iQOO 16 nears launch: Check expected India launch date, price, specs and more

Chinese smartphone brand iQOO is preparing to launch its latest flagship device, the iQOO 16, later this month. Official posts on Chinese social media confirm that the mobile phone will launch in China on September 29 at 4:30 pm IST. The handset features a spacecraft-inspired design with a square rear camera frame holding three sensors in a connected layout. Chinese buyers will choose from three colour options, including a silver finish with laser holographic patterns, a white model, and an F1 car-inspired purple edition.

When will the phone arrive in India and how much will it cost?

While the Chinese launch timeline is clear, official confirmation regarding an Indian release remains absent. Netizens has been sharing unconfirmed industry leaks. But they offer conflicting accounts, with some reports predicting an Indian arrival later in 2026 and others indicating that no Indian release is currently planned. Pricing estimates for the Indian market also vary widely across unofficial sources. One leak places the expected Indian price at Rs 74,999, whereas broader market projections suggest a range between Rs 80,000 and Rs 89,999. By way of comparison, the older iQOO 15 launched in India at Rs 72,999 before seeing a slight price increase. In China, leaked listings point to a cost of CNY 5,000 for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage variant.

What key specifications and features are expected?

The most prominent confirmed feature is a 6.85-inch 2K OLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate, representing a world-first for smartphones. Co-developed with Samsung, the panel promises better brightness uniformity, higher power efficiency, and a peak local brightness of up to 10,000 nits. Under the bonnet, unconfirmed reports suggest the phone may run on Qualcomm's next-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chipset alongside a dedicated Q4 gaming chip. Leaked specifications further point to options for up to 16GB of RAM, up to 1TB of storage, and an 8,400mAh or 8,500mAh battery supporting 100W fast charging. Camera capabilities are also expected to improve, with leaks tipping a triple 50MP rear camera arrangement alongside a 50MP selfie camera.