iQOO is getting ready to launch its absolute best smartphone for 2026. The iQOO 15 Ultra is scheduled to debut in China on February 4. In the weeks leading up to the announcement, the company has been open about what the device is trying to be. The iQOO 15 Ultra is a phone built for sustained performance, especially gaming.
As we’ve covered the device throughout this journey so far, it’s only natural for us to bring everything together in one article. So here’s a roundup of iQOO 15 Ultra, based on official sources, leaks, certifications, and benchmarks.
1. Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and record benchmarks
At the heart of the iQOO 15 Ultra is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. The phone recently appeared on Geekbench, revealing some eye-catching numbers. The device scored 3,601 in the single-core test and 11,434 in the multi-core test on Geekbench 6.
The AnTuTu scores are even more aggressive. According to iQOO Product Director Galant V, the iQOO 15 Ultra has crossed 4.51 million points on AnTuTu, currently the highest score recorded on the platform. He also noted that this is not the phone’s final performance ceiling, suggesting further optimisation is still ongoing ahead of launch.
The benchmark testing also confirms the phone has 16GB of RAM and is running Android 16.
2. Active cooling and thermal design
One of the most defining features of the iQOO 15 Ultra is its built-in active cooling fan. And this isn’t some visual flourish. iQOO has confirmed that the phone uses a combination of a large vapour chamber, liquid metal heat transfer materials, and the active fan to keep temperatures under control during extended gaming sessions.
The intake vent for the fan is discreetly placed beneath the camera module, and the company is even offering a dedicated fan protection plan that reportedly covers up to five years.
Active cooling remains relatively rare in mainstream smartphones, but it has become a defining feature in gaming-focused devices like Nubia’s Red Magic series. iQOO branding the 15 Ultra as a performance phone means it’s logical for the brand to follow suit.
3. Shoulder buttons without moving parts
Another major focus area is control input. The iQOO 15 Ultra introduces what the company calls “Super-Sensitive Touch Shoulder Buttons.” Unlike traditional mechanical triggers, these are touch-based zones placed on both sides of the frame where fingers naturally rest in landscape orientation.
The shoulder buttons operate at a 600Hz touch sampling rate and use dual independent control chips, allowing each side to register inputs separately. iQOO says this reduces latency and improves accuracy, particularly in competitive FPS games.
Because there are no physical moving parts, the buttons avoid mechanical wear and reset delays. Tactile feedback is simulated using a linear motor. The flush design also improves resistance to sweat, water, and dust, while an anti-sweat algorithm is meant to maintain accuracy during extended play.
4. Display specs are equally good
The iQOO 15 Ultra is expected to feature a 6.85-inch Samsung LTPO flat display with 2K resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. The use of an LTPO panel means the refresh rate can dynamically adjust based on on-screen content, helping balance smoothness and power efficiency.
For gaming, a flat panel is often preferred over curved displays, and iQOO’s decision here reflects that priority. We can also expect an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor for biometrics.
5. Cameras
Despite its gaming focus, the iQOO 15 Ultra doesn’t completely neglect cameras. The phone is expected to feature a 32-megapixel front camera and a triple 50-megapixel setup on the back. This includes a main sensor, an ultra-wide lens, and a 3x periscope telephoto camera with CIPA 4.5-rated stabilization.
6. Battery, charging, and configurations
Battery capacity is another area where the iQOO 15 Ultra goes big. Most reports point to a 7,400mAh battery paired with fast 100W wired charging and wireless charging. It also supports bypass charging, as expected of a gaming phone.
Some leaks have hinted at even faster charging speeds, possibly up to 200W, though this hasn’t been confirmed by iQOO yet.
In terms of memory and storage, the phone is expected to launch in 16GB RAM with 512GB storage and a top-tier 24GB RAM with 1TB storage configuration.
7. Design and visual identity
Design-wise, the iQOO 15 Ultra embraces a futuristic, cyberpunk-inspired aesthetic. It will be available in two color options: 2077 Flowing Orange and 2049 Ice Blue. The naming alone signals the phone’s sci-fi influences.
The back panel features a hexagonal honeycomb texture, while the large camera module includes a transparent finish and a horizontal light strip that acts as a breathing light.
8. Who is the iQOO 15 Ultra for?
There’s no denying that the iQOO 15 Ultra is squarely aimed at gamers who want stable performance over long sessions, low input latency, and physical-like controls without the drawbacks of mechanical buttons. In that sense, it’s a direct competitor to gaming-centric phones like the Red Magic 11 Pro series.
For users who prioritise camera systems, slim designs, or ecosystem features, the iQOO 15 Ultra may feel excessive. But for its intended audience, excess is the point.
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