
iQOO appears to be preparing a major product launch in China, with the iQOO 16 flagship and a new compact tablet among the devices expected to debut in the coming months. A new leak has now revealed details about the iQOO 16’s rear design, while an iQOO executive has teased what appears to be the company’s upcoming gaming tablet.
The iQOO 16 is expected to combine a new design with a high-refresh-rate 2K display, Qualcomm’s next-generation flagship chipset and a large battery. The phone is reportedly due to launch in October, with more details likely to emerge around Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit in September.
According to tipster Digital Chat Station (via), the iQOO 16 will feature a square camera module with heavily rounded corners, replacing the design seen on previous models. The three rear cameras are expected to sit in a connected arrangement inside the camera island, while additional detailing and textures around the module are said to give it a more mechanical, futuristic appearance.
The rear panel is also expected to use a new manufacturing process. This could make the iQOO 16 visually different from the iQOO 15 and help it stand out among other upcoming flagship phones, which are increasingly adopting large, square or rectangular camera modules.
The phone is tipped to have three 50MP rear cameras, including a primary sensor with a 1/1.3-inch size and f/1.68 aperture. The ultrawide and periscope telephoto cameras are also expected to use 50MP sensors. These specifications would give the iQOO 16 a more versatile camera setup than flagships that reserve higher-resolution sensors for only the main camera.
The iQOO 16 is expected to feature a 6.85-inch Samsung-made flat 2K display with a 165Hz refresh rate. It could be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro, paired with an 8,500mAh battery and 100W wired charging. Other reported features include wireless charging, a dedicated display chip, 3D ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, USB 3.2, dual speakers and IP68/IP69 protection.
Qualcomm is expected to introduce the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and its faster Pro variant in September. The iQOO 16 could therefore be among the first phones to showcase the new flagship platform. Current iQOO 15 owners should wait for final performance figures before deciding on an upgrade, particularly as early engineering-unit benchmark results can be unrepresentative.
Meanwhile, iQOO Product Manager Wang Ken has teased what appears to be the company’s new compact tablet. It’s reportedly related to a device recently certified in China and could use a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6-series chipset with an active cooling system and built-in fan. An OLED display, slim bezels and high refresh rate are also expected, with Wi-Fi-only connectivity likely.
For buyers, the iQOO 16 looks interesting for performance-focused users who also want a large battery and gaming-oriented features. However, its 165Hz display and 8,500mAh battery will matter only if the phone maintains reasonable weight and charging efficiency. With the launch still expected in October, buyers should wait for final specifications, pricing and real-world performance before comparing it with rival Snapdragon flagship phones.