The iQOO 15 isn’t just another gaming phone—it’s a performance beast with a 6.85-inch 2K 144Hz display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, and dedicated Q3 graphics processor for ray tracing and frame interpolation. At $749 (base), it offers 59 FPS in Genshin Impact, 100W charging, and a 7,000 mAh battery lasting 11+ hours. The 50MP IMX921 main camera with periscope telephoto delivers solid photos, but it gets warm under load. For gamers wanting desktop-like smoothness, it’s a front-runner — but casual users may find it overkill.
Rating: 9.0/10 — best Android gaming phone of 2025.
Introduction
The mobile gaming world is more competitive than ever in 2025, with phones pushing boundaries like never before. Enter the iQOO 15 — Vivo’s latest flagship that’s not just chasing the pack but leading it. Launched as the performance powerhouse of the iQOO lineup, this phone packs a 6.85-inch 2K display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, and a revolutionary Q3 graphics chip that brings ray tracing and frame interpolation to mobile games. It’s designed for gamers who demand desktop-level visuals on the go, but with a 7,000 mAh battery and 100W charging, it’s also a daily driver that won’t quit.
I spent a week with the iQOO 15 in a real-world setup — running Genshin Impact marathons, Honkai: Star Rail sessions, and everyday tasks like streaming Netflix and editing photos. The result? A phone that delivers on every promise, from buttery-smooth 144Hz scrolling to stable 60 FPS gameplay. But at $749 for the base model, is it worth the hype, or is it overkill for casual users? This review dives into design, display, performance, gaming, camera, battery, software, and value to help you decide if the iQOO 15 is the new king of gaming phones.
Design & Build Quality
The iQOO 15 sticks to iQOO’s signature gaming aesthetic — bold, aggressive, and unapologetically gamer-focused. The 6.85-inch flat screen is surrounded by minimal bezels, giving it a sleek, modern look that feels premium without being flashy. The right-angled side frames provide a solid grip, making it comfortable for long gaming sessions. The back panel has evolved from the curved glass of the iQOO 14 to a completely flat micro-curved design, which feels sleek and modern while reducing fingerprints.
The camera module, dubbed the “Wanderer’s Trail”, features a relocated energy ring below the decorative camera ring, creating sharper lines and a more refined appearance. Available in Legend Edition, Ling Yun, Track, and Wilderness colorways, the iQOO 15 looks elegant yet edgy. The Ling Yun variant I tested has a matte finish that resists smudges, and the overall build is sturdy with a plastic frame that’s lightweight at 212 grams and 8.1 mm thin.
Durability is solid, with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front and a plastic back that’s scratch-resistant. It’s IP64 dust and water resistant, surviving light rain during my outdoor gaming test without issues. Compared to the OnePlus 13R or Redmi K70, the iQOO 15 feels more premium, with a flat design that lies flat on tables without wobbling. For gamers who want a phone that looks as good as it performs, the iQOO 15 delivers — it’s gaming gear that doesn’t scream “gamer.”
Display: 2K Resolution, 144Hz Refresh, 2730 Nits Brightness
The iQOO 15’s 6.85-inch 2K LTPO AMOLED display is a game-changer for mobile gaming and media consumption. With 3,280 x 1,440 resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate, every swipe, scroll, and frame feels buttery smooth. The LTPO technology dynamically adjusts refresh from 1Hz to 144Hz, saving battery during static scenes like menus or e-books.
Brightness is a highlight: manual max of 1,122 nits and peak full-screen of 2,730 nits make it visible in direct sunlight. My test playing Genshin Impact outdoors showed no glare, with colors popping and details sharp. The HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support deliver vibrant, dynamic range in Netflix shows, and the 10-bit color depth renders 1.07 billion colors for accurate skin tones and landscapes.
The PWM dimming at 1,920 Hz reduces flicker for eye comfort, and the in-display fingerprint sensor unlocks in 0.2 seconds. Compared to the OnePlus 13R’s 120Hz, the iQOO 15’s 144Hz feels snappier, and its 2,730 nits outshines the Redmi K70’s 2,000 nits. For US gamers or Indian streamers, this display is immersive and reliable, making it a top pick for entertainment.
Performance & Gaming Tests
Under the hood, the iQOO 15 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, a 4nm chip with 8 cores (1x Cortex-X4 at 3.3GHz, 5x A720 at 3.15GHz, 2x A520 at 2.3GHz). Paired with 12GB LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB UFS 4.0 storage, it handles multitasking like a pro — running 20 Chrome tabs, Netflix, and PUBG without stutter.
Benchmarks confirm its prowess:
- AnTuTu v10: 1,800,000+
- Geekbench 6 Single-Core: 2,200
- Multi-Core: 7,000
- 3DMark Wild Life Extreme: 4,500
In Genshin Impact (high settings), it averaged 59.8 FPS with 3.99W power draw and 40°C max temp — smooth and cool. Honkai: Star Rail hit 58.2 FPS at 980p, with 8.28W and 50.4°C — stable but warm.
Compared to Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the iQOO 14, the Gen 3 is 20% faster in CPU and 30% in GPU, making it future-proof for 2026 games. For casual gamers, it’s overkill; for competitive players, it’s essential.
The Q3 Graphics Chip: A Game-Changer
The Q3 dedicated graphics chip is iQOO’s secret weapon — essentially a mobile GPU accelerator for ray tracing, super resolution, and frame interpolation.
Key Features:
- Ray Tracing in Genshin Impact: Enhanced lighting and shadows — sparks look realistic, reflections pop.
- 2K Super Resolution: Upscales to sharper textures without artifacts.
- 120 FPS Frame Interpolation: Smoother motion in 60 FPS games.
My test in Genshin Impact showed clearer environments with ray tracing, and 60% resolution scaling with XESS upscaling hit 65 FPS — DLSS-like without blur. Power draw rose 1–2W, but temps stayed under 45°C.
For PC gamers transitioning to mobile, the Q3 feels like NVIDIA’s magic. Compared to MediaTek Dimensity 9300 in rivals, iQOO’s chip is unique — enabling desktop features on phones.
Camera Performance
The iQOO 15’s triple camera setup is solid for a gaming phone. The 50MP main sensor (IMX921, f/1.75, OIS) captures sharp, detailed photos with good dynamic range. Daytime shots are vibrant, with accurate colors and minimal noise. The periscope telephoto (64MP, IMX882, 3x optical zoom) is a standout, delivering crisp 10x digital zoom without softness.
The 5MP ultra-wide is average — good for landscapes but distorted at edges. Selfies with the 16MP front camera are bright and natural, with good skin tones for video calls.
Video: 4K 60fps with stable OIS, but low-light noise is noticeable. AI features like AI Erase and AI Upscale enhance shots, but it’s no flagship camera.
For US social media users or Indian vloggers, it’s reliable — not a photography beast, but good enough for gaming-focused buyers.
Battery Life & Charging
The 7,000 mAh battery is an endurance champ. My test: 11 hours 21 minutes of mixed use (gaming, streaming, browsing) — 2 hours more than iQOO 14. The Genshin Impact session lasted 6 hours continuously.
Charging: 100W wired (0–100% in 56 minutes), 40W wireless. It supports PD and PPS, hitting 50% in 20 minutes. Compared to the OnePlus 13R’s 5,400 mAh, the iQOO 15 lasts 50% longer.
For marathon gamers or busy professionals, it’s unbeatable.
Software Experience
OriginOS 6 on Android 15 is clean and gamer-friendly. The Game Assistant toggles performance modes, thermal control, and refresh rates. AI features like AI Magic Portal (circle to search) and AI Noise Cancellation are smooth.
Updates: 3–4 years of Android and security patches. Pre-installed Google apps make it user-friendly, with minimal bloat. Compared to One UI on Galaxy, OriginOS is lighter and customizable.
Verdict: The Ultimate Gaming Flagship of 2025
The iQOO 15 is a gaming triumph. The 2K 144Hz display, Q3 chip, and 7,000 mAh battery make it the best Android gaming phone of 2025. At $749, it’s value-packed — but heats up during marathons and has average cameras.
Rating: 9.0/10 — King of mobile gaming.
Top 5 Reasons to Avoid the iQOO 15
Source: IQOO 15 Review: Is This the New King of Gaming Phones?
Yes. Runs Genshin at 59.8 FPS, supports ray tracing, 120 FPS via Q3 chip. $749, 2K 144Hz, 7,000 mAh. Beats OnePlus 13R.
Gets warm (50.4°C max). No throttling. Use cooling fan for long sessions. Runs 2–3°C cooler than iQOO 14.
Great for gaming phone. 50MP main + 64MP periscope. Sharp photos, 3x zoom, 4K 60fps. Good for social media.
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