Phone (3) vs iQOO 15 Ultra
Winner
Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra
The iQOO 15 Ultra wins this one, taking display and battery decisively. Against the Phone (3) it's also the sounder buy at $10.08 per month of safe use.
Value Score: Phone (3) 69 · iQOO 15 Ultra 79 — methodology
Who should pick which
Beyond the scores — our take on each phone and the buyer it actually suits.
At $799 the Nothing Phone (3) asks full-flagship money and answers with the most distinctive design in phones plus a seven-year security promise — the catch is a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 that sits a rung below the chips rivals hand you for the same cash.
Pick it if
- ✓ Design lovers who want to stand out
- ✓ Long-term keepers who value updates
- ✓ People bored of identical glass slabs
Skip it if
- ✗ You want maximum performance per dollar
- ✗ You rely on carrier financing or in-store service
iQOO's no-compromise gaming flagship pairs a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a 7,400mAh battery and a 59-blade cooling fan with an unusually long 5-year OS / 7-year security promise that keeps it safe to use into 2033.
Pick it if
- ✓ Mobile gamers who keep phones for years
- ✓ Performance buyers who want the longest support window
Skip it if
- ✗ You need an official US warranty and full carrier bands
- ✗ You want a light, compact phone
The lifespan decider
When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.
Category by category
The iQOO 15 Ultra's screen is the better one — 6.85-inch amoled, 1440x3168, 144hz, up to 8000 nits peak, dolby vision.
The iQOO 15 Ultra's Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is simply the faster chip.
Camera systems are comparable on paper — pick by sample photos.
7,400mAh vs 5,150mAh — the iQOO 15 Ultra lasts longer between charges.
The iQOO 15 Ultra is supported until Feb 2033 — 7 months longer than the Phone (3).
Overall value goes to the iQOO 15 Ultra at $10.08 per month of safe use.
Frequently asked
How long will the Nothing Phone (3) get updates?
Nothing promises five Android OS upgrades and seven years of security updates from the July 2025 launch, so it's patched until July 2032 — a security window on par with Samsung's Galaxy S and Google's Pixel lines, and longer than the OnePlus 13.
Nothing Phone (3) vs Galaxy S25 or OnePlus 13?
The S25 and OnePlus 13 give you a faster flagship chip for similar money, so on raw specs they win. The Phone (3) counters with a genuinely unique design, the Glyph Matrix, and a seven-year security promise that matches the S25. It comes down to whether character or peak performance matters more to you.
When does the iQOO 15 Ultra stop getting updates?
iQOO backs the iQOO 15 series with 5 major Android OS upgrades and 7 years of security patches, so a unit bought at the February 2026 launch is covered until roughly February 2033. That carries it from Android 16 all the way to Android 21 and is one of the longest support windows on any performance-focused Android phone, comfortably beating dedicated gaming handsets that typically stop at two or three years.
Is the iQOO 15 Ultra worth buying in 2026?
Yes, if you want maximum performance and plan to keep the phone. Even midway through 2026 you still have around six and a half years of security coverage ahead, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 will not feel slow for years, and the 7,400mAh battery ages gracefully. The main caveats are the 227g weight and the import-only availability outside China.
Full spec table
| Spec | Phone (3) | iQOO 15 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Price (street) | $799 | $790 |
| Display | 6.67-inch LTPS AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 960Hz PWM dimming | 6.85-inch AMOLED, 1440x3168, 144Hz, up to 8000 nits peak, Dolby Vision |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| RAM | 12GB/16GB | 16GB/24GB |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB | 256GB/512GB/1TB |
| Battery | 5,150 mAh | 7,400 mAh |
| Charging | 65W wired, 15W wireless | 100W wired, 40W wireless |
| Rear cameras | 50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide, 50MP periscope 3x | 50MP main, 50MP telephoto 3x, 50MP ultra-wide |
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 75.6 × 9.0 mm | 163.7 x 76.8 x 8.7 mm |
| Weight | 218 g | 227 g |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68/IP69 |
| Supported until | Jul 2032 | Feb 2033 |
More comparisons
Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.