TL;DR
The iQOO 15 looks like a steal at ~₹60,000 with its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and 7,000mAh battery, but dig deeper and cracks show. Here’s why to skip it:
- Slower charging (100W wired, no ultra-fast edge)
- Mediocre camera (oversaturation, no flagship polish)
- Software headaches (OriginOS bugs, limited updates)
- Thermal and throttling issues (40% performance drop under load)
- Price creep and value gap (5% hike, but rivals offer more)
If you’re chasing pure performance without compromises, look to OnePlus 13 or Pixel 10. Small changes, but big letdowns.
Introduction: The iQOO 15 Hype vs. Reality
iQOO, Vivo’s gaming-centric sub-brand, burst onto the scene in 2019 promising flagship power at mid-range prices. The iQOO 13 delivered with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 and blistering speeds, earning fans among gamers and value hunters. Fast-forward to October 2025: The iQOO 15 launches in China (~¥4,199 or ₹48,000), hitting India by November (~₹59,999 start). It boasts a 7,000mAh battery, periscope camera, and one of the first Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chips.
Sounds perfect, right? As tech reviewer Ash from C4Tech notes in his unboxing: “Small changes, big impact.” But after sifting through early reviews from Heyup News, GSMArena leaks, NotebookCheck, and Reddit user rants, the shine fades. Oversaturated photos, software glitches, and thermal woes mar the experience. In this iQOO 15 review, we’ll explore the top 5 reasons to avoid it—drawing from hands-on tests, spec sheets, and owner feedback. If you’re eyeing this for gaming marathons or daily reliability, these pitfalls could cost you. Better alternatives? We’ll touch on those too. Let’s uncover why this “evolution” feels like a misstep.
Reason #1: Charging Compromises That Feel Like a Step Back
The iQOO 15’s 7,000mAh silicon-carbon battery is a headline grabber—promising 2-day endurance for moderate use. But the charging? It’s a downgrade that stings. Wired tops at 100W (full charge ~35 minutes), down from the iQOO 13’s 120W (~25 minutes). While 40W wireless and 10W reverse are welcome additions, they’re not enough to offset the loss.
In real-world tests from C4Tech, heavy users (gaming + streaming) still wait longer for top-ups, especially without the ultra-fast edge. Thermal efficiency helps (under 40°C), but rivals like OnePlus 13 (150W wired, 80W wireless) or Realme GT7 Pro (120W + 50W) recharge faster without drama. For travelers or power users, this lag means more downtime—frustrating in 2025 when 120W+ is standard.
Longevity? Silicon-carbon holds up (1,200 cycles), but early reports note slight heat buildup during wireless sessions. Verdict: If battery anxiety drives you, the iQOO 15 teases relief but delivers half-measures—avoid if speed-charging is non-negotiable.
Reason #2: Camera System That’s Good, But Not Great
iQOO’s never been a camera champ, and the 15’s periscope upgrade (50MP Sony IMX882, 3x optical zoom) doesn’t change that. The main 50MP Sony IMX921 (f/1.88, OIS) handles daylight well—sharp, natural colors—but low-light shots show noise and softness. The ultra-wide (50MP Samsung JN1) is consistent but lacks detail at edges.
The periscope shines for portraits (creamy bokeh at 65mm), but Heyup News tests reveal oversaturation and detail loss at 3x zoom—colors pop too vividly, textures blur. Selfie cam (32MP, wider FOV) improves group shots but over-smooths skin. Video? 8K@30fps is gimmicky; 4K@60fps stabilizes okay but lacks cinematic dynamic range.
Compared to Pixel 10 (AI magic) or Galaxy S25 (versatile kit), the iQOO 15 feels “better than peers, but not flagship contender.” For creators or social sharers, it’s passable—not inspiring. Verdict: Skip if photography matters; the zoom tease falls flat under scrutiny.
Reason #3: Software Woes and Update Uncertainty
OriginOS 6 on Android 16 sounds fresh—snappier animations, AI widgets, and cleaner multitasking than FunTouch OS. But early adopters on Reddit report bugs galore: notification delays, app crashes in Game Mode, and inconsistent haptic feedback. One user vented: “FuntouchOS 15 didn’t fix the glitches—waiting for patches feels endless.”
Global rollout means FuntouchOS in India/EU, which some call “bloat-heavy” with pre-installed apps and ads. Updates? Vivo promises 4 OS years + 5 security, but iQOO’s track record lags Samsung’s 7-year promise—delays hit 3–6 months. No custom ROM support locks you in. Verdict: If smooth software is key, the iQOO 15’s refinements mask deeper instability—avoid the frustration.
Reason #4: Thermal Throttling and Gaming Trade-Offs
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is a beast—~2.5M AnTuTu, 3,200 single-core Geekbench—but the iQOO 15 throttles ~40% under sustained load, per C4Tech stress tests. Vapor chamber (9,000mm²) keeps temps under 45°C (warm, not scalding), but frame drops hit in Genshin Impact after 30 minutes—Q1 chip’s interpolation helps, but can’t fully compensate.
For casual gamers, it’s fine; esports pros notice stutters vs. Red Magic 10 Pro (dedicated cooling). NotebookCheck notes “advanced cooling, but extra silicon needed for peak extraction.” Verdict: Gaming flagship in name, but thermal limits curb marathon sessions—pass if you game hard.
Reason #5: Price Creep and Diminishing Value
At ₹59,999 (India base), the iQOO 15 is 5% pricier than iQOO 13’s ₹54,999 launch—fair for upgrades, but rivals steal thunder. OnePlus 13 (~₹69,999) adds better camera/software; Galaxy S25 (~₹79,999) crushes ecosystem. GSMArena leaks confirm “upgrades hike starting price above ~$700 predecessor.” No expandable storage, middling haptics, and China-first launch mean import delays for globals. Verdict: Value slips as competition heats—avoid if bang-for-buck is priority.
Conclusion: When to Skip the iQOO 15
The iQOO 15 tempts with its battery brute and chip speed, but compromises in charging, camera finesse, software polish, thermal consistency, and pricing make it a risky bet. It’s for die-hard gamers who overlook flaws; casual users deserve better. Opt for OnePlus 13 (balanced all-rounder) or Pixel 10 (software king). iQOO’s “small changes” innovate, but not enough to justify the hype. Thoughts? Share below.
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