OnePlus 16 could be shaping up to deliver one of the cleanest smartphone displays ever, with new rumors suggesting the upcoming flagship may feature bezels thinner than 1 mm on all four sides.
The OnePlus 16 is expected to launch in China this September, and early leaks already point to a major upgrade over the OnePlus 15. While previous reports hinted at a refined design and slimmer borders, the latest information claims OnePlus may be preparing its most immersive display yet.
According to a well-known tipster on Weibo, the OnePlus 16 will reportedly use ultra-thin bezels measuring under 1 mm around the entire screen. If accurate, this would make it the slimmest-bezel display ever seen on a OnePlus smartphone. It could also place the device among the most visually striking flagship phones on the market.
Smartphone makers have been chasing the all-screen design for years, gradually shrinking bezels to create a more immersive viewing experience. Curved displays were once a popular way to make phones feel borderless, but many brands have since returned to flatter panels with extremely narrow bezels. The OnePlus 16 appears to be following that trend, aiming for a modern, symmetrical, nearly edge-to-edge look.
The display upgrade may not stop there. The OnePlus 16 is also rumored to feature a 185Hz refresh rate, which would be the highest ever on a OnePlus phone. That would be a noticeable step up from the OnePlus 15, which already offered a fast 165Hz panel and slim 1.15 mm bezels.
A 185Hz display could make the OnePlus 16 especially appealing to mobile gamers and users who value smooth scrolling, fast animations, and responsive touch performance. Combined with the rumored sub-1 mm bezels, the phone could offer a premium viewing experience for gaming, streaming, browsing, and everyday use.
However, ultra-thin bezels are not always perfect in daily use. A small border can help improve grip and reduce accidental touches, especially on larger phones. If the OnePlus 16 truly has bezels thinner than 1 mm, OnePlus will need to fine-tune its palm rejection and touch response to make sure the design remains practical, not just visually impressive.
The OnePlus 16 is currently expected to debut in China in September. It is not yet clear whether the global launch will happen at the same time or follow later. For comparison, the OnePlus 15 launched in China in October last year before arriving in global markets in November.
If these leaks prove accurate, the OnePlus 16 could become one of the most exciting flagship smartphones of the year. With a near-borderless display, an extremely high refresh rate, and a design focused on immersion, OnePlus may be preparing a major leap forward for its next premium device.
