iQOO just launched its flagship Pad 6 Pro in May, with a massive 13.2-inch 4K screen. Now tipster Digital Chat Station says the company is already working on something smaller. A compact gaming tablet, built to compete with devices like Lenovo's Legion Tab Gen 5, is reportedly coming in the second half of this year.
Summary
- Next-gen Snapdragon chip confirmed, exact model unknown: DCS says the tablet will use Qualcomm's upcoming flagship chipset, but didn't specify whether it's the standard Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 or the higher-end Gen 6 Pro.
- No confirmed screen size yet: Reports comparing it to the 8.8-inch Legion Tab Gen 5 are a size reference for context, not a confirmed spec for iQOO's tablet.
- Second half of 2026 launch window: Likely timed alongside the iQOO 16, which is rumored for a September debut.
- Not a new project: iQOO has been working on a compact gaming tablet since at least mid-2025, with the design going through multiple changes along the way.
- Pad 6 Pro sets the current bar: iQOO's existing flagship tablet packs a 13.2-inch 4K 144Hz display and the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip.
A Project That's Taken a While to Take Shape
This compact tablet isn't a sudden idea. DCS first mentioned it back in mid-2025, when it was described as an 8.35-inch device running either the Snapdragon 8 Elite or Dimensity 9400+. At the time, it was expected to launch alongside the iQOO 15 series. That didn't happen — reports later suggested the launch slipped into 2026, and the screen size shifted slightly to 8.3 inches in some leaks.
Now, a year later, the project is back with fresh details. The chipset target has moved up to Qualcomm's next flagship platform, expected to arrive later this year as either the standard Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 or the more powerful Gen 6 Pro. DCS hasn't said which one iQOO is actually testing, so that detail remains genuinely unresolved for now.
Why a Smaller Tablet Makes Sense
The compact gaming tablet category has grown a lot in the past year. Lenovo's Legion Y700 line and Red Magic's Gaming Tablet series both proved there's real demand for something between a phone and a full-size tablet — small enough to hold comfortably during long gaming sessions, but powerful enough to run demanding titles at high settings. iQOO's own Pad 6 Pro went the opposite direction, leaning into size with its 13.2-inch 4K screen. A compact model would round out the lineup and let iQOO compete directly with Lenovo's smaller offerings.
Timing and What's Still Unclear
DCS says the tablet is expected in the second half of 2026, most likely alongside the iQOO 16. That flagship phone is currently rumored for a September launch, which would put the tablet on a similar timeline. Beyond the chipset and rough release window, details remain thin. The exact display size, battery capacity, and pricing haven't surfaced yet.
What iQOO's Current Tablet Tells Us
The Pad 6 Pro gives a good sense of where iQOO's ambitions sit right now. Its 13.2-inch 4K panel runs at 144Hz, paired with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and an 8-speaker symmetrical sound system. Reviewers have praised its sustained gaming performance, with frame rates staying remarkably stable even during demanding sessions in titles like Genshin Impact. If the compact tablet inherits even some of that engineering focus in a smaller body, it could be a genuinely strong option for buyers who want flagship performance without the bulk.
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