iQOO 15 Brings Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, Bold LED Camera Ring, and Massive Battery

The upcoming iQOO 15 is shaping up to be one of the boldest smartphone releases of the year, not only because of the raw power under its hood but also due to its eye-catching design. While many handsets today stick to safe, minimalist looks, iQOO seems determined to stand out.

After already teasing a color-changing back panel, the brand has now revealed another flashy feature: an LED ring encircling the camera module.

This glowing accent, shown off in official promo images, is designed to highlight the camera island. Depending on how you look at it, it can be seen as either a fun futuristic touch or just another marketing gimmick. Still, it’s a daring attempt to bring visual flair back to what has become a monotonous smartphone landscape. Interestingly, tipster Digital Chat Station claims the camera bump will be slightly bulkier than usual because iQOO is reintroducing a periscope telephoto lens – a feature that had been missing from its recent lineups.

Specs-wise, the iQOO 15 is expected to debut with Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, which is set to be officially launched on September 23. This makes it one of the very first phones to carry the processor, ensuring top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and AI-driven features. The display will reportedly be a 6.85-inch QHD+ AMOLED panel from Samsung, boasting an insane 6,000-nit peak brightness – a number that far exceeds most competitors, potentially making it one of the brightest screens in the industry.

On the photography front, leaks suggest a 50 MP main shooter with a 1/1.5-inch sensor, a 50 MP telephoto (likely the returning periscope), and an ultrawide unit. If accurate, this setup positions the device as a serious contender in the mobile photography space. Battery life should also be a highlight, with capacity rumored between 7,000 and 8,000 mAh. Paired with 100W wired charging and wireless charging support, users may get both endurance and convenience in a single package.

For some, the LED camera ring will be a nostalgic nod to older designs with playful lighting effects, while others dismiss it as a novelty. Regardless, it shows iQOO’s willingness to take risks at a time when many phones feel indistinguishable. Whether this light-up ring becomes a defining feature or fades into a forgotten experiment will depend on how it’s received by real users once the iQOO 15 officially launches.