TL; DR
- iQOO 16 is moving away from the camera design used since the iQOO 11, with a new rounded-square Deco and connected lens layout.
- The phone could use Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 on TSMC’s 2nm process, along with LPDDR6 RAM and UFS 5.0 storage.
- A 200MP 1/1.3-inch main camera and 8,500mAh battery are also tipped.
- China pricing could start at ¥5,499 (around ₹66,000 converted), with a launch expected as soon as next month.
iQOO has kept a familiar camera design across the iQOO 11, 12, 13 and 15. The brand also skipped the iQOO 14 name, following the Chinese superstition around the number. A new leak now shows a very different look for the iQOO 16, with a new camera deco replacing the squircle module seen on the iQOO 15 (review).
The three lenses sit within a connected layout, with heavily rounded corners around the camera area. A new finish is also reportedly being used on the rear panel. The new camera deco has earned a few UFO comparisons, which gives you an idea of how different the design looks.
The hardware is getting a serious change too. The iQOO 16 is tipped to move to Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, built on TSMC’s 2nm process. LPDDR6 RAM and UFS 5.0 storage are also part of the leak. iQOO’s gaming chip is reportedly moving from Q3 to Q5, with AI upscaling and frame generation aimed at 2K gaming at up to 165fps.
Camera hardware could see the biggest jump. The iQOO 15 uses a 50MP 1/1.56-inch Sony IMX921 main sensor, while the iQOO 16 is tipped to use a 200MP 1/1.3-inch primary sensor. The 3X periscope camera is expected to use a 50MP Sony LYT-600, joined by a 50MP Samsung S5KJN1 ultrawide. A 32MP selfie camera is also rumored.
A higher megapixel count alone does not guarantee better photos, so the image processing will be worth watching once the phone is available. The move to a larger 1/1.3-inch sensor gives the main camera more hardware to work with too.
The display is expected to remain at 6.85 inches, with a Samsung LTPO panel, 2K resolution and a new 1-165Hz adaptive refresh rate. The iQOO 15 tops out at 144Hz. 2160Hz PWM dimming and a “non-polarized natural display” are also expected.
Battery capacity is going from 7,000mAh on the iQOO 15 to a reported 8,500mAh on the iQOO 16. Wired charging is said to move from 100W to 120W, while 40W wireless charging remains.
Other leaked details include a single-point ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, glass back, metal frame, IR blaster, 0916-series dual-axis X/Z linear motor, Bluetooth 6.0, Hall and flicker sensors, and IP68/IP69K protection.
Price and Launch
The iQOO 16 is rumored to start at ¥5,499 in China for the 12GB+256GB variant. That works out to around ₹66,000 with a direct conversion.
The Indian price should be higher. The iQOO 15 launched in India at ₹85,999 despite having a lower starting price in China, so something around ₹90,000 would be possible for the iQOO 16. A China launch is expected as soon as next month.
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