OnePlus may have announced an exit from the global scene but it appears to be doubling down on its next flagship while it operates in China and India. After the OnePlus 16 was tipped to feature a new BOE X4-based panel, further information has revealed it will be capable of running at 165Hz across more system and app scenarios, while supported games could reportedly push the refresh rate to 185Hz. The company has already confirmed that the OnePlus 16 will get upgrades to its gaming-focused technologies, although most of the display details remain based on leaks.
OnePlus 16 display features
According to tipster Digital Chat Station (via), the OnePlus 16 will use a new-generation BOE Oriental Screen featuring an X4 light-emitting material jointly developed by OnePlus and BOE. OnePlus has previously claimed that its new material performed better than Samsung’s M-series material in internal testing, while also targeting lower power consumption and a longer lifespan.
The bigger change could be how the 165Hz refresh rate is used. The OnePlus 15 already supports up to 165Hz, but its official specifications list 1-120Hz adaptive refresh for general use and 165Hz as the maximum in gaming. The OnePlus 16 is tipped to extend 165Hz support across more system and application scenarios, potentially making scrolling, animations and touch interactions feel smoother.
The panel is also expected to retain a flat design with very narrow, symmetrical bezels. For gaming, the phone could reportedly reach 185Hz in supported titles. OnePlus has separately confirmed major upgrades to its Fengchi Gaming Core, high-refresh-rate technology and e-sports triple-chip system on the next flagship.
Other leaked specifications include a 200MP main camera with a 1/1.4-inch sensor, 50MP ultrawide camera and 50MP 3.5x periscope telephoto camera. The phone is also tipped to use Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chipset and run ColorOS 17 in China.
The display strategy is an incremental but notable evolution of what OnePlus introduced with the OnePlus 15. That phone already combines a 165Hz 1.5K LTPO display with a 7,300mAh battery and dedicated gaming hardware, including a 3,200Hz instantaneous touch sampling rate. That means the OnePlus 16’s biggest display upgrade may not be the headline 165Hz figure itself, but how widely the refresh rate can be used and how efficiently the panel operates. Higher refresh rates can consume more power, so the reported efficiency improvements could be important during extended gaming sessions.
For buyers considering a flagship upgrade, there is little reason to rush based on the display alone. The OnePlus 15 already offers one of the highest refresh rates available on a mainstream flagship. However, gamers who want higher frame rates and the latest performance hardware may find it worthwhile to wait for the OnePlus 16, which is expected to launch in China around October. India availability and pricing have not yet been confirmed.
