By Sudeshna Ghosh
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iQOO's first serious swing at the gaming tablet market just got a name, a chipset, and a launch window ā and all three point to a device built for one job: raw performance in a compact frame.
According to 91mobiles, citing leaker Digital Chat Station on Weibo, the iQOO Pad Ultra will debut alongside the iQOO 16 in China within weeks, running Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 inside an 8.8-inch OLED body.
If you have been waiting for a flagship tablet that prioritises frame rates over screen real estate, this leak suggests your wait is nearly over.
š In This Article āø The Name, The Colours, The Timing
The Name, The Colours, The Timing āø iQOO Pad Ultra: Reported Specifications At A Glance
iQOO Pad Ultra: Reported Specifications At A Glance āø Why The Gaming Tablet Niche Is Heating Up
Why The Gaming Tablet Niche Is Heating Up
āø What Happens Next
The Name, The Colours, The Timing
Until this week, iQOO's high-end tablet existed only as an unnamed flagship in the rumour mill.
Two colourways are expected at launch ā Ender Black and Star Silver ā and iQOO is reportedly planning to market the device squarely around performance and thermal management rather than productivity features.
The timing is deliberate. iQOO is preparing to release the iQOO 16 in China in a matter of weeks, and bundling the Pad Ultra into the same event gives the sub-brand a two-device flagship story: phone and tablet, sharing the same silicon.
That shared-chipset strategy mirrors what rival brands have done to cut marketing costs and simplify the pitch to gamers.
iQOO Pad Ultra: Reported Specifications At A Glance
Here is what the leak claims, based on supply-chain chatter rather than official confirmation:
Spec iQOO Pad Ultra (leaked) Display 8.8-inch OLED Chipset Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Colours Ender Black, Star Silver Positioning Compact gaming tablet Launch Alongside iQOO 16, China
The display is the most interesting compromise. At 8.8 inches, the Pad Ultra sits firmly in the compact gaming tablet category ā large enough for immersive play, small enough for one-handed portrait use.
Resolution and refresh rate remain undisclosed, though expectations are for at least 2K resolution and a 120Hz panel, which would match the baseline set by competing devices.
On raw power, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 ā the same chip inside the iQOO 15 ā is expected to push AnTuTu scores well past the four-million mark, though we would treat any benchmark figure in a leak with healthy scepticism until iQOO confirms it on stage.
Why The Gaming Tablet Niche Is Heating Up
Context matters here. Gaming tablets have surged in popularity in China following the release of the Lenovo Legion Y700 Infinite and the Redmagic Astra 2, two compact devices that proved buyers want flagship silicon without a 13-inch chassis. iQOO is clearly reading the same tea leaves. The sub-brand's gaming pedigree ā built through its numbered flagship phones and their dedicated cooling hardware ā translates naturally to a tablet designed around sustained performance.
Accessory support is also on the cards, per the leak, which would put the Pad Ultra in direct conversation with keyboard-and-stylus ecosystems from larger rivals. It is the same logic that explains why Do Laptops Have so many certification badges ā accessory ecosystems signal that a manufacturer expects a device to live beyond casual use. Power delivery matters too, and anyone who has wondered Do Laptop Chargers need proprietary connectors will be watching iQOO's charging specs closely when they surface.
Verdict: the iQOO Pad Ultra is shaping up as China's most aggressive compact gaming tablet play of 2026 ā an 8.8-inch OLED with flagship silicon, aimed straight at the Legion Y700 Infinite and Redmagic Astra 2.
What Happens Next
The immediate roadmap is clear: expect official teasers from iQOO China in the coming weeks, followed by a joint launch event with the iQOO 16. Pricing will decide everything. If iQOO undercuts the Legion Y700 Infinite on Xiaomi Auto Launches SkyNomad showed brands extending flagship tech into new vehicle categories, iQOO is extending its phone DNA into tablets.
Even mainstream brands are chasing the attention economy, as seen when CP PLUS Expands Bigg Boss tie-ups to reach Indian households.
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FAQs
When is the iQOO Pad Ultra launching?
It is expected to launch in China alongside the iQOO 16 in the coming weeks, based on the Digital Chat Station leak reported by 91mobiles.
What chipset does the iQOO Pad Ultra use?
The tablet is expected to run the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, the same flagship processor found in the iQOO 15.
What display does the iQOO Pad Ultra have?
It will feature an 8.8-inch OLED panel, with 2K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate expected though not yet officially confirmed.
Will the iQOO Pad Ultra launch in India?
iQOO has not confirmed an India launch, but the brand's pattern of bringing Chinese releases to India makes a local debut plausible in late 2026.
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