iQOO 15 India Price Confirmed: Why Flagship Killers Are Getting Expensive?

For years, iQOO has been the safe haven for gamers who wanted top-tier performance without splurging above Rs 60,000. That era appears to be over.

In a candid admission ahead of the phone’s India launch, iQOO India CEO Nipun Marya has confirmed to Gadgets360 that the upcoming iQOO 15 will likely carry an effective price between ₹65,000 and ₹70,000. This is a sharp departure from its predecessor, the iQOO 13, which launched at a much more palatable ₹54,999 just last year.

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The official reason is the RAM. Why the sudden ₹15,000 hike? Marya points the finger directly at the global supply chain. “Soaring component costs,” specifically for memory (RAM and Storage) and chipsets, have forced the brand’s hand.

This tracks with broader industry trends. As demand for AI servers explodes, the cost of high-speed memory (DRAM) has skyrocketed, leaving smartphone makers to either eat the cost or pass it on to you. iQOO, operating on razor-thin margins to begin with, seemingly had no choice but to do the latter.

This revelation complicates the battlefield for the 2025 flagship season.

• OnePlus 15: Expected around ₹72,999.
• Realme GT8 Pro: Confirmed to be under ₹70,000.
• iQOO 15: Now confirmed ₹65,000–₹70,000.

Previously, iQOO was the clear “budget” winner. Now, it is launching at nearly the same price as its rivals. This removes iQOO’s biggest advantage i.e., price, and forces it to compete purely on merit. Can a gaming-focused phone with a “good enough” camera compete with the camera-centric Realme GT8 Pro when they cost virtually the same?

ALSO READ: 6 Reasons the iQOO 15 Wins the Flagship Battle

The Silver Lining To soften the blow, Marya hinted at aggressive launch offers and “long-term EMI” deals to make the device feel affordable, even if the sticker price says otherwise. But make no mistake: the days of buying a Snapdragon 8 Elite flagship for ₹55,000 are likely behind us.

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