A Unique Feature No Smartphone Needs: Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra Review

Key Takeaways

• Integrated fan fails to prevent throttling
• 7400 mAh battery lasts over 28 hours web browsing
• 1440p 144 Hz OLED display offers excellent color accuracy
• Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 delivers top-tier benchmark scores
• Pricing starts €800 as import, limited to China

Pulse Analysis

Smartphone makers have long chased laptop‑level performance, and Vivo’s iQOO 15 Ultra is the latest attempt to bridge that gap with an internal fan. While the concept sounds appealing—drawing heat away from the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5—the real‑world test shows only marginal thermal improvement. The fan adds weight and complexity without eliminating throttling, suggesting that software‑based power management remains more effective than mechanical cooling in thin handsets.

Beyond the cooling debate, the Ultra packs flagship‑grade hardware that sets a high bar for gaming phones. A 16 GB LPDDR5X Ultra Pro RAM, 1 TB UFS 4.1 storage, and a 7 400 mAh silicon‑carbon battery deliver marathon sessions, while 100 W wired and 40 W wireless charging keep downtime short. The 6.85‑inch LTPO OLED panel, calibrated to a ΔE of 0.74, offers vivid colors and a 144 Hz refresh rate, ideal for fast‑paced titles. Camera performance, driven by three 50 MP sensors and Vivo’s AI processing, produces images that challenge the iPhone 17’s flagship output.

For consumers, the iQOO 15 Ultra’s premium price—≈ €800 for imports—and its exclusive Chinese launch raise questions about market positioning. Its heavy 227 g chassis, IP69 rating, and gaming‑centric accessories like shoulder buttons appeal to enthusiasts, yet the limited availability and unclear update roadmap may deter mainstream buyers. Competitors such as Asus ROG and Xiaomi Black Shark will likely watch Vivo’s fan experiment closely, shaping the next wave of gaming smartphones where thermal solutions, battery endurance, and price-performance balance become decisive factors.