iQOO 15R: The Budget-Friendly Powerhouse That’s Hey there, tech enthusiasts! If you’re in the market for a smartphone that punches way above its weight without burning a hole in your pocket, the iQOO 15R might just be the device you’ve been waiting for. Launched in India earlier this week as a more affordable sibling to the flagship iQOO 15, this phone brings premium features like a blazing-fast processor,
a stunning display, and an absolutely massive battery to the sub-₹50,000 segment. I’ve spent some time diving deep into what makes this phone tick, drawing from hands-on reviews and expert insights, and let me tell you—it’s a game-changer for gamers, heavy users, and anyone who hates constantly hunting for a charger. In this article, we’ll break it all down, from design to performance, so you can decide if it’s the right fit for you.
iQOO 15R Review: A Definitive Overview of Performance, Battery and Camera | Beebom Gadgets
Sleek Design and Build: Premium Feel Without the Premium Price
iQOO 15R: The Budget-Friendly Powerhouse That’sFirst impressions matter, and the iQOO 15R doesn’t disappoint. It sports a premium metal frame borrowed from the higher-end iQOO 16, giving it a sturdy, flagship-like build. Weighing in at just 202 grams for the Dark Knight variant (with a fiberglass back) or 206 grams for the Triumph Silver (featuring a patterned glass back), it’s surprisingly lightweight for a phone packing such hefty internals. The matte finish on the Dark Knight model resists fingerprints like a champ, while the Triumph Silver adds a touch of flair with its checkered glass design—perfect for those who want their phone to stand out.
What really sets it apart is the IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance ratings. That means it can survive submersion in up to 1 meter of water or even high-pressure jets, making it ideal for clumsy users or those in rainy climates like Uttar Pradesh. The ultra-narrow bezels (as slim as 1.25mm on the sides) contribute to a 94.57% screen-to-body ratio, and the haptic feedback is spot-on, adding to that premium vibe. Oh, and there’s an IR blaster for controlling your TV or AC— a handy feature that’s becoming rare these days.
In comparisons, experts like Srivatsan Sridhar from FoneArena note that the iQOO 15R feels lighter and more ergonomic than competitors like the OnePlus 15R, despite similar specs. It’s engineered to fit a massive battery into a slim 7.9mm body, which is no small feat.
Vibrant Display: Smooth Scrolling and Eye-Popping Brightness
The display is where the iQOO 15R shines—literally. It features a 6.59-inch 1.5K LTPS AMOLED panel with a resolution of 2750 x 1260 pixels and a 144Hz refresh rate. Whether you’re gaming, streaming Netflix in HDR10+, or just scrolling through social media, everything feels buttery smooth. The adaptive refresh rate smartly switches between 60Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz, or 144Hz to save battery, and the 360Hz touch sampling rate (jumping to 3200Hz in games) ensures lightning-fast responses.
Brightness peaks at an insane 5000 nits, making it readable even under harsh sunlight, while the 4320Hz PWM dimming reduces eye strain in low light. Colors pop with 1.07 billion shades, and you can tweak modes between standard, professional, or bright for your preference. It’s protected by SCHOTT Diamond Shield glass, and the ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner is quick and reliable.
In real-world tests, reviewers praise its outdoor visibility and smooth gradients. For instance, in a YouTube review, the display handled 4K content with solid brightness control, outperforming some mid-range rivals. Compared to the OnePlus 15R’s larger 6.83-inch screen with a 165Hz rate, the iQOO’s is more compact and easier to handle one-handed, though it lacks LTPO tech for even better efficiency.
Blazing Performance: Snapdragon Power for Gamers and Multitaskers
At the heart of the iQOO 15R is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 5 processor—a sub-flagship chip that’s one of the first in its class. Paired with up to 12GB (or 16GB in top variants) of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB UFS 4.1 storage, this thing flies through tasks. You can expand RAM virtually by another 12GB, ensuring seamless multitasking.
Gaming is a highlight here. The Adreno 829 GPU handles demanding titles like BGMI, COD Mobile, and Genshin Impact without frame drops, even at HDR Ultra settings. Benchmarks from FoneArena show a 66% stability score in 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Stress Test, with temperatures rising only from 32°C to 44°C—better than the iQOO 15 and on par with the OnePlus 15R. The Q2 supercomputing chip enables 144fps super frame rates and 1.5K super resolution in games, plus a massive 6500mm² vapor chamber keeps things cool during marathon sessions.
In everyday use, it’s snappy: apps load instantly, and there’s no lag in heavy editing or browsing. Experts compare it favorably to the OnePlus 15R, noting similar optimization but with iQOO’s edge in thermal management. If you’re a power user, this phone’s 36% performance boost over previous gens (thanks to the 3nm process) will keep you ahead for years.
Camera Setup: Reliable Shots with AI Smarts
The iQOO 15R keeps things simple but effective with its cameras. The rear setup includes a 50MP Sony LYT-700V main sensor (with OIS for steady shots) and an 8MP ultrawide lens. Daylight photos are sharp with excellent dynamic range—auto HDR kicks in to balance highlights and shadows. Low-light performance is solid, with minimal noise, and night mode enhances details without overprocessing.
Zoom goes up to 10x digitally, but it shines best at 2x-5x. The 32MP front camera delivers natural selfies in good light, though low-light shots could be better. Video recording hits 4K at 60fps with good stabilization, and portrait videos at 1080p 30fps look professional.
AI features add fun: AI Retouch erases unwanted elements, AI Reflection Eraser removes glare, AI Season Change alters backgrounds creatively, and AI UHD sharpens images. In sample descriptions from reviews, daylight shots show vibrant colors and quick focus, while ultra-wide captures decent landscapes. It’s not a camera flagship like the iQOO 15 with its telephoto, but for the price, it’s more than capable—think reliable everyday photography with a creative twist.
Epic Battery Life: Lasts Days, Charges in a Flash
This is the star of the show: a whopping 7600mAh silicon-carbon battery crammed into that slim frame. In tests, it easily lasts over two days with moderate use (Wi-Fi, occasional 5G), delivering more than 6.5 hours of screen-on time. Heavy gamers or streamers might get a full day plus some, outpacing even the iQOO 15 by about 10% thanks to optimizations.
Charging is via 100W Super FlashCharge—0 to 50% in 25 minutes, full in 50 minutes. Bypass charging lets you game without heating the battery, and there’s 7.5W reverse wired charging for topping up accessories. No wireless charging, but at this price, it’s forgivable. Reviewers hail it as the best in its segment, with one expert noting it’s perfect for users who “hate battery anxiety.”
Software and Extras: Clean, Feature-Packed Experience
Running Android 16 with Origin OS 6 (a first for iQOO in India), the software is smooth and customizable. You get four years of OS updates and six years of security patches—impressive longevity. Features like Origin Smooth Engine ensure fluid animations, while AI tools (Smart Call Assistant, AI Search) make life easier. There’s cross-device integration for file sharing with PCs or other phones, and productivity apps like DocMaster.
Bloatware is minimal, and the interface feels modern with dynamic effects and immersive weather widgets. Connectivity includes 5G (with Airtel/Jio support), Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, and dual stereo speakers for crisp audio. Widevine L1 means HD streaming on Netflix, and the IR blaster is a bonus.
