iQOO 16 Reaches India for Testing, but Rs 1 Lakh Rumors Loom

The iQOO 16 may launch in India after earlier reports suggested the release had been shelved. Tipster Yogesh Brar reported on X that testing has begun in India following the smartphone's September 29 debut in China.

Projected Pricing and Cost Pressures

Testing points toward an eventual rollout, but leaks indicate the phone could be priced near INR 100,000 if released commercially. That would mark a substantial increase over the predecessor iQOO 15, which launched in India at INR 72,999 before adjustments raised its base price to INR 76,999.

Industry reports attribute the anticipated jump to rising costs for DRAM, NAND flash memory, and overall component manufacturing. In July 2026, Brar suggested the Indian launch might be scrapped because memory pricing threatened to push the retail tag past INR 85,000. While the recent testing activity shows iQOO has not abandoned the launch, final pricing remains unconfirmed.

Hardware Specifications

In China, where the device starts at CNY 5,999 (around INR 86,000 by direct conversion), the iQOO 16 includes:

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 processor
• 6.85-inch Samsung-made M16 AMOLED display with 1440x3168 resolution, 165Hz refresh rate, and up to 10,000 nits peak brightness
• 8,400 mAh battery with 100W wired and 40W wireless charging
• Triple 50MP rear camera system (optically stabilized main, 3x periscope telephoto with OIS, and autofocus ultrawide)
• 32MP front-facing camera

Launch Outlook

iQOO has not officially announced an Indian release date or pricing. If the brand follows its previous timeline of launching flagships in India four to eight weeks after their Chinese debut, an announcement could arrive in November 2026. However, testing does not guarantee a commercial release, and plans could still change.