iQOO 15 Review: Affordable Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Flagship?

content: iQOO 15 First Impressions: Display & Build

The iQOO 15 immediately stands out with its 6.85-inch 144Hz LTPO AMOLED display using M14 material – identical to premium devices like the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Our testing confirms its industry-leading brightness: 2,600 nits in HBM mode and a peak of 6,000 nits. This display sets a new benchmark for color accuracy and HDR10+ support. The device features a glass-metal sandwich design with two color options (including a matte white) and an illuminated RGB ring around the camera module. Despite the 7,000mAh battery, weight distribution feels balanced at 204g. Notably, it carries IP68/69 dust/water resistance – a rare feature in this segment.

Build & Durability Notes

The phone survived multiple accidental drops during our unboxing onto hard floors with zero damage, thanks to its fiberglass-reinforced frame. The included anti-reflective screen protector shouldn’t be removed as the coating is applied to it rather than the display itself. Haptics deserve special mention – the ultra-precise vibration motor rivals high-end competitors.

content: Performance & Gaming Capabilities

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset, the iQOO 15 scored approximately 3.95 million on AnTuTu and 3,700+ (single-core)/11,000+ (multi-core) on Geekbench. The new Q3 Super Computing chip enables 2K gaming resolution and frame interpolation up to 144Hz. During testing, Call of Duty Mobile and BGMI ran at 120FPS, while demanding titles like Genshin Impact averaged 59.5FPS. Crucially, thermals peaked at just 39°C thanks to the 8,000mm² vapor chamber cooling system.

Gaming Enhancements:

Ultra Game Mode lists titles supporting 144Hz/2K resolution
Bypass charging reduces heat during extended sessions
Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos enhance immersion

Battery & Charging

The 7,000mAh battery delivered 7 hours screen-on time initially, with 8-9 hours expected after optimization. It supports 100W wired charging (in-box charger) AND 40W wireless charging – a significant upgrade over predecessors.

content: Software & Long-Term Value

The iQOO 15 debuts Origin OS 16 based on Android 14, marking a major UI overhaul. Compared to Funtouch OS, it offers modern aesthetics, fluid animations, and features like:

Seamless cross-device file sharing
AI call translation and image enhancement
Circle to Search integration
Crucially, iQOO promises 5 years of OS updates and 7 years of security patches – exceptional for Android flagships. One caveat: First-party apps like the App Store send persistent notifications, though these can be disabled.

content: Camera System Analysis

The triple 50MP setup includes:

Primary: Sony IMX921 sensor
Ultra-wide: Samsung JN1 sensor
Telephoto: Sony IMX882 (3x optical zoom)
Front camera: 32MP with 90° FoV (wider than iQOO 13’s 72°).

Real-World Performance:
Daylight photos exhibit excellent dynamic range and natural skin tones, leveraging Vivo’s computational photography. The 3x portrait mode delivers precise edge detection. However, digital zoom beyond 10x introduces visible AI artifacts. Video capabilities include 4K/60fps across all cameras, though 4K/120fps and LOG profiles are absent. Low-light performance benefits from the "NightSight 2.0" algorithm.

content: Verdict: Flagship Killer?

Priced around ₹65,000, the iQOO 15 makes a compelling case as 2024’s most affordable true flagship. Its strengths are undeniable:

Benchmark-setting display with unmatched brightness
Thermally-constrained Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 performance
Game-changing Origin OS with long-term support
Premium build with IP68/69 rating

While camera limitations exist at extreme zoom, and bloatware notifications annoy, these are minor tradeoffs. For gamers and power users, the iQOO 15 delivers 95% of premium experiences at 70% of the cost. As one of the first Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 devices under ₹70k, it reshapes the value flagship segment.

Actionable Takeaways:

Test haptic feedback in-store – its quality surprises
Enable 144Hz interpolation for supported games
Disable "Glance" notifications in settings
Use the included charger for 100W peak speeds
Avoid removing the anti-reflective screen protector

"Which feature – the display, gaming performance, or software support – would most influence your purchase? Share your priority below!"

Resource Recommendations:

Beginners: GSMArena’s camera comparison tool (visual spec analysis)
Enthusiasts: Chipset performance deep dives on AnandTech (technical insights)