In a market where even premium flagship smartphones struggle with shortcomings months after launch, the iQOO 15 arrives as a refreshing surprise — a device that feels almost flawless in its execution. Equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, a massive 7000mAh silicon-carbon battery, a triple 50MP rear camera setup, and an advanced 2K LEAD OLED display, the iQOO 15 positions itself as one of the most powerful all-rounder phones of the year.
I have used the Legend White variant as my primary phone for the past two weeks. Here is a detailed breakdown of its real-world performance and whether it justifies your investment.
Premium Unboxing and In-Hand Feel
The iQOO 15 makes a strong first impression right out of the box. The package includes:
- A high-quality silicone protective case
- A 100W Type-C charger
- A Type-C to Type-C cable
The device itself offers a luxurious feel — a matte glass back combined with flat aluminum frames ensures a sturdy yet elegant build. Subtle curvature along the rear edges makes it comfortable to hold for long durations. The phone clearly reflects flagship-grade craftsmanship.
A Display That Outshines Flagship Rivals
The iQOO 15 features a 6.85-inch 2K LEAD OLED panel, widely regarded as one of the most advanced smartphone displays available in the market today. Reports suggest Samsung may use this same panel in its upcoming S26 Ultra.
Key Display Highlights:
- 6000 nits peak brightness
- 144Hz refresh rate
- Support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+
Whether you are watching movies, scrolling social media, or gaming, the display delivers a crisp, vibrant, and highly immersive experience. Watching The Family Man Season 3 on this device looked even more impressive than on a TV — a testimony to its world-class visual quality.
Performance & Software: Smooth, Fast, and Highly Customisable
The iQOO 15 is the first smartphone in India to run Origin OS 6, based on Android 16. With smooth animations, deeper customisation, and new features, the OS feels polished and intuitive.
Notable Features of Origin OS 6:
- Dynamic video wallpapers on the lock screen
- Resizable home screen icons
- iOS-inspired widgets
- A redesigned “Origin Island”, similar to Apple’s Dynamic Island but more interactive
- “Drag and Go” feature for quick sharing by simply dragging copied content
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 ensures ultra-smooth performance, which we will cover separately in a dedicated gaming review.
Camera: Flagship-Level Consistency in Every Shot
The iQOO 15 sports three 50MP sensors:
- 50MP Main Camera with OIS
- 50MP Ultra-Wide Lens
- 50MP Telephoto Periscope with OIS (up to 100X zoom)
Camera Performance:
- Excellent detail in daylight as well as low light
- Natural colours with well-balanced processing
- Crisp portraits with accurate edge detection
- Strong zoom capability, delivering usable shots even at 100X
- Impressive selfie camera with high-detail shots
During a recent trip, friends chose the iQOO 15 over their expensive iPhones for taking pictures — the results were that impressive.
Battery Life: A New Benchmark
The massive 7000mAh battery eliminates one of the biggest complaints users have with flagship phones. With heavy usage and all features switched on, the device delivered:
- 1 day 1 hour backup
- 7 hours 29 minutes Screen-on-Time
Charging Time:
- 0 to 100% in just 1 hour 7 minutes with the included 100W charger.
This is exceptional for such a powerful flagship.
Final Verdict: A Flagship That Gets Almost Everything Right
The iQOO 15 is a rare device that leaves very little to criticise. From speaker quality to haptic feedback, from display brilliance to camera reliability, the smartphone offers top-tier performance in every category without unnecessary cost-cutting.
If you want a single smartphone that excels in gaming, photography, display quality, and long-lasting battery, the iQOO 15 is one of the best choices available today.
⭐ Rating: 4.5/5
It truly is an all-rounder that makes even premium flagships feel inadequate.