OnePlus may bring back Pro flagship as leaks hint at OnePlus 16 Pro launch this year: What we know

HIGHLIGHTS

OnePlus may revive the Pro branding with a new flagship after nearly four years, following the OnePlus 10 Pro in 2022.

Leaks hint at a late-2026 launch, possibly named OnePlus 16 Pro or OnePlus 16 Ultra, with a renewed 'all-rounder' focus driven by user feedback.

Camera performance could be a key priority, alongside more practical display choices, as OnePlus rethinks its flagship strategy.

OnePlus may bring back Pro flagship as leaks hint at OnePlus 16 Pro launch this year: What we know

After the OnePlus 15 series launch, OnePlus is reportedly planning to bring back a Pro smartphone after a nearly four-year gap. This comes after tipster OnePlus Club on X, claimed that the company is working on something new, possibly a new device. The claim comes amid growing speculation that the company is internally reevaluating its flagship strategy in response to mixed reactions to its launches.

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In a social media post, the leaker stated that OnePlus is planning to release an all-rounder, implying that the company has taken user feedback into consideration when developing its next flagship series. The phone is expected to arrive in late 2026, with a tipster predicting a Q4 launch. While the final branding is unknown, the device could be called the OnePlus 16 Pro or the OnePlus 16 Ultra, according to the Android Authority report.

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If the leak is true, the “Pro” label will return to OnePlus’ lineup for the first time since the OnePlus 10 Pro launched in 2022. Since then, the company has abandoned the naming convention while still positioning its top-tier phones as premium flagships.

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According to reports, the renewed focus appears to be aimed at providing a more balanced experience, with a greater emphasis on camera performance. The OnePlus 15 received mixed reactions for its camera setup, and it appears that the upcoming model may build on that foundation. There is also speculation that OnePlus may reduce its use of ultra-high refresh rate displays in favour of more practical and cost-effective options.

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The rest of the lineup remains unknown, including whether OnePlus will release a standard OnePlus 16 or rely on a “R” model to fill that role. With the device still more than a year away, additional leaks are likely to surface as the launch date approaches.

Ashish Singh

Ashish Singh

Ashish Singh is the Chief Copy Editor at Digit. He's been wrangling tech jargon since 2020 (Times Internet, Jagran English '22). When not policing commas, he's likely fueling his gadget habit with coffee, strategising his next virtual race, or plotting a road trip to test the latest in-car tech. He speaks fluent Geek. View Full Profile

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