The iQOO 16 could look very different from the iQOO 15 when it launches, with leaked renders showing a large camera module unlike anything currently seen on the company’s flagship phones. The images show three cameras arranged in a connected triangular layout, surrounded by a shape that gives the module an almost UFO-like appearance. The design (via) remains unconfirmed, though tipster DCS has teased the same design on Weibo before.
iQOO 16 design
The biggest change is at the back. The iQOO 15 uses a relatively conventional rounded-square camera island with three lenses arranged within it since the iQOO 12. The iQOO 16, based on these renders, moves to a much larger module with three cameras joined together in a triangular formation. The black version also has blue accent lighting running around parts of the camera island and along the lower portion of the rear panel. Combined with the angular lines across the back, it gives the phone a more gaming-oriented appearance than the cleaner design of the iQOO 15. The frame appears more rounded as well, which could make the larger phone easier to hold during long gaming sessions. A white version is also shown in the leaked images, although its design details are less clear. The more elaborate rear design would give the iQOO 16 a very different identity from rivals like OnePlus and OPPO which use more restrained camera designs.
iQOO 16 specifications
Previous leaks suggest the iQOO 16 could feature three 50MP rear cameras, including a 1/1.3-inch primary sensor with an f/1.68 aperture, an ultrawide camera and a periscope telephoto lens. The phone is also tipped to have a 6.85-inch Samsung 2K flat OLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chipset, 8,500mAh battery and 100W wired charging. Other reported features include wireless charging, a dedicated display chip, 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, USB 3.2, dual speakers and IP68/IP69 ratings.
A Geekbench listing with 16GB RAM showed the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro scoring 3,434 in single-core and 9,334 in multi-core tests. Those figures are below our iQOO 15’s in-house scores of 3,621 and 10,579, but the 16’s result could come from an early software build.
The iQOO 16’s India availability is still unclear. Tipster Yogesh Brar previously claimed that iQOO would significantly reduce its India lineup, with the iQOO 16 reportedly among the products that could be dropped. However, iQOO has since launched both the Z11 and Z11 Lite in India, making that partly inaccurate at least.
For Indian buyers considering the iQOO 15, waiting could still be worthwhile if the 16 eventually gets a local launch. Its larger battery, faster display and new flagship chipset could make it a stronger gaming phone, although buyers should not delay an upgrade indefinitely until iQOO confirms an India launch.
iQOO 16 Images
| Expected Price: | N/A |
| Release Date: | (Expected) |
| Variant: | 12 GB RAM |
| Phone Status: | Upcoming Phone |
