OnePlus 16 and OnePlus 16R both tipped to launch in India; flagship could cost up to Rs 1.4 lakh
OnePlus may be preparing a bigger flagship comeback in India than initially expected. While earlier reports suggested that the company could bring only the OnePlus 16R to the country, tipster Debayan Roy (Gadgetsdata) now claims that the OnePlus 16 is also being considered for an India launch, at a substantially higher price than the predecessor, the OnePlus 15. The company is reportedly working on both smartphones, but nothing is concrete yet. If it does go ahead, the OnePlus 16 would give Indian buyers access to the brand’s latest numbered flagship, while the 16R could cater to those looking for a more affordable alternative.
OnePlus 16 and OnePlus 16R India launch
According to Roy, the OnePlus 16R is “definitely” in development for India, while the OnePlus 16 is “almost confirmed”. Separately, tipster Abhishek Yadav claims that OnePlus is testing global software for the flagship under model numbers CPH2901, CPH2903 and CPH2905. He adds that its availability could be limited to India and a few other Asian markets. Neither smartphone has an official India launch confirmation yet.
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Read: OnePlus 16 or OnePlus 16R: which of the two should OnePlus launch in India?
OnePlus 16, 16R specifications and expected price
The OnePlus 16 already launched in China in October, starting at CNY 5,999 (approximately Rs 86,000) for the 12GB + 256GB variant. It features a 6.78-inch LTPO OLED display with a refresh rate of up to 185Hz in supported games, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipset and a 9,000mAh battery with 100W wired and 50W wireless charging. Its camera setup includes a 200MP primary sensor, a 50MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom and a 50MP ultrawide camera.
The OnePlus 16R remains unannounced, but the recently launched OnePlus Ace 7 series in China could provide the basis for the Indian model. Roy earlier said he expects the 16R to cost around Rs 70,000 to Rs 75,000, with a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, a 200MP main camera, a 50MP 3.5x periscope telephoto camera, an up to 185Hz display and a battery close to 9,000mAh. However, another leak suggests a triple 50MP rear camera setup, a 165Hz display and a battery exceeding 7,500mAh. The chipset remains the common detail across both leaks, while the final camera and display specifications are still unclear.
The OnePlus 15 launched in India at Rs 85,999, while the OnePlus 15R started at Rs 47,999. A Rs 70,000 to Rs 75,000 starting price would be a substantial jump for the R-series, but a dedicated telephoto camera and a larger battery could help justify it. The 15R has a 50MP main camera and an 8MP ultrawide camera, without a telephoto lens.
Roy estimates that the OnePlus 16 could cost between Rs 1.3 lakh and Rs 1.4 lakh in India. That would put it well above its Chinese starting price and move it into a more expensive flagship segment, much like the OPPO Find X10 series, which also has the same starting price. If OnePlus launches both models, the 16R could appeal to buyers seeking high-end performance below Rs 80,000, while the OnePlus 16 would cater to those willing to pay a premium for the latest hardware. Given the uncertainty around both launches and the 16R’s specifications, buyers may want to wait for official announcements before deciding.
