Display upgrades have become one of the biggest areas of competition among Android flagships, as brands push beyond traditional 120Hz panels in search of smoother gaming and scrolling experiences. Now, a new leak suggests the upcoming OnePlus 16 could take that race even further.
According to tipster Smart Pikachu (via), the OnePlus 16 is currently being tested with a 185Hz display featuring ultra-narrow bezels on all four sides. If accurate, that would make it the highest refresh rate panel ever used on a OnePlus phone, surpassing the 165Hz display introduced on last year’s OnePlus 15. Earlier rumours had suggested OnePlus was evaluating a 240Hz panel, though the latest leak points toward 185Hz as the more realistic target during the engineering validation stage.
OnePlus 16 specifications leaked
The display is reportedly a 6.78-inch LTPO OLED panel sourced from BOE, with support for the BT.2020 colour gamut and a custom touch control IC. Combined with a potentially higher refresh rate, the setup suggests OnePlus may be focusing on gaming responsiveness and smoother animations for its next flagship. That would also place the OnePlus 16 directly against gaming-focused phones from brands like RedMagic, which have increasingly experimented with ultra-high refresh rate panels over the past few years. The iQOO 16 is also expected to come with an “ultra-high” refresh rate though the specifics of it haven’t been detailed yet.
The camera system could also see a notable upgrade. The leak claims the OnePlus 16 may feature a 200MP periscope telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom, likely using Samsung’s HP5 sensor. The remaining rear cameras are tipped to include a 50MP primary sensor and a 50MP ultrawide camera. Cameras have been one of the weak points of the OnePlus 15, and the company seems to be making sure it tightens the loose ends for the next-gen phone.
Under the hood, the OnePlus 16 is rumoured to use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chipset alongside support for LPDDR6 RAM. The device is also tipped to pack a massive 9,000mAh battery, which would be significantly larger than most current flagship phones. Other leaked features include an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner, symmetrical dual speakers, an X-axis vibration motor, IP68/IP69 protection, and a dedicated AI button.
For buyers, the biggest question may ultimately be whether features like a 185Hz display deliver everyday advantages over existing 120Hz and 165Hz panels. While gamers and enthusiast users may appreciate the extra responsiveness, software optimisation, thermal performance, camera consistency, and battery efficiency will likely matter more in daily use than refresh rate numbers alone.
