iQOO is preparing to launch its next flagship smartphone, the iQOO 16, in India following its initial release in China. While an official India launch date remains unconfirmed, expectations point to a release around late October 2026.
Major Hardware Upgrades
The iQOO 16 represents a significant step up from its predecessor, the iQOO 15. The core of this upgrade is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipset, built on a new 2nm manufacturing process. This contrasts with the iQOO 15’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, which uses a 3nm process.
Beyond the processor, the iQOO 16 boasts faster memory and storage configurations, utilising LPDDR5X Ultra RAM and UFS 4.1 storage. These components contribute to improved overall performance and responsiveness.
Display and Camera Improvements
The iQOO 16 features a 6.85-inch flat Samsung M16 OLED panel with a 2K resolution and a 165Hz refresh rate. This is an upgrade over the iQOO 15’s Samsung M14 OLED panel, which supports a 144Hz refresh rate.
The camera system also receives an overhaul. The iQOO 16 incorporates a triple-camera setup on the rear, comprising:
- A 50MP main sensor (1/1.3-inch)
- A 50MP ultrawide sensor
- A 50MP periscope telephoto lens with 3X optical zoom
For selfies, the iQOO 16 includes a 32MP front-facing camera.
Battery Life Boost
iQOO has equipped the iQOO 16 with a larger 8,400mAh battery, a substantial increase from the iQOO 15’s 7,000mAh cell. The iQOO 16 also supports 100W wired charging and 40W wireless charging.
Pricing and Availability
The iQOO 16 is expected to launch in India at approximately Rs 86,999, mirroring the launch price of the iQOO 15 in 2025. The base model with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage launched in China for CNY 5,999, which translates to around Rs 86,000, according to conversion rates at the time of launch.
With the Amazon Sale approaching, potential buyers may find deals on the iQOO 15, but for those seeking the latest hardware, waiting for the iQOO 16 appears to be the more advantageous option.
