iQOO 15R in the Digit Test Labs: Top-tier performance in a comfortable form factor

The flagship killer space has become slightly confusing over the past year. All of a sudden, you don’t see many new options in the sub-Rs 50,000 segment, as we did in 2024 and 2025. Phones that used to cost around Rs 50,000 have slowly crept upwards, now flirting with the Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000 price bracket. The same can be said about iQOO’s own smartphone lineup. For instance, the iQOO 15 (priced starting at Rs 72,999) now sits firmly in premium territory, while the Neo series handles the mid-range. That leaves a noticeable gap in between. That’s where the iQOO 15R steps in.

Also read: iQOO 15 review: From flagship killer to full-fledged flagship

After spending some time with this phone in the Digit Test Labs, it genuinely feels like the brand is trying to restore some balance. Do note, this isn’t a full review yet. But early signs suggest that the iQOO 15R gets a lot right, especially if you care about performance, gaming, and everyday usability. Let me explain.

Design and build: Compact, premium, and a little playful

The first thing that stands out about the iQOO 15R is its size. It has a 6.59-inch display, and in 2026, that almost feels unusual for a performance-focused phone. Most gaming-oriented devices tend to be big and bulky. This one isn’t. The moment you hold it, you notice how comfortable it feels. It’s not cumbersome. It just sits nicely in the hand.

The unit I have is the Triumph Silver colourway, featuring a chequered design, and it’s quite striking without being loud. It has a glass back and a metal frame, which immediately gives it a more premium feel. Add to that an IP69 rating, and you’re looking at a phone that feels solid and durable. There’s reassurance in that.

The camera island follows iQOO’s familiar design language, but the lenses inside have a fresh look. They almost resemble a pair of eyes. If you’ve seen the Nothing Phone 2a, the layout might remind you of that slightly playful camera styling. It’s subtle, but it adds character.

Interestingly, compared to what we expect from gaming phones, this one feels more refined. Even its direct rival, the OnePlus 15R, feels noticeably larger in hand. The iQOO 15R, in contrast, almost undermines it by being more ergonomic while still packing serious hardware.

Display and performance: Built for gaming, but easy to live with

The 6.59-inch AMOLED display, with a 1.5K resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate, is arguably the iQOO 15R’s biggest strength. It hits a sweet spot. It’s large enough for gaming and content consumption, yet compact enough to remain practical for daily use. Again, it’s not a compact phone per se, but in a sea of big-screen devices, it is relatively ergonomic, which adds to its charm.

Under the hood, the iQOO 15R runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5. My unit has 12 GB LPDDR5X Ultra RAM paired with 512 GB of UFS 4.1 storage. On paper, that already tells you what to expect. In our benchmark runs at the Digit Test Labs, the numbers are strong, as you’d imagine. The phone does get toasty during intense benchmarking sessions, which is not unusual for a powerful chip being pushed to its limits. However, what matters more is real-world performance. In gaming sessions and regular usage, including camera use and multitasking, the phone barely gets warm. That’s a good sign. Optimisation seems solid here. The overall user experience feels smooth and responsive. Apps open quickly, animations are fluid, and there’s no noticeable stutter. That is what really matters.

For gamers, this might be one of the most ergonomic performance phones in this price bracket. You’re getting flagship-level power without the usual bulk.

Battery life: Commendable for a relatively compact phone

One surprising detail is the battery. The iQOO 15R packs a 7,600 mAh battery, which is larger than what you get on many bigger phones. Combining that with a relatively compact body is impressive. In early testing, battery life looks promising. We’re still running our standard loops and endurance tests, so detailed results will come in the full review. But from initial usage, it comfortably lasts through heavy use days that include gaming, streaming, social media, and camera use.

The key point here is that you’re not sacrificing battery life for comfort. Usually, smaller phones come with smaller batteries. That’s not the case here.

Cameras: Good main sensor, room for more

If there’s one area where the iQOO 15R feels slightly restrained, it’s the camera setup. It uses a dual-rear camera system. The 50MP Sony LYT700 primary camera performs quite well for the price. In good lighting, shots have decent detail, good colour balance, and usable dynamic range. The ultra-wide camera, however, is just okay. It does the job, but it’s not the strongest we’ve seen in this segment. There’s a noticeable difference in detail and consistency compared to the main sensor.

A telephoto camera would have made this setup more complete. In a phone that is otherwise aiming to offer a near-flagship experience, the absence of a dedicated zoom lens feels like a missed opportunity. That said, for someone who primarily uses the main camera, this won’t be a deal breaker. It just stops short of being truly well-rounded.

iQOO 15R: Early thoughts

It’s still early days for the iQOO 15R in our labs, and this isn’t a final verdict. But from what we’ve seen so far, it’s a very interesting device. It brings flagship-level performance into a more manageable size. It feels premium. It packs a massive 7,600 mAh battery. And it delivers a polished user experience. The best part, though, is the pricing. The 8 GB + 256 GB variant starts at Rs 44,999, while the 12 GB options are priced at Rs 47,999 and Rs 52,999 for the 256 GB and 512 GB storage variants, respectively. That puts the phone in direct competition with the fan-favourite, OnePlus 15R. But is iQOO’s offering better? We’ll have to wait and see.

For now, I’d say that as good as the iQOO 15R is, like everything else, it isn’t perfect. The ultra-wide camera could be better, and a telephoto lens would have strengthened its case. Benchmark heat is something we’re still analysing closely. But as a first impression, the iQOO 15R feels like a smartly positioned response to a clear gap in the market.

Full testing is underway, and we’ll have a clearer picture soon. Stay tuned to Digit for more.

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