OnePlus 16 tipped to bring system-wide 165Hz refresh rate, gaming upgrades
The company has not announced an exact launch date, but it is widely expected to arrive in China in October 2026.
OnePlus has officially teased its upcoming OnePlus 16 flagship in China, confirming a 165Hz display and gaming upgrades, alongside ColorOS 17 based on Android 17, according to GSMArena.
The confirmation came from a OnePlus China executive at Qualcomm's Snapdragon Gaming Technology Showcase, who confirmed three upgraded gaming technologies: the Wind Chaser Gaming Core, the 165Hz high refresh rate display, and the E-Sports Triple-Chip system.
The exact improvements were not detailed.
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The company has not announced an exact launch date, but it is widely expected to arrive in China in October 2026.
The previous model, the OnePlus 15, also featured a 165Hz display, but the higher refresh rate was officially limited to select games and applications.
Leaks from Weibo tipster Digital Chat Station suggest the OnePlus 16's 165Hz mode could extend across the entire system this time, though OnePlus itself has not confirmed that part yet.
On the software side, OnePlus has confirmed that eligible devices, including the OnePlus 16, will run ColorOS 17 based on Android 17, as the company moves away from OxygenOS following its exit from the US and European markets.
Several hardware details have also surfaced through leaks but remain unconfirmed.
According to Digital Chat Station, the phone could feature Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chipset, a roughly 9,000mAh battery, a 200-megapixel main camera, and 120W wired plus 50W wireless charging.
A device believed to be the OnePlus 16, carrying the model number PYB110, has also cleared SRRC certification in China, suggesting the launch is drawing closer.
Leaked pricing points to around $815 for the 12GB/256GB variant, up from the OnePlus 15's roughly $755.
With OnePlus having exited North America and Europe, a global release for the OnePlus 16 looks unlikely, though it is expected to launch in China and India.
The exact launch date, full specifications, and availability outside China are yet to be confirmed.
