iQOO 15 vs. Xiaomi 14 Pro: A Deep Dive into Android Flagship Performance

The iQOO 15 and Xiaomi 14 Pro represent two distinct approaches to the high-end Android smartphone market. The iQOO 15 arrives with Qualcomm’s cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, aiming for peak performance and endurance, while the Xiaomi 14 Pro leverages the established Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, focusing on refined features and rapid charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity and raw processing power, the iQOO 15 emerges as the winner. Its exceptional 21:47h active use battery life and the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5’s Oryon CPU architecture provide a noticeable advantage. However, the Xiaomi 14 Pro’s 120W charging is a compelling alternative for those who value speed above all else.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO 15 Xiaomi 14 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66, 71 - International1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, October 202023, October 26
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, October 20Available. Released 2023, November 01
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, fiber-reinforced plastic back or glass backGlass front, aluminum frame or titanium frame, glass back
Dimensions163.7 x 76.8 x 8.1 mm (6.44 x 3.02 x 0.32 in)161.4 x 75.3 x 8.5 mm
SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - International· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM - ChinaNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight215 g or 220 g (7.58 oz)223 g or 230 g (7.87 oz)
Display
Protection-Shatterproof glass
Resolution1440 x 3168 pixels (~508 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~522 ppi density)
Size6.85 inches, 114.0 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.73 inches, 108.9 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, PWM, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR Vivid, 1000 nits (typ), 2600 nits (HBM), 6000 nits (peak)LTPO AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 3000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x4.6 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix L + 6x3.62 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix M)Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 840Adreno 750
OSAndroid 16, up to 5 major Android upgrades, OriginOS 6Android 14, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica lens, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.7, 85mm (periscope telephoto), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.1, 15mm (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF50 MP, f/1.4-f/4.0, 23mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.0, 75mm (telephoto), PDAF (10cm - ∞), OIS, 3.2x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 115˚ (ultrawide), AF
Video8K@30fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS8K@24fps (HDR), 4K@24/30/60fps (HDR10+, 10-bit Dolby Vision HDR, 10-bit LOG), 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 720p@1920fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (wide), 1/3.1", 0.7µm32 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 0.7µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth6.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LHDC 55.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging100W wired, PPS, PD 40W wireless Bypass charging120W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 18 min 50W wireless, 100% in 40 min 10W reverse wireless
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 7000 mAhLi-Po 4880 mAh
Misc
ColorsAlpha, Legend, Gray, Green, BlueBlack, Silver, Titanium, Green
ModelsI2501, V2505A23116PN5BC
PriceAbout 700 EURAbout 650 EUR

vivo iQOO 15

  • Exceptional battery life (21:47h active use)
  • Cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor
  • Fast 100W wired and 40W wireless charging
  • Bypass charging for gaming

  • Camera system likely less advanced than Xiaomi
  • Software experience may not be as refined as Xiaomi’s MIUI

Xiaomi 14 Pro

  • Ultra-fast 120W wired charging
  • Proven Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance
  • Likely excellent camera system (based on Xiaomi’s history)
  • Reverse wireless charging

  • Battery life likely shorter than iQOO 15
  • Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load

Display Comparison

The iQOO 15 boasts a peak brightness of 2933 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Xiaomi 14 Pro’s display specs are currently unknown, Xiaomi typically employs high-quality AMOLED panels. The iQOO 15’s brightness advantage suggests a superior outdoor viewing experience. Both are likely to feature high refresh rates, but the iQOO 15’s brightness is a clear differentiator. We anticipate the Xiaomi 14 Pro will focus on color accuracy and calibration, while the iQOO 15 prioritizes sheer luminance.

Camera Comparison

Without specific camera details for either phone, analysis is limited. However, Xiaomi typically excels in camera technology, often employing large sensors and advanced image processing algorithms. The iQOO sub-brand has been improving its camera capabilities, but historically lags behind Xiaomi in this area. We expect the Xiaomi 14 Pro to feature a more sophisticated camera system with potentially larger sensors and more versatile lens options. The iQOO 15 will likely focus on delivering solid, reliable image quality, but may not match the Xiaomi’s advanced features.

Performance

The core battle lies in the chipsets. The iQOO 15’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3nm) with its Oryon V3 Phoenix CPU architecture (2x4.6 GHz + 6x3.62 GHz) represents a significant leap in mobile processing. This architecture, designed by Qualcomm’s Nuvia team, promises superior performance-per-watt compared to the Xiaomi 14 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) with its Cortex-X4 prime core (3.3 GHz). The 3nm process of the 8 Elite should translate to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. While the Gen 3 is a proven performer, the 8 Elite aims to redefine the flagship performance benchmark.

Battery Life

The iQOO 15’s active use battery score of 21:47h is a standout feature, indicating exceptional endurance. This is coupled with 100W wired charging, 40W wireless charging, and bypass charging. The Xiaomi 14 Pro counters with a blistering 120W wired charging (0-100% in 18 minutes) and 50W wireless charging (0-100% in 40 minutes), alongside 10W reverse wireless charging. While the Xiaomi 14 Pro charges significantly faster, the iQOO 15’s longer battery life reduces the need for frequent top-ups. The iQOO 15’s bypass charging allows for charging while gaming without generating excess heat.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO 15 if you need unparalleled battery life for demanding tasks like gaming or content creation, and want to experience the latest Qualcomm silicon with its Oryon CPU cores. Buy the Xiaomi 14 Pro if you prioritize the fastest possible charging speeds, a more established software experience, and a slightly more compact form factor (assumed based on Xiaomi’s typical design language).

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in the iQOO 15 run noticeably cooler than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 during extended gaming sessions?
The 3nm process node of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 should result in improved thermal efficiency compared to the 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. This means the iQOO 15 is likely to maintain higher sustained performance for longer periods without significant throttling, offering a smoother gaming experience.
❓ How does the 120W charging on the Xiaomi 14 Pro compare to the 100W charging on the iQOO 15 in real-world usage?
While both offer incredibly fast charging, the Xiaomi 14 Pro’s 120W charging is demonstrably faster, achieving a full charge in just 18 minutes. The iQOO 15’s 100W charging is still very quick, but will take slightly longer. The difference is most noticeable when starting from a very low battery level.
❓ Is the 40W wireless charging on the iQOO 15 a significant advantage over the 50W wireless charging on the Xiaomi 14 Pro?
While the Xiaomi 14 Pro has a higher wireless charging wattage, the iQOO 15’s overall battery endurance means you’ll likely rely on wireless charging less frequently. The difference in charging time between 40W and 50W wireless isn’t as dramatic as the difference between wired charging speeds.