RedMagic 11S Pro vs iQOO 15 Ultra: Full Comparison + FAQ

For phones in the 5,000-8,000 yuan price range for gaming, choose with your eyes closed between the RedMagic 11S Pro and the iQOO 15 Ultra: for those pursuing extreme performance release and wanting to directly connect their phone to Steam to play PC AAA titles, choose the RedMagic 11S Pro (starting at 5,499 yuan); for game streamers, image quality enthusiasts, and those who need to stream while running at full frame rate, choose the iQOO 15 Ultra (starting at 4,999 yuan). Both machines are equipped with the top-tier processor of the Android camp in 2026 — the Fifth Generation Snapdragon 8 Elite/Leading Edition, but the cooling solutions and ecosystem gameplay are completely different, which directly determines where each of their respective ceilings lie.

01 Performance and Cooling: Liquid Cooling + Air Cooling vs Ice Dome Air Cooling, Who Is Fiercer?

The RedMagic 11S Pro is the world's first to launch with the Fifth Generation Snapdragon 8 Elite Leading Edition, with the CPU main frequency pushed to 4.74GHz, and an AnTuTu score breaking through 4.6 million points, currently the performance ceiling of the Android camp. But benchmark scores are only the appetizer; what truly determines the gaming experience is whether the cooling can suppress this "furnace." The RedMagic 11S Pro is the first to simultaneously stuff liquid cooling (Pulse Liquid Cooling Engine) and air cooling (Wind Control 4.0) into a phone, paired with an industry-first through-body air duct and liquid metal thermal conductive layer. In actual testing, running heavy-load gameplay in Genshin Impact's Sumeru City map for 1 hour, the device's maximum temperature was only 42.3℃, and the frame rate remained a stable straight line. Even more outrageous, the cooling fan supports IPX8 waterproofing, and the entire device also reaches IPX8 rating, breaking the stereotype that "gaming phones have poor waterproofing."

The iQOO 15 Ultra uses an Ice Dome air cooling system, equipped with the industry's largest single-layer VC vapor chamber (over 16,000mm²), plus a 59-blade active fan, with an air output of 0.315CFM. In actual testing, playing Honkai: Star Rail while charging for 60 minutes, the average frame rate was 60fps, with a mean square deviation of only 0.41, and the device's maximum temperature was 44.9℃. It also has an exclusive advantage: the fan automatically shuts off below 36.5℃, controlling noise to below 20 decibels, making it completely unnoticeable during daily use.

Scenario translation: if you often play games after lights-out in the dorm or in a quiet environment, the iQOO 15 Ultra's auto start-stop fan is friendlier; if you pursue "frame rate that doesn't budge an inch" extreme performance, the RedMagic 11S Pro's liquid cooling + air cooling composite solution is the only option.

02 Battery Life and Fast Charging: The Trade-off Between Large Battery and Fast Charging

The RedMagic 11S Pro standard version is equipped with a massive 8,000mAh battery, while the Pro+ version has 7,500mAh but supports 120W wired fast charging + 80W wireless charging. The iQOO 15 Ultra has a built-in 7,400mAh Blue Ocean large battery, supporting 100W wired + 40W wireless. Direct data comparison:

Scenario translation: for those who travel frequently and are out for more than 12 hours a day, the RedMagic 11S Pro standard version's 8,000mAh can go two days on one charge; for those who like to charge while playing and need ultra-fast recovery, the RedMagic 11S Pro+'s 120W+80W wireless combination is the current ceiling; the iQOO 15 Ultra balances capacity and charging speed, and also supports -20℃ low-temperature discharge, so it can be used normally outdoors in northern winters as well.

03 Signature Ecosystem: Steam Direct Connect vs Game Streaming Master

This is the biggest differentiating track between the two phones. The RedMagic 11S Pro is the world's first to launch Steam Direct Connect mode: open the built-in game space, scan the code to log into your Steam account, and nearly a hundred adapted games can be downloaded and played directly, with saves and accounts fully interconnected. In actual testing, playing the cloud version of Cyberpunk 2077 (rendered on PC) on the phone, latency was controlled within 30ms, truly achieving "playing AAA titles in the palm of your hand." For PC gamers who already have a Steam library, this is a portable PC controller secondary screen.

The iQOO 15 Ultra, on the other hand, places its focus on the streaming ecosystem. It supports unlimited stable frame rate streaming at 144fps for seven major mobile games, 2K/60fps/30M ultra-clear screen casting, and one-tap Douyin streaming without needing a computer. In actual testing, streaming Honor of Kings while charging for 60 minutes, it still maintained a full 144fps frame rate, with the device's maximum temperature only 41.5℃. Combined with the Warhammer MAX dual-axis haptic motor and War Drum Master dual speakers, the streamer's sense of immersion and interactivity are both maxed out. If you are a game streamer, or often need to record high-quality footage, the iQOO 15 Ultra's "technology + platform + incentive" ecosystem (in partnership with Bilibili and Honor of Kings' Firefly Program) can directly help you monetize.

Non-deciding factors: In terms of screen, the RedMagic 11S Pro's under-display camera true full-screen display (95.3% screen-to-body ratio) is more suitable for immersion enthusiasts; the iQOO 15 Ultra's 2K Samsung Everest screen (8000nit local peak brightness, M14 luminescent material) is clearer under strong outdoor light. Both are 144Hz high refresh rate, with very little difference in daily use.

04 Recommendations by User Group: Choose With Eyes Closed by Scenario

Heavy PC gamers (who already have a Steam library): choose the RedMagic 11S Pro with eyes closed (standard version 5,499 yuan), with 8,000mAh battery + liquid cooling + Steam Direct Connect, you can enjoy PC AAA titles even while traveling or commuting. The only shortcoming is the slightly slower 80W charging, but the battery is large enough.

Game streamers/high image quality enthusiasts: choose the iQOO 15 Ultra with eyes closed (starting at 5,999 yuan), with Ice Dome air cooling + full-scene ray tracing + 144fps streaming stability + one-tap streaming, it is currently the most professional mobile streaming device. The 7,400mAh battery + 100W fast charging can also sustain a day of high-intensity use.

Limited budget but wanting extreme performance: consider the RedMagic 11S Pro+ (6,199 yuan) or the iQOO 15 Ultra 16+512GB (5,999 yuan), the price difference between the two is only 200 yuan, the former wins on wireless fast charging and Steam Direct Connect, the latter wins on screen and streaming ecosystem. Decide based on whether you value "cross-platform gaming" or "recording and sharing" more.

05 Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

Question: For a 5,000-8,000 yuan gaming phone, how do I choose between the RedMagic 11S Pro and the iQOO 15 Ultra?

Look directly at the usage scenario: if you mainly play native mobile games (Genshin Impact, Honor of Kings, Battle Royale games) and need to stream/screen record, choose the iQOO 15 Ultra; if you have a Steam library and want to play PC AAA titles anytime, anywhere, or care more about battery life and a true full-screen display, choose the RedMagic 11S Pro. Both have top-tier performance, with the gap being in the ecosystem and cooling solution.

Question: Is it necessary to buy a gaming phone with a fan?

Very necessary. Flagship gaming phones in 2026 (such as the RedMagic 11S Pro and iQOO 15 Ultra) are all standard-equipped with active cooling fans. Actual testing shows that fanless models begin to throttle and drop frames after 15 minutes of heavy-load gaming, while fan-equipped models can run at full frame rate throughout. Moreover, fan noise is now controlled at 20-32dB, and waterproof ratings have also reached IPX8, so there are no concerns for daily use.

Question: Does the RedMagic 11S Pro's Steam Direct Connect require additional equipment?

No. The phone directly scans a code to log into a Steam account, and nearly a hundred adapted games in the game library (such as Hollow Knight, Dead Cells, Hades, etc.) can be directly downloaded and run, with save synchronization. Note that currently only 2D or medium-quality 3D games are supported; large AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 require cloud streaming (latency within 30ms), but the experience already far exceeds mobile game graphics quality.