iQOO is preparing to expand its performance-focused product lineup with two new devices: the iQOO Neo 12 smartphone and the iQOO Pad Pro Mini tablet. The Vivo sub-brand has started accepting pre-orders in China, indicating that the official launch is approaching. Although the company has yet to announce the exact launch date, it has already revealed several key features of the upcoming devices.
The iQOO Neo 12 is shaping up to be a gaming-focused smartphone, with a 2K-resolution display, a refresh rate of up to 185Hz and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. It is also expected to include a dedicated Q3 gaming chip and an advanced cooling system designed to support demanding workloads.
Meanwhile, the iQOO Pad Pro Mini will feature an 8.8-inch display and is rumoured to use similar performance-focused hardware. Here’s everything known so far about the upcoming iQOO devices, including their expected specifications, pre-order offers and possible global availability.
Launch
iQOO has confirmed that the Neo 12 smartphone and Pad Pro Mini tablet will launch in China later this month. However, the company has not yet disclosed the exact date of the launch event.
Pre-orders are already open through the official iQOO website, JD.com and other Chinese e-commerce platforms. The early booking window gives interested buyers an opportunity to reserve the upcoming devices before their official release.
The company has also begun highlighting the Neo 12’s display and gaming hardware through official teasers. More details about the devices, including their complete specifications, design options and pricing, are expected to emerge closer to launch.
At present, the information available primarily relates to the Chinese market. Pricing and availability in other regions have not been confirmed.
Preorders
The iQOO Neo 12 can reportedly be pre-booked in China with a deposit of CNY 1, approximately Rs. 13. Customers who reserve the handset may qualify for benefits valued at up to CNY 2,672, or around Rs. 35,000.
One of the highlighted benefits is a trade-in subsidy of up to CNY 1,200, approximately Rs. 16,000. These incentives could make the device more attractive to buyers planning to upgrade from an older smartphone.
However, the advertised benefits should not be confused with a direct discount of the same amount for every customer. The final value may depend on eligibility requirements, trade-in conditions and the terms of individual offers.
The company has not yet revealed the official retail price of the Neo 12. Buyers will need to wait for the launch announcement to learn how much the smartphone will cost in China.
Display
One of the biggest highlights of the iQOO Neo 12 is its display. The company has confirmed that the smartphone will feature a 2K-resolution panel with a refresh rate of up to 185Hz.
A high-resolution display can deliver sharper text, detailed images and clearer visuals, while a high refresh rate allows supported content and animations to appear smoother. These features could be particularly appealing to mobile gamers who value responsive controls and fluid on-screen movement.
The display is also said to use pTSF technology, which iQOO claims can improve visual clarity while reducing power consumption. The real-world benefits will depend on the panel’s implementation, brightness settings and the type of content being viewed.
Although the 185Hz refresh rate is a notable specification, not every game or application will necessarily support it. Actual performance will depend on software compatibility and how the display operates under different workloads.
Performance
The iQOO Neo 12 is confirmed to run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. The processor is expected to be a central part of the phone’s performance proposition, particularly for gaming, multitasking and other demanding applications.
The smartphone will also feature iQOO’s dedicated Q3 gaming chip. A separate gaming processor can help manage supported graphics features and gaming workloads, potentially improving the overall experience when paired with compatible software.
However, iQOO has not yet disclosed the phone’s RAM configurations, storage options or detailed performance figures. These details will help determine how the Neo 12 compares with other premium performance-focused smartphones.
The combination of a flagship Snapdragon processor and a dedicated gaming chip suggests that iQOO is targeting users who prioritise sustained performance and responsive gameplay rather than simply everyday smartphone use.
Cooling
Powerful hardware can generate significant heat during extended gaming sessions, making thermal management an important consideration. To address this, the iQOO Neo 12 will feature the company’s new Ice Dome cooling system.
The system is said to include an active cooling fan and a redesigned airflow channel. Unlike a conventional passive cooling arrangement, an active fan can move air through the device to help manage temperatures under demanding conditions.
The effectiveness of the system will depend on how air moves through the phone, how heat is transferred away from the processor and how the device manages noise and power consumption. iQOO has not yet provided detailed thermal performance figures.
If the cooling system performs as intended, it could help the Neo 12 maintain more consistent performance during long gaming sessions. The final assessment, however, will depend on real-world testing after the phone becomes available.
Design
Official teasers show the iQOO Neo 12 with a square-shaped rear camera module. While the company has not revealed every design detail, the camera arrangement provides an early look at the phone’s exterior styling.
The device’s overall design is expected to reflect its gaming-focused positioning, although details such as dimensions, weight, materials and colour options remain undisclosed.
The cooling fan is another design element worth watching. Integrating active cooling into a smartphone can influence internal layout and thermal engineering, so the final product will need to balance cooling performance with portability and everyday usability.
More information about the camera hardware is also awaited. The square-shaped module has been shown in teasers, but the company has not yet confirmed sensor specifications or the phone’s full camera capabilities.
Tablet
Alongside the smartphone, iQOO has confirmed the upcoming Pad Pro Mini tablet will feature an 8.8-inch display. Its compact screen size could make it suitable for users who want a portable device for gaming, video streaming and other everyday tasks.
The tablet is rumoured to feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset and a dedicated Q3 gaming chip. If these specifications are accurate, the device could offer flagship-class processing power in a smaller tablet format.
However, the processor and gaming chip details for the Pad Pro Mini remain unconfirmed. iQOO has not yet announced its battery capacity, charging speed, display refresh rate, memory options or camera specifications.
The tablet’s pricing will also be important. A compact design combined with powerful hardware could appeal to mobile gamers who prefer a larger screen than a smartphone without carrying a full-sized tablet.
Availability
For now, iQOO has confirmed the upcoming devices for the Chinese market, with their launch expected later this month. The company is yet to announce international availability or pricing outside China.
The iQOO Neo 12 is also speculated to reach select global markets under the name iQOO 16R. This possibility has not been officially confirmed, so the final name and regional launch plans remain uncertain.
Buyers outside China should wait for an official announcement before assuming the devices will arrive in their markets. Regional versions may also differ in specifications, software features, pricing and promotional offers.
The iQOO Neo 12 and Pad Pro Mini appear to share a clear focus on performance, with the smartphone emphasising a high-refresh-rate 2K display and active cooling, while the tablet aims to bring powerful hardware to a compact form factor. Their appeal will ultimately depend on pricing, battery performance, software support and how effectively the hardware performs in everyday use. With pre-orders already open in China, the official launch should provide a clearer picture of what iQOO’s latest devices have to offer.
FAQs
When will the iQOO Neo 12 launch?
The phone is expected to launch in China later this month.
Which processor will power the iQOO Neo 12?
It is confirmed to feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset.
What is the iQOO Neo 12 display refresh rate?
The display will support a refresh rate of up to 185Hz.
What is the iQOO Pad Pro Mini screen size?
The tablet is confirmed to feature an 8.8-inch display.
Will the iQOO Neo 12 launch globally?
Global availability has not been officially confirmed.
