OnePlus 16 and iQOO 16 tipped to launch in September as flagship race heats up

The upcoming OnePlus 16 and iQOO 16 are reportedly on track for a September launch in China. According to recent information shared by Digital Chat Station, both flagship smartphones could arrive a month earlier than their predecessors.

OnePlus 16 and iQOO 16 could debut in September

Last year’s OnePlus 15 and iQOO 15 launched in October, but the next-generation models are now expected to debut in September. Interestingly, several other Chinese flagship brands are also rumored to be targeting the same launch window, making September one of the busiest months for Android smartphone launches in recent years.

Reports suggest that Xiaomi, OPPO, vivo, OnePlus, and iQOO are all preparing new flagship devices for September.

What to expect from the iQOO 16 and OnePlus 16

As for specifications, the iQOO 16 is expected to feature a flagship chipset, an 8,000mAh+ battery, and a new Samsung display with a refresh rate of 165Hz or higher. The device could also use a 50MP large-sensor primary camera, focusing on image quality rather than a high-megapixel count.

Leaks suggest that the OnePlus 16 could arrive with the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro 2nm processor. The device may feature LPDDR6 RAM, a 240Hz BOE LTPO display with extremely slim 1mm bezels on all sides. There will be a massive 9,000mAh battery with support for 100W fast charging in it.

As for cameras, earlier reports suggested a 200MP Samsung HP5 periscope telephoto camera. However, more recent leaks indicate that the final camera setup has not been finalized yet.

Global launch timeline

Following their China debut, the OnePlus 16 could reach global markets, including India and Europe, as early as October. Meanwhile, the iQOO 16 may arrive in international markets later, with India likely being the first market outside China to receive the device.