OnePlus 16 Launch Set for October 12 With 185Hz Gaming Display

OnePlus is preparing to introduce its next flagship smartphone in China, and the company has now confirmed an October 12 launch date for the OnePlus 16. The new handset is being positioned with a strong focus on gaming, display performance and high end hardware.

The company revealed some of the gaming related details during its OnePlus Gaming Conference in China. One of the biggest highlights is the BOE display, which will support a refresh rate of up to 185Hz when the phone is running in gaming mode.

OnePlus is also planning support for gaming at up to 185 frames per second. The company has said it will work with selected game publishers to bring support for the higher frame rate to compatible titles.

Performance is expected to be another major attraction. The OnePlus 16 is set to use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 processor. The company is targeting demanding workloads, with gaming clearly among the areas where the new hardware is expected to make a difference.

The phone has also appeared on the AnTuTu benchmarking platform, where the supplied results show a CPU performance score of 14,58,283 points and a GPU performance score of 20,10,584 points. Benchmark results can vary depending on software and testing conditions, so real world performance may differ.

OnePlus is expected to offer several memory and storage combinations. These include 12GB RAM with 256GB storage, 12GB RAM with 512GB storage, 16GB RAM with 512GB storage and a top configuration with 16GB RAM and 1TB storage.

The camera system will also receive a significant upgrade. The rear setup is expected to feature a 200MP primary camera using a 1/1.4 inch sensor. It will be joined by a 50MP ultrawide camera and a 50MP Sony IMX882 telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom.

The design will take a different approach from curved screen smartphones. OnePlus has indicated that the OnePlus 16 will feature a flat display with extremely thin bezels on all four sides. The phone will also have rounded corners and a square shaped rear camera module.

Gaming features extend beyond the display and processor. OnePlus is expected to introduce its Wind Chaser Gaming Core and E Sports Triple Chip system on the new handset. These components are designed to support the phones gaming performance and responsiveness.

A customizable shortcut key will provide another hardware feature for users. The key will offer nine preset functions, allowing users to assign quick actions. Depending on the selected setting, a single press can activate functions such as the flashlight or recording.

Battery capacity is also expected to be a major step forward. The OnePlus 16 is tipped to feature a 9000mAh battery, which would be substantially larger than the 7300mAh battery used in the OnePlus 15.

The combination of a large battery and gaming focused hardware suggests that OnePlus is targeting users who spend long periods playing games or using demanding applications. The larger capacity could also provide additional endurance during regular daily use.

On the software side, the OnePlus 16 is expected to run ColorOS 17 based on Android 17 in China. It is also expected to become the first OnePlus smartphone to launch with ColorOS 17.

The handset is expected to arrive in three colour options, although the final names and availability details have not been fully disclosed. OnePlus has confirmed the Chinese launch date, while information about an international release has not yet been announced.

With a 185Hz gaming refresh rate, new Snapdragon processor, large battery and 200MP camera, the OnePlus 16 is shaping up as a substantial upgrade in the company’s flagship lineup. More details about pricing and sales availability are expected around the launch.

For now, OnePlus has confirmed the October 12 debut in China. International buyers will have to wait for the company to reveal whether and when the OnePlus 16 will be introduced in other markets.