iQOO 15R teased again ahead of February 24 India launch with new Dark Knight colour option

With less than a month to go before its official launch in India, iQOO has begun to unveil more information about the iQOO 15R. After first unveiling the device in a rather flashy checkered pattern, the brand has now confirmed that it will also be available in a second colour scheme, dubbed Dark Knight, which is rather straightforward in its design plain black, and minimal.

The fact that iQOO is doing this would seem to indicate that the brand is attempting to appeal to a wider audience with the 15R, rather than simply gamers and younger consumers. Based on our tracking of past iQOO launches in India, the brand has a history of offering one rather flashy colour option, and then a more conservative one. It would appear that this is the case with the 15R as well.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 confirmed, positioning becomes clearer

In addition to the new color unveiling, iQOO has also confirmed some important details that help us understand the positioning of the iQOO 15R in the market. The device will come with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor, run on OriginOS 6, and will be priced below ₹55,000 in India.

The importance of this pricing point cannot be overstated. The iQOO 15R will sit squarely in the near-flagship segment, which is already a highly competitive market. Devices such as the OnePlus 15R and the OPPO Reno 15 series lead this segment, offering a well-rounded mix of performance, software experience, and camera capabilities. The strategy of iQOO, as always, is to focus on performance.

Strong signs point to a Z11 Turbo base

Most of what we know about the iQOO 15R is still based on leaks, and the most cohesive thread among them is the iQOO Z11 Turbo, which was recently launched in China this month. Similarities in design, model numbers, and now chipset validation all suggest that the iQOO 15R is going to be a modified version of the Z11 Turbo, tailored for the Indian market.

A GeekBench entry for a Vivo smartphone thought to be the 15R in the Indian market listed Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, Android 16, and 8GB RAM, aligning with the Z11 Turbo’s key specs. If this is the case, the iQOO 15R is looking like a feature-packed smartphone that emphasizes performance over design changes.

Display and cameras likely to follow the same formula

If iQOO is going to follow the Z11 Turbo’s hardware configuration, the iQOO 15R will come with a 6.59-inch 1.5K AMOLED display and a 144Hz refresh rate. This is a display sweet spot for near-flagship devices sharp enough for general use, smooth enough for gaming, and power-efficient compared to a full 2K display.

The camera hardware, on the other hand, seems more functional than flagship-worthy. The device will come with a 200MP primary camera, 8MP ultrawide, and 32MP front camera. While these specs sound impressive on paper, it has been seen in iQOO’s previous flagships that image processing and performance are more important than megapixels. The primary camera will perform well in daylight conditions, but the ultrawide and low-light performance might be where other devices overtake it.

Battery could be the biggest advantage

Battery life is where the iQOO 15R can truly differentiate itself. The Z11 Turbo comes with a 7,600mAh battery and 100W fast charging support, and if iQOO does manage to bring this to India as well, the 15R will immediately become one of the most capable battery-centric phones in its class.

For heavy users, such as gamers, travelers, or anyone who spends extended periods of time on mobile data, this could make a world of difference. Fast charging also eliminates the need for carrying chargers or power banks, a problem that many near-flagships still fail to address adequately.

Other anticipated features such as IP68 and IP69 certifications, reverse wired charging, and an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner would further enhance the phone’s offering, provided that iQOO is able to keep the final pricing within the lower end of its promised range.

Pricing remains the biggest unanswered question

Although iQOO has already confirmed that the device will be launched below ₹55,000, it is the actual price that will go on to decide how much of a competitor the 15R will be. For now, at ₹47,999, the OnePlus 15R already has a great starting point with a cleaner software experience and better cameras.

Whether iQOO decides to launch the 15R around the ₹50,000 mark or closer to the ₹55,000 mark will be a decision of performance versus polish.

The iQOO 15R seems to be designed for consumers who value performance, battery life, and fast charging over camera flexibility and software design. It is not aiming to be the best well-rounded offering in its segment, and this is a deliberate design choice.

For consumers upgrading from last-gen flagships or mid-range gaming phones, the 15R could prove to be a significant improvement in terms of performance and battery life. However, for those who value cameras or software design, waiting for reviews or exploring other options might be the better strategy.

As the February 24th launch date draws near, the iQOO 15R is gradually unfolding its plan – less fanfare, more substance, and a pricing battle that may well determine whether it turns out to be a sleeper hit or a niche offering in the sub-flagship segment of the Indian market.