Look, I’ve reviewed every iQOO phone since the original iQOO 3, and usually, the story is the same: "Great performance, average cameras, bad software." But the iQOO 15 feels... different.
Launched just weeks ago here in India, this phone is screaming for attention with two massive numbers: Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 and a whopping 7,000 mAh battery. Yes, you read that right. Seven. Thousand.
But with a price tag now touching ₹72,999, it’s no longer a "budget flagship." It’s playing in the big leagues against the OnePlus 14 and the Samsung Galaxy S26. Is it just a gaming phone, or can it finally be your daily driver? I spent 10 days with the Indian retail unit, and the answer might surprise you.
QUICK SPECS TABLE
| Feature | iQOO 15 (Indian Unit) |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3nm) |
| RAM/Storage | 12GB/16GB LPDDR6X |
| Display | 6.85" 2K E9 AMOLED, 144Hz, Flat Panel |
| Brightness | 7000 Nits (Peak) / 1800 Nits (HBM) |
| Battery | 7,000 mAh (Silicon-Carbon "Titan" Tech) |
| Charging | 120W FlashCharge (Wired) + 50W Wireless |
| Main Camera | 50MP Sony IMX9-series (OIS) |
| Telephoto | 50MP Periscope (3x Optical, 100x Digital) |
| OS | Funtouch OS 16 (Based on Android 16) |
| Weight | 215g |
| Price | Starts ₹72,999 |
DESIGN & BUILD: Finally, It Feels Premium
Let's be honest, iQOO phones used to feel a bit "plasticky." That ends here. The iQOO 15 uses a new matte-glass finish that feels like smooth silk but—crucially—doesn't slip out of your hand.
The Weight Trick: Despite packing a 7,000 mAh battery, it only weighs 215g. How? They are using new Silicon-Carbon battery tech which is denser but smaller. It feels lighter than the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The Flat Screen: Thank goodness. iQOO has ditched the curves. We get a flat display with ultra-thin bezels that look futuristic.
Durability: It finally gets IP69 ratings (yes, IP69, not just 68), meaning it can withstand high-pressure water jets.
DISPLAY & VISUALS: A Gamer’s Dream
The screen is a 6.85-inch 2K LTPO AMOLED panel. But numbers don't tell the whole story.
Outdoor Visibility: I took this phone to a cricket stadium under the direct 1 PM Bhopal sun. The 7000 nits peak brightness is marketing fluff (it only hits that on 1% of the screen), but the 1800 nits global brightness is real. I could read Maps and WhatsApp without squinting.
Refresh Rate: It’s 144Hz, but Funtouch OS 16 finally lets you force 144Hz on all apps. Chrome feels buttery smooth.
PWM Dimming: For those with sensitive eyes, the 4320Hz PWM dimming means no headaches at night.
PERFORMANCE & GAMING: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Monster
This is why you buy an iQOO. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 paired with iQOO's custom Q3 Supercomputing Chip is simply unfair to the competition.
AnTuTu Score: It hit 3.8 Million in my test.
Gaming Test (BGMI/COD Mobile):
BGMI: Runs at 120 FPS steady. No drops. After 45 minutes, the phone was warm (41°C) but not hot.
Genshin Impact: Max settings, 60 FPS. It ran for 1 hour with an average frame rate of 59.4 FPS.
Throttling: I ran the CPU Throttling test for 30 minutes. It retained 88% performance, which is unheard of. The vapor chamber cooling actually works.
The Real Truth: If you are a casual user, this power is overkill. You are paying for a Ferrari engine to drive in traffic. But for gamers? This is the holy grail.
CAMERAS: The Surprise Package
Usually, iQOO cameras are "passable." The iQOO 15 is actually "good."
Main Sensor (50MP): Captures excellent detail. The shutter lag is gone. Colors are slightly saturated (typical iQOO style), but foliage looks natural.
The Periscope (3x Optical): This is the game changer. The 50MP periscope lens takes stunning portraits. I compared it with the S26, and while Samsung has better edge detection, iQOO’s skin tones were more pleasing for Indian skin.
Night Mode: It’s fast. No waiting 3 seconds for the shot to process.
BATTERY & CHARGING: 2 Days of Use?
Here is the data from my testing (Standard Mode, 5G On):
08:00 AM: Unplugged (100%)
10:00 PM: After heavy use (Camera, Gaming, Navigation), I still had 35% left.
Verdict: The 7,000 mAh battery is legitimate. Light users can easily push this to 2 full days.
Charging Speed:
0-50%: 11 Minutes.
0-100%: 26 Minutes (using the 120W brick in the box).
Note: It finally supports 50W Wireless Charging, which was missing in older iQOO number series phones.
THE COMPETITION: iQOO 15 vs. The Rivals
We are letting our auto-analysis tool pit the iQOO 15 against the current segment leaders in India (Jan 2026).
| Feature | iQOO 15 | OnePlus 14 | Realme GT 8 Pro |
| Price | ₹72,999 | ₹69,990 | ₹72,999 |
| Processor | SD 8 Gen 5 | SD 8 Gen 5 | SD 8 Gen 5 |
| Battery | 7,000 mAh | 6,500 mAh | 7,000 mAh |
| Charging | 120W | 120W | 120W |
| Camera | Good (50MP 3x Zoom) | Better (Hasselblad Color) | Best Zoom (200MP Tele) |
| UI | Funtouch OS (Bloatware) | OxygenOS (Clean) | RealmeUI (Bloatware) |
The Analysis:
Vs OnePlus 14: OnePlus still has the cleaner software experience. If you hate pre-installed apps, buy the OnePlus. But the iQOO has better battery life and sustained gaming performance.
Vs Realme GT 8 Pro: Realme is using a massive 200MP periscope zoom this year. If you want the best zoom camera, go Realme. For raw performance and stability, go iQOO.
Winner: iQOO 15 wins on pure hardware value and battery endurance. OnePlus 14 wins on software.
FINAL VERDICT: Should You Buy It?
The iQOO 15 is no longer the "cheap flagship." It is a premium device that finally fixes the battery anxiety and build quality issues of the past.
✅ Buy it if:
You are a Gamer: The cooling system and 144Hz flat screen are unmatched.
You want Battery Life: 7,000 mAh is a lifestyle change. You stop carrying a power bank.
You consume media: The 2K E9 display is gorgeous.
❌ Skip it if:
You hate Bloatware: Funtouch OS 16 still has "Hot Apps" and "Hot Games" folders you need to disable.
You need the BEST Camera: The S26 Ultra or Pixel 10 still beat it in video stabilization.
You are on a budget: At ₹73k, it’s expensive. Wait for the sale price (likely ₹64k in 3 months).
⭐ Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
