iQOO has confirmed that its upcoming iQOO 16 flagship will use a 2K OLED display co-developed with Samsung Display, combining a 165Hz refresh rate with Samsung’s M16 emissive material. The companies have also announced a Future Display Exploration Plan, signaling that the work is intended to extend beyond this single phone.
The iQOO 16 is claimed to be the first smartphone to pair a 2K resolution and 165Hz refresh rate in this configuration. iQOO says the panel also incorporates its LEAD 2.0 solution, with the joint work focused on image clarity, color, touch response, high-refresh operation and eye protection rather than use of an off-the-shelf panel.
A top-tier display is not only about hardware specifications, but also about tuning performed without cost compromises.
iQOO
Brightness and M16 material
Samsung Display’s M16 is a newer generation of OLED organic material intended to improve luminous efficiency and panel longevity. Apple and Google have already used this generation of material, according to the report, while Samsung is expected to bring it to its own Galaxy S27 Pro and Galaxy S27 Ultra devices.
iQOO has announced the following brightness figures for the display:
- 1,100 nits of manually controlled peak brightness
- 2,800 nits of global peak brightness
- Up to 10,000 nits of local peak brightness
The 10,000-nit figure applies to a limited area of the screen rather than sustained full-panel brightness. The 2,800-nit global measurement is therefore likely to be the more relevant specification for broad-screen outdoor viewing.
The partnership also includes a dedicated circuit for high-refresh operation and a production line reserved for the iQOO flagship. Samsung Display and iQOO describe the project as their most advanced technical collaboration to date, positioning iQOO to take part in defining the panel’s characteristics rather than simply selecting an existing component.
We will continue to deepen our collaboration and jointly develop superior visual experiences.
iQOO
iQOO is expected to introduce the iQOO 16 in China toward the end of September. Earlier unconfirmed information pointed to three 50-megapixel cameras, a large battery and a future flagship Snapdragon chip, but the display is among the first major components now officially detailed. Broader availability, full specifications and pricing have not yet been confirmed.
