Most smartphone reviews are written within a week or two of a phone’s launch, when everything still feels fresh. But that’s rarely how people use their phones. A smartphone is something you rely on every day for work, entertainment, photography, gaming, and staying connected. That’s why I decided to revisit the iQOO 15R after using it as my primary device for the past few months.
Since its debut in February, the smartphone market has become even more competitive, with several new contenders entering the premium mid-range segment. Yet, the iQOO 15R continues to promise flagship-level performance, a massive 7,600mAh battery, and a compact design at a price that undercuts many rivals. After living with the Dark Knight variant for months, here’s what has impressed me the most, what hasn’t aged quite as well, and whether it’s still worth buying today.
1A Design That Has Aged Gracefully
One of the things I appreciated from day one was the phone’s size, and that hasn’t changed. At a time when many performance-focused smartphones feel unnecessarily large and bulky, the iQOO 15R strikes a nice balance. It’s compact enough to use comfortably with one hand while still offering a large display for gaming and media consumption.
The Dark Knight color deserves special mention. Unlike glossy finishes that quickly become fingerprint magnets, the matte fibreglass back has remained clean throughout my usage. Even after months of carrying it in my pocket and placing it on different surfaces, it still looks almost as good as new. The finish also provides enough grip that I rarely felt the need to use the bundled case.
The metal frame continues to feel reassuringly premium, while the buttons remain tactile with no signs of becoming loose over time. Despite packing a massive 7,600mAh battery, the phone never feels excessively heavy, and the weight distribution is excellent. The IP68 and IP69 ratings also provide peace of mind during unexpected rain or accidental splashes.
