OnePlus’ upcoming flagship, the OnePlus 16, has started appearing in early leaks, months ahead of its expected launch. The leak suggests a massive 9,000mAh battery, sub-1mm thinner bezels than the OnePlus 15 and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 SoC. The device is expected to succeed OnePlus 15which was launched in India in November 2025.
Ultra-thin bezels are claimed
According to a new tip from a Chinese leaker, the upcoming handset could debut with significantly thinner display bezels than the OnePlus 15, while also eschewing gaming-focused hardware like active cooling fans and shoulder flashers. In a Weibo post, tipster Old Chen Air claims that the OnePlus 16 will have sub-1mm bezels, potentially making it the only flagship smartphone in 2026 to achieve this design feat.
For comparison:
- OnePlus 15 bezel thickness: 1.15mm
- OnePlus 16 claimed bezel thickness: < 1mm
If correct, this would represent a marked evolution of the design, offering a more immersive edge-to-edge viewing experience than its predecessor’s 6.78-inch QuadHD+ AMOLED display.
There are no active cooling or gaming triggers
Despite the expected flagship-level performance, the OnePlus 16 is said not to be focused on specific gaming hardware.
According to the leak, the device will:
- Skip a built-in active cooling fan
- Remove capacitive shoulder thrusters
This sets it apart from gaming-oriented flagships like the iQOO 15 Ultra, which already includes both features. The decision suggests that OnePlus may continue to prioritize the flagship’s clean design, thermal efficiency and everyday performance over aggressive gaming aesthetics.
Expected camera and battery improvements
Previous reports suggest that the OnePlus 16 could bring major hardware upgrades, including:
- 200 MP periscope telephoto camera
- 50 MP main rear camera
- 2 MP multispectral sensor for improved color accuracy
- Massive 9,000mAh battery, a significant jump over the OnePlus 15’s 7,300mAh unit
These improvements, if confirmed, will strongly position the OnePlus 16 in the flagship photography and durability segments.
Performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 (rumored)
The OnePlus 16 is supposed to be powered by Qualcomm’s next-generation chip:
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 (yet to be announced)
This would succeed the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, which powers the OnePlus 15.
To remind you, the OnePlus 15 was launched in India last year in November at a starting price of ₹72,999, featuring:
- 6.78-inch QuadHD+ AMOLED display
- Refresh rate up to 165 Hz
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 SoC
- 7300 mAh battery
The OnePlus 16 is expected to build on this foundation with design refinements, larger battery capacity and advanced camera equipment.
What is still unconfirmed
All specifications remain unofficial, and OnePlus has not commented:
- Final screen dimensions
- Camera setup
- Battery capacity
- Start the time frame or the price
- More leaks are expected as the launch window approaches.
