The upcoming iQOO 15 is making waves even before its official launch. With record-breaking Geekbench scores and the introduction of full-scene ray tracing in Genshin Impact, the device is shaping up to be one of the most powerful gaming smartphones of 2025.
At its recently announced e-sports performance technical communication meeting, scheduled for September 23 at 14:30, iQOO will showcase its latest advancements under the theme of being “cross-generation leading” and “challenging new peaks in e-sports performance.” Reservations for the iQOO 15 are already open across all channels, signaling strong anticipation among fans.
iQOO’s Self-Developed Gaming Chip Q3
One of the headline features of the iQOO 15 is its self-developed Gaming Chip Q3. This chip is the first to successfully enable full-scene ray tracing in Genshin Impact, a popular open-world RPG known for its demanding graphics.
Ray tracing technology enhances realism by simulating how light interacts with surfaces, resulting in lifelike reflections, shadows, and textures. Until now, no smartphone—including Apple’s devices—had achieved full-scene ray tracing in Genshin Impact. iQOO’s Q3 chip makes this breakthrough possible, showing real-time effects across ultimate moves, exploration sequences, and dungeon runs.
Test images released by iQOO highlight the striking visual difference between ray tracing turned on and off, proving how dramatically the feature enhances immersion.
A Display Built for Gamers
The iQOO 15 is expected to feature a top-tier 2K Samsung display, ensuring sharp visuals and high frame rate stability. Paired with the Q3 gaming chip, this display setup maximizes the experience for gamers who demand ultra-smooth performance and vivid graphics.
With ray tracing and 2K resolution combined, iQOO is positioning its flagship as a true e-sports-ready device, directly competing with high-performance laptops and consoles in terms of visual fidelity.
Geekbench Performance – Record-Breaking Scores
Beyond graphics, the iQOO 15 has set new performance standards on Geekbench benchmarks. The model, identified as V2505A, achieved:
- Single-core score: 3,824
- Multi-core score: 12,402
For context, Apple’s latest iPhone 17 Pro Max reached a maximum of 11,000 in multi-core performance, meaning the iQOO 15 outperformed Apple’s best.
Even more impressive, the iQOO 15’s results surpassed all other tested Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5-powered devices, putting it at the very top of the performance charts.
These numbers confirm iQOO’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge hardware for gaming and multitasking.
Design and Aesthetics
While performance is the iQOO 15’s biggest talking point, the company is also refining its design language. Official posters reveal a circular rear camera module with a modest protrusion, maintaining a clean yet premium look.
Adding to its gaming identity, the device features RGB lighting accents, enhancing its appeal for e-sports fans and mobile gamers who love customizable aesthetics.
The balance between gaming flair and sleek minimalism ensures the iQOO 15 appeals to both casual users and hardcore enthusiasts.
iQOO 15 vs Apple and Other Android Flagships
By outperforming Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max on Geekbench, the iQOO 15 sets a new benchmark in the smartphone industry. Apple has long been considered the leader in raw performance, but iQOO’s latest innovation challenges that dominance.
Compared to other Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 flagships like the upcoming OnePlus 15 or Xiaomi 17 series, the iQOO 15’s scores suggest it will be the fastest Android phone of 2025.
Moreover, its focus on gaming-specific enhancements—like the Q3 chip and ray tracing—gives it a unique edge over competitors that primarily prioritize design or camera performance.
E-Sports Focused Future
iQOO has consistently marketed itself as a brand that pushes smartphone gaming to new limits. With the iQOO 15, it appears to be delivering on that promise in a big way.
The September 23 technical communication meeting will likely detail how the device optimizes thermal performance, input response times, and frame stability during competitive gaming sessions. These elements are crucial for professional e-sports players who need consistent, lag-free experiences.
Final Verdict
The iQOO 15 is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious smartphones of 2025. With record-breaking Geekbench scores, full-scene ray tracing in Genshin Impact, a 2K Samsung display, and gaming-focused design, it redefines what a mobile gaming flagship can achieve.
