Chinese smartphone brands continue to push battery capacity to new extremes, and iQOO appears to be next in line. According to a new leak, the Vivo sub-brand is working on phones with batteries far larger than what the current performance-centric devices include.
Well-known Weibo tipster Digital Chat Station hints that iQOO already has a phone in mass production with a battery close to 9,000mAh. More interestingly, another model featuring a 10,000mAh battery is said to be under evaluation. While launch timelines were not mentioned, the leak suggests these devices are part of iQOO’s upcoming roadmap.
The tipster also pointed out how quickly battery sizes are growing across the industry, especially in China. Large-screen phones launching in early 2026 are expected to ship with at least 8,000mAh batteries as standard. Near-flagship models could push towards 9,000mAh, while mid-range devices may go even higher to offer noticeably longer battery life than current premium phones.
For comparison, most global flagships still rely on batteries in the 5,000–6,000mAh range. When asked whether Apple could catch up to this trend anytime soon, Digital Chat Station responded bluntly: “Impossible, absolutely impossible.”
Separately, another leak suggests iQOO is preparing the iQOO 15 Ultra. It’s tipped to launch before the Chinese Spring Festival, likely in late January or early February 2026. The phone is expected to feature a bold new design, gaming shoulder buttons, and an upgraded active cooling fan, said to be the largest and most efficient iQOO has used so far.
While the battery size of the iQOO 15 Ultra hasn’t been confirmed yet, these reports point to a clear shift in priorities. Chinese brands appear willing to trade slim designs for longer battery life and sustained performance, especially for gamers and power users.
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