CompareTab

iQOO 16 Price, Specs, Battery & Review

Price$898
RAM12 GB
Storage256 GB
Battery8,400 mAh
Display6.85″
ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6
Camera50 MP
View Full Specs
iQOO 16
Racetrack1 / 2
At a glance

iQOO 16 Key Specifications

A quick look at the main features that matter most when comparing the iQOO 16 with other smartphones.

priceFrom CNY 5,999

Its entry configuration carries an estimated global-market price of approximately $898 before China's launch subsidy.

chipsetSnapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6

Built on 2nm, it peaking at 5.01GHz, paired with the in-house Q4 gaming processor.

display6.85-inch 2K 165Hz

Samsung M16 material, 3168 x 1440 pixels and a 10000-nit local peak.

battery8400mAh Blue Ocean Cell

Fifth-generation silicon anode in a single-cell design, 8170mAh rated.

charging100W Wired, 40W Wireless

Includes bypass power delivery that runs games straight from the charger.

cameraTriple 50MP Cameras

A 1/1.3-inch main, a Sony 3x periscope and an autofocus ultrawide.

Quick verdict

iQOO 16 Review and Verdict

On paper the iQOO 16 is one of the most complete gaming phones of 2026. Pairing the newest Snapdragon with the Q4 co-processor, a 165Hz 2K panel, a 5000Hz touch layer and a large vapour chamber targets high, stable frame rates, while the 8400mAh battery and bypass charging tackle heat and endurance. It also improves its cameras with a bigger 1/1.3-inch main sensor and a capable periscope. Weak points are a lowly 32MP fixed-focus selfie camera, the lack of an eSIM or expandable storage, and China-only availability for now.

Best For

  • Competitive mobile gamers chasing 165fps
  • Game streamers who need steady performance
  • Buyers who want a sharp 2K display
  • Heavy users who want a big battery and fast top-ups
  • Fans of telephoto photography on a budget flagship

Think Twice If

  • Selfie quality matters a lot to you
  • You need an eSIM or a memory card slot
  • You prefer a compact phone
  • You want global software and warranty support
  • You rarely play demanding games

More from iQOO

View All
Buying help

iQOO 16 Pros and Cons

Quick strengths and trade-offs to compare iQOO 16 with other phones before you decide.

Pros

  • Cutting-edge 2nm Qualcomm silicon
  • Dedicated Q4 gaming chip
  • Sharp 2K panel at up to 165Hz
  • 10000-nit local peak brightness
  • 8400mAh silicon-anode battery
  • 100W cable charging plus 40W wireless
  • Bypass charging for cooler gaming
  • Large 8500mm² vapour chamber
  • 1/1.3-inch main sensor with OIS
  • Sony 50MP 3x periscope
  • IP68 and IP69 water resistance
  • USB 3.2 Gen 1 and Wi-Fi 7

Cons

  • 32MP fixed-focus front camera
  • No eSIM support
  • No microSD slot
  • No 3.5mm headphone jack
  • 2D face unlock only
  • Heavy at up to 229.8g
  • Large 6.85-inch footprint
  • Launch subsidy pricing is time-limited
  • Only sold in China so far
  • Some features arrive later via OTA
  • No reverse wireless charging listed
  • Colour names lack official English versions
Who should buy

Who Should Buy the iQOO 16?

It is built for players who want the highest frame rates and the most consistent performance, plus streamers who need the live-broadcast tools. Its big battery, 2K screen and strong zoom camera also make it a sensible all-rounder for heavy users in China.

Final decision

Is the iQOO 16 Worth Buying?

For gaming, absolutely. At an estimated global-market price of approximately $898 for the base model, it undercuts many rival flagships while adding a dedicated gaming chip, bypass charging and IP69 protection. Buyers who care most about selfies or who need international support should wait for a global version or look elsewhere.

Specifications

iQOO 16 — full specifications

datasetSpecification overview
BrandiQOO
Model16
Price (USD)898
RAM (GB)12
Storage (GB)256
OSAndroid
OS Version17
Battery8400
Screen6.85
eventLaunch
Announced2026-09-29
StatusAvailable
smartphoneBody
Height163.75 mm
Width76.9 mm
Thickness8.3 mm
Weight222.5 g
SIMDual Nano-SIM
Water/DustIP68, IP69
tablet_androidDisplay
TypeAMOLED
Size6.85 inches
Resolution1,440 / 3,168 / 19.8:9
ProtectionFactory-applied AR anti-reflection film
memoryPlatform
OSAndroid
OS Version17
Chipset BrandQualcomm
Chipset ModelSnapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6
CPUOcta-core (2x 5.01GHz + 3x 4.03GHz + 3x 3.74GHz) / 8 / 5.01
GPUAdreno GPU
storageMemory
Internal256 GB
RAM12 GB
photo_cameraMain Camera
SetupTriple 50MP camera: 1/1.3-inch main with OIS, 1/1.95-inch Sony periscope telephoto with 3x optical zoom and OIS, and 1/2.75-inch ultrawide with autofocus
FeaturesHumanistic Street mode 3.0, AI dimension creation camera, 4K Live Photos, Colour styles (Original, Chasing Light, Rich, Negative, Positive), Custom colour palette, Night and landscape, Portrait, Pro mode, Panorama, Slow motion, Time-lapse, Document scan, 8K game camera
Video8K, 4K
photo_camera_frontSelfie Camera
Megapixels32
FeaturesFixed focus, Portrait mode, AI dimension creation
Video4K
volume_upSound
LoudspeakerYes
EnhancementsWar Drum Master symmetrical dual speakers Pro, 17% larger rear chamber, Voice Bubble in-game voice pickup, Game super-sense sound field, Hi-Res codecs (LDAC, LHDC 5.0, aptX Lossless)
usbComms
WLANWi-Fi 7 (802.11be)
Bluetooth6.0
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1C+B1I+B2a), GLONASS (G1), Galileo (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), A-GPS
NFCYes
USB TypeUSB Type-C
USB VersionUSB 3.2 Gen 1
battery_charging_fullBattery
TypeLi-ion
Capacity8400 mAh
Wired Charging100 W
Wireless Charging40 W
more_horizMisc
ColorsRacetrack, Legend, Chasing Light

What CompareTab says about iQOO 16

iQOO 16 is worth a look when RAM and storage headroom matter. iQOO 16 comes with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage, providing room for games, apps and photos. It pairs a 8400 mAh battery with support for wired charging up to 100 W and wireless charging up to 40 W. 16 has a 6.85-inch display with up to 165 Hz refresh, AMOLED panel, and 10000 nits peak brightness, suited to bright environments and smoother scrolling. It offers optical image stabilization on the main camera, an ultrawide rear camera, a telephoto rear camera, 50 MP main rear camera resolution, and 32 MP front camera resolution, including an extra framing option for wider scenes and an additional focal-length option. 16 is listed with IP68 protection rating, about 222.5 g, and about 8.3 mm thick. It includes 5G, NFC, and Wi-Fi 7 for day-to-day connections. iQOO 16 is listed at 898 USD current price. Consider iQOO 16 if listed battery capacity and charging speed matter for how you charge through the day.

Questions

iQOO 16 FAQs

Common questions about iQOO 16 price, battery, camera, performance and comparisons.

When was the iQOO 16 released?

Its debut and first Chinese sales both happened on September 29, 2026.

What does the iQOO 16 cost?

It starts at CNY 5,999, an estimated global-market price of approximately $898.

What is the most expensive iQOO 16 model?

The 16GB + 1TB version at CNY 8,499.

Is there a launch discount on the iQOO 16?

Yes, first-sale subsidies take CNY 500 off every version for a limited time.

What colours does the iQOO 16 come in?

Racetrack, Legend and Chasing Light, translated from the Chinese names.

Which chipset powers the iQOO 16?

Qualcomm's newest flagship platform, whose fastest cores reach 5.01GHz.

What is the Q4 chip in the iQOO 16?

iQOO's own gaming processor for ray tracing, upscaling and frame interpolation.

How big is the iQOO 16 display?

6.85 inches, with a 3168 x 1440 resolution.

What refresh rate does the iQOO 16 screen support?

Up to 165Hz.

How bright is the iQOO 16 screen?

2800 nits globally and 10000 nits in local highlights.

What is the iQOO 16 battery capacity?

8400mAh typical, 8170mAh rated.

How fast does the iQOO 16 charge?

100W wired and 40W wireless.

Does the iQOO 16 support bypass charging?

Yes, global direct-drive power runs the phone directly from the charger.

What are the iQOO 16 rear cameras?

Three 50MP cameras: main, Sony periscope telephoto and ultrawide.

How much optical zoom does the iQOO 16 have?

3x optical, with 6x lossless and up to 100x digital zoom.

What is the iQOO 16 selfie camera resolution?

32MP with an f/2.2 lens.

Can the iQOO 16 record 8K video?

Yes, the rear cameras record up to 8K.

Is the iQOO 16 waterproof?

It is rated IP68 and IP69 but is not a professional waterproof device.

How thick and heavy is the iQOO 16?

8.30mm to 8.55mm and 222.5g to 229.8g, depending on colour.

Does the iQOO 16 have expandable storage?

No, there is no memory card slot.

Which operating system does the iQOO 16 run?

OriginOS 7, built on Android 17.

Does the iQOO 16 have an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor?

Yes, a 3D ultrasonic in-display sensor.

Is a charger included with the iQOO 16?

Yes, along with a cable and a protective case.

Is the iQOO 16 available outside China?

Not yet; only the Chinese launch has been announced.

Phones around $898

View All

Phones with 12 GB RAM

View All

Phones with 256 GB storage

View All