iQOO 15: The Gaming Phone That’s Already Breaking Records – And Why India Can’t Wait

The iQOO 15 has taken the gaming world by storm. Imagine a phone that can handle two straight days of gaming, deliver ultra-smooth visuals, and still fit your budget.

That’s what iQOO’s latest powerhouse brings to the table. Launched recently in China, this new flagship from Vivo’s sub-brand has already made headlines, selling over 300,000 units in its first week, outpacing its predecessor by 2.5 times.

Also Read: Xiaomi 17 Pro: When Will This Game-Changing Phone Hit India? Don’t Hold Your Breath Just Yet

Key Takeaways iQOO 15

• Over 300,000 units sold in the first week in China.
• India launch on November 26, with search interest up 150%.
• Powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and custom Q3 gaming chip.
• 7,000mAh battery promises 2 days of heavy gaming.
• Expected India price: ₹64,999–₹69,990.

The Buzz Around iQOO 15

Launched in China on October 20, the iQOO 15 created massive traction from day one. Pre-orders crossed 500,000 units, and sales doubled compared to the iQOO 13 within 24 hours.

Social media platforms have been flooded with discussions mentions on X surged by 300%, with hashtags like #BeTheGOAT and #iQOO15 trending among gamers and tech fans.

In India, the excitement is growing fast. iQOO’s CEO Nipun Marya confirmed that the device will launch through Amazon and Flipkart, with pre-registrations already open.

Priced at around CNY 4,299 (₹51,000) in China, it undercuts competitors like the OnePlus 15 while offering equally strong performance.

A recent firmware update on October 25 addressed early display issues, showing iQOO’s quick response to feedback. Early unboxings on YouTube have already crossed millions of views, with reviewers calling it “a console packed into a phone.”

The Specs That Define Power

Here’s what makes the iQOO 15 stand out from the rest:

Display:
6.85-inch Samsung LTPO AMOLED “Everest” display with 2K resolution (1440×3168 pixels), 144Hz refresh rate, and up to 2,600 nits peak brightness. It even goes down to 1 nit for comfortable nighttime reading.

Performance:
Equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (4.6GHz) and iQOO’s Q3 gaming chip, it delivers consistent 144FPS performance in demanding titles. With 12GB or 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB UFS 4.1 storage, performance is rock solid. The 8K vapor chamber cooling system (8,000mm²) keeps temperatures below 40°C. Benchmark scores hover around 2.8 million on AnTuTu, slightly ahead of the OnePlus 15.

Camera:
Triple rear setup 50MP IMX921 main sensor with OIS, 50MP ultrawide, and 50MP Sony IMX882 periscope telephoto (3x optical zoom). Front camera is 32MP, ideal for video calls and portraits.

Battery:
A 7,000mAh silicon-carbon battery, 15% bigger than before, offering 12–14 hours of screen-on time. It charges fully in 28 minutes with 100W wired and 40W wireless charging. The phone also carries an IP68/IP69 rating for durability.

Extras:
Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, USB 3.2 Gen 1, NFC, IR blaster, stereo speakers, and RGB halo light around the cameras. It’s slim at 8.1mm and weighs around 215–220g.

Feature	iQOO 15	OnePlus 15
Display	6.85″ 2K LTPO AMOLED, 144Hz	6.78″ 1.5K LTPO AMOLED, 165Hz
Processor	Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 + Q3	Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 + G2
Battery	7,000mAh, 100W wired / 40W wireless	7,300mAh, 120W wired / 50W wireless
Camera	50MP triple (3x periscope)	50MP triple (3.5x periscope)
Starting Price (China)	CNY 4,299 (~₹51,000)	CNY 3,999 (~₹47,000)
OS	OriginOS 6 / Funtouch OS 15 (India)	OxygenOS 16

The iQOO 15 edges ahead with higher resolution and superior cooling, while OnePlus scores on faster charging.

What Users Are Saying

Public response has been overwhelmingly positive. On X, over 45,000 posts discuss the phone, with 75% of comments being positive and 60% of that buzz coming from India.

Top Wins:

• Battery life: Users report two full days on heavy use.
• Gaming: Stable 120–144FPS in PUBG and COD Mobile with strong haptics.
• Value: Priced under ₹70K, many call it a “flagship killer.”
• Display: Anti-glare coating and brightness make outdoor use easy.

Common Concerns:

• Design: Some find the look plain compared to gaming phones like RedMagic.
• Camera: Great zoom, but portraits could be better.
• Software: Users hope the Indian version will have fewer ads.
• Price: Starting near ₹65K might be high for budget gamers.

Overall sentiment remains highly positive, especially for its battery efficiency and gaming performance.

Why iQOO 15 Stands Apart

Among Snapdragon 8 Elite phones, the iQOO 15 sets a strong benchmark. Compared to the Vivo X200 Pro, it offers better endurance.

Against the Xiaomi 15, it provides superior thermal control. And when put beside the OnePlus 15, the iQOO 15’s display quality and camera zoom give it an edge for gamers and power users alike.

If you want a flagship-level gaming experience without crossing the ₹70K mark, this is a strong contender. Searches for “iQOO 15 gaming” have risen by 60%, proving its rising appeal in the gaming community.

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