The Performance Purist’s Dream: iQOO 15 Confirmed for India on November 26

In the relentless race for smartphone dominance, some brands focus on cameras. Others focus on ecosystems. And then there’s iQOO. For years, iQOO has carved out a formidable reputation with a singular, uncompromising mission: to deliver the absolute pinnacle of raw performance.

As an analyst who’s tracked this brand since its “BMW Motorsport” days, I can tell you that iQOO doesn’t just participate in the spec war; it starts it.

And this year, they’re lighting the first fuse.

It’s official. iQOO India CEO Nipun Marya has confirmed that the iQOO 15 will launch in India on November 26, 2025.² Forget the leaks and rumors; this is a confirmed date. This launch is significant not just for iQOO, but for the entire Indian smartphone market. Why? Because the iQOO 15 is set to be one of the very first, if not the first, devices in India to ship with the brand-new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset.³

This isn’t just an iterative update. This is a monster. Based on the phone’s recent debut in China and the official teasers, we have a crystal-clear picture of what’s coming. Let’s dive deep into the specs, the strategy, and what this “performance flagship” truly means for you.

The Heart of the Beast: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

Let’s start with the main event. The iQOO 15’s entire identity is built around the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. As a tech expert, I’m less interested in the marketing numbers and more in the why. This chip, built on a cutting-edge 3nm-class process, represents a monumental leap in three key areas:

1. Oryon CPU Cores: This is the big one. Qualcomm’s custom-designed Oryon cores are finally here, clocked at staggering speeds up to 4.6GHz.⁴ This isn’t just about faster app opening; it’s about sustained, high-load performance for desktop-level tasks and gaming, all while being more power-efficient than the last generation.
2. On-Device AI: The new Hexagon NPU (Neural Processing Unit) is a powerhouse.⁵ This enables complex “Agentic AI” features—think a personal assistant that can manage tasks across multiple apps, summarize long conversations, and edit photos in real-time, all without sending your data to a server.⁶ This is faster, more secure, and genuinely smarter.
3. Console-Grade Gaming: The new Adreno GPU brings a 25% improvement in ray-tracing capabilities.⁷ This means more realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections in supported games, finally bridging the gap between mobile and console visuals.

For the iQOO 15, this isn’t just a spec. It’s the engine for everything. But as any expert knows, an engine is useless without a world-class transmission and cooling.

The “Performance Iron Trio”

iQOO knows this, which is why they’ve paired the Gen 5 with the “Performance Iron Trio”:

• RAM & Storage: We’re expecting up to 16GB of LPDDR5X Ultra RAM and 1TB of UFS 4.1 storage.⁸ This is the fastest memory and storage commercially available, eliminating I/O bottlenecks.
• Dedicated Q3 Chip: iQOO will include its proprietary Q3 gaming chip.⁹ This is the secret sauce. It offloads tasks from the main GPU, handling things like frame interpolation (MEMC) to boost games to 144FPS and AI-based super-resolution to make 2K gaming more efficient.¹⁰
• Cooling System: Leaks point to a massive 8000mm² vapor chamber. This isn’t just a marketing gimmick. A chip this powerful generates heat. This cooling solution is what will separate the iQOO 15 from its rivals, allowing it to sustain peak performance for longer gaming sessions without throttling.

Also Read: The Action Cam War Just Exploded: First Osmo Action 6 Images Reveal a 1-Inch Sensor and 8K Ambition

Display: A 144Hz 2K Panel Built for Gaming and Eyes

The arms race for peak brightness has gotten a little absurd. What I’m far more interested in is the quality and comfort of the display, and iQOO seems to have delivered.

The iQOO 15 is expected to feature a 6.85-inch 2K (3168 x 1440) Samsung M14 AMOLED flat display.¹¹ Here’s why that’s a brilliant choice:

• 2K + 144Hz: While some rivals push 165Hz, the 144Hz refresh rate is the practical sweet spot, supported by more games.¹² The 2K resolution on a flat panel is what pro-gamers and media consumers crave—no accidental touches, no color distortion at the edges.
• LTPO 8T Technology: This allows the refresh rate to dynamically drop as low as 1Hz when you’re looking at a static photo, saving enormous amounts of battery.
• Peak Brightness (That Actually Matters): It boasts a huge peak brightness (up to 6000 nits for HDR) but, more importantly, a high typical brightness (HBM) of up to 2600 nits, making it exceptionally clear in direct sunlight.¹³
• Eye Protection: It includes 2160Hz high-frequency PWM dimming.¹⁴ This is a feature I cannot overstate. For users sensitive to screen flicker at low brightness, this will drastically reduce eye strain.

Battery & Charging: A 7,000mAh Revolution

This might be the single biggest upgrade. For years, iQOO has been the king of insane charging speeds, topping out at 200W. But as an expert, I’ve always argued that a slightly slower charge on a much bigger battery is the more practical, user-friendly choice.

iQOO has listened.

The iQOO 15 is confirmed to pack a colossal 7,000mAh battery.¹⁵ This isn’t a typical battery; it’s a new-generation “Blue Ocean” silicon-carbon battery.¹⁶ This technology allows for much higher energy density—fitting more power into the same physical space.

To power this beast, it supports 100W wired fast charging and, finally, 40W wireless charging.¹⁷

Sure, 100W is a “downgrade” from the 120W or 200W on past models, but let’s be realistic. You’re still getting from 1% to 100% in around 30 minutes. But now, you’re charging a 7,000mAh cell. This phone is an undisputed two-day endurance champion. This, for me, is a far more “pro” feature than a 10-minute charge.

Cameras: Has iQOO Finally Caught Up?

This has always been iQOO’s Achilles’ heel. Their cameras have always been “good,” but never “great” when compared to their Vivo X-series cousins or Samsung’s Ultras.

The iQOO 15 looks to change that. The specs from the Chinese model are impressive:

• Main Camera: 50MP Sony IMX921 sensor.¹⁸ This is a large, flagship-grade sensor with OIS.¹⁹
• Ultrawide: 50MP Samsung JN1 sensor.²⁰
• Telephoto: 50MP IMX882 Periscope Telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.²¹

A 50+50+50 setup is a powerful statement. It means no “filler” 2MP macro lenses. The inclusion of a high-resolution 3x periscope lens (which can deliver up to 100x digital zoom) is a massive upgrade and puts it in direct competition with the best camera phones.²²

The hardware is there. The real test will be the software and processing. The V4 imaging chip will help, but the proof will be in the final image quality. This is the one area where I remain “cautiously optimistic.”

A New Software Experience: OriginOS 6 Lands in India

This is a huge deal for Indian users. iQOO has officially confirmed that the iQOO 15 will ditch FuntouchOS in India and launch with the all-new OriginOS 6 (based on Android 16).²³

For years, Indian users have looked at the feature-rich, beautifully designed Chinese-market OriginOS with envy. FuntouchOS always felt like a “lite” version. OriginOS 6, with its “Atomic Island” (similar to Apple’s Dynamic Island) and fluid, “Liquid Glass” design, feels like a true flagship software experience.²⁴

This move unifies iQOO’s global software and shows a serious commitment to the Indian market. The only remaining question is the update policy. To truly compete, iQOO needs to offer 4 years of OS and 5 years of security updates, matching Samsung and Google.

Expected Pros & Cons: An Expert’s Quick Analysis

Pros	Cons
Unmatched Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 + Q3 chip will be the fastest combo on the market.	Price Increase: These flagship specs, especially the 7,000mAh battery, will likely push the price above the ₹65,000 mark.
Two-Day Battery Life: The 7,000mAh silicon-carbon battery is a revolutionary upgrade.	Camera Processing Still a Question: The hardware is great, but can the software compete with Pixel or Vivo?
Flagship 2K 144Hz Display: A flat, bright, and responsive screen perfect for gamers and media.	Size and Weight: A 7,000mAh battery and a 6.85-inch screen mean this will be a large and heavy phone (likely 220g+).
OriginOS 6 in India: A massive software upgrade in terms of design, features, and feel.	Bloatware Concerns: OriginOS is new to India. We don’t know if the Indian version will come with pre-installed apps.
Premium Triple Camera: A 50+50+50 setup with a periscope lens is finally a “no-compromise” system.	Update Policy TBD: iQOO must commit to a long-term update promise to be a true flagship.

My Personal Verdict: Who Should Be Excited?

The iQOO 15, launching on November 26, is not just another phone. It’s a statement of intent.

It’s clear who this phone is for: the performance purist. This is for the gamer who demands 144FPS, the power user who lives in spreadsheets and video renders, and the tech enthusiast who must have the latest and greatest chip, RAM, and battery technology first.

Also Read: Fitbit’s 2026 Revival: Why a “Back-to-Basics” Charge 7 & Luxe 2 Are What We’ll See First

The upgrade to a 7,000mAh battery is, in my expert opinion, the most significant move. It shows a maturity in iQOO’s design, prioritizing real-world, all-day (and all-night) endurance over a 10-minute charging gimmick.

This phone will be the benchmark for every 2026 Android flagship. It’s throwing down the gauntlet to the upcoming OnePlus 15 and the (later) Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.

If you are a gamer, a spec-chaser, or someone who simply hates the sight of a battery icon turning red, the iQOO 15 should be at the very top of your list. This is the new speed king, and it’s bringing the battery to match.