Peace be upon you Questers 😇

Can you believe it's been 5 years since iQOO stormed into our lives? As we celebrate this epic 5th Anniversary, I thought it'd be awesome to take a trip down memory lane and share iQOO's journey in India with all of you – one year at a time! I'm super excited to kick things off by diving into the very first year iQOO made its mark here. So, grab your popcorn (or your iQOO phone!), and let's rewind to 2020 – the year it all began!

iQOO Lands in India – February 2020

iQOO officially entered India in February 2020, and let me tell you, it wasn't just a quiet arrival – it was a full-on power move! As a sub-brand of Vivo under the massive BBK Electronics umbrella, iQOO came in with a clear mission: to shake up the premium smartphone game with a focus on performance and gaming. While Vivo was already winning hearts with its camera and audio-focused phones, iQOO said, “Hold up, we're here for the speed demons and gamers!” And boy, did they deliver.

The name “iQOO” itself – standing for “I Quest On and On” – set the tone. It was all about pushing boundaries, and India, with its growing love for high-performance devices, was the perfect stage.

The Big Debut: iQOO 3 Drops on February 25, 2020

Just a few weeks after announcing their arrival, iQOO launched their first-ever phone in India – the iQOO 3 – on February 25, 2020. This wasn't just any phone; it was a beast that put iQOO on the map right away! Here's why it was such a big deal:

• First Snapdragon 865 Phone in India: The iQOO 3 was powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 865 processor, making it one of the fastest phones in the country at the time. Gamers and tech enthusiasts were losing their minds over this!
• 5G Ready: It was also one of the first 5G smartphones in India. Sure, 5G wasn't rolled out yet, but iQOO was already future-proofing us – talk about being ahead of the curve!
• Gaming Focus: With features like Monster Touch Buttons (pressure-sensitive side buttons for gaming), a 180Hz touch response rate, and UFS 3.1 storage, this phone screamed “built for gaming.”
• Killer Specs: A 6.44-inch Super AMOLED display with HDR10+, a quad-camera setup (48MP main sensor), and 55W fast charging that juiced up its 4400mAh battery to 50% in just 15 minutes. Oh, and it ran on the brand-new iQOO UI 1.0 based on Android 10 – customizable and gaming-optimized!

The iQOO 3 came in three slick colors – Volcano Orange, Tornado Black, and Quantum Silver – and was sold online (initially via Flipkart and iQOO's site), targeting young, tech-savvy users who wanted flagship power without breaking the bank.

Watch the iQOO 3 Launch Event Live Stream held 5 years back - YouTube 

Setting the Tone: Performance Over Everything

From day one, iQOO made it clear they weren't here to mess around. Unlike Vivo's focus on selfies and sound, iQOO doubled down on raw power and gaming chops. The iQOO 3 wasn't just a phone; it was a statement – premium performance could be affordable. Priced starting at around ₹36,990, it went head-to-head with the likes of OnePlus and Xiaomi in the “flagship killer” segment.

Early Moves in 2020

• Online-First Strategy: iQOO stuck to an online-only sales model in its first year, partnering with e-commerce giants like Flipkart and Amazon. This kept costs low and prices competitive – a win for us Questers!
• Building the Buzz: iQOO hit the ground running with aggressive marketing, hyping up the iQOO 3's gaming cred. They tapped into India's growing esports scene, positioning themselves as the go-to brand for mobile gamers.
• Three Phones in One Year: By the end of 2020, iQOO had launched three smartphones in India – the iQOO 3 (4G), iQOO 3 (5G), and some variants to cater to different budgets. That's some serious hustle for a brand just starting out!

Challenges and Wins

It wasn't all smooth sailing, though. 2020 was a wild year globally (hello, pandemic!), and launching a new brand in India during that chaos was no joke. Supply chains were shaky, and 5G was still a distant dream here. But iQOO turned it into a win – they focused on delivering a solid 4G experience while teasing the 5G future, keeping us hooked.

The Foundation of a Legacy

By the end of their first year, iQOO had planted its flag firmly in India. The iQOO 3 wasn't just a phone; it was the spark that lit up the “Quest On and On” spirit. They showed us they were here to innovate, compete, and give us devices that matched our passion for tech and gaming.

So, what do you think, Questers? Were any of you around when the iQOO 3 dropped? Did you snag one? Drop your thoughts below – I'd love to hear your stories! Stay tuned for Part 2, where we'll dive into 2021 and see how iQOO kept the momentum going. Let's keep celebrating 5 years of awesomeness together!

@YasirTheJOD 

See You Again!

Happy Questing!

@iQOO Connect