iQOO 15 review in 8 points: The potential is there, but is it better than the OnePlus 15?
The iQOO 15 has been launched in India as a powerful, polished flagship that offers an exceptional display, top-tier performance, and long battery life. But priced at Rs 72,999, it now competes with other premium flagships from OnePlus and Realme. So, does it manage to keep its word? Let us answer in 8 points in this review.
For the flagship game of 2025-2026, the iQOO 15 arrives in India as a strong contender, offering a well-balanced package for anyone looking for a premium Android phone. While the device is absolutely capable, with the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, best-in-class Samsung 2K M14 LTPO OLED display with 144Hz refresh rate, 50-megapixel primary sensor paired with a 50-megapixel Sony 3x periscope lens and a massive 7000mAh battery, iQOO has priced its flagship at Rs 72,999, making it a direct competitor to OnePlus. 15 and Realme. GT8 Pro
The iQOO 15 promises to be powerful and sturdier than its competitors, and that’s a bold claim – especially with a price that’s Rs 18,000 more than the predecessor iQOO 13. But does the iQOO 15 really justify the jump? We have already shared our detailed experience in our full review. You can read it here: iQOO 15 review: Stands out among the competition.
But for readers who want a brief summary of what the iQOO 15 actually brings, and whether it’s the flagship you should buy to experience the best of Android, here’s an 8 point review covering its strengths, weaknesses, and whether it makes sense in the crowded 2025 flagship landscape.
Point 1: Strong construction, and a familiar design
The iQOO 15 looks and feels very much like a part of the iQOO family. The design language hasn’t changed dramatically since the iQOO 12, but that’s not a deal-breaker. We reviewed the white “Legendary Edition” version – white in color, which carries the signature racing-stripe motif, a matte fiberglass back, and a boxy, premium frame. There are also some small changes that make it slightly different from iQOO 13.
This time, iQOO has flattened everything including the frame and panel to give it a clean silhouette. The squircle camera module is thinner, and the Monster Halo light now sits subtly below the module instead of on the side. While these are small changes, they add a premium touch, and the lighting definitely adds a bit of personality, something that many modern flagships don’t manage.
At 220 grams, the iQOO 15 isn’t light, but it feels well balanced and sturdy in the hand. With IP68 and IP69 ratings, iQOO is also offering the best dust and water protection available in this segment.
Point 2: The best display you can get in a flagship right now
If there’s one area where the iQOO 15 delivers a clear knockout punch over the rest of the flagship market, it’s the display. The phone sports a massive 6.85-inch Samsung 2K M14 LTPO OLED panel with a 144Hz refresh rate and 6000 nits peak brightness. This is easily one of the best screens you can get on a smartphone right now.
In real-world use, this display is nothing short of spectacular. The brightness remains consistently readable even in direct sunlight, indoors or outdoors. Auto-brightness responds quickly, colors appear natural, and contrast is well balanced without over-saturation.
The refresh rate remains adaptive as expected, switching between 1Hz and 120Hz during regular use and climbing up to 144Hz in supported games.
Simply put: the iQOO 15 has one of the brightest, sharpest, and most captivating flagship displays of 2025.
Point 3: Powerful performance
Running on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the iQOO 15 is as fast as you’d expect from a 2025 flagship. Be it everyday tasks including social media, messaging, browsing or streaming, the phone runs everything smoothly. There is no noticeable lag or frame drops even when switching between multiple apps.
The phone performs equally well even under heavy workloads. Games like BGMI, Genshin Impact, and Asphalt 9 run smoothly, and the cooling system keeps the device from getting uncomfortably hot. For users who don’t play games but still want top-tier speeds for AI features, productivity apps, or heavy multitasking, the iQOO 15 delivers consistently smooth performance without any drama.
Point 4: A chip to boost gaming
iQOO has always been focused on its performance-centric, gaming-friendly identity. With the iQOO 15, it continues this approach by adding the Q3 gaming chip. This dedicated chip helps with frame stabilization, live-stream optimization, and maintaining consistent temperatures during long sessions.
Not everyone needs a gaming-specific chip, but for those who want to play difficult titles or stream gameplay, the chip definitely improves the gaming experience.
Point 5: UI complements power
The iQOO 15 is the first phone in India to run OriginOS 6 based on Android 16, and the software feels responsive, polished, and visually sophisticated. Animations look smooth, transitions feel tight, and the interface complements the speed of the hardware very well.
Some apps are pre-installed, but nothing you can’t uninstall. You also get lots of customization options for themes, icons, lock screen, and gestures.
Point 6: Battery that lasts
iQOO 15 comes with a 7000mAh battery. It’s not the largest in the segment – the OnePlus 15 has a 7300mAh unit – but 7000mAh is still plenty big and easily lasts long days. With moderate usage on a weekday, the phone comfortably lasts for almost two full days. On a weekend full of gaming, video streaming, and photography, it still lasted for a day and a half on a single charge.
Charging via a 100W wired charger takes about two hours, which is slower than some ultra-fast-charging rivals but still respectable considering the size of the battery. And yes – it finally gets wireless charging, which is a welcome upgrade compared to the iQOO 13.
Point 7: Capable Camera
The iQOO 15 brings a triple-camera setup with three 50-megapixel sensors, primary, ultrawide, and a 32-megapixel selfie camera with a periscope telephoto.
In good lighting, the main sensor captures excellent detail, natural colors and strong dynamic range. Performance is solid even in low light, with minimal noise and good sharpness. The 3x periscope lens creates pleasing portrait shots with natural depth of field.
However, ultrawide cameras also have limitations as images are softer and less detailed than the primary sensor. Macro performance could also be improved.
The selfie camera performs consistently well even in low light, with natural skin tones and good exposure controls.
Point 8: Pricing game
And this is where things get interesting. The iQOO 13 was launched at Rs 54,999, while the iQOO 15 price starts at Rs 72,999, which is a massive increase of Rs 18,000. Bank offers bring the effective price down to Rs 64,999, but still, iQOO is no longer the “value flagship” it was last year.
Now, it sits directly alongside the OnePlus 15 and Realme GT 8 Pro, both of which offer highly competitive feature sets.
Decision
So is it worth it? The iQOO 15 is undoubtedly a powerful, sophisticated, and incredibly capable flagship that hits almost all the right criteria. But at this price it faces tough competition. It’s absolutely worth considering, but it no longer enjoys the “price advantage” that made previous iQOO flagships such easy recommendations.
If you are comfortable spending around Rs 70,000 and want a powerful phone, one of the best displays in the segment, and excellent battery life, the iQOO 15 stands out among its rivals. But if you’re looking for better camera versatility or a more aggressive price-to-performance ratio, there are certainly other flagships that may tempt you more.
