iQOO 15 could be the next big Android flagship with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

For weeks now, iQOO fans have been buzzing with anticipation, and it’s easy to see why. The company’s upcoming flagship, the iQOO 15, has been the subject of countless leaks, teasers, and speculation. From talk of a new design to the promise of next-level gaming performance, this device seems ready to take on the heavyweights of the Android world. Now, with the launch date in China just around the corner, it feels like we’re finally getting close to seeing what iQOO has been cooking up.

The iQOO 15 is expected to be a major step up from its predecessor, the iQOO 13, both in looks and power. While the company hasn’t revealed everything officially, leaked renders and teasers hint at a refreshed rear design, complete with a sleek circular camera module that feels more in line with today’s flagship design language.

On the front, rumours point to a massive 6.85-inch 2K 8T LTPO Samsung “Everest” display with a 144Hz refresh rate and up to 6,000 nits peak brightness, which, if true, would make it one of the brightest smartphone displays around. It’s also said to support wireless charging, an IP69 rating for dust and water resistance, and a 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, adding to its overall flagship appeal.

Under the hood, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor is expected to power the show, Qualcomm’s latest and most powerful chipset yet. This would make the iQOO 15 one of the first phones in the world to ship with the new silicon, putting it in the same league as upcoming flagships from OnePlus, Xiaomi, and Samsung.

Interestingly, iQOO is also said to be pairing this processor with its in-house Q3 gaming chip, which could optimise frame rates and heat management for long gaming sessions.

And speaking of heat, the company’s new 8K vapour chamber (VC) Dome cooling system reportedly uses a double layer of high-conductivity graphite, offering up to 47% better cooling than the iQOO 13. For gamers and power users, that’s a big deal, especially when pushing the phone to its limits.

On the camera front, the rumours continue to paint an exciting picture. The iQOO 15 could feature a dual 50-megapixel camera setup, including a large 1/1.5-inch primary sensor and a periscope telephoto lens for high-quality zoom shots. If true, this would mark a serious upgrade in photography for the brand, pushing it closer to the territory of premium Android competitors like the Galaxy S24 Ultra and Xiaomi 15 Pro, but likely at a more accessible price.

Battery life might be another area of improvement. While the iQOO 13 already impressed with its 6,000 mAh cell and 120 W fast charging, the new model is said to cross the 7,000 mAh mark while adding wireless charging support, a long-requested feature. It’s also expected to carry IP69 certification for even better protection against dust and water, something rarely seen outside ultra-rugged devices.

As for when you can actually get your hands on it, the iQOO 15 is set to launch in China on October 20, alongside the iQOO Pad 5e. Following that, all signs point to an India debut sometime between November 15 and 25. iQOO India’s CEO, Nipun Marya, has already hinted at a November timeline on X (formerly Twitter), although no exact date has been confirmed yet.

Price-wise, leaks suggest that the iQOO 15 could start at around ₹59,999 ($683), slightly above the base iQOO 13’s ₹54,999 ($626) launch price. Considering the massive hardware upgrades, better cooling, and new display tech, a small bump like that seems expected. Still, these details remain unconfirmed for now, so it’s best to take them with a pinch of salt until the official reveal.

Overall, the iQOO 15 looks poised to be one of the most powerful Android devices of the year, a performance-centric flagship that doesn’t shy away from premium features.

And if these early leaks are any indication, iQOO might just have its most compelling smartphone yet on its hands. Now all that’s left is to wait for the official launch to see how much of this hype holds true.

UPDATE: Ahead of the India launch, iQOO has also introduced a “Priority Pass,” a refundable ₹1,000 ($11.3) pre-booking program that gives early buyers perks like the iQOO TWS 1e earbuds and a 12-month extended warranty. The pass goes live on November 20 on a first-come, first-served basis.

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