Introduction: iQOO’s Most Ambitious Flagship Yet
With the launch of the iQOO 15, the company has returned to the flagship market with a fresh sense of confidence and a clear goal, to compete head-to-head with market leaders like OnePlus and Realme while delivering unwavering performance. Although the phone is much more expensive than its predecessor, its superior hardware, improved photographic capabilities, and elegant design are meant to make up for the price difference.
Here is a thorough analysis of the iQOO 15‘s performance in practical applications and whether it really outperforms the competition after using it for a considerable amount of time.
Design: Familiar Yet More Refined
At first sight, the iQOO 15 resembles the brand’s typical aesthetic – clean lines, a boxy frame, and a massive rear camera module. The Legendary Edition, which comes in black and white, is distinguished by its matte white fibreglass rear panel and subtle racing-stripe accent.
Although the design remains recognisable from the iQOO 12 and 13, several refinements elevate the experience:
- A slimmer and cleaner camera module
- A completely flat back and display
- The signature “Halo” notification light moved under the camera module for a more premium look
- High-quality build with IP68/IP69 protection
In hands-on use, the phone feels solid yet not bulky. At around 220g, it provides a comfortable weight that is consistent with its flagship brand.
Display: Big, Bright, and Brilliant
One of the iQOO 15’s striking features is its large 6.85-inch Samsung 2K LTPO OLED display. With a maximum brightness of up to 6000 nits and a smooth 144Hz refresh rate, the screen is perfect for gaming, multimedia, and everyday chores.
Real-World Performance
- Brightness: Exceptional both indoors and outdoors. Even harsh sunlight doesn’t affect readability.
- Smoothness: UI animations, scrolling, and switching apps feel extremely fluid. The phone intelligently switches between 1Hz and 120Hz in everyday use, hitting 144Hz only in supported apps or games.
- Color Accuracy: Balanced saturation with deep blacks and excellent contrast.
- Comfort Features: High-frequency PWM dimming, eye-comfort modes, and no noticeable flickering at low brightness.
Whether binge-watching HDR content or gaming for long hours, the display consistently delivers a premium visual experience.
Performance: Elite Power Backed by Smart Software
The iQOO 15 is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, which is designed for handling the most demanding apps, games, and AI operations with ease. A powerful cooling system and iQOO’s optimisation in its latest software skin improve performance even further.
Everyday and Heavy-Use Experience
The phone does everything smoothly, from messaging, social media, and web browsing even heavy gaming titles like BGMI, Genshin Impact, and Asphalt. Despite long gaming sessions, the tablet keeps relatively cool thanks to its effective thermal management.
The addition of the Q3 gaming chip ensures:
- Stable frame rates
- Better long-session performance
- Improved live-streaming capabilities
For non-gamers, the power translates into a fast, stutter-free experience across daily apps, AI tools, and multitasking.
Software
The UI, which runs on Android 16 with OriginOS 6, is both visually appealing and responsive. There are certain pre-installed programs that can be deleted. Customization options include theme support, layout adjustments, and gesture controls.
Battery: Long-Lasting with Fast Charging
The iQOO 15 comes equipped with a large 7000mAh battery, placing it among the higher-capacity flagships of 2025.
Battery Performance
- Moderate use: Up to 2 days
- Heavy use (gaming + streaming): Around 1.5 days
- Charging: 100W wired charging: Full charge in ~2 hours, Wireless charging: Newly added, a welcome improvement over the previous generation
The battery, paired with the efficient LTPO display, delivers reliability without the constant need for a charger.
Camera: Improved, Versatile, but Not Class-Leading
The iQOO 15 features a triple-camera setup:
- 50MP primary (Sony IMX921) with OIS
- 50MP 3x periscope telephoto (IMX882)
- 50MP ultra-wide lens
- 32MP front camera with 4K 60fps video
Photography Performance
- Primary lens: Sharp, detailed shots with natural color tones and strong performance in both daylight and low light.
- Telephoto: Clean zoomed images with good detail at 3x; higher zoom levels reduce clarity.
- Ultra-wide: Decent but not as sharp as the main sensor; softer details noticeable.
- Selfies: Well-balanced, accurate skin tones, and excellent video clarity.
Overall, the camera system is reliable and versatile, though not the absolute best in the segment- especially compared to competitors focusing heavily on computational photography.
Verdict: A Flagship That Delivers Where It Matters
The iQOO 15 successfully positions itself as a performance-first flagship with strong flagship DNA. It offers:
Strengths:
- Exceptional display
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 performance
- Massive battery + wireless charging
- Premium design and build
- Balanced software experience
Limitations:
- Ultra-wide camera could be sharper
- Higher price compared to earlier iQOO models
Should You Buy It?
The iQOO 15 is a great option for those looking for a flagship phone that specializes in performance, battery life, display quality, and user experience without exceeding ₹80-90K. It comfortably ranks among the best all-rounders in 2025.
Also Read: OnePlus 15R India Launch Teased: Expected Price, Full Specs Breakdown and Design Highlights
2 thoughts on “iQOO 15 Review: A Powerful Flagship That Stands Strong in the 2025 Competition”