There are a couple of new compact phones in the works. These include the Honor Magic 8 Slim / Mini, the Vivo X300s, the Oppo Find X9s, and the OnePlus 15s / 15T. There have been mixed reports on the existence of the iQOO 15 Mini. In November, tipster Digital Chat Station revealed that iQOO had stopped developing it, but a leak that surfaced a few days later said that it was still in development. However, a new Weibo post by DCS again states that the phone may not see the light of day.

iQOO 15 Mini may have been shelved

As can be seen above, a Weibo user asked DCS whether there was any news about iQOO’s compact phone, which is dubbed the iQOO 15 Mini by the rumor mill. DCS responded by saying, “The project is currently suspended. (machine translated).”

So, what could be the reason behind killing this project? In another Weibo post, the tipster suggests that compact smartphones are losing momentum, prompting two major parent brands to plan larger flagship models for 2026. These devices will sit above standard flagships, offering better cameras, stronger performance, and bigger batteries, possibly carrying “Max” or “Plus” branding.

From a broader industry perspective, compact flagship phones often face practical challenges. Developing a small handset capable of housing Pro-level hardware involves higher research and engineering costs, yet such devices still tend to compromise on sustained performance and battery capacity. As a result, they often end up being priced higher without offering clearly superior specifications, making it harder for compact flagships to appeal to a wider audience.

For instance, the upcoming OnePlus 15s / 15T is still rumoured to lack some essential features, such as an ultra-wide camera and wireless charging, despite being positioned as a top-tier flagship. This reality helps explain why brands may be stepping back from small-screen projects like the iQOO 15 Mini.

As far as rumored iQOO 15 Mini specs are concerned, it was said to feature a 6.31-inch OLED 1.5K display, a Dimensity 9500 or 9500+ chip, a 7,000mAh+ battery, a metal middle frame, and an ultrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensor. It was speculated to launch in April 2026.

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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.

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A recent tip from Digital Chat Station has raised questions about the future of iQOO’s compact smartphone plans. The leak indicates a change in the company’s product roadmap, though it stops short of confirming the full picture. With several rival brands preparing smaller flagships for next year, the update on iQOO’s direction has drawn attention. The detailed information shared by the tipster sheds light on what may have changed internally.

iQOO 15 Mini may have been cancelled

According to Digital Chat Station, iQOO has halted work on the device that was previously referred to as the iQOO 15 Mini. Earlier reports had suggested that iQOO intended to introduce the Mini alongside the iQOO 15 Ultra. The new report comes as a surprise as the same source claimed earlier this month that the company had started testing this phone.

The Mini was expected to bring a compact body with a 6.3-inch flat display, an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner and a sizeable 7,000 mAh battery. It was also rumored to include gaming triggers and an internal cooling fan, hinting at a gaming-focused direction.

The leak now suggests that these plans have been shelved. If accurate, the iQOO 15 lineup will continue with the standard model launched recently and the upcoming Ultra. The Ultra variant has been rumored to carry the main hardware of the iQOO 15, along with added features such as stronger cooling and possibly a redesigned camera layout. Speculation indicates that the Ultra could arrive in the first half of 2026, though the exact timeline remains unconfirmed.

The update arrives at a time when Oppo, Vivo, OnePlus and Honor are preparing compact flagship models for the first half of 2026. These include the Oppo Find X9s, Vivo X300s, OnePlus 15T and Honor Magic 8 Mini. Except for the OnePlus device, most of these phones are expected to be powered by the Dimensity 9500 series.

The Oppo and Vivo models are believed to be enhanced versions of their current flagships and may arrive alongside their Ultra counterparts next year. With several brands moving ahead in this space, it remains to be seen whether iQOO will revisit its compact strategy later.

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Recent reports have claimed that the iQOO 15 series includes three devices, such as the iQOO 15, 15 Ultra, and 15 Mini. While the iQOO 15 has already launched in China and is now on the verge of a global launch, the other two models are expected to debut in the home market by the first half of 2026. A new leak claims that the company has started testing the compact model.

iQOO 15 Mini key specifications (rumored)

According to the tipster, the iQOO 15 Mini, equipped with a 6.31-inch display, is being tested by the brand. The device is powered by a Dimensity 9500 Plus chipset, which hasn’t gone official yet.

The tipster also claimed that the device will arrive with a similar design but did not reveal any further details about its specifications. A previous leak claimed that it may house a massive 7,000mAh battery.

The Dimensity 9500 Plus will most likely end up as an overclocked version of the regular D9500 chip, which debuted in October. To recall, the Dimensity 9400 Plus was announced in April, which suggests that the D9500+ may go official around the same month next year. Therefore, it is likely that the iQOO 15 Mini may debut in the second quarter of 2026.

In terms of competition, the iQOO 15 Mini may rival the OnePlus 15T, the Honor Magic Mini, the Oppo Find X9s, and the Vivo X300s, which are expected to debut around the same time in China. Except for the OnePlus model, which will have the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip onboard, the other devices could be equipped with the D9500+.

Readers are advised to wait for further reports to learn more about the iQOO 15 Mini.

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As per reports, the upcoming iQOO 15 lineup has three devices. While the brand is expected to announce the iQOO 15 in October this year, it may unveil the iQOO 15 Ultra and a compact model, which is tentatively dubbed the iQOO 15 Mini, in the first half of 2026. A new Weibo post by tipster Digital Chat Station has revealed details about the compact edition.

iQOO 15 Mini key specifications tipped

According to the tipster, the alleged iQOO 15 Mini will feature a 6.31-inch display with a flat design. While initial leaks suggested that it could be equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 (SM8850), its chipset is yet to be finalized. It is speculated that the company may consider adopting the forthcoming Dimensity 9500+ instead. A recent leak suggested that the iQOO 15 Mini may pack a battery of around 7,000mAh capacity.

For those who don’t know, MediaTek is expected to unveil the Dimensity 9500 chip next month. The Vivo X300 series and the Oppo Find X9 lineup are expected to be the first phones to feature it. The Dimensity 9500 Plus, which is expected to launch in the first half of 2026, appears to be an overclocked version of the standard D9500.

DCS added that iQOO had also been exploring a compact tablet project, but it is currently on hold, and its future remains uncertain.

The iQOO 15 Mini is expected to rival the OnePlus 15T, which is expected to feature a similar display and the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2. While the Chinese edition may carry the 15T branding, it may debut in India as the OnePlus 15s. At present, there is no clarity on whether the iQOO 15 Mini will be released outside of China.

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There appears to be strong demand for compact flagship phones in China, with more brands rumoured to launch such devices in the coming months. This year, the Vivo X300, Xiaomi 16 Pro Mini (tentative name), Nubia Air are expected to debut with compact form factors. Moving into the first half of next year, the market could see the arrival of the Honor Magic 8 Mini, Oppo Find X9s, and OnePlus 15T in China. A recent report also revealed that iQOO is developing its own compact flagship phone, which, according to a new leak, may directly rival the OnePlus15T.

iQOO, OnePlus compact flagships to pack huge batteries

According to a leak by tipster Smart Pikachu, both OnePlus and iQOO are set to compete in the compact flat-screen smartphone segment in 2026. While the rumour mill refers to OnePlus’ offering as the OnePlus 15T, there is no information yet on the name of iQOO’s compact flagship, though it is speculated to be part of the iQOO 15 series. Therefore, it remains to be seen whether it will be called the iQOO 15 Mini or iQOO 15T.

The tipster revealed that the compact flagships from OnePlus and iQOO will feature flat displays with ultrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensors and are currently being tested with large batteries of around 7,000mAh capacity. He further added that both brands are pushing gaming-oriented performance scheduling on these compact flat devices to the extreme, although the bezel control is said to be only average. A previous leak revealed that both devices may feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chipset.

OnePlus is expected to unveil the OnePlus 15T in April 2026. Meanwhile, the iQOO’s compact phone may debut alongside the iQOO 15 Ultra. While the exact launch month is unclear, it is expected to arrive in Q2 2026, coinciding with the launch of “Ultra” branded flagships from other Chinese manufacturers.

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