iQOO 16 launched in China with 2K 165Hz display, Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6
Flagship season continues as Vivo sub-brand iQOO has launched the iQOO 16 in China, bringing several upgrades to its performance-focused flagship lineup. Among the first smartphones to feature Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipset, the iQOO 16 pairs the processor with iQOO’s dedicated Q4 chip. It also introduces a faster display, a larger battery and updated software, while retaining a triple 50MP rear camera setup. Here are the full details of the phone.
iQOO 16 specifications and features
The iQOO 16 features a 6.85-inch Samsung M16 AMOLED display with a 2K resolution and 165Hz refresh rate. iQOO claims it is the world’s first smartphone to combine these specifications. Compared with the iQOO 15‘s 2K 144Hz M14 panel, the higher refresh rate could deliver smoother motion in supported games and while scrolling. The difference may be less noticeable in everyday use, as relatively few games can take full advantage of refresh rates this high.
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The Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipset is paired with LPDDR5X Ultra RAM, UFS 4.1 storage and the Q4 gaming chip. The iQOO 15 used the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and a dedicated Q3 chip. The newer hardware is intended to improve processing and gaming performance, although real-world gains will depend on software optimisation and thermal management. Battery capacity has increased from 7,000mAh on the iQOO 15 to 8,400mAh. Charging speeds remain unchanged at 100W wired and 40W wireless.
For photography, the iQOO 16 has a 50MP main camera with a 1/1.3-inch sensor, a 50MP ultrawide camera and a 50MP periscope telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. The iQOO 15 also featured three 50MP rear cameras, including a 3x periscope telephoto lens. Improvements in image processing and stabilisation will be important in determining whether the new model delivers better results. A 32MP front camera handles selfies.
The phone runs OriginOS 7 based on Android 17. New features include Origin Workbench, which lets users manage up to five active apps in one workspace, alongside AI tools and cross-device connectivity. The iQOO 16 also has IP68 and IP69 ratings and an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner.
Price and India availability
The iQOO 16 starts at CNY 5,999 (around Rs 86,000) for the 12GB + 256GB storage variant. The 12GB + 512GB model costs CNY 6,799 (around Rs 97,000), the 16GB + 512GB variant costs CNY 7,499 (around Rs 1.07 lakh), and the 16GB + 1TB option costs CNY 8,499 (around Rs 1.22 lakh).
The starting price is a massive 43 percent higher than the iQOO 15’s CNY 4,199 launch price in China last year. The larger battery, faster display and newer processor provide the context for the increase, but it’s the DRAM and NAND crisis that is to blame for the pricing. Buyers will need to weigh the upgrades against the higher cost and competing flagship options.
iQOO hasn’t announced an India launch. Its press release doesn’t mention plans for the Indian market, unlike the announcement for the iQOO 15. Indian buyers considering an upgrade should weigh alternatives that are confirmed to be available locally rather than waiting for the iQOO 16 without confirmation of its arrival.
