OnePlus 16 leak points to 240Hz display and new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chip

Fresh leaks around the upcoming OnePlus 16 suggest the company is preparing one of its most aggressive hardware upgrades in years, with early details pointing to a 240Hz display and a new top-tier Qualcomm chipset that has yet to be officially announced.

The information comes from multiple tipsters on Weibo, including Digital Chat Station, and according to the leaks, the OnePlus 16 “could feature a 6.78-inch custom BOE LTPO flat display” with a refresh rate that may scale up to 240Hz, a jump from the 165Hz ceiling on the current generation.

The display is shaping up as the headline feature. Leaks indicate OnePlus is testing a dynamic refresh system that could start around 185Hz and reach as high as 240Hz under certain conditions.

That would put the device ahead of most mainstream smartphones, which still operate at 120Hz or below. The panel is expected to use BOE’s latest LTPO technology and LIPO packaging, allowing for extremely thin bezels that reportedly measure close to 1mm on all sides.

Tipsters describe the screen as a “full-package flagship display,” with support for advanced color standards such as BT.2020 and custom touch hardware aimed at improving responsiveness in gaming scenarios.

At the core of the OnePlus 16, leaks consistently point to Qualcomm’s unannounced Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chip. This would mark a shift in Qualcomm’s lineup toward splitting flagship processors into standard and “Pro” tiers for higher-end devices.

The chip, identified in leaks as model SM8975, is expected to support LPDDR6 RAM and could be reserved for premium flagship phones, according to industry reports cited by multiple outlets.

Early reporting suggests the move would position the OnePlus 16 more directly against top-tier “Ultra” devices rather than the upper mid-premium segment where earlier models competed.

Beyond display and performance, leaks point to significant changes in camera hardware and battery capacity. The phone is expected to feature a triple rear camera system with a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 200MP periscope telephoto camera.

Battery capacity could see one of the largest jumps in recent flagship phones, with estimates around 9,000mAh, though this remains unconfirmed.

The larger battery appears tied to the higher refresh rate display, which typically increases power consumption. Leaks also suggest OnePlus may rely on newer battery technologies to maintain size and thermal efficiency.

None of these specifications have been confirmed by OnePlus.

Based on current reporting, the device is expected to debut in China around October 2026, followed by a broader rollout in global markets later in the year.

Key details including pricing, final display specifications, and whether the 240Hz mode will be widely usable or limited to specific scenarios remain unclear. Past leaks have also varied on camera configurations and charging speeds, with some earlier reports suggesting more extreme setups that have not been corroborated in recent information.

The scale of the rumored upgrades indicates OnePlus is attempting to reposition its flagship line closer to the top end of the Android market, with emphasis on display performance and battery capacity, areas that have become increasingly central in high-end smartphone competition.