The next OnePlus flagship is already making noise ahead of schedule. A fresh leak suggests the phone expected to be called the OnePlus 16 could take one of the biggest visual wins of modern smartphone design—ultra-thin display borders—and push it even further than the current OnePlus 15.
To put the rumor in context, the OnePlus 15 launched globally in November 2025 with a 6.78-inch BOE X3 display. One of its standout upgrades was a 165Hz refresh rate, a noticeable jump from the 120Hz panel used on the OnePlus 13, delivering smoother scrolling and more fluid gaming.
Now, according to a new claim shared by tipster Old Chen Air on Weibo, the OnePlus 16 may shrink its screen bezels to under 1mm. That’s a meaningful change on paper and potentially a striking one in real life, especially for anyone who cares about a more “all-screen” look. For comparison, the OnePlus 15’s bezels were reported at 1.15mm, so the OnePlus 16 could be narrowing the border even further around the display.
The leak doesn’t expand on other display specifications, but earlier rumors have pointed to an even more aggressive refresh rate—possibly up to 240Hz. If that ends up being accurate, the OnePlus 16 could be aiming squarely at users who prioritize top-tier motion clarity, competitive gaming smoothness, and premium screen responsiveness.
Beyond the display, the rumored specs paint a picture of a seriously ambitious device. OnePlus is said to be considering a massive 9,000mAh battery, which—if true—would be one of the most eye-catching battery numbers in the flagship space. Powering it could be Qualcomm’s next high-end processor, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, positioning the phone for top performance in demanding workloads like gaming, AI features, and advanced photography processing.
Interestingly, the OnePlus 16 is also rumored to skip a couple of more niche “gaming phone” touches seen on some competitors, such as shoulder buttons and an integrated cooling fan. That suggests OnePlus may be focusing on a cleaner, more traditional flagship design rather than leaning into specialized gaming hardware.
Camera rumors are equally bold. The expected rear setup includes a 50MP main camera, a 50MP ultrawide, and a 200MP periscope telephoto camera built around a 1/1.56-inch sensor. If these details hold up, the OnePlus 16 could be positioning its zoom photography as a major selling point, while still keeping strong coverage for everyday shots and wide-angle scenes.
As for timing, the OnePlus 16 is currently expected to arrive in Q4 2026, aligning with the late-year launch window followed by its predecessor. Before that happens, OnePlus is also expected to introduce a smaller “compact flagship” known as the OnePlus 15s—likely aimed at buyers who want high-end performance without a large phone footprint.
For now, all of this remains in the rumor stage, but the headline is clear: if OnePlus truly delivers sub-1mm bezels—potentially paired with a higher-refresh display, huge battery capacity, and upgraded zoom hardware—the OnePlus 16 could be one of the more exciting flagship launches to watch as 2026 approaches.
