iQOO 15 review: Flagship performance at not-so-flagship pricing

iQOO 15 review

iQOO 15 arrives at a time when flagship smartphones have become increasingly predictable, with most devices offering variations of similar hardware and incremental improvements. iQOO’s identity has traditionally revolved around performance-first ambitions, leaning heavily on benchmark numbers, gaming features, and thermal engineering to stand apart. Over the last year, though, the brand has slowly been reshaping that image, giving equal weight to design maturity, camera consistency, software stability, and long-term support.

iQOO 15 launched

Using the iQOO 15 over an extended period reveals how this shift is starting to take shape. The familiar foundations are still here — fast performance, aggressive frame rates, and efficient cooling — but the phone behaves differently. It feels more mature and more polished and tries to balance those strengths with a more composed feel in hand, a far more capable display, and a battery system that genuinely changes how you plan your day. Small touches across the UI, imaging pipeline, and ergonomics make it clear that the device is not chasing isolated headline features as much as trying to build a more cohesive flagship experience.

We tested the phone to see how well that balance holds up, and whether the iQOO 15 manages to broaden its appeal without compromising the performance-focused identity that has always defined the series.

Spending time with the iQOO 15 highlights a design approach that has matured without abandoning familiarity. The overall shape is recognisable if you’ve used previous models, but the refinements matter more in everyday handling. The curves along the back are softened just enough to allow the flatter sides to rest more securely in the palm. It creates a grip that feels controlled, especially when using the phone one-handed or while holding it in landscape mode during longer gaming sessions.

iQOO 15 review

The two finishes — a white glass-backed Legend edition and a black fiberglass Alpha model — behave differently in use. The Legend version feels understated and solid, while the Alpha variant offers a more textured surface that resists smudges more effectively. What becomes most interesting is how the device manages its weight. With a 7,000 mAh battery inside, expectations lean toward noticeable heaviness, but the weight distribution is balanced enough that you stop thinking about it as the days go by.

The frame feels rigid, the buttons respond cleanly, and the entire device feels solid and premium in hand. The bezels are not the slimmest, and the chin does stand out when compared with rivals that push harder toward symmetry. Still, the device retains a premium character, and the design choices seem to prioritise function over visual minimalism.

iQOO 15 review

A notable change is the Monster Halo lighting. Previously bold and attention-grabbing, it has now shifted into a concealed strip that glows softly during charging, gaming triggers, or notifications. It is more restrained and blends better into the overall design. The IP68 and IP69 ratings offer extra reassurance in day-to-day scenarios, whether that’s a brief accidental splash or dusty outdoor use.

The display is one of the areas where the iQOO 15 feels like a major step forward. At 6.85 inches, the Samsung M14 2K+ AMOLED panel immediately stands out for its clarity and brightness. The LTPO system smoothly handles the refresh-rate shifts between 1 Hz and 144 Hz, making the screen feel both responsive and power-efficient depending on the task at hand.

iQOO 15 display

Where the panel differentiates itself is in outdoor visibility. Even in harsh sunlight, content remains legible without forcing the brightness slider to its peak. The triple ambient light sensor reacts faster than expected, adjusting levels smoothly when moving between different lighting environments. The anti-reflective layer reduces glare to a degree that becomes particularly noticeable when reading, and the circular polarization ensures that colours remain stable when viewed through sunglasses.

Over longer sessions, the display remains comfortable thanks to TÜV Rheinland-certified protection, hardware-level low blue light, and 2160 Hz PWM dimming. Watching HDR content benefits from Dolby Vision support, and the colour accuracy holds up across different profiles. Touch responsiveness remains consistent, and accidental touches are handled well, even with slightly damp fingers, making it suitable for gaming and extended scrolling.

The bezels may not match the symmetry of some rivals, but the overall viewing experience remains among the best in its category, especially for users prioritising clarity, brightness, and fluidity.

As always, the performance remains central to the iQOO 15 experience, and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 ensures that the device handles everything without breaking a sweat. Daily use feels predictable in a good way — apps open instantly, animations stay uniform, and switching between tasks never causes hesitation. UFS 4.1 storage and up to 16 GB of RAM play their part, but much of the stability comes from how well the phone manages heat.

iQOO’s vapor chamber cooling system continues to evolve, and during sustained gaming sessions, the device maintains its composure. Games like BGMI run at a stable 120 FPS, and Genshin Impact delivers smoother performance at higher settings than on previous iQOO flagships. The back warms up gradually, but never to discomfort, and more importantly, the frame rate chart remains stable even after extended session lengths.

In broader use, the software also helps maintain performance consistency. OriginOS feels lighter and more organised this year, with fewer abrupt shifts in animation speed and fewer cases where the UI struggles under background processes. (OriginOS6 review) The system’s responsiveness continues even with AI features running for gallery edits, voice summaries, or note extraction.

The iQOO 15 does not chase benchmark numbers for the sake of impact. Instead, it offers the kind of performance that you stop noticing because it simply keeps up with everything without strain.

The camera system marks a steady, though not aggressive, improvement over previous models. The triple 50 MP setup — covering the main sensor, ultra-wide lens, and 3x telephoto periscope — behaves differently across lighting scenarios, but the overall experience feels more stable than last year.

The main sensor captures daylight scenes with a measured dynamic range and accurate colour handling. Details hold up well, and the phone avoids the instinct to over-sharpen. Low-light shots are good too. They offer acceptable details, colours and vibrance.

iQOO 15 camera

The new 3x telephoto performs well when there is sufficient light, producing sharp frames with consistent exposure. At higher zoom levels, though, the AI-driven processing occasionally introduces inconsistencies in white balance or detail handling. Some shots display slight shifts in tone that feel more algorithm-driven than optical. It works well for medium-range subjects, but it does not consistently match the reliability of higher-end flagships.

The ultra-wide camera gets the job done too. While not award winning, the outputs are good enough in most conditions.

iQOO 15 camera

Portrait mode, however, stands out. Edge detection, depth layering, and background separation combine to produce images that feel dimensional without appearing artificial. Even with beauty effects disabled, some softening remains, but in general, portraits feel more refined than previous iQOO models.

Video stabilisation holds up outdoors, but indoor footage suffers from visible noise and occasional colour shifts. Audio pickup remains clear, and the phone handles motion well, though competitors in the same price range maintain a stronger grip on indoor video quality.

iQOO 15 camera samples

The 7,000 mAh battery shapes much of the daily experience with the iQOO 15. It allows the device to run long gaming sessions, camera use, or navigation-heavy days without creating anxiety about reaching the charger. Screen-on time regularly stays between nine and eleven hours with moderate usage, and even heavy workloads maintain above eight hours.

Charging with the 100W adapter takes around fifty to fifty-five minutes for a full charge. The speed feels practical rather than extreme, and the phone avoids overheating during the process. Wireless charging at 40W is supported, but the absence of an official iQOO wireless charger in India limits how consistently users will take advantage of it.

Battery management tools in the software offer ways to optimise long-term health or reduce the charging speed overnight. Over the review period, the battery remained stable both in performance and temperature.

OriginOS 6 introduces a cleaner visual style that blends playful elements with a more restrained overall look. Lock screen customisation feels more flexible, and the Origin Island feature offers dynamic notifications in a way that becomes subtly useful during navigation, calls, or ongoing tasks.

The AI features extend across the gallery, notes, camera app, and recorder. Tools like AI erase, text extraction, and voice summaries behave reliably, though not always as fast as cloud-driven alternatives. The presence of some pre-loaded apps and unremovable services remains a mild inconvenience, and Play Store’s ad scans occasionally interrupt app installs.

The update commitment — five years of OS updates and seven years of security patches — represents a meaningful step for iQOO and positions the device as a long-term option. Connectivity features like Wi-Fi 7, NFC, and USB 3.2 enhance the experience in ways you appreciate only over time.

The iQOO 15 costs Rs 64,999 and it represents the most balanced direction the company has taken with its flagship line. It does not aim to outperform every competitor in every category, but instead assembles a collection of meaningful strengths — a bright and reliable display, consistent performance, long battery life, improved portraits, and more mature software. Its weaknesses, mainly around video processing and telephoto consistency, keep it from challenging the top camera flagships, but its overall experience feels more dependable and thoughtfully built.

iQOO 15

For users who prioritise performance, battery endurance, and a clear improvement in everyday usability and do not want to spend a fortune, the iQOO 15 stands out as a grounded and confident flagship that builds on the series’ core identity rather than abandoning it.