iQOO recently rolled out the iQOO 15 in China with heavy-hitting specs, and now it seems a smaller version is back on the table—after briefly being rumored dead.
Earlier this month, a report claimed iQOO had cancelled the Mini altogether. But tipster “Smart Pikachu” (translated from Chinese) says the opposite: the phone is moving ahead and could arrive around April 2026. That lines up neatly with the brand’s global push for the standard iQOO 15, which hits India on November 26.
The Mini’s main selling point looks obvious: size. It’s reportedly built around a 6.3-inch display, well below the 6.85-inch screen on the regular model. That alone makes it one of the few genuinely compact premium phones expected in 2026. Under the hood, it may run MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500, though earlier hints suggested a faster 9500 Plus.
The battery spec is the real curveball. As per the latest leak, the Mini could carry the same 7,000mAh battery as its full-size sibling. If true, that’s a lot of juice for a smaller frame and could be a major draw for users who want all-day stamina without compromising the one-hand usability. Other details floating around include a metal frame and an ultrasonic fingerprint reader—small touches that matter more on a compact device.
The timing is interesting because 2026 is shaping up to be a surprisingly competitive year for smaller phones. OnePlus is said to be prepping the compact 15T (6.3″), Oppo reportedly has another compact phone in the works, called the Find X9s, and Honor might also join in with a Magic 8 Mini. After years of neglect, the “small flagship” category suddenly looks alive again.
There’s also talk of an iQOO 15 Ultra, though nothing concrete has surfaced yet. For now, the focus is on the upcoming India launch of the regular model. The iQOO 15 Mini hasn’t been confirmed publicly, but if the leaks hold up, it could be one of the most refreshing phones to watch next year—not because it’s huge, but because it isn’t.
Don’t miss a thing! Join our Telegram community for instant updates and grab our free daily newsletter for the best tech stories!
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
(Source)
Comments