iQOO is preparing to launch another performance-focused smartphone, and the company has now confirmed exactly when it will arrive. The iQOO Neo12 will launch in China on October 28, with sales also set to begin on the same day. Pre-orders are already open in the country.

One of the biggest highlights of the Neo12 is its processor. The phone will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, putting it among the latest smartphones to use the flagship chipset. However, this isn’t the very latest-gen flagship, as Qualcomm also released the Gen 6 model last month, featured in the Xiaomi 18 Pro series. Either way, iQOO is also pairing it with its dedicated Q3 gaming chip, as the company is clearly putting a major focus on gaming performance with this model.

iQOO Neo12 specs explained

The upcoming Neo12 features a 2K OLED panel with a 185Hz refresh rate, along with peak brightness of up to 2,200 nits. iQOO also claims the phone can support gaming at 2K and up to 185 FPS in more than 50 games, although actual performance and the maximum refresh rate will depend on supported titles. A 5,000Hz touch sampling rate should also help make controls feel more responsive during fast-paced games.

For cooling, the Neo12 features an Ice-Dome cooling system with a built-in active cooling fan. The fan is integrated into the large camera area on the back, while openings along the metal frame appear to help move hot air away from the internal components.

The Neo12 also packs a massive 9,000mAh single-cell battery, which should give users plenty of room for longer gaming sessions and everyday use. Other confirmed features include a 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and a metal frame.

The phone itself has also received a noticeable redesign. Instead of the narrower camera layout seen on the previous generation, the Neo12 uses a much larger rounded-square camera island with two vertically positioned cameras. Three colors have been confirmed for China, including Fierce Edge, Shadow Black, and Frost Blade Blue, with the Fierce Edge version featuring a more distinctive textured finish.

Compared with the Neo11, the new model brings upgrades in several important areas. The previous phone offered a 144Hz display, the older Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, a Q2 gaming chip, and liquid cooling. The Neo12 pushes the refresh rate to 185Hz, moves to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and Q3 chip, and adds active cooling.

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Abdul Haddi

Abdul is a tech writer and Editor for PC Guide, specializing in all things tech, gaming, and hardware.