iQOO 15 Ultra Launch Preview: Record Benchmarks, Gaming Features, and Bold Design

The iQOO 15 Ultra is shaping up to be one of those phones that doesn’t try to please everyone, and that’s its biggest strength. Ahead of its official China launch on February 4, iQOO has been unusually open about what this device stands for: raw, sustained performance with zero apologies. This isn’t a lifestyle phone pretending to play games well. It’s a gaming-first flagship trying to dominate 2026 before it even begins.

Based on official teasers, benchmark listings, and reliable leaks, here’s the full picture, and my straight-up take on whether the hype is deserved.

iQOO 15 Ultra Performance 

At the core of the iQOO 15 Ultra is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, built on a 3nm process. On paper, that’s already top-tier. In reality, the benchmarks are wild.

• Geekbench 6: 3,601 single-core, 11,434 multi-core
• AnTuTu: 4.51 million+, currently the highest recorded score

According to iQOO’s own product head, this isn’t even the final tuned performance. The phone tested with 16GB RAM and Android 16, which confirms iQOO is pushing optimization hard.

I’ll say this clearly: these numbers aren’t just marketing flexes. They signal intent. iQOO wants the performance crown, and it’s not being subtle about it.

iQOO 15 Ultra Cooling 

Performance is useless if it throttles, and this is where the iQOO 15 Ultra gets aggressive. It includes a built-in active cooling fan, backed by a large vapor chamber and liquid metal heat transfer.

The air intake sits neatly under the camera module, and iQOO is confident enough to offer a five-year fan protection plan. That’s not common, and it tells me they expect this hardware to last.

Active cooling is still rare outside hardcore gaming phones like Red Magic. iQOO embracing it openly confirms one thing: this phone is meant for long, brutal gaming sessions, not quick benchmark runs.

iQOO 15 Ultra Shoulder Buttons 

The iQOO 15 Ultra introduces “Super-Sensitive Touch Shoulder Buttons,” and no, they’re not mechanical. These are pressure-sensitive touch zones with a 600Hz sampling rate and dual independent chips.

Why does that matter?

• No mechanical wear
• Faster response
• Better resistance to sweat and dust

Haptic feedback is simulated via a linear motor, and an anti-sweat algorithm keeps inputs accurate during long sessions. As someone who’s tested phones with physical triggers, I actually like this approach. Fewer moving parts usually means fewer regrets later.

iQOO 15 Ultra Display 

The display on the iQOO 15 Ultra checks all the right boxes:

• 6.85-inch Samsung LTPO AMOLED
• 2K resolution
• 144Hz refresh rate
• Flat panel (thankfully)

Flat displays are still better for gaming, and LTPO helps balance smoothness with battery efficiency. Add Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, and this screen feels premium without gimmicks.

iQOO 15 Ultra Cameras 

Gaming phones often treat cameras as an afterthought, but the iQOO 15 Ultra doesn’t completely ignore them.

• 50MP main camera with OIS
• 50MP ultra-wide
• 50MP 3x periscope telephoto with CIPA 4.5 stabilization
• 32MP front camera

This won’t dethrone camera-centric flagships, but it’s good enough to avoid embarrassment, and that’s a win for a performance-first device.

iQOO 15 Ultra Battery 

Battery life is another area where the iQOO 15 Ultra goes all in:

• 7,400mAh Si/C battery
• 100W wired charging
• 40W wireless charging
• Bypass charging for gaming

Some leaks hint at even faster charging, possibly 200W, but until iQOO confirms it, I’m cautious. Still, this battery size alone puts many flagships to shame.

Memory options reportedly go up to 24GB RAM with 1TB UFS 4.1 storage, which really feels excessive, but gamers love excess.

iQOO 15 Ultra Design 

The design is unapologetically futuristic. The honeycomb-textured back, transparent camera module, and horizontal “breathing light” scream cyberpunk. Color options like 2077 Flowing Orange and 2049 Ice Blue make it clear: subtlety was never the goal.

Who Should Buy the iQOO 15 Ultra?

The iQOO 15 Ultra is not for everyone, and that’s exactly why it works. If you care about sustained performance, competitive gaming, and hardware that prioritizes function over fashion, this phone looks like a monster in the best way.

If cameras, slim designs, or ecosystem polish matter more to you, look elsewhere. But if performance is king, the iQOO 15 Ultra is already acting like it owns the throne.

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