iQOO 15 Mini reportedly cancelled as compact phones receive lukewarm response
There are a couple of new compact phones in the works. These include the Honor Magic 8 Slim / Mini, the Vivo X300s, the Oppo Find X9s, and the OnePlus 15s / 15T. There have been mixed reports on the existence of the iQOO 15 Mini. In November, tipster Digital Chat Station revealed that iQOO had stopped developing it, but a leak that surfaced a few days later said that it was still in development. However, a new Weibo post by DCS again states that the phone may not see the light of day.
iQOO 15 Mini may have been shelved

As can be seen above, a Weibo user asked DCS whether there was any news about iQOO’s compact phone, which is dubbed the iQOO 15 Mini by the rumor mill. DCS responded by saying, “The project is currently suspended. (machine translated).”

So, what could be the reason behind killing this project? In another Weibo post, the tipster suggests that compact smartphones are losing momentum, prompting two major parent brands to plan larger flagship models for 2026. These devices will sit above standard flagships, offering better cameras, stronger performance, and bigger batteries, possibly carrying “Max” or “Plus” branding.
From a broader industry perspective, compact flagship phones often face practical challenges. Developing a small handset capable of housing Pro-level hardware involves higher research and engineering costs, yet such devices still tend to compromise on sustained performance and battery capacity. As a result, they often end up being priced higher without offering clearly superior specifications, making it harder for compact flagships to appeal to a wider audience.
For instance, the upcoming OnePlus 15s / 15T is still rumoured to lack some essential features, such as an ultra-wide camera and wireless charging, despite being positioned as a top-tier flagship. This reality helps explain why brands may be stepping back from small-screen projects like the iQOO 15 Mini.
As far as rumored iQOO 15 Mini specs are concerned, it was said to feature a 6.31-inch OLED 1.5K display, a Dimensity 9500 or 9500+ chip, a 7,000mAh+ battery, a metal middle frame, and an ultrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensor. It was speculated to launch in April 2026.
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The post iQOO 15 Mini reportedly cancelled as compact phones receive lukewarm response appeared first on Gizmochina.