iQOO has officially launched the iQOO 15 in India as its most powerful smartphone yet, priced at ₹72,999 — matching the OnePlus 15. The device comes equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a massive 7,000mAh battery, a 144Hz OLED display, and 50MP triple cameras. Known for performance, iQOO again targets gamers and power users, but this time at a steeper price point. Let’s see how it stacks up against the OnePlus 15.
Design: Customisable Glow vs Clean Minimalism
The iQOO 15 sports a sleek, premium design with a square camera island and flat edges for better grip while gaming. Its standout feature, the Monster Halo light, surrounds the camera module and glows for calls, charging, music, and notifications. This feature is customisable with colours and effects, adding a touch of personality.
In contrast, the OnePlus 15 adopts a minimalist aesthetic, trading the circular module for a subtle rectangular one. Its more compact size (6.78-inch display vs iQOO’s 6.85-inch) gives it a refined, one-hand-friendly grip. Additionally, the OnePlus 15’s robust IP69K rating makes it one of the most durable flagships on the market.
Display: Brighter iQOO 15 vs Faster OnePlus 15
The iQOO 15’s 6.85-inch 2K Samsung M14 OLED panel delivers an exceptional 6,000 nits peak brightness and a 144Hz refresh rate. Its non-polarised panel improves colour accuracy, efficiency, and display lifespan. HDR content looks stunning with incredible contrast and brightness.
Meanwhile, the OnePlus 15 features a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 165Hz gaming refresh rate and 3,600 nits peak brightness. It’s ideal for competitive gamers, offering ultra-smooth frame rates and adaptive refresh for everyday use. While not as bright as iQOO’s screen, it remains vibrant and responsive.
Performance: Same Chip, Different Priorities
Both phones pack the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, Qualcomm’s fastest chip to date. The iQOO 15 leads in thermal management, featuring an 8,000mm² vapour cooling system and a SuperComputing Chip Q3 for enhanced gaming visuals. It achieves 144fps in supported titles but tends to stabilise around 90fps in extended play.
The OnePlus 15, on the other hand, introduces OP Gaming Core, Performance Tri-Chip, and FPS Max for consistent high frame rates. It handles 165fps gaming with ease, catering to competitive players. Benchmark results slightly favour the iQOO 15 for raw processing, but the OnePlus 15 optimises better for sustained gameplay.
Cameras: Colour Boost vs Detail Control
The iQOO 15 houses a 50MP triple rear setup (main, ultrawide, and periscope telephoto) with 3x optical zoom, alongside a 32MP selfie lens. Its photos pop with boosted colours, though sometimes at the cost of fine detail.
The OnePlus 15 offers a similar triple-camera system with 3.5x optical zoom, delivering cleaner detail and better dynamic range. The OnePlus produces more natural tones, while the iQOO favours vibrancy. In daylight, both perform well, but OnePlus wins slightly for portraits. Low-light shots are moodier on the OnePlus, whereas iQOO goes for brighter tones.
Battery and Charging: Both Go the Distance
On endurance, the iQOO 15 packs a 7,000mAh battery with 100W wired and 40W wireless charging. The OnePlus 15 slightly edges it with a 7,300mAh battery and 50W wireless charging.
Both comfortably last over a day on heavy use. The OnePlus tends to stretch a bit longer, giving it a marginal edge in longevity.
Software: OriginOS 6 vs OxygenOS 16
The iQOO 15 debuts OriginOS 6, replacing Funtouch OS, with smoother animations, enhanced AI features (AI Reflection Remover, AI Image Expander, AI Colour Adjustment), and improved customisation.
OnePlus 15 ships with OxygenOS 16, featuring AI-driven productivity tools like MindSpace and refined UI transparency effects. It remains cleaner and more intuitive. In software support, iQOO promises 5 years of OS updates + 7 years of security, surpassing OnePlus’ 4 years + 6 years commitment.
Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
At ₹72,999, both the iQOO 15 and OnePlus 15 offer elite hardware and next-gen experiences. The iQOO 15 is the better pick for:
– Multimedia enthusiasts who want a brighter display and stronger cooling.
– Users prioritising software longevity.
Meanwhile, the OnePlus 15 wins for:
– Gamers seeking smoother 165Hz gameplay.
– Users wanting cleaner software and longer battery life.
Both are flagship-grade performers — your choice depends on whether you value peak brightness and sustained performance (iQOO 15) or gaming fluidity and endurance(OnePlus 15).
