Prior to the OnePlus 15 launch, iQOO has plans to launch the OnePlus 15’s biggest rival ahead of its launch. The iQOO 15, which is said to be one of the first smartphones to debut the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, is now confirmed to launch in November, although a date is yet to be fixed. The announcement was teased by iQOO India CEO Nipun Marya, who hinted at the arrival of a next-gen flagship contender.
The iQOO 15 is scheduled for a global unveiling in China on October 20, which is also expected to debut Vivo’s new Origin OS 6 interface. A key distinction for the device is the rumoured inclusion of a dedicated Q3 Gaming chip alongside the main Snapdragon processor in the Chinese variant.
This dual-chip configuration is expected to deliver enhanced gaming experiences, supporting ray tracing and maintaining stable 144fps gaming at 2K resolution. The thermal management is also receiving a major upgrade, featuring an advanced 8K vapour chamber Dome cooling system, which promises 47% better cooling efficiency than its predecessor.
Origin OS 6 to debut in India with iQOO 15
Beyond raw power, the iQOO 15 will bring a change in the software experience by ditching the FunTouch OS UI. It will run on the new Android 16-based OriginOS 6, similar to other Vivo and iQOO devices switching to the fancier Android skin. Origin OS 6 teasers reveal a translucent glass-inspired design similar to Apple’s iOS 26.
Beyond the software, the iQOO 15 is rumoured to bring high-end specifications for multimedia consumption and durability. The company has confirmed the use of a high-end Samsung “Everest” display, which is rumoured to be a 6.85-inch 2K LTPO panel boasting an ultra-smooth 144Hz refresh rate and an industry-leading peak brightness of 6,000 nits.
Powering the device will be a 7,000mAh battery, which is confirmed by iQOO’s China website. This massive cell will support ultra-fast charging, with 100W wired charging capability and a possible inclusion of 50W wireless charging.
Photography enthusiasts can also anticipate a powerful setup: a versatile 50MP triple-rear camera system is expected, comprising a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP periscope telephoto lens with up to 100x digital zoom, and a 50MP ultra-wide lens. A high-resolution 50MP sensor is also expected for the front camera.
With an expected IP68/IP69 rating for dust and water resistance and an in-display 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, the iQOO 15 could be one of the most value-centric premium phones in the market.
