iQOO 15R Launches in India at Rs 44,999: Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, 7,600mAh Battery and a Bold Play at the Premium Segment
iQOO has introduced the 15R in India, and it isn’t being subtle about its ambitions. Starting at Rs 44,999, the device features Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor, a massive 7,600mAh battery, and hardware that clearly targets the upper mid-premium segment.
This isn’t just another incremental upgrade. On paper, the 15R feels like a bold statement.
Flagship Silicon, Serious Power
At the heart of the phone is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset, built on a 3nm process. iQOO claims significant improvements in both performance and power efficiency over the previous generation. In a segment where sustained speed - not just benchmark spikes - increasingly defines the user experience, that distinction matters.
The device is paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.1 storage. It is clearly aimed at users who multitask heavily, enjoy extended gaming sessions, or prefer not to worry about storage constraints anytime soon.
A Battery That Stands Out
The 7,600mAh battery is arguably the headline feature. That’s unusually large for a phone positioned in this price band. Add 100W fast charging to the mix, and iQOO seems to be betting that endurance will be its strongest differentiator.
In Practical terms, this could translate into fewer mid-day top ups & more consistent Performance over extended use.
Display and Build: iQOO 15R Premium Signals
The iQOO 15R features a 6.59-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and peak brightness that pushes into flagship territory. It supports HDR10+ and carries IP68 and IP69 ratings for water and dust resistance - features not always guaranteed at this price point.
The device is available in two finishes: a matte black variant called Dark Knight and a patterned white option named Triumph Silver. Both feature a clean, modern aesthetic rather than a flashy design language.
Camera and AI Push
At the rear, the device features a 50MP primary sensor with optical image stabilisation (OIS), accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide lens. For selfies and video calls, it offers a 32MP front camera. Both the front and rear cameras support 4K video recording at 60fps.
iQOO has also leaned into AI features - including smart editing tools, translation support, real-time transcription, and integration with Google Gemini. Whether users actively adopt these tools remains to be seen, but AI has clearly shifted from a novelty to an expectation in 2026 smartphones.
Software and Long term support
The device runs Android 16-based OriginOS 6.0. iQOO is promising four years of software updates and six years of security patches - a commitment that signals growing pressure in the Android ecosystem to match the long-term support expectations set by competitors.
Pricing and Competition
The iQOO 15R is available in multiple configurations, starting at Rs 44,999. Launch offers include limited-time bank discounts and bundled earphones for early buyers. Sales begin on March 3.
It enters a crowded market, competing with devices such as the Pixel 10a, OnePlus 15R, Xiaomi 15 and Vivo V70. The question isn’t whether it’s powerful - it clearly is. The real issue is whether its battery edge and aggressive pricing are enough to influence buying decisions in a segment driven as much by brand perception as by raw specifications.
With the 15R, iQOO isn’t just chasing benchmarks; it’s making a calculated push to redefine what “premium” should look like under Rs 50,000 in India.
This isn’t just another incremental upgrade. On paper, the 15R feels like a bold statement.
Flagship Silicon, Serious Power
At the heart of the phone is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset, built on a 3nm process. iQOO claims significant improvements in both performance and power efficiency over the previous generation. In a segment where sustained speed - not just benchmark spikes - increasingly defines the user experience, that distinction matters.
The device is paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.1 storage. It is clearly aimed at users who multitask heavily, enjoy extended gaming sessions, or prefer not to worry about storage constraints anytime soon.
A Battery That Stands Out
The 7,600mAh battery is arguably the headline feature. That’s unusually large for a phone positioned in this price band. Add 100W fast charging to the mix, and iQOO seems to be betting that endurance will be its strongest differentiator.
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In Practical terms, this could translate into fewer mid-day top ups & more consistent Performance over extended use.
Display and Build: iQOO 15R Premium Signals
The iQOO 15R features a 6.59-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and peak brightness that pushes into flagship territory. It supports HDR10+ and carries IP68 and IP69 ratings for water and dust resistance - features not always guaranteed at this price point.
The device is available in two finishes: a matte black variant called Dark Knight and a patterned white option named Triumph Silver. Both feature a clean, modern aesthetic rather than a flashy design language.
Camera and AI Push
At the rear, the device features a 50MP primary sensor with optical image stabilisation (OIS), accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide lens. For selfies and video calls, it offers a 32MP front camera. Both the front and rear cameras support 4K video recording at 60fps.
iQOO has also leaned into AI features - including smart editing tools, translation support, real-time transcription, and integration with Google Gemini. Whether users actively adopt these tools remains to be seen, but AI has clearly shifted from a novelty to an expectation in 2026 smartphones.
Software and Long term support
The device runs Android 16-based OriginOS 6.0. iQOO is promising four years of software updates and six years of security patches - a commitment that signals growing pressure in the Android ecosystem to match the long-term support expectations set by competitors.
Pricing and Competition
The iQOO 15R is available in multiple configurations, starting at Rs 44,999. Launch offers include limited-time bank discounts and bundled earphones for early buyers. Sales begin on March 3.
It enters a crowded market, competing with devices such as the Pixel 10a, OnePlus 15R, Xiaomi 15 and Vivo V70. The question isn’t whether it’s powerful - it clearly is. The real issue is whether its battery edge and aggressive pricing are enough to influence buying decisions in a segment driven as much by brand perception as by raw specifications.
With the 15R, iQOO isn’t just chasing benchmarks; it’s making a calculated push to redefine what “premium” should look like under Rs 50,000 in India.
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