iQOO 16 tipped with 165Hz display, 8500mAh battery and 2nm Snapdragon chip

Leaked details about the upcoming iQOO 16 have emerged from reliable Chinese tipster Digital Chat Station, suggesting the device could launch in September with major upgrades across the board.

The most notable change is the display: iQOO 16 is expected to feature a flat 6.85-inch 2K Samsung panel with a 165Hz refresh rate. That's a significant jump from the 144Hz screen on last year's iQOO 15, offering smoother scrolling and gaming performance.

Design-wise, the changes are subtle. The rounded corners and front panel remain largely unchanged, but the rear camera module has been redesigned into a small, square shape positioned in the top-left corner of the back panel.

Under the hood, the phone is said to be powered by the unannounced 2nm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro (model number SM8975). This would make it one of the first devices to use a 2-nanometer process node, promising substantial gains in performance and power efficiency.

Battery life could be a standout feature: the iQOO 16 is rumored to pack an 8,500mAh cell — a massive capacity for a smartphone — with support for 100W wired charging and wireless charging. Other specs include symmetrical dual speakers (1115 series), an X-axis linear motor (0916 series), and a USB 3.2 port.

Additional features tipped by the insider include a 3D ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner, a dedicated graphics chip (possibly the Supercomputing Chip Q4), and IP68/IP69 dust and water resistance. The main camera is being tested with a 50-megapixel sensor, though the exact sensor model hasn't been confirmed yet.