iQOO 16 Rumored to Pack 165Hz Display and Redesigned Camera Module
The iQOO 16 has been the subject of leaks for several weeks now: the handset first surfaced on China's 3C certification site, hinting at an imminent launch, and now an insider has shared purported details about its hardware. According to this insider, the upcoming iQOO flagship could feature an upgraded 2K display with a 165Hz refresh rate, along with a completely reworked camera module design. None of the details below have been officially confirmed.
Display: a higher refresh rate
According to insider sources, the iQOO 16 may come with a flat 6.85-inch Samsung display offering 2K resolution and a refresh rate of up to 165Hz. If accurate, this would mark a notable upgrade over the iQOO 15, which uses a Samsung M14 8T LTPO AMOLED panel with up to a 144Hz refresh rate, 2K resolution, 6,000 nits of peak brightness, and 508 ppi pixel density.
A next-generation processor
The insider also claims the iQOO 16 will be powered by the yet-unannounced Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chipset, reportedly carrying the model number SM8975. Earlier leaks suggest this processor will use a new 2+3+3 Oryon CPU architecture with 16MB of shared L2 cache. Graphics could be handled by an Adreno 850 GPU with 18MB of dedicated GMEM, and the chipset is said to support both LPDDR6 and LPDDR5X memory.
A redesigned camera module
Another detail shared by the insider concerns the camera module's new look. It is reportedly being moved to the upper-left corner of the rear panel, where it would take on a relatively compact, square-shaped form.
Other rumored specifications
Based on earlier leaks, the iQOO 16 is also expected to include a dedicated graphics chip, symmetrical stereo speakers, an X-axis linear motor, and a 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. The phone has also been linked to an 8,500mAh battery and IP68 plus IP69 dust and water resistance ratings.
The iQOO 16 is expected to launch in China in late September or early October. Its arrival in India remains uncertain, as an earlier report suggested iQOO could skip the country altogether due to rising memory prices, which could push the phone's price beyond Rs. 85,000 (~$890).
Notably, the company recently raised the price of its current flagship, the iQOO 15, in India — from Rs. 72,999 (~$764) at launch to Rs. 85,999 (~$900) now.
- Display: flat, 6.85", Samsung AMOLED, 2K resolution, up to 165Hz refresh rate
- Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro (SM8975), 2+3+3 Oryon CPU architecture, 16MB shared L2 cache
- Graphics: Adreno 850, 18MB dedicated GMEM, separate graphics chip
- Memory: supports LPDDR6 and LPDDR5X (capacity unspecified)
- Battery: 8,500mAh
- Dust and water resistance: IP68 + IP69
- Audio: symmetrical stereo speakers
- Additional: X-axis linear motor, 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, redesigned camera module (moved to the upper-left corner of the rear panel)
