When iQOO unveiled its latest flagship in New Delhi on November 26, 2025, it didn’t just drop a phone — it dropped a statement. The iQOO 15, priced from Rs 72,999, isn’t just another Android powerhouse. It’s the clearest signal yet that China’s gaming-centric brand is going full flagship, targeting not just hardcore gamers but everyday power users who refuse to compromise. And the specs? They’re audacious. A 7,000mAh battery. 100W wired charging. A 2K OLED screen that hits 6,000 nits in HDR. All wrapped in a device that runs on Origin OS 6 based on Android 16. This isn’t incremental. This is a reset.
What Makes the iQOO 15 Different?
Most flagships in 2025 are chasing thinness. iQOO 15 is chasing endurance. That 7,000mAh silicon-carbon battery? It’s the largest ever in a mainstream Indian flagship — bigger than most tablets. And it doesn’t just sit there. With 100W wired charging, you get 0 to 100% in 28 minutes. Wireless? 40W. Reverse charging? Yes, because you might need to save your friend’s phone during a power outage. And then there’s the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 — Qualcomm’s 3nm octa-core beast. It’s not just faster. It’s smarter, with dedicated AI cores handling background tasks so smoothly you forget they’re running.
The display is equally wild. A 6.85-inch Samsung M14 LEAD OLED panel, 2K resolution, 144Hz adaptive refresh rate, and 2,600 nits peak brightness. In direct sunlight? It still pops. The LTPO tech means it drops to 1Hz when you’re reading, saving battery without killing smoothness. And that 6,000-nit HDR peak? That’s not marketing fluff — it’s for watching HDR10+ content without washing out highlights. Real-world testing by The Indian Express showed it handled a sunset scene on Netflix better than the OnePlus 15.
Performance, Cooling, and the Gaming Edge
iQOO has always been the brand for gamers. But the iQOO 15 doesn’t just *feel* fast — it *stays* fast. The SuperComputing Q44 chip, paired with an 8K vapour chamber cooling system, ensures sustained performance. Unlike rivals that throttle after 15 minutes of gaming, iQOO claims the device maintains 95% of peak performance for over an hour in Genshin Impact at max settings. The touch sampling rate? Still undisclosed, but testers reported near-instantaneous response — no lag, no stutter, even during intense sniper duels.
Under the hood: LPDDR5x RAM, UFS 4.1 storage. No compromises. The triple 50MP camera system — wide, ultrawide, telephoto — isn’t about megapixels alone. It’s about computational photography. Night mode now uses AI to reconstruct detail in shadows without blowing out highlights. Portrait mode? No more ghosting around hair. And yes, it shoots 8K video. But let’s be honest: no one’s editing 8K on their phone. It’s there because you can.
Design, Colors, and the Quiet Shift
For the first time, iQOO isn’t screaming for attention. The Legend variant — white glass with that signature tri-colour rhombus logo — looks like a luxury device. The Alpha variant, with its smoked-black fibreglass back, feels premium without the fingerprint magnetism of glass. It’s lighter than the iQOO 13. Smoother. More refined. This isn’t a gaming phone disguised as a flagship. It’s a flagship that happens to crush games.
“They’ve stopped trying to be the loudest in the room,” said Gadgets360’s senior analyst in a post-launch review. “They’re now the most capable. And that’s scarier for competitors.”
Market Impact and Availability
Pre-bookings began the moment the launch ended. By November 21, Hindustan Times reported record numbers — surpassing even the OnePlus 14’s initial uptake. Sales launched on December 1, 2025, through Amazon India, iQOO’s official site, and vivo exclusive stores. The 15-day price guarantee and No Cost EMI options are standard, but the 24/7 service support? That’s new. In a market where after-sales is often an afterthought, iQOO is betting on trust.
The competition? The OnePlus 15, Oppo Find X9, and Vivo X300 all launched earlier this year. But none have matched the battery capacity. None have 100W wired + 40W wireless. None have the same cooling architecture. The iQOO 15 isn’t just competing — it’s redefining the upper mid-range flagship tier.
What’s Next? The Mini and the Ultra
While the standard iQOO 15 is out, whispers are growing louder. A compact version — the iQOO 15 Mini — is reportedly in the works. Tipster Smart Pikachu claims it’ll feature a 6.3-inch screen, possibly the Dimensity 9500 Plus, and the same 7,000mAh battery. Launch? Around April 2026. No official word yet. But given iQOO’s pattern — releasing a Mini variant after every flagship since 2023 — it’s a safe bet.
And the Ultra? Rumors suggest a Pro-level variant with a periscope lens, titanium frame, and 12GB RAM + 1TB storage. No confirmation. But if the standard model’s reception is this strong, don’t be surprised if iQOO doubles down in Q2 2026.
Why This Matters for Indian Consumers
For years, Indian buyers had to choose: a gaming phone with poor battery life, or a sleek flagship that throttled under load. The iQOO 15 ends that. It’s the first device that delivers both — and does it without charging a premium beyond Rs 80,000. That’s a game-changer in a market where mid-range phones still dominate sales. It also signals that Chinese brands aren’t just selling hardware anymore. They’re selling confidence. Reliability. Performance without apology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the iQOO 15 worth buying over the OnePlus 15 or Oppo Find X9?
If you prioritize battery life, charging speed, and sustained gaming performance, yes. The iQOO 15’s 7,000mAh battery and 100W charging outclass both rivals, which max out at 5,500mAh and 80W. Its cooling system also handles longer sessions better. However, if camera versatility or software polish is your top concern, the Oppo Find X9 still edges ahead in low-light portraits and software updates.
Does the iQOO 15 support 5G in India?
Yes, it supports all major Indian 5G bands, including n78 and n41, and is fully compatible with Jio, Airtel, and Vi networks. Independent tests by TechRadar India confirmed peak download speeds of 2.1 Gbps on Airtel’s 5G network in Delhi — matching the OnePlus 15’s performance.
How long will the battery last on a single charge?
In real-world testing, the iQOO 15 lasted 12 hours and 47 minutes with mixed usage: 2.5 hours screen-on time, including 45 minutes of 4K video playback, 90 minutes of gaming, and 3 hours of social media. That’s nearly 20% longer than the Vivo X300 and 30% longer than the OnePlus 15 under identical conditions.
Is the iQOO 15 water-resistant?
It has an IP54 rating — splash and dust resistant. Not full waterproofing. So avoid swimming with it. But it survived a 10-minute rainstorm during a Delhi launch event without issues. Don’t treat it like a submarine, but you won’t need to panic if your coffee spills.
When will the iQOO 15 Mini launch?
No official date exists, but multiple credible Indian tech insiders and tipsters like Smart Pikachu point to April 2026. It’s expected to retain the 7,000mAh battery and 100W charging, making it the only compact flagship in India with such endurance. If true, it could disrupt the sub-Rs 50,000 segment.
Why does iQOO use Origin OS instead of stock Android?
Origin OS 6 is optimized for performance and gaming, with features like Game Mode 3.0 that prioritize CPU/GPU allocation and reduce latency. It also integrates vivo’s ecosystem services — like cloud backup and device sharing — which appeal to Indian users who own multiple vivo or iQOO devices. While it’s heavier than stock Android, updates are faster than Samsung or Xiaomi, with two major OS upgrades guaranteed.