iQOO is set to launch its next-generation flagship smartphone, the iQOO 16, in India. iQOO confirmed the phone’s upcoming launch at India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026 but has not announced a release date. However, some details about the phone’s expected specifications have surfaced.
iQOO 16 Expected Specifications and Features
The upcoming iQOO 16 could bring a major performance upgrade with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipset. The iQOO 16 could be one of the first smartphones in India to feature this processor. The phone could also offer 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. On the software side, the iQOO 16 is expected to run OriginOS 7, based on Android 17. It would be the first iQOO smartphone to ship with this software out of the box.
The iQOO 16 could feature a 6.85-inch AMOLED screen with a 1440 × 3168 resolution. This 2K panel is also expected to support a 165Hz refresh rate. The high refresh rate could make supported games, scrolling, and on-screen animations appear smoother. Leaks also point to a refreshed design for the upcoming smartphone. The rear panel could feature a bluish-grey textured finish with diagonal lines crossing each other. The iQOO 16 could feature a redesigned camera island that distinguishes it from the iQOO 15.
The new smartphone will feature a triple-lens rear camera module with 50-megapixel sensors. This configuration can comprise a primary camera, an ultra-wide-angle camera, and a periscope telephoto camera. The primary camera would take regular photos, while the ultra-wide-angle camera would capture broader shots. The periscope camera could enable zoomed shots. The iQOO 16 may come with a 32-megapixel selfie camera with a punch hole.
Battery capacity could be one of the iQOO 16’s biggest highlights. The iQOO 16 packs an 8,400mAh battery. The 8,400mAh battery provides more power than many top-end smartphones. Even with a huge battery, it will still support 100W fast charging. Fast charging will reduce charging time.
India Launch Date and Expected Price
iQOO has confirmed that the iQOO 16 will launch in India soon. The company’s India CEO, Nipun Marya, shared this update at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026. He said the upcoming flagship is coming “soon,” but did not reveal an exact launch date. The company can place the product in the ultra-premium category. In contrast, iQOO launched the iQOO 15 in India in 2025 for Rs 72,999. The new model could cost even more, although iQOO has not revealed its official price yet.