iQOO has confirmed that its next flagship, the iQOO 16, will launch in China on September 29, with the phone going on sale the same day. The company announced the date in a post on Weibo, and pre-orders are already open through iQOO's online store in China.

iQOO 16 launch date and availability

According to iQOO's official Weibo account, the iQOO 16 will be unveiled and put on sale on September 29 in its home market. Buyers looking to be first in line can already register interest, as pre-orders have gone live via iQOO's Chinese online store ahead of the formal announcement.

iQOO is also expected to introduce the Pad Ultra tablet at the same event, suggesting the September 29 showcase will cover more than just the new phone.

Color options revealed

In a separate Weibo post, iQOO outlined the color choices for the iQOO 16. The handset will come in three finishes:

  • Chasing Light
  • Legend, described as a silver gray finish
  • Race Track, which arrives in purple

The color reveal follows an earlier teaser last week that showed off the phone's redesigned rear camera module, giving early adopters a clearer picture of the device before its official debut.

What we know about the specs

The one confirmed hardware detail so far is the display. iQOO has said the iQOO 16 will use Samsung's new M16 panel, offering a 165Hz refresh rate and 2K resolution. That combination points to a screen aimed at high-end gaming and media use, in line with iQOO's performance-focused positioning.

Beyond the display, iQOO has not officially detailed the rest of the specification sheet. Recent leaks, however, suggest the phone could carry a sizable 8,400mAh battery and be powered by Qualcomm's upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Extreme chipset. Those claims remain unconfirmed until iQOO shares full details.

Why it matters

iQOO's flagships typically arrive early in each chipset cycle, and the iQOO 16 looks set to continue that pattern. A cutting-edge Samsung display paired with a rumored next-generation Snapdragon processor and a large battery would make the phone a notable option for performance-minded buyers. With pre-orders already open and a firm launch date locked in, the remaining questions center on final pricing and the full specification list, both of which should become clear on September 29.