The iQOO 16 series is expected to debut this September, but attention is already shifting to another model reportedly in development. A new leak has revealed the first key hardware details of the rumored iQOO 16T, suggesting the device could focus heavily on flagship performance and cooling.
According to reliable tipster Digital Chat Station, the iQOO 16T is currently being tested with Qualcomm’s upcoming SM8950 chipset, which is widely rumored to launch as the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6. However, the company is also said to be evaluating MediaTek’s unannounced Dimensity 9600, meaning the final chipset has yet to be decided.
Another standout feature mentioned in the leak is a built-in cooling fan, which would help keep temperatures under control during demanding tasks such as gaming. If it makes it to the final product, the active cooling system could give the iQOO 16T an edge over many conventional flagship smartphones that rely solely on passive cooling.
The display is also expected to be a premium one, with the prototype reportedly featuring a flat Samsung panel with 2K resolution. While no other display specifications have been revealed, the combination of a high-resolution screen and active cooling suggests iQOO is aiming for a performance-oriented flagship experience.
As for its release, the iQOO 16T may not arrive anytime soon. Although the standard iQOO 16 is rumored to launch in September, the iQOO 15T was only introduced around two months ago, making a 2026 debut for its successor appear unlikely.
For now, these details remain based on early engineering tests and leaks, meaning the chipset, display, cooling system, and launch timeline could still change before iQOO officially unveils the device. More information is expected to surface in the coming months.