With the iQoo 15 Ultra, Vivo subsidiary iQoo presents a smartphone that specifically combines gaming features with classic high-end specifications. The device is therefore not aimed exclusively at mobile gamers, but attempts to deliver as complete a package as possible, covering performance, camera, and battery life.
The first thing that stands out is the smartphone’s display. The panel supports a refresh rate of up to 144 hertz, which should make animations and games appear particularly smooth. This high frame rate is now one of the most important features of modern gaming smartphones, as it enables fast response times and the smoothest possible display. The concept is complemented by capacitive shoulder buttons that are specifically designed for gaming and enable additional inputs, similar to triggers on a controller.
Qualcomm’s current high-end Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip serves as the technical basis. According to the manufacturer, the processor achieves clock speeds of up to 4.6 gigahertz, making it one of the most powerful mobile platforms of its generation. Depending on the model, iQoo combines the chip with 16 or even 24 gigabytes of RAM. Internal storage options include 256 gigabytes, 512 gigabytes, or up to one terabyte. However, there are no plans to expand storage via microSD.
To maintain high performance even during longer gaming sessions, iQoo relies on an active cooling system. Inside the smartphone, a small fan works to dissipate the waste heat from the components. Such solutions are rarely seen in smartphones to date. What is particularly unusual is the combination with a high protection class against water and dust. Despite the active cooling system, the device is said to have IP69K certification.
In addition to its gaming focus, iQoo also attaches great importance to extensive camera equipment. The smartphone uses three camera modules, each with 50 megapixels. In addition to the main camera, an ultra-wide-angle camera with a large aperture is used. The manufacturer has also integrated a telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom and optical image stabilization. This means that the camera system is more similar to classic flagship smartphones than typical gaming devices.
Another key feature is the battery. The iQoo 15 Ultra has a capacity of 7400 mAh, making it one of the smartphones with particularly large energy storage. Despite this capacity, the case remains comparatively slim at around nine millimeters. The battery is charged via cable with up to 100 watts. The device also supports wireless charging with a power output of up to 40 watts.
The smartphone starts at the equivalent of around 700 euros for the basic configuration in China. An international market launch is not currently planned. The device is therefore likely to remain available mainly in China and some Asian markets.
Conclusion
The iQoo 15 Ultra attempts to combine a gaming smartphone and a classic flagship in one device. Powerful hardware, a 144 Hz display, shoulder buttons, and active cooling are clearly aimed at gamers. At the same time, a large camera system and a very large battery ensure that the smartphone is also positioned as an all-round high-end device. The combination of these features makes the model one of the more unusual smartphones in the current Android segment.
