It is expected to be the first Android smartphone with Samsung’s M16 OLED material, which ETNews says will later be used in the Galaxy S27 Pro and S27 Ultra. The panel has a 2K resolution, 165Hz refresh rate and 508 PPI. Samsung’s M16 material is rated for a 33% longer lifespan than M14. Peak brightness reaches 2,800 nits globally and 10,000 nits locally.
Lower Power Consumption
The display uses 2K LEAD 2.0, reducing power consumption by up to 30% compared with conventional OLED panels. iQOO also claims it consumes 31% less power than a same-sized 1.5K display, despite the higher 2K resolution. This is particularly relevant at 165Hz, where display power consumption can become a major part of the device’s total energy budget.
5,000Hz Touch Sampling
Touch performance reaches:
- 5,000Hz instantaneous touch sampling
- 500Hz multi-touch sampling with Q-Flex
- 100% first-frame brightness for improved motion clarity
The 5,000Hz figure refers to touch detection, not display refresh rate. The panel itself operates at up to 165Hz.
Colour and Dimming
The panel supports a 1.24× P3 colour gamut, while iQOO claims 40% better colour uniformity and 22% better brightness uniformity. For brightness control, it supports up to 3,300Hz PWM dimming and full-brightness DC dimming, with TÜV Rheinland eye-comfort and flicker-free certifications.
M16 Is Also Coming to Galaxy S27
ETNews reports that Samsung plans to use M16 OLED material in the Galaxy S27 Pro and S27 Ultra. Samsung Display and iQOO have also announced a Future Display Exploration Program, indicating continued development of new display technologies.
The key M16 upgrades are straightforward: +33% OLED lifespan, higher brightness and lower power consumption, combined with a 2K/165Hz panel.
The iQOO 16, expected to launch in China by the end of September, should therefore provide the first production example of Samsung’s M16 OLED technology before it reaches future Galaxy flagships.
