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iQOO 16R vs iQOO 15R: From camera to battery, what changes to expect in upcoming flagship

Highlights

iQOO 16R is expected to bring display and performance upgrades.

The upcoming phone may feature a bigger battery and faster charging.

Camera specifications may remain similar, with a possible downgrade in the selfie camera.

iQOO 16R vs iQOO 15R: From camera to battery, what changes to expect in upcoming flagship

iQOO is reportedly getting ready to bring a new phone for gamers and buyers who want strong power at a fair price. The iQOO 16R is expected to arrive in India in early 2027 as the follow-up to the iQOO 15R, which launched in February this year. While the company has been tight-lipped about the upcoming handset, the leaks and rumours are painting a clear picture about what the device may bring to the table. If you're curious to learn more about the expected upgrades and downgrades on the upcoming iQOO16R when compared to its predecessors, this article is for you. Follow along and check how the two devices may look side by side in terms of specifications.

iQOO 16R vs iQOO 15R: Display

The iQOO 15R features a 6.59-inch 1.5K AMOLED screen coupled with a 144 Hz refresh rate. Not only that, but the company also claims that the panel can reach a peak brightness of up to 5,000 nits when used outdoors.

In comparison, the upcoming iQOO 16R is anticipated to house a 6.78-inch AMOLED with 2K resolution support. Moreover, the reports also suggest that it may get a refresh rate that goes up to 185 Hz. It is also tipped to get a flat design, a metal frame and IP68 and IP69 protection against water and dust.

iQOO 16R vs iQOO 15R: Performance

In terms of power, the iQOO 15R comes equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset under the hood. It's further paired with up to 12 GB of RAM and up to 512 GB of storage. Out of the box, the handset runs OriginOS 6 and an Android 16-based skin.

Talking about the iQOO 16R, the smartphone may draw its power from Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. Leaks also suggest that users may get to choose from up to 16 GB of RAM and up to 1 TB of internal storage options. The device may also run on Android 17-based OriginOS 7.

iQOO 16R vs iQOO 15R: Battery

The iQOO 15R features a large 7,600 mAh battery, which is supported by 100W wired fast charging. On the other hand, the upcoming iQOO 16R is expected to pack a massive 9,000 mAh battery. To give the device a quick top-up, the device is also said to get 100W wired charging support.

iQOO 16R vs iQOO 15R: Camera

To please the photography enthusiasts, the iQOO 15R houses a dual camera setup at the rear end, including a 50MP main camera with OIS and an 8MP ultrawide camera. For selfies and video calls, the handset also gets a 32MP front-facing camera.

The iQOO 16R is also tipped to retain the same 50MP main camera with an 8MP ultrawide lens. However, reports suggest that the front camera may drop to 16MP, which would be a small step back for selfie lovers.

iQOO 16R vs iQOO 15R: Price

The base model of the iQOO 15R landed in the Indian market with a price tag of Rs 44,999. However, it later received a price hike and now sells for Rs 53,999. Early reports point out that the iQOO 16R might get priced around Rs 60,000. However, do note that these figures are just estimates, and they may change at the time of launch.

Bhaskar Sharma

Bhaskar Sharma

Bhaskar Sharma Bhaskar is a Senior Copy Editor at Digit India who keeps a close watch on everything shaping the world of technology from smartphones and home appliances to AI, government tech initiatives, digital safety, and the latest industry developments. Whether it's breaking news, in-depth features, hands-on reviews, practical how-to guides, or exclusive scoops, he translates complex tech into stories that are easy to understand and worth reading. His work has been featured in iGeeksBlog, GuidingTech, and other leading publications. Before joining Digit India, he served as an assistant editor at TechBloat. A B.Tech graduate and full-time tech journalist, he is driven by just one goal, which is to help readers stay informed, stay secure, and stay ahead in an ever-changing digital world.

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