flickering, though these could be software-related.

Real-User Feedback (Early Reactions)

From community discussions:

• A user praised the ultra-smooth performance and efficient battery:

  “The 7,000 mAh battery and Q3 chip make this thing a beast — 3-hour gaming only drained 26%.”

• On the design front, another user mentioned the RGB lighting on the camera module adds a unique flair.

• But there are concerns, too:

  “Display issues (lines) started appearing on some units, possibly related to early software.”

• And on longevity:

  “iQOO 15 is getting 5 years of OS updates and 7 years of security updates — that’s a big commitment.”

  

Who Is the iQOO 15 For?

The iQOO 15 is best suited for:

1. Gamers: Thanks to its high-refresh screen, powerful chip, and dedicated gaming architecture.

2. Power Users: People who multitask, stream, and run demanding apps will benefit from the high RAM and storage.

3. Flagship Seekers: Users who want premium performance without compromising on battery life.

4. Content Consumers: The bright and smooth display makes it great for video streaming, media, and browsing.

5. Durability-Conscious Buyers: With IP68/69 rating, it’s more robust than many fragile flagships.

It may be less ideal for those who prefer ultra-compact phones or those who prioritize ultra-light design over battery capacity.

How It Compares to Competitors

Compared to other flagship phones in 2025:

• Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 + Q3 chip combo is very competitive and may outperform many rivals in sustained gaming.

• Battery: A 7,000 mAh cell is higher than most traditional flagships, giving iQOO 15 an edge in endurance.

• Charging: While 100W wired is fast, some competitors offer faster (or comparable) wired charging, though few match both charging speed and battery capacity.

• Cameras: Triple 50 MP is solid, but some competitors might offer more specialized lenses or advanced computational photography.

• Build: IP68/69 is a plus; not all flagships offer such high-level water/dust protection.

• Software: iQOO’s commitment to long-term updates could be a strong selling point if delivered reliably.

Final Thoughts: Is iQOO 15 Worth It?

The iQOO 15 is a flagship that doesn’t shy away from bold choices. It delivers high-end performance, a massive battery, and gaming-centric features — all wrapped in a visually striking, durable design. For users who demand speed, stamina, and style, this phone could be a dream come true.

However, it’s not without trade-offs: the size may be large for some, and the camera, while very capable, faces fierce competition. Price will also be an important factor for potential buyers once it launches in India.

Verdict:

Highly Recommended — especially for gamers and power users who want a device that performs like a beast without needing to be charged every few hours.