iQOO 16 India Launch in Doubt; Rising Memory Costs Could Shift Focus to Budget Phones

The iQOO 16 may not arrive in India this year, according to a new industry leak. The reported delay comes amid rising global prices of DRAM and NAND memory, which are significantly increasing smartphone manufacturing costs.

If launched under current market conditions, the flagship could reportedly be priced above Rs 85,000, making it difficult for iQOO to compete in India's premium smartphone segment. The development suggests the company may be reworking its India strategy, with greater focus on affordable and value-driven smartphones.

iQOO 16 Launch Could Be Put on Hold

According to tipster Yogesh Brar, soaring memory prices have made it challenging for iQOO to launch the iQOO 16 at a competitive price in India. The flagship is said to cost over Rs 85,000 if introduced this year, pushing it into a segment dominated by established premium devices.

The pricing trend can already be seen with the iQOO 15 (Review). The smartphone debuted in India at Rs 72,999 for the 12GB RAM variant and Rs 79,999 for the 16GB model. However, rising component costs later pushed the prices to Rs 76,999 and Rs 83,999, respectively. With memory prices continuing to climb, launching a successor at an even higher price may not be commercially viable.

iQOO's Roadmap Could Shift Towards Fewer Flagships

The reported delay also points to a broader change in iQOO's product roadmap for India. Instead of maintaining an aggressive launch schedule, the company is expected to focus on fewer, more differentiated smartphones.

Previous reports have suggested that iQOO is also revising the launch cycle of its popular Neo series. At the same time, several planned mid-range smartphones are said to have been shelved or postponed as the brand streamlines its portfolio in response to rising manufacturing costs.

Budget Segment Expected to Take Priority

With flagship launches reportedly on hold, iQOO is expected to strengthen its presence in the affordable smartphone segment. Reports indicate that the company plans to launch just one new Z-series smartphone in India this year, widely expected to be the iQOO Z11.

The upcoming device has already been teased by iQOO India CEO Nipun Marya and is expected to help the brand maintain momentum in one of India's most competitive price segments. If memory prices remain high, iQOO's strategy could reflect a broader industry trend, with smartphone makers prioritizing value-focused devices over premium flagships until component costs stabilize.