OnePlus 16 pricing leak hints at 8GB RAM return, massive battery, and 200MP camera
OnePlus has officially teased the OnePlus 16 in China, positioning it as the company’s next flagship smartphone. The brief reveal happened during the Snapdragon Gaming Technology Awards show, but the brand has not yet shared a full spec sheet or confirmed an exact launch date.
Even so, early leaks are already painting a clearer picture of what buyers may be able to expect, especially when it comes to pricing, storage options, and major hardware upgrades.
According to a new leak from a OnePlus-focused source on X, the OnePlus 16 could launch in China with a starting price of CNY 4,999, which is roughly $740. That base model is said to include 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
If accurate, this would mark the return of an 8GB RAM option to the brand’s flagship lineup. The OnePlus 11, released in 2023, was the last major flagship from the company to offer an 8GB RAM variant. By comparison, the current OnePlus 15 starts with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage in China, where it is priced at CNY 5,099, or around $755.
The leaked OnePlus 16 lineup reportedly includes four configurations:
8GB RAM with 256GB storage for CNY 4,999, around $740
12GB RAM with 256GB storage for CNY 5,499, around $815
12GB RAM with 512GB storage for CNY 5,999, around $888
16GB RAM with 1TB storage for CNY 7,499, around $1,110
The top-end 16GB RAM and 1TB storage model is expected to be offered as a limited edition. Interestingly, the leak also claims that OnePlus will not release a 24GB RAM version of the OnePlus 16, despite some recent flagship phones pushing memory capacities higher.
As always, leaked pricing should be treated with caution until OnePlus makes an official announcement.
Beyond pricing, the OnePlus 16 is rumored to bring several major upgrades. Previous leaks suggest the phone may be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chipset, reportedly built on a 2nm manufacturing process. If true, this could make the device one of the most powerful Android flagship phones of its generation, with strong performance potential for gaming, multitasking, and AI-driven features.
The display is also expected to be a major highlight. The OnePlus 16 may feature a 6.78-inch flat OLED screen with a “1.5K” resolution and a refresh rate of up to 185Hz. That would place it above many current premium smartphones in terms of refresh rate, which could appeal strongly to mobile gamers and users who prioritize ultra-smooth scrolling and animations.
Battery life could be another standout feature. The phone is rumored to pack a battery of around 9,000mAh, which would be unusually large for a flagship smartphone. If OnePlus manages to combine that capacity with efficient hardware and fast charging, the OnePlus 16 could become one of the most endurance-focused flagship devices on the market.
Camera upgrades are also part of the rumored package. The rear camera setup is expected to include a 200MP main sensor, a 50MP ultrawide camera, and a 50MP periscope telephoto lens with 3.5x optical zoom. That setup would give the phone a flexible photography system for high-resolution shots, wide landscapes, and zoomed-in images.
However, availability may be limited. OnePlus has reportedly shifted its product strategy and is no longer expected to launch new devices widely in North America or Europe. The brand remains active in select markets, including India, but another recent leak suggests the OnePlus 16 may not arrive there either.
For now, the OnePlus 16 looks like a China-focused flagship with aggressive specs, a possible lower entry price, and the return of an 8GB RAM model. If the leaks prove accurate, it could deliver a powerful mix of performance, battery life, display quality, and camera hardware, though global buyers may have a harder time getting their hands on it.
