This article originally appeared on PGHHockeyNOW.

The Pittsburgh Penguins (14-8-8) set a low-water mark Saturday when they squandered a 5-1 third-period lead and lost in overtime to the rebuilding San Jose Sharks, 6-5. The loss mystified coach Dan Muse and players alike, and Muse stepped forward to point the first finger of blame at himself. The Penguins get another crack at victory this weekend when they host the Utah Mammoth at PPG Paints Arena.

Saturday was a jaw-dropping spectacle of lost leads befitting a spot in a Ripley’s museum. The Penguins led 5-1 with 13 minutes remaining. They led 5-2 with six minutes remaining, yet their extraordinary struggle against the extra attacker was their undoing, and San Jose scored a pair of goals with an empty net to tie the game.

Emergency call-up Sergei Murashov is expected to start Sunday if newly acquired Stuart Skinner is not yet available due to immigration visa issues.

Defenseman Brett Kulak is also awaiting his visa after being acquired with Skinner from Edmonton on Friday.

Click here to read more from PGHHockeyNOW.com.

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MANITOWOC, Wis. (WFRV) – In a sport defined by precision and balance, Manitowoc Lincoln senior gymnast Ella Zutz is redefining what’s possible and showing how sports can truly change a life.

Gymnastics demands total body awareness, yet Zutz competes at a high level on one foot. It’s a reality she has lived with since childhood. But what could have been a limitation became a foundation for confidence, resilience and self-belief.

“I had a foot accident when I was two years old,” Zutz said. “I was taken to the Children’s Hospital, where I had surgeries every day for two weeks.”

Long before she ever stepped onto a competition floor, Zutz was learning how to navigate daily life differently. Those early challenges shaped her mindset, but gymnastics, in particular, helped transform adversity into strength.

“After I learned to re-walk, my parents put me in gymnastics just to help me get going,” Zutz said.

Now a senior, Zutz is a key part of a small Lincoln gymnastics team where every ounce of effort and attitude matters.

“What keeps me motivated is how far I’ve come,” Zutz said. “I wouldn’t have thought I’d get to do this, but I worked hard to get here.”

Gymnastics has given Zutz confidence, especially on the floor exercise, where she says she feels the most free and powerful.

“Seeing her growth on floor from freshman to senior year is just really fun to see,” teammate Khloe Jalbert said.

With a limited roster, Zutz’s energy and determination lift the entire team. Head coach Jacque Bartow described her as someone whose attitude elevates the gym.

“For us, it’s like, ‘Oh, Ella doesn’t have a foot,’” Bartow said. “When we go to other gyms and spaces, all eyes are on her. Then you sit back and realize what she is doing is truly amazing.”

Zutz says that after everything gymnastics has given her, she hopes others facing adversity can find strength through sports as well.

“There are going to be mean people and people who tell you that you can’t do things,” Zutz said. “But just trust yourself and know that you can.”

Bartow says Zutz’s impact stretches beyond gymnastics itself and will continue to shape the program for many years to come.

“It’s that whole idea that you can do anything as long as you put your mind to it,” Bartow said. “In the future, when we hold youth clinics and kids see Ella out there doing these things, it’s incredibly inspiring.”

From the gym to everyday life, Zutz shows that limits exist only if you let them. Through determination, courage and the lessons learned on the mat, she proves that challenges don’t define you — your attitude does.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.

As mobile gaming continues to surge in popularity, 2025 has emerged as one of the strongest years yet for gaming-centric smartphones. With powerful chipsets, high-refresh displays, advanced cooling systems, and massive batteries, the latest flagships aren’t just phones anymore; they are pocket-sized gaming rigs. Whether you’re into competitive shooters, open-world RPBs, or intense battle royales, there’s plenty of great gaming smartphones to choose from.

So here’s our list of the best gaming smartphones of 2025.

Red Magic 11 Pro+

There are only a few brands that have a pure gaming pedigree, like Red Magic. So if you want a phone built from the ground up for performance and long gaming sessions, look no further than the Red Magic 11 Pro+. Unlike modern flagships that aim to offer a balanced experience, the Chinese brand goes all in on gaming.

It features a tall 6.85-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate for an immersive gaming experience. Powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, it pairs up to 24GB LPDDR5T RAM and up to 1TB UFS 4.1 storage, more than enough for even the most demanding mobile titles. But what truly sets it apart is the dual cooling system. Not only does it have an active cooling system with a physical RGB fan, but it also features a vapor chamber liquid cooling. You can even see this system in the words as the liquid moves around in the pipes on the back.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

While Apple isn’t known to brand any of its devices as a gaming phone, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is a premium phone that delivers true flagship performance. Not only can you play some of the most intense mobile game titles, but Apple has also ported actual console-level games to its iOS platform.

So you can play popular games like Resident Evil 4, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Death Stranding, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, and many more. So you have access to an impressive catalogue of games without relying on any particular streaming service.

iQOO 15

If you want flagship-class power without the premium flagship price, the iQOO 15 emerges as one of the best value flagships for gamers in 2025. It ships with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset that brings cutting-edge performance. Pair this with a tall 6.85-inch LTPO AMOLED display, and you get a smooth gameplay experience.

One of its highlighting aspects is the massive 7,000mAh battery pack that promises long, uninterrupted gaming sessions. While it may lack some of the dedicated gaming-phone trappings like active cooling or shoulder triggers, its value-for-money positioning makes it attractive for casual and competitive gamers who don’t want to overspend.

OnePlus 15

The OnePlus 15 strikes a sweet balance between raw performance, everyday usability, and gaming-ready hardware. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 as well, but it pairs it with an even higher 165Hz refresh rate. The smooth display kicks in while you run certain titles, which brings an advantage in various competitive games.

This model outshines the iQOO 15 with its gigantic 7,300mAh battery pack that supports 120W wired fast charging as well as 50W wireless fast charging. It even supports bypass charging, which allows the device to run on a wired connection to prevent any overheating, so the battery doesn’t get damaged, and there is no performance throttling.

Honor GT Pro

Rounding out the list is the Honor GT Pro. A device that often flies under mainstream headlines but deserves attention if you’re serious about mobile gaming. While not always hyped, the Honor GT Pro has built a reputation for balancing performance, display quality, and capable cameras.

Just like the rest of Android flagships in this list, you get the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite and a huge 7,200mAh battery pack. Honor announced this model earlier in the year, so it arrived ahead of the current flagship generation. However, the brand marketed this as a dedicated gaming smartphone since it packed the Leading Edition variant of the Snapdragon 8 Elite along with a three stage cooling system that includes a 3D vapor cooling chamber, thermal conductive adhesive, and AI powered temperature control system.

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If 2024 was a year of incremental updates, 2025 was the year the foldable form factor truly matured. We moved past the era of engineering curiosity and fragility into a time where these devices stood confidently alongside and often surpassed traditional flagship phones.

From Samsung’s meticulous refinement of its ecosystem to Huawei and Oppo pushing the physical limits of camera optics and hinge mechanics, this year’s lineup proved that foldables are no longer just experiments. They are now among the very best smartphones money can buy.

Here are our picks for the best foldable smartphones of 2025.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

Samsung’s seventh-generation book-style foldable feels like the device the series was always destined to be. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 eliminates previous compromises, most notably in its weight; at just 215g, it is the lightest Fold yet, thanks to a new titanium-backed display and slimmer FlexHinge. The viewing experience has been significantly upgraded with an 8-inch main display featuring thinner bezels and the removal of the under-display camera, which has been swapped for a sharper 10MP sensor.

However, the headline feature is the camera system. For the first time, Samsung has integrated a 200MP flagship-grade sensor, allowing the Fold 7 to capture images that rival the best slab phones on the market. On the software front, the device acts as a premier mobile workstation. Running One UI 8 and Android 16, it leverages Galaxy AI for seamless multitasking, such as side-by-side editing and context-aware interactions with Gemini Live.

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7

Samsung also elevated its Flip line this year, turning the clamshell form factor into a productivity tool. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 introduced the biggest and brightest cover screen ever seen on the series, a 4.1-inch FlexWindow that genuinely feels like a standalone phone. This expanded real estate allows users to reply to messages, run full apps, or interact with Gemini Live without ever needing to unfold the device.

Beyond the screen, the Flip 7 is a powerhouse in its own right. It is the first in the series to support Samsung DeX, allowing it to double as a desktop computer, and it packs a larger 4300mAh battery despite being slimmer than ever. This combination of portability and power ensures that the Flip 7 offers a premium flagship experience that goes far beyond simple nostalgia.

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Huawei Mate X7

While others focused on refinement, Huawei chose to experiment with aggressive hardware. The Mate X7 turned heads with its unique Yun Brocade Collector’s Edition design, but it is the camera system that truly sets it apart. It features a 50MP main sensor with a variable aperture, a 50MP telephoto lens with 3.5x optical zoom, and Huawei’s Red Maple color sensor, all of which combine to deliver stunning results in any lighting condition.

The display technology is equally impressive, with a foldable OLED screen that reaches a peak brightness of 2500 nits. Running on HarmonyOS, the device makes excellent use of this extra screen real estate with improved multitasking features and satellite messaging support. To top it off, the 5600mAh battery and titanium-reinforced body make the Mate X7 one of the most rugged and longest-lasting foldables released this year.

Oppo Find N5

If Samsung and Huawei aimed for raw performance and camera versatility, the Find N5 focused on ergonomic perfection. This was arguably the most comfortable and polished foldable to hold in 2025, featuring a crease so shallow it is barely noticeable. This is made possible by an aerospace-grade titanium hinge that is both lighter and tougher than anything Oppo has shipped before.

The experience is just as premium on the inside. The 8.12-inch LTPO inner display supports stylus input, while the outer display has been upgraded for higher brightness. The Hasselblad-powered triple camera system, which includes a 50MP periscope lens and 6x optical zoom, holds its own in low-light and portrait scenarios. Furthermore, Oppo addressed battery anxiety by packing a massive 5600mAh silicon-carbon battery into the device, complete with fast wired and wireless charging, features its predecessor sorely lacked.

Huawei Pura X

Huawei’s Pura X took the idea of a flip phone and flipped expectations. The device features a unique 6.3-inch inner display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, a rarity in foldables, while the 3.5-inch outer OLED is a perfect square, giving the phone a distinctive, mirror-like aesthetic. Both screens are top-tier, supporting high-frequency PWM dimming and full 120Hz LTPO refresh rates.

Unlike many flips that compromise on cameras, the Pura X is a serious imaging device. It houses a 50MP RYYB main camera, a 40MP ultra-wide, and a 3.5x telephoto lens, offering flagship versatility in a playful form factor. When you add in IPX8 water resistance, satellite communication support, and a 4720mAh battery with 66W wired charging, the Pura X stands out as a flip phone that feels like a true flagship.

In related news, we recently covered the best global smartphones of 2025. You can check them out as well.

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The post GizmoChina’s Best of 2025: Foldable Smartphones appeared first on Gizmochina.

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) – The Peoria Rivermen won 5-0 at Carver Arena Saturday night for Teddy Bear Toss night.

Fans braved the sub-zero wind chill and six inches of snow that fell hours before puck drop to participate in the toss.

Garrett Devine scored a short-handed goal roughly eight minutes into the game and the Rivermen never looked back. Thousands of teddy bears were dropped onto the ice after the win.

It was Devine’s first of two goals on the night.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Barry Sanders, a star football player at Wichita North High School, has been named to the 2025 Kansas State High School Activities Association Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

Sanders took over as the school’s starting running back in the third game of his senior season, finishing the year with 1,417 yards rushing on 139 carries.  He was named to the All-City Team, Honorable Mention All-American, and later named the MVP of the Kansas Shrine Bowl. 

In addition to being a three-year participant in football, he was also a three-year participant in basketball. 

After leaving Wichita, Sanders attended Oklahoma State where he played for the Cowboys from 1986-88 where he holds the career record for touchdowns scored (60), consecutive games with two or more touchdowns (12), rushing touchdowns (53), rushing yards per carry (6.8), rushing yards per game (118.7), most games with two or more rushing touchdowns (12), most consecutive games with a rushing TD (15), and most 300-yard rushing games (4). 

While at Oklahoma State, Sanders won the Heisman Trophy, the Maxwell Award, the Walter Camp Award, and a unanimous All-American honor in 1988.  

After leaving Oklahoma State following the 1988 season, Sanders was drafted third overall by the Detroit Lions in 1989.

He was named the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year in 1994 and 1997, and named the league’s Co-Most Valuable Player in 1997 along with Brett Favre. 

In the 1997 campaign, Sanders set an NFL record by gaining 100 yards in 14 consecutive games, totaling 2,053 yards for the season.  

In 2004, Sanders became the fourth Kansas native to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Gayle Sayers of Wichita, John Riggins of Seneca, and Will Shields of Fort Riley.

The Hall of Fame is housed in the KSHSAA offices at 601 SW Commerce Place in Topeka, and is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

The Hall of Fame is also available virtually via the KSHSAA “Gallery of Champions” at http://www.kshsaachamps.org/.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.

FRUITA, Colo (KREX) — Fruita Monument uses a huge fourth quarter to beat Frederick. The Wildcats scored 21 in the final frame to take down the undefeated Golden Eagles.

Fruita came out firing and led 31-17 at the half. Alivia Hopkins was one of the reasons why. The freshman scored 10 points in the first half. She had a game-high 16 in the game.

The Golden Eagles showed why they entered the game without a loss. Frederick scored 18 in the third quarter and chopped the lead to one late in the third.

With seconds ticking away, Hailee Wagner hit a deep three to put Fruita up four heading into the fourth quarter.

It was all Wildcats in the last frame. Wagner hit a corner three to start the 21-6 run that Fruita used to win.

Maggie Meyer worked alongside Wagner in the fourth. She had eight of her 11 points and hit five of six free throws in the quarter.

Fruita used that fourth quarter to win 60-41. Fruita is back Saturday when they play Denver North at 2. Frederick plays Grand Junction at 11:00 a.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas senior defensive back Michael Taaffe plays with a big heart both on and off the field.

Taaffe was honored Friday with the 2025 Wuerffel Trophy, an award that recognizes college football players “who use their platforms to serve others and create positive change and who exemplify community service, academic excellence and athletic achievement.”

Along with the award, Taaffe was named the captain of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, a collection of college football players who are champions of community service.

He was a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy and was also named to the SEC Community Service Team.

Taaffe honored the victims of the Camp Mystic floods over the July 4 weekend that killed 27 people in the Texas Hill Country, wearing a tie with the initials of the victims during SEC Media Days, and holding autograph signings and meet-and-greets to raise money for the grieving families.

He also does work for the nonproft group Texas Against Fentanyl and Crime Stoppers of Houston, along with the Texas Department of Transportation’s Sober Rides public service announcement campaign.

He was named to the first-team All-SEC team as a safety, averaging seven tackles per game with two interceptions. One of the picks came late in the fourth quarter against Texas A&M to help seal a 27-17 win over the Aggies in the season finale.

Taaffe is the second Longhorn to win the award, joining defensive lineman Sam Acho, who won in 2010. The award is named after former Florida Gators quarterback Danny Wuerffel and is given out by the Wuerffel Foundation.

Taaffe was also invited to play in the Panini Senior Bowl on Jan. 31 in Mobile, Alabama.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.

Shannon Sharpe's message of hope for former University of Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore wasn't received well by his fans.

Online, some of Sharpe's supporters and everyday social media users responded negatively to his statement regarding Moore's recent string of personal issues.

Shannon Sharpe, of course, experienced his own scandal this year, as a 22-year-old woman in Nevada sued him for alleged sexual assault, claiming it occurred more than once throughout their relationship.

University Of Michigan Coach Arrested Shortly After Being Fired From The School

According to a previous report from The Blast, Moore was let go from the University of Michigan on Wednesday, December 10, for cause, after officials there found "credible evidence" that he was involved in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a staff member he supervised. Later reports confirmed that the staffer in question was his former executive assistant, Paige Shiver.

After news of his firing spread online, further reports surfaced, revealing that the father of three had been arrested after allegedly breaking into Shiver's home with a knife in hand. A 911 dispatcher revealed in subsequently released audio that Moore had an even more complicated relationship with the woman. "Male at the location is attacking her … said he’s been stalking her for months," a voice stated in the audio.

Moore was later arrested and held at the Washtenaw County Jail.

Shannon Sharpe Breaks Silence On Moore's Arrest And Firing

 

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On a recent episode of his podcast, "Nightcap," Sharpe spoke about the situation with his co-hosts, NFL star Chad Johnson and NBA standout Joe Johnson. "I think the thing is that all the situations that you've heard, you never think a situation like this can happen to you, even though you're doing what you've heard about," Sharpe said, appearing visibly crestfallen over the situation.

He went on, stressing that some men enter these relationships knowing they're morally wrong, believing it would be different. "'Nah, this going to be different. She ain't like that. It ain't going to happen. It ain't gonna get out. Don't nobody know but her and I.' ... And I can imagine six, seven months ago, I went through something very similar," Sharpe said. "So I can know what that storm is like."

Shannon Sharpe Says People Won't Understand What Moore Is Going Through

As the episode continued, Sharpe implied that people wouldn't truly understand the weight Moore was under unless they had experienced it for themselves. "Until you in that pressure cooker. Until you in the eye of the storm," he said. "Everything that you worked your entire life for, you feel like it's crumbling right before your eyes. And the only people that's going to be there, it's going to be a select few. That's the hardest part."

Sharpe later commented on Moore's eventual arrest and explained that he wouldn't wish what Moore was experiencing on his worst enemy. "Think about Samson and Delilah, David and Bathsheba. ... I don't hate anybody, but there's a few people I really have a strong disliking for. I wouldn't wish what I went through on them."

Shannon Sharpe's Emotional Response Doesn't Move Fans

Shannon Sharpe reflects on the situation of Sherrone Moore's firing saying he relates to the turmoil he's going through right now

"6 months ago I went through something very similar I know what that storm is like and unless you've been in it you don't know what you would do… pic.twitter.com/687Ucl7Zlg

— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) December 11, 2025

A clip of Sharpe's response was shared on X (formerly Twitter) and sparked a heated reaction from fans who slammed him for showing sympathy, despite Moore's problems appearing self-inflicted.

"Self inflicted. No sympathy. Powerful rich men who can't control sexual urges and ruin everything," someone wrote. "Sharpe talking like this could've happened to anyone ... motherf-cker it was a consensual affair," another wrote.

"Dude talking bout the eye of the storm when the storm is literally lack of self-control and respect," a third posted, while a fourth shared, "I don't feel any sympathy for these losers. People don't take accountability anymore. They both put themselves in that position."

Fans Don't See Moore Or Sharpe As A 'Victim'

Why is shannon talking like this is something that happened to moore instead of something that moore literally caused himself? we don’t know what its like to be in that situation cuz most of us aren’t dumb enough to put ourselves there.

— ThreatlvlGod (@HyperMind13) December 11, 2025

The comments didn't end there. One X user fired back at Sharpe, blasting him for acting like a "victim." They continued, "Both were self-inflicted."

"Why is Shannon talking like this is something that happened to Moore instead of something that Moore literally caused himself? We don't know what it's like to be in that situation cause most of us aren't dumb enough to put ourselves there," another shared.

Following his arrest, Moore was charged with felony third-degree home invasion, misdemeanor stalking-domestic relationship, and misdemeanor breaking and entering.

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Pueblo West (4-1) applied a ton of pressure on the Pine Creek (1-2) offense, forcing one turnover after another on the way to a 45-35 road win on Thursday night.

The Cyclones Elijah Pineda forced multiple fastbreak opportunities, making coast-to-coast trips look routine.

Palmer basketball (2-2) fell to Lutheran 71-65, despite a strong performance from sophomore Tremel Phipps.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.

I spent three to four weeks with the iQOO 15, using it as my main phone for daily communication, gaming, media and photography. The iQOO 15 arrives with an aggressive spec sheet, pairing the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 with iQOO’s self-developed Q3 e-sports chip, a 7,000mAh Blue Ocean battery, and a new 2K 144Hz Samsung LEAD OLED panel. But on top of the hardware, iQOO is clearly positioning this device as a performance flagship that also aims for a well-rounded everyday experience. After extended use, here is how it held up.

Design and build

The iQOO 15’s Legend white edition has one of the cleanest finishes iQOO has released. The AG matte glass back feels smooth and resists fingerprints and sweat impressively well. The new three-colour diamond texture around the logo gives the rear a subtle but premium identity without feeling loud. The camera module continues the floating rectangular design that iQOO has used in recent generations and looks cohesive with the rest of the phone.

Below the camera sits the Halo Light, which returns with customizable lighting effects for charging cues, notifications and game-triggered animations. However, in my usage, it was less visible than the Halo Light on the iQOO 13, especially once a case is applied. In most cases, the light gets muted significantly, reducing its usefulness beyond pure aesthetics.

Despite the large battery capacity, iQOO has managed the weight distribution well. The curved edges and softened R-corners make long gaming sessions more comfortable. The metal frame adds to durability and grip. The side buttons are positioned sensibly, with the shortened volume rocker helping avoid accidental presses during landscape gameplay.

Display and audio

The 6.86-inch 2K LEAD OLED panel is one of the best additions to the iQOO 15. Samsung’s new M14 material helps reduce power usage while providing strong brightness levels. Outdoors, the screen remains legible even under direct sunlight, and the colors stay vibrant without washing out.

The polarizer-free design reduces reflections and slightly improves clarity. More importantly, it works with the high-frequency PWM dimming to reduce eye strain during late-night use. iQOO also pre-applies an AR anti-reflective screen protector, which genuinely cuts down glare and maintains colour accuracy.

The display shines during gaming. Titles that support native 144Hz run extremely smoothly, and iQOO’s frame interpolation option can push perceived fluidity even further. Even basic UI scrolling feels faster and more refined compared to standard 120Hz devices.

Audio performance is also strong. The stereo speakers deliver good volume, clarity and directional accuracy that benefits gaming scenarios, especially shooters and competitive titles. Dialogue and vocals sound crisp, though the bass response is more functional than deep. Bluetooth audio pairing is stable and high-bitrate codecs work as expected.

Performance and experience (1/2)

The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 powers the core performance experience and does so confidently. Combined with LPDDR5X memory and UFS 4.1 storage, the phone feels fast in every scenario. Apps open immediately, multitasking is effortless, and the phone rarely reloads apps in the background. Thermally, iQOO’s enlarged 8K VC chamber and layered graphite system help maintain consistency during heavy use.

For gaming, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is supported by the Q3 e-sports chip, which handles rendering enhancement, ray tracing and AI tasks. This is where the iQOO 15 differentiates itself from typical flagship phones. Ray tracing support in Genshin Impact delivers better lighting depth and a more realistic atmosphere. You cannot use ray tracing and super-resolution or super-frame simultaneously, but switching between them is quick, and each mode offers clear improvements.

Honor of Kings was the most impressive showcase. With native 144fps enabled, the phone consistently stayed above 144fps during full ranked matches. Touch response remained sharp, and frame pacing was extremely stable. Power draw remained surprisingly low for this level of smoothness. Thermals were controlled, though the phone does warm up noticeably after long sessions, reaching around 40 degrees Celsius in the upper rear section. It never throttled meaningfully during my testing.

Performance and experience (2/2)

Battery life is outstanding. The massive 7,000mAh battery comfortably lasts a full day with heavy gaming or nearly two days with lighter use. On busy days with navigation, photography, streaming and a few gaming sessions, I usually ended with 25 to 35 percent left. For many users, this battery may be the strongest reason to choose the iQOO 15.

Charging is equally impressive. With the bundled 100W charger, the phone goes from nearly empty to 25 percent in around 10 minutes, passes 75 percent at roughly the half-hour mark and reaches full around 49 minutes. Wireless 40W charging is available and works consistently with standard Qi pads and iQOO’s own chargers.

It’s the first iQOO phone to come preloaded with the OriginOS 6-based Android 16. The overall user experience is fluid, and it comes with the promise of five years of Android OS upgrades and seven years of regular security patches. Day-to-day stability is excellent, and animations are smooth throughout.

Camera and other features

The camera system includes a 50MP Sony IMX921 main camera, a 50MP IMX882 periscope telephoto, and a 50MP ultra-wide camera. This triple 50MP arrangement does not aim to compete with the most advanced camera flagships, but it is far better than what a pure gaming phone typically offers.

Daylight performance from the main sensor is vibrant and leans toward high saturation, which makes photos look lively on social media. Details are good, and dynamic range is strong, especially in complex lighting. In overcast weather, the phone tones down saturation and delivers more natural colors.

The periscope lens performs well at 3x optical zoom, offering good clarity and consistent color reproduction. Even at 6x the phone manages to preserve strong detail. Ultra-wide shots are distortion-free and capture large scenes effectively.

Night photography benefited from iQOO’s tuning. Brightness is elevated without blowing out highlights. Noise is controlled well, and the phone rarely produces unwanted ghosting even at high ISO. While it does not beat premium camera-centric flagships, it is perfectly reliable for daily and social use.

Other features include a fast ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, responsive haptics tuned for different in-game actions, stable wireless performance, and a well-built frame that feels durable. iQOO’s network optimization for multiplayer games noticeably reduces input jitter on unstable connections, which gamers will appreciate.

Verdict

After three to four weeks with the iQOO 15, it is clear that iQOO has moved beyond building only performance-focused phones. The iQOO 15 is a performance flagship that also delivers in display quality, battery life, charging speed, camera consistency, and overall day-to-day usability.

Yes, it warms up under long gaming loads. Yes, the Halo Light is not as visible as on the iQOO 13, particularly with a case. But these drawbacks pale in comparison to what you gain.

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If you want a phone that excels in gaming but still behaves like a complete flagship with no glaring weaknesses, the iQOO 15 stands out as one of the most balanced and powerful choices available today in India. It is not merely a gaming beast; it is a polished, all-round flagship that handles everything with confidence.

The post iQOO 15 review: A performance powerhouse that finally delivers on cameras too appeared first on Gizmochina.