Contrary to reports swirling earlier this month, the iQOO 15 Mini appears to still be in development, with fresh leaks suggesting its arrival sometime around April 2026. This new information comes from tipster Smart Pikachu, pushing back against earlier claims of the Mini’s cancellation. The smaller smartphone is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing launches in iQOO’s lineup for the year.
What sets the Mini apart is its compact form factor. The device is rumoured to feature a 6.3-inch display. That makes it one of the few genuinely compact flagships expected next year. There’s talk that MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500 chipset could power the Mini.
Perhaps the most surprising aspect is the rumoured battery: a sizable 7,000 mAh cell, reportedly the same as the one in the larger model. Additions such as a metal frame and an ultrasonic fingerprint reader only pad the appeal, helping distinguish this device in the increasingly rare field of smaller high-end phones.
2026 is shaping up to be an interesting year for fans of smaller phones, with competitors also preparing compact flagships. OnePlus is believed to be working on the 6.3-inch 15T, Oppo is supposedly developing the Find X9s, and Honor may enter the scene with a Magic 8 Mini. After years of large phones dominating the market, the compact flagship scene looks to be making a comeback.
There are also whispers of an iQOO 15 Ultra, but details are still scarce. For now, the immediate focus is on the standard iQOO 15’s India launch scheduled for November 26. The iQOO 15 Mini has yet to receive an official confirmation. Still, the continued leaks indicate it could be one of 2026’s most notable releases — less for its size, and more for how it balances flagship-grade power with compact convenience.
