The smartphone market in 2025 is more competitive than ever. With Samsung, Xiaomi, Apple, OnePlus, and Honor all pushing premium devices above the $1,000 mark, it’s getting harder for consumers to find a flagship that offers true value without sacrificing performance.
Enter the iQOO 15, a device that promises top-tier performance, a massive battery, a cutting-edge display, and a flagship-grade camera system — all at a price designed to undercut its premium competitors.
But can it truly be considered the best value flagship of 2025? In this long-form review, we break down everything you need to know.
Key Specs of the iQOO 15 (2025)
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
- Co-processor: iQOO Q3 Gaming Chip
- RAM: 12–16 GB LPDDR5X
- Storage: Up to 1 TB UFS 4.1
- Display: 6.85-inch Samsung M14 2K LTPO AMOLED, 144Hz
- Battery: 7,000 mAh (silicon-anode)
- Charging: 100W wired, 40W wireless
- Rear Cameras: Triple 50 MP (main + periscope + ultrawide)
- Front Camera: 32 MP
- Build: Aluminum frame, matte or glass back, IP68/69
- OS: Android 16 (OriginOS 6)
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, NFC, 5G full bands
Design and Build Quality
While iQOO was once considered a “gaming-first” brand, the iQOO 15 shows how far the company has evolved. This phone is designed to compete directly with mainstream flagships — not just gaming phones.
Premium materials
The aluminum frame feels sturdy, the matte variant resists fingerprints, and the camera bump is redesigned with a modern, symmetrical aesthetic.
Improved ergonomics
Despite packing a massive 7,000 mAh battery, the device feels surprisingly balanced. Curved edges and a slim mid-frame reduce the perception of bulk.
IP68/69 rating
This makes it dust-resistant and water-resistant to a higher standard than most mid-range devices — a must-have for any 2025 flagship.
Display: One of the Best at This Price
iQOO has equipped the 15 with a Samsung M14 AMOLED panel, the same generation used in top-tier flagships from Samsung and OnePlus this year.
Key Display Highlights
- 2K resolution (impressively sharp for reading/text)
- LTPO 1-144Hz adaptive refresh rate
- Peak brightness suitable for harsh sunlight
- Industry-leading PWM dimming for eye comfort
The display performs exceptionally in brightness, color accuracy, and HDR playback.
Gaming advantage
The 144Hz refresh rate paired with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 allows ultra-smooth gameplay in titles like PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact, and Call of Duty Mobile.
This is easily one of the top 3 displays in the value-flagship category for 2025.
Performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 + Q3 Chip
Performance is where the iQOO 15 shines brightest.
Powered by Qualcomm’s most advanced chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, it delivers:
- 25–30% CPU performance gains over Gen 3
- Massive GPU improvements, especially for ray tracing
- Better thermal management thanks to the architecture shift
- Lower sustained power consumption
But iQOO goes even further with its Q3 Gaming Co-Processor, which stabilizes frame rates and assists with:
- Ray tracing
- Motion prediction
- High-FPS optimization
- Touch latency reduction
Thermals
A vapor-chamber cooling system keeps temperatures under control even during prolonged gaming or video rendering.
Benchmark expectations
While exact benchmarks vary, early tests show it outperforming:
- Galaxy S25
- OnePlus 13
- Pixel 9 Pro XL
- Xiaomi 15 Pro
Everything from multitasking to gaming to creative apps runs effortlessly.
Battery: The Best Endurance Flagship of 2025?
A 7,000 mAh battery in a flagship device in 2025 is rare — and it immediately changes the equation.
Real-world battery performance
Moderate users can expect two full days of battery life. Heavy users easily reach a full day with extra left over.
Charging
- 100W wired: 0–100% in ~30 minutes
- 40W wireless: competitive but not the fastest
This makes it one of the most reliable smartphones for long-day productivity or travel.
Camera System: Capable Hardware, Improving Software
The iQOO 15 features a triple 50 MP setup:
- 50 MP Main Sensor (large aperture, OIS)
- 50 MP Periscope Telephoto with optical zoom
- 50 MP Ultrawide with autofocus
Daytime performance
Images are sharp, color reproduction is natural, and dynamic range is strong.
Night mode
Low-light shots benefit from the large sensor and iQOO’s improved computational photography pipeline.
Portraits
The 50 MP periscope lens produces excellent depth separation and facial detail.
Video
- 8K supported
- 4K stabilization is excellent
- Telephoto video is surprisingly stable
Software caveat
iQOO is still not at the level of Pixel, Samsung, or Apple in computational photography. Updates will determine long-term performance.
But out of the box, it’s competitive — and often outperforms similarly-priced devices.
Software Experience
The iQOO 15 ships with OriginOS 6 based on Android 16, offering:
- Smooth animations
- Highly optimized gaming modes
- New AI features for productivity
- Long-term software updates (expected 4–5 years)
The UI remains clean, customizable, and more polished than earlier versions.
Connectivity and Other Features
The iQOO 15 includes all modern flagship essentials:
- Wi-Fi 7
- Bluetooth 6
- Ultra-fast 5G
- NFC and eSIM support
- In-display fingerprint sensor
- Stereo speakers
- Improved vibration motor
Nothing major is missing — and the overall package feels complete.
Price and Value: Where iQOO Dominates
This is where the iQOO 15 stands out most.
If early pricing is accurate, the device costs significantly less than:
- Samsung Galaxy S25
- iPhone 16
- OnePlus 13 Pro
- Xiaomi 15 Ultra
Yet it matches or exceeds them in:
- Battery
- Performance
- Display refresh rate
- Fast charging
For users looking for maximum performance per dollar, the iQOO 15 easily ranks among the best value flagships of 2025.
Who Should Buy the iQOO 15?
Buy it if you want:
- The best performance for the price
- A huge battery with fast charging
- A flagship display for gaming and media
- A camera that is versatile and improving
- A premium build with IP rating
Skip it if you prefer:
- The cleanest possible camera processing (Pixel/iPhone)
- A compact device
- Wireless charging above 40W
Final Verdict: Is It the Best Value Flagship of 2025?
Yes — for most users, the iQOO 15 is the best value flagship of 2025.
It offers:
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 performance
- Top-tier gaming capabilities
- A massive 7,000 mAh battery
- A premium Samsung 2K display
- Strong cameras
- Excellent build quality
- A competitive price
Very few devices match this balance in 2025
