iQOO has officially confirmed its next flagship, the iQOO 16, will launch in China on September 29, 2026, with sales opening immediately after the event, 91mobiles reports. The headline feature is a display combination iQOO claims is a world first for a smartphone.
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A World-First Display Combo
The iQOO 16 is confirmed to pack a 2K-resolution OLED panel running at 165Hz, built on Samsung’s M16 LEAD 2.0 panel technology — a combination iQOO says no other phone has shipped with before. Brightness is rated at 1,100 nits for manual peak use, 2,800 nits at global peak, and an eye-watering 10,000 nits at local peak for HDR highlights.
Design and Colours
iQOO has revealed three colourways: Chasing Light, which uses a shifting light effect on the back panel; Legend, with a light-shade finish; and Track, a dark grey matte option aimed at a more understated look.
Expected Specs: Chipset, Camera and Battery
iQOO hasn’t confirmed the processor yet, but the launch date lands just a week after Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit on September 22–24, making it highly likely the iQOO 16 debuts with Qualcomm’s newest flagship chipset. Camera leaks point to a triple 50MP rear setup with a 3x optical zoom telephoto lens, while the battery is rumoured at approximately 8,500mAh with up to 100W fast charging and a large vapor chamber cooling system. The phone ships with OriginOS 7 out of the box.
Where It Fits in iQOO’s Lineup
The iQOO 16 arrives as a successor to the iQOO 15, which itself became one of the more compelling flagship options against the OnePlus 15 on pricing. iQOO is also expected to launch the iQOO Pad Ultra tablet alongside the phone, continuing the brand’s push into a broader device ecosystem.
FAQ
Q: When does the iQOO 16 launch?
iQOO will launch it in China on September 29, 2026, with sales starting immediately.
Q: What makes the display special?
It combines 2K resolution with a 165Hz refresh rate using Samsung’s M16 LEAD 2.0 tech — a first for smartphones, according to iQOO.
Q: What chipset will the iQOO 16 use?
Not officially confirmed, but the timing suggests Qualcomm’s newest flagship chip announced at the Snapdragon Summit.
Q: How big is the battery?
Rumoured at around 8,500mAh with up to 100W fast charging.
Q: Will the iQOO 16 launch in India?
Not yet confirmed, but iQOO has historically brought its numbered flagships to India within a few months of the China launch.
