After officially teasing the gaming upgrades the OnePlus 16 is set to gain, a new report hints at the upcoming flagship’s display capabilities. Compared to the OnePlus 15, the smartphone could boast all-around upgrades in colour reproduction, power efficiency, and durability, thanks to the inclusion of the BOE X4 panel. While the chances of the OnePlus 16 launching in India are slim, the phone could debut in China in just a few weeks.
OnePlus 16 could feature custom-made BOE X4 panel
Since the OnePlus 12, the company has utilised flagship BOE X series panels for its smartphones. The upcoming OnePlus 16 could continue that tradition by being equipped with the BOE X4, according to the renowned tipster Digital Chat Station (DCS) on Weibo.
The post states that OnePlus has partnered with BOE to develop the X4 panel, which, per internal tests, delivers superior performance to Samsung’s latest M-series panel, likely the M14 used on the Galaxy S26 Ultra and iQOO 15.
In the past, the OnePlus 12 featured the BOE X1, the OnePlus 13 carries the BOE X2, and the OnePlus 15 was equipped with the BOE X3 panel, so it seems like OnePlus is simply sticking with BOE for its next flagship smartphone while boasting upgrades in several areas. Per DCS, these upgrades include lower power consumption, better longevity, extremely narrow symmetrical bezels, and top-tier circuit design. Per past leaks, the OnePlus 16 could come with an 185Hz refresh rate, if the OnePlus 15’s 165Hz refresh rate wasn’t already smooth enough.
The post further states that the OnePlus 16 will get several performance technologies, which is likely a hint at faster touch response times, smoother scrolling, and higher brightness levels compared to the OnePlus 15. Furthermore, the OnePlus 16 could highly benefit from the panel’s improved power efficiency, especially if it’s meant to run at 185Hz natively or with frame interpolation during long gaming sessions. The smartphone is likely to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chipset, which is expected to be announced at the Snapdragon Summit next month.
OnePlus China president Li Jie has confirmed that the company’s three signature gaming technologies will receive major improvements on the next flagship. These include a high refresh rate display, an enhanced Fengchi gaming engine, and upgraded e-sports triple-core hardware.
If these leaks hold true and gaming is a top priority, waiting a few weeks for the OnePlus 16 could be highly beneficial compared to purchasing a current flagship, especially if the phone launches in India. However, if you’re content with existing high refresh rates, the upgrade might not be compelling enough to justify an immediate purchase.
