iQOO 15 Ultra: flagship phone with advanced camera and gaming features

iQOO is unexpectedly shifting its focus. Known for pushing performance limits and gaming features, the brand is now prioritizing camera capabilities with its latest flagship. The company has revealed key specs for the iQOO 15 Ultra, positioning it as a serious contender in mobile photography—even against non-gaming premium phones.

The standout feature is a 50-megapixel periscope camera from Sony, offering 3x optical zoom. More significant than the zoom itself is the stabilization: it achieves a CIPA 4.5 rating. This level, typically found in professional camera gear, translates to smoother video and sharper handheld shots, whether you're moving, in low light, or both.

Vivo's influence is evident here. The iQOO 15 Ultra includes the proprietary NICE 3.0 engine, which enhances detail in zoomed images, along with the Magic 2.0 system for intelligent image processing. In practice, this means the phone uses computational photography to "fill in" details where other devices might rely on aggressive digital zoom, aiming to preserve clarity.

The display is equally impressive. It's a Samsung M14 OLED panel with 2K resolution, an adaptive refresh rate up to 144 Hz, and a peak brightness of 8,000 nits. That makes it one of the brightest screens available, suitable for both gaming and visibility in direct sunlight. Under the hood, you'll find the flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, paired with a dedicated Q3 gaming chip. Power comes from a substantial 7,400 mAh battery—larger than most top-tier smartphones—supported by 100W fast charging to minimize downtime.

As expected from a gaming flagship, it includes active cooling, shoulder triggers, and RGB lighting. But now, these features aren't just about maximizing frame rates; they work in tandem with the camera, marking iQOO's first major step beyond the pure gaming segment.