According to a tipster, rising memory component costs have prompted iQOO to reconsider its plans, with the company reportedly scaling back its India smartphone roadmap.
iQOO 16 India Launch May Be Off the TableTipster Yogesh Brar claims the iQOO 16 is unlikely to launch in India this year, with rising memory prices reportedly making the flagship too expensive to compete effectively.
iQOO Reportedly Scaling Back India RoadmapAccording to the tipster, iQOO has significantly reduced its product plans for India, with only one new budget Z-series smartphone reportedly remaining on the launch schedule this year.
iQOO India CEO Nipun Marya has already teased the arrival of a new device, widely expected to be the iQOO Z11.
If the reports are accurate, the handset could become the company's next smartphone launch in India in the coming weeks.
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The iQOO 16, which has been the subject of several recent leaks, may no longer be headed to India despite earlier reports suggesting a launch after its debut in China. According to a tipster, rising memory component costs have prompted iQOO to reconsider its plans, with the company reportedly scaling back its India smartphone roadmap. As a result, the flagship device could skip the Indian market this year.
iQOO 16 India Launch May Be Off the Table
Tipster Yogesh Brar claims the iQOO 16 is unlikely to launch in India this year, with rising memory prices reportedly making the flagship too expensive to compete effectively. The higher cost of components could push the phone's expected price beyond Rs. 85,000, making it difficult for iQOO to maintain its usual value-for-money positioning in the premium segment.
We may not see iQOO 16 launch in India..
With current memory rates, iQOO 16 will cross Rs 85k
iQOO has only 1 budget Z series phone for this year, all other products have been scrapped.. — Yogesh Brar (@heyitsyogesh) July 4, 2026
Memory Costs Continue to Push Prices Higher
The impact of rising component prices is already visible in the iQOO 15 lineup. While the phone debuted at Rs. 72,999 for the 12GB + 256GB model and Rs. 79,999 for the 16GB + 512GB variant, both versions have since become more expensive. The same models are now priced at Rs. 76,999 and Rs. 83,999, highlighting the growing pressure memory costs are placing on smartphone pricing.
iQOO Reportedly Scaling Back India Roadmap
According to the tipster, iQOO has significantly reduced its product plans for India, with only one new budget Z-series smartphone reportedly remaining on the launch schedule this year. This aligns with earlier reports suggesting the company is reworking its release strategy as increasing component costs encourage brands to streamline their portfolios and focus on products with clearer market positioning.
Budget Z-Series Launch Still Expected
Despite the reported changes to its premium lineup, iQOO's affordable smartphone strategy appears to remain on track. iQOO India CEO Nipun Marya has already teased the arrival of a new device, widely expected to be the iQOO Z11. If the reports are accurate, the handset could become the company's next smartphone launch in India in the coming weeks.