iQOO is officially expanding its flagship series next month. A company executive has confirmed that the high-end iQOO 15 Ultra will launch in February, bringing a distinct advantage for mobile gamers: dedicated shoulder triggers powered by their own control chips.
While the standard iQOO 15 is already out, the “Ultra” variant is shaping up to be a serious piece of hardware for esports enthusiasts who want a physical edge in competitive games.
Invisible Shoulder Buttons
The biggest upgrade here is the control scheme. Product Manager Galant V revealed that the phone features capacitive touch zones on the side frame. When you hold the phone sideways for gaming, your index fingers sit naturally on these triggers.
Unlike standard screen controls, these aren’t just software. They are backed by dual independent chips that handle the signal separately from the main processor. The goal is to eliminate input lag entirely. To make it feel right, iQOO is using a linear motor to provide haptic vibration, so it feels like pressing a real button. They also added an “anti-sweat” algorithm to stop moisture from triggering accidental shots.
Massive Performance Numbers
iQOO isn’t being shy about the power under the hood. Internal tests shared by the company show the phone scoring over 4.5 million points on the AnTuTu benchmark.
That is a massive number, largely driven by a GPU score of nearly 1.6 million. In terms of looks, the brand is leaning into a futuristic theme. The confirmed color options are named “2077” (Black) and “2049” (Silver), likely a nod to famous cyberpunk settings.
Market Impact & Context
iQOO is trying to solve a common problem: gaming phones are usually bulky and loud. Devices like the ASUS ROG Phone are great, but they look like gaming consoles.
By hiding capacitive triggers in the frame of a standard flagship body, the iQOO 15 Ultra offers a “sleeper” build. It gives players the controls they need for games like PUBG or COD Mobile without forcing them to carry a heavy, RGB-lit brick in their pocket. This puts pressure on other “performance-first” brands like OnePlus to offer more utility for gamers.
What Comes Next
The phone is scheduled to debut in China next month, just before the Spring Festival. We expect details on global pricing to follow soon after.
