Highlights
- iQOO confirms September launch for flagship iQOO 16 and Pad Ultra tablet, both teased with gaming-focused hardware and high-end displays.
- iQOO 16 expected with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro + Q4 gaming chip, 6.85″ 2K 165Hz AMOLED, up to 16GB RAM/1TB storage, 8,400mAh battery, triple 50MP rear cameras.
- iQOO Pad Ultra tipped as portable gaming tablet with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, 8.8″ OLED, 9,000mAh battery, 66W charging and a Wi-Fi-only model in two colour options.
iQOO is preparing to expand its smartphone and tablet lineup with two new devices this month. The company has confirmed that both the flagship iQOO 16 and iQOO Pad Ultra tablet will be launched in September. While iQOO has yet to disclose a specific launch date, both new products are expected to arrive before the end of the month. The brand has already started teasing some of the key features of the iQOO 16 and iQOO Pad Ultra, giving us an early idea of what the two devices will offer.
iQOO 16 To Get New Gaming-Focused Hardware
The iQOO 16 will bring a redesigned rear camera area as seen in the latest teaser shared by the brand. The camera unit has been moved to the left side of the rear panel.
iQOO also says the new flagship will use a proprietary gaming chip alongside its next-generation Monster Super Engine. The two technologies are designed to get more performance out of Qualcomm’s flagship processor. The company claims this setup will bring console-style ray tracing effects and improved graphics when running demanding games.
The company has also worked with Samsung Display on a high-end panel that is designed to combine high resolution with a high refresh rate. The company claims that the standard iQOO 16 will offer features and capabilities that would typically be reserved for Pro Max-level models.
iQOO 16 – Expected Specs
Tipster DCS on Weibo has provided more information about the iQOO 16’s design. The phone is expected to use a square-shaped camera deco with a floating appearance. The black camera section will be positioned at the top-left corner and carry the “100X Tele Lens” branding. A circular external flash will sit separately toward the top-right. According to the tipster, the engineering sample does not have an LED light strip. The display on the device, however, is reportedly quite impressive.
iQOO is also expected to offer plenty of storage and RAM options. The reported configurations include 12GB RAM with 256GB storage, 12GB RAM with 512GB storage, 16GB RAM with 512GB storage and a top-end 16GB RAM with 1TB storage variant.
DCS had previously indicated that the phone could have an approximately 8,500mAh battery. His latest Weibo post now puts the capacity at 8,400mAh. The iQOO 16 is also rumoured to retain support for 100W wired charging and 40W wireless charging, matching the charging capabilities of the previous-generation model.
The smartphone is expected to use Samsung’s M16 LEAD AMOLED technology for its display. The panel is said to measure 6.85 inches and offer 2K resolution along with a 165Hz refresh rate. An ultrasonic fingerprint scanner is expected to be built into the display. On the software side, the phone is tipped to ship with OriginOS 7 based on Android 17.
Alleged iQOO 16 images leaked previously.
For photography, the iQOO 16 could feature a 32-megapixel selfie camera. Its rear setup is expected to consist of three 50-megapixel cameras. The primary sensor is reportedly a 1/1.3-inch unit with an f/1.68 aperture, while the other two cameras are expected to be an ultra-wide-angle sensor and a periscope telephoto camera.
The phone’s performance will reportedly be handled by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro. iQOO’s own Q4 chip will work alongside it to improve ray tracing performance. Other expected features include USB 3.2 connectivity, dual speakers and IP68/IP69 protection against dust and water.
iQOO Pad Ultra – Expected Specs
iQOO Pad Ultra will likely arrive as a portable gaming machine rather than simply being another large-screen tablet. iQOO describes the device as a new gaming product category rather than a routine tablet upgrade. The goal is to create a device that sits between smartphones, tablets and PCs. The teaser image appears to show its rear camera module on the right with a single camera accompanied by a ring-shaped LED flash.
The upcoming tablet is expected to combine a next-generation flagship processor with a relatively compact body. iQOO is also highlighting multi-finger touch response and support for demanding AAA games that can run across different types of devices.
To keep temperatures under control during extended gaming sessions, the Pad Ultra will reportedly use a full-area cooling system. Its smaller form factor should also make it easier to carry and use than conventional large gaming tablets.
According to DCS, the product will be marketed as the iQOO Pad Ultra. It is expected to feature an 8.8-inch OLED display and use a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 series processor. The tablet could also pack a 9,000mAh battery.
The rear design is tipped to include a square camera deco with a vent opening. A 3C certification has reportedly revealed 66W fast charging support. The same listing indicates that the Pad Ultra may be offered exclusively as a Wi-Fi model, which means it would not include cellular or SIM connectivity.
Pad Ultra is expected to be offered in Shadow Black and Star Armor Silver colour options.
More details including the exact launch date, pricing and remaining specifications should be announced by iQOO later this month.
