iQOO appears to be preparing some major hardware upgrades for its next flagship, and the display could be one of the biggest changes.
A new leak suggests the iQOO 16 could feature a 6.85-inch 2K Samsung display with a 165Hz refresh rate, potentially pushing the phone further towards gamers and performance-focused users.
The information comes from tipster Digital Chat Station and was reported by 91mobiles. Since iQOO has not officially announced the phone, these specifications should still be treated as unconfirmed.
iQOO Could Push Beyond 144Hz
The reported 165Hz refresh rate would be a meaningful upgrade over the 144Hz panel used on the current iQOO 15.
The screen is tipped to retain a large 6.85-inch size and 2K resolution, while using a flat Samsung-made panel. The combination could make the iQOO 16 particularly interesting for high-frame-rate gaming, although actual game support will ultimately determine how useful the higher refresh rate is.
Gizmochina also reports that iQOO could redesign the rear of the phone with a smaller square camera module positioned towards the upper-left corner.
An 8,500mAh Battery Could Be the Bigger Upgrade
The display isn't the only eye-catching part of the leak.
The iQOO 16 is also tipped to pack a huge 8,500mAh battery with 100W wired charging, along with support for wireless charging.
If that capacity makes it to the final retail device, battery endurance could become one of the iQOO 16's biggest selling points — especially for gaming, video streaming and other demanding workloads.
Under the hood, the phone is expected to use Qualcomm's upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chipset.
Other leaked hardware includes symmetrical stereo speakers, an X-axis linear motor, a dedicated graphics or display chip, USB 3.2 and a 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor.
Performance Remains Central to iQOO's Strategy
The leaked hardware fits iQOO's established focus on performance.
In India, the company is also preparing to expand its lineup with the iQOO Z11, which is scheduled to launch on August 20. You can read our iQOO Z11 India launch preview for the expected specifications and other details ahead of that launch.
The iQOO 16 would sit much higher in the company's lineup, with the latest leaks pointing towards flagship-level hardware rather than the more affordable positioning of the Z series.
Will the iQOO 16 Launch in India?
That remains one of the biggest unanswered questions.
The iQOO 16 is expected to debut in China later this year, but iQOO has not officially confirmed an India launch or India pricing. Reports around its availability remain uncertain, so any claimed Indian price should be treated cautiously for now.
The same applies to the leaked specifications. Until iQOO announces the device, details such as the 165Hz display, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro and 8,500mAh battery remain unofficial.
Still, if even most of this hardware reaches the final phone, the iQOO 16 could become one of the more interesting performance-focused Android flagships to watch later this year.