The rumor cycle around the iQOO 16 is starting to pick up pace, and early details suggest the brand may be aiming for a major leap in display technology. Expected to launch in China around October this year, the upcoming flagship could introduce one of the highest refresh rate screens seen on a smartphone yet.
According to tipster Smart Pikachu, iQOO may be among the first manufacturers to test Samsung’s next-generation 2K OLED panels with refresh rates reaching 165Hz and even 185Hz. While 165Hz is already a step beyond most current flagships, the mention of native 185Hz panels indicates that display technology is being pushed further, with game developers also reportedly preparing to support these higher refresh rates.
For context, the previous-generation iQOO 15 features a 6.85-inch Samsung M14 OLED panel with 2K resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. The iQOO 16 is expected to retain the sharp 2K resolution while significantly boosting refresh rate performance, positioning it as a direct competitor to the upcoming OnePlus 16, which is rumored to feature a 200Hz or even 240Hz display, albeit possibly at a lower 1.5K resolution.
Beyond the display, the iQOO 16 is also tipped to bring notable upgrades in the camera department. Earlier leaks suggest it could feature a 200MP main sensor, accompanied by a 50MP periscope telephoto lens and a 50MP ultra-wide camera, forming a high-end triple camera setup.
Other details, including battery capacity, charging speeds, and memory configurations, remain under wraps. However, the device is widely expected to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chipset. Pricing could start at around 5,000 yuan (roughly $725/₱43,955*) for the base model, which is said to come with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
While still unconfirmed, the iQOO 16 is shaping up to be a performance-focused flagship that could push both display and camera hardware into new territory.