iQOO’s next flagship smartphone may soon make its global and India debut, as the upcoming iQOO 16 has reportedly appeared on the IMEI database. The latest listing hints that the smartphone is already being tested for multiple markets ahead of its official launch.
According to reports, the device has been spotted with model number I2601 and is listed under Vivo Mobile Communication Co. Ltd. The IMEI database reportedly mentions the handset by its marketing name, strongly suggesting that the iQOO 16 launch could happen in India and other global markets after its China debut.
The smartphone is expected to succeed the iQOO 15, which was launched in China in October 2025 and later introduced in India in November 2025. While the company has not officially confirmed the device yet, several leaks have already revealed possible specifications and upgrades.
Reports suggest the iQOO 16 could be powered by Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro+ chipset. The processor is expected to focus heavily on AI performance, gaming capabilities and better power efficiency. The handset may also include an advanced passive cooling system along with a self-developed performance chip to maintain stable gaming performance and reduce thermal throttling during extended usage.
The upcoming smartphone is also tipped to feature a triple rear camera setup with a periscope telephoto sensor for improved long-range zoom photography. One of the biggest highlights could be its rumoured 9,000mAh battery, which would mark a major jump compared to most flagship smartphones currently available in the market.
No official pricing details have surfaced yet, but reports suggest the iQOO 16 may be positioned in the premium flagship segment.
For comparison, the iQOO 15 in India features a 6.85-inch 2K LTPO AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and up to 6,000 nits peak brightness. The device runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset and includes an 8K VC cooling system. It also packs a triple rear camera setup with 50-megapixel sensors and is backed by a 7,000mAh silicon-carbon battery supporting 100W wired and 40W wireless charging.
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