iQOO is gearing up to expand its premium smartphone lineup, with reports indicating that the upcoming iQOO 15R will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor. If confirmed, this move would place the device firmly in the flagship performance category, signaling iQOO’s intent to compete aggressively with top-tier Android phones in 2026.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 5: What It Brings

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 is expected to be Qualcomm’s most advanced mobile chipset to date, built on a cutting-edge fabrication process for better efficiency and raw power. Industry insiders suggest the chip will deliver notable gains in CPU performance, AI-driven tasks, and next-generation GPU capabilities, making it ideal for gaming, multitasking, and on-device AI features.

Positioning the iQOO 15R in the Market

Traditionally, iQOO’s “R” series has focused on performance-centric users at competitive price points. By pairing the iQOO 15R with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, the brand could blur the line between affordable flagships and ultra-premium devices, appealing strongly to power users and mobile gamers.

Expected Features Beyond the Chipset

While official specifications remain under wraps, the iQOO 15R is expected to feature a high-refresh-rate AMOLED display, fast-charging support, and an upgraded cooling system to handle sustained performance loads. Camera enhancements and refined software optimizations based on Android’s latest version are also anticipated.

Launch Timeline and Availability

Although iQOO has not announced a formal launch date, the iQOO 15R is widely expected to debut later this year or in early 2026, initially targeting key markets such as India and China. More concrete details are likely to emerge as Qualcomm officially unveils the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 platform.