OnePlus has officially started teasing its next flagship smartphone, the OnePlus 16, confirming that it will launch in China later this year. Along with the announcement, the company has also announced several gaming focused features that will debut with the device hinting that performance will be the main focus of the device.
This confirmation came during the Snapdragon Gaming Technology Awards 2026, where OnePlus China General Manager Liu Baoyou announced that the upcoming flagship would introduce three exclusive gaming technologies- Wind Chaser Gaming Core, High Refresh Rate and E-Sports Triple Chip for better gaming and lower latency.
As per the reports, the brand also confirmed that the OnePlus 16 will retain the 165Hz display like the OnePlus 15. The brand also claimed that the phone will be capable of delivering gameplay at up to 165fps in supported titles. While the company has not confirmed the exact processor, it confirmed that the device will run on a new Snapdragon chipset, with earlier leaks pointing towards Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro platform.
Apart from the official teasers, a leaked promotional image has also surfaced online hinting towards a redesigned rear camera module. Unlike the square-shaped camera island seen on the OnePlus 15, the upcoming model appears to return to a circular camera layout, similar to older OnePlus flagships. The image also suggests a dual rear camera setup, replacing the triple-camera arrangement seen on recent models. However, this has not been confirmed by the company.
The leaks have also pointed towards a 9,000mAh battery along with a 200-megapixel periscope telephoto camera offering up to 3x optical zoom.
The OnePlus 16 is expected to launch in October in its home country. Speaking of the India launch, the device may hit the retail shelves in November. However, the details are not confirmed yet and the readers are advised to take these updates with the pinch of salt.