This might be the first Snapdragon 865 phone in India

Options are good to have and Indian smartphone buyers have more than a fair share available. Now, joining the mix is Vivo’s IQOO sub-brand. Following its China debut, the company plans to expand globally and India is set to be its first international market.

In a statement released today, IQOO says that it will introduce a flagship-grade smartphone sometime in February. Its first launch in India, the phone will pack a top of the line Snapdragon 865 chipset as well as all the trimmings that you’d associate with a top-tier smartphone. Since the Snapdragon 865 chipset ships with a 5G modem, this will also likely be the first 5G smartphone to ship in the country although network support is likely years away.

IQOO entered the Chinese market with a gaming-focussed smartphone that shipped with a Snapdragon 855 chipset as well as 44W fast charging. The company says that its upcoming phone will include similar innovations on charging and battery technology. We expect the phone to include 44W or even faster-charging support.

As is the case with recently launched sub-brands in the country, IQOO will begin operations with an online-first model with offline expansion expected at a later date.

Are you excited for the launch of the vivo IQOO? Do you think there’s room for yet another competitor in the already crowded value flagship segment? Let us know in the comments.