Earlier this year, the iQOO Neo series India launch was paused due to the ongoing RAM crisis. However, the lineup continued to get more phones in China as usual. After launching the iQOO Neo 11 last year, the brand now appears to be preparing its successor, the iQOO Neo 12, with several notable upgrades.
iQOO Neo 12 Tipped with Massive Improvements over Neo 11
According to a new Weibo post by Digital Chat Station (DCS), the upcoming iQOO Neo 12 is shaping up to be a significant upgrade over the iQOO Neo 11. The phone could arrive with a 6.83-inch display, sporting 2K resolution and a 165 Hz refresh rate. However, the brand is also said to be evaluating a 185 Hz refresh rate option.
For reference, the iQOO Neo 11 features the same display size but offers a much lower 1.5K resolution and 144 Hz refresh rate. Moreover, the OnePlus 15 launched last year without a 2K display because, as per the brand, it was technically difficult to pack both 2K resolution and an ultra-high 165 Hz refresh rate. If the latest leak is accurate, it looks like iQOO may have managed to achieve both on the Neo 12.
The phone is also tipped to feature the flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, which is a sizable upgrade over the iQOO Neo 11's Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. Like its predecessor, the iQOO Neo 12 will likely be paired with a dedicated gaming chip for higher FPS gaming.
Battery capacity could also see a substantial increase, as the iQOO Neo 12 could pack a massive 9,000mAh unit with 100W fast charging support. The latest leak also claims that the Neo 12 will bring an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, comprehensive water resistance and key gaming-focused features.
While camera specifications of the iQOO Neo 12 remain under wraps, the Neo series has traditionally prioritised gaming performance over camera hardware. So, we can expect them to be similar to the Neo 11. However, if these specifications prove accurate, the Neo 12 could arrive with a higher price tag than its predecessor.
Given that the iQOO Neo 11 launched in October 2025, we can expect the Neo 12 to follow a similar timeline this year. So, expect more details to surface in the coming months.
