OnePlus 16 lineup could include a higher-end Pro or Ultra model in 2026

OnePlus, which has normally stayed away from adjectives like Pro and Ultra, looks ready to change things up with its flagship phones next year. Leaks suggest the OnePlus 16 series might finally bring back a high-end Pro or Ultra model that aims to check every box without cutting corners.

According to a post from tipster OnePlus Club on X, the company plans to deliver a true all-rounder after several years without one. If this pans out, it’d be the return of a Pro-tier phone after about four years, though whether it ends up called the OnePlus 16 Pro or Ultra is still unconfirmed. The account followed up with saying a Q4 2026 launch is likely. The last Pro we saw was in 2022, the OnePlus 10 Pro, but we had no regular OnePlus 10 that year.

The OnePlus 15 lineup has focussed on performance, chasing speed and a super-high refresh rate screen for gamers. But that’s left some of the fans feeling like the cameras and overall finesse are lagging behind. Early leaks on the base OnePlus 16 already mention big jumps like a high-refresh display and maybe even a 200MP main camera, but of course nothing is confirmed yet. A Pro or Ultra version could go further, with a bigger main sensor and a beefier telephoto lens to take on camera-heavy competitors.

Performance-first brands like iQOO have already confirmed stepping into the ‘Ultra’ territory for the first time with an iQOO 15 Ultra, and OnePlus probably doesn’t want to look like it’s holding back in the premium fight. This more balanced approach might involve smart tweaks, like stepping down from a 165Hz screen to something more practical that doesn’t jack up the price.

For anyone looking forward to the phones, take these rumours with a grain of salt. If speed and performance are important for you, the current lot holds up just fine. But if you prioritise cameras and that all-around polish, it might pay to wait and see how this OnePlus 16 Pro or Ultra takes shape over the next few months.