After Xiaomi, a new OnePlus Ace phone seems to be getting the ‘Pro Max’ moniker
It looks like OnePlus is expanding its Ace 6 series sooner than expected. Fresh from the announcement of the Ace 6 and the flagship OnePlus 15 last month, the brand is reportedly getting ready to announce a new model in the series, which will likely be called the OnePlus Ace 6 Pro Max. The retail package of the phone has leaked online, confirming the ‘Pro Max’ naming convention on a OnePlus device for the first time.
Images of the box, purportedly from an airport security check, show the red box in a security tray with the Ace 6 branding. The words ‘Pro Max’ are underneath the ‘Ace’. Interestingly, the ‘Pro Max’ moniker, popularised by Apple, seems to have caught the eye of Chinese smartphone makers this year. Xiaomi recently adopted the suffix for their flagship’s top-end model, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max. Their China-specific Redmi K-series also included a Redmi K90 Pro Max. OPPO has also been rumoured to introduce a Pro Max model in their sub-flagship Reno15 series this year. While Apple has used the term since the iPhone 11 series from 2019, it’s only now that Android brands are embracing it in earnest to signal top-tier features and premium positioning. Why the delay in inspiration, we cannot guess.
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Following the leak, tipster Smart Pikachu on Weibo has also revealed a few specifications of the upcoming OnePlus Ace 6 Pro Max. He suggests that the phone may launch with Qualcomm’s yet-to-be-announced Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset, which could make it the first in the world to do so. The chip will be combined with 12GB or 16GB of LPDDR5X Ultra RAM, while storage options could be 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB with UFS 4.1. Earlier, the OnePlus Turbo was rumoured to be the first Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 phone, but it seems this Pro Max and Turbo could be the same devices, or more than one phone in the series.
Other rumoured specs include a 6.7-inch flat OLED display with 1.5K resolution and a 165Hz refresh rate, which makes us believe the phone aimed at mobile gamers. It is expected to be powered by a whopping 8,000mAh battery with 100W fast charging support, in contrast to the 7,800mAh battery on the Ace 6 standard model. The Ace 6 Pro Max is expected to run ColorOS 16 based on Android 16, as is standard with OnePlus models in China.
The OnePlus Ace 6 Pro Max’s optics could include a 50MP OIS-enabled primary camera, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 32MP front camera. Other highlights could include dual speakers, an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor, NFC, and a metal frame. The Ace 6 Pro Max is said to arrive in Flash Black, Electric Purple, and Shadow Green colour shades, possibly alongside some special edition models.
The new Ace 6 Pro Max shows OnePlus’ effort to position the Ace sub-brand as a performance-centric series targeted at the Chinese market. In fact, going by the specs, the company could position the Ace 6 Pro Max as a flagship-level device below the OnePlus 15, targeting users who want almost flagship hardware but at a slightly lower or competitive price.
The timing is also strategic. OnePlus is likely racing to claim the world’s first Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 launch title, ahead of Vivo’s S50 Pro Mini, which is also rumoured to feature the same chipset and could debut later this month. Being first to market with Qualcomm’s newest chip will only boost OnePlus’ credentials and set an industry benchmark.
For users, if the Ace 6 Pro Max debuts outside of China, (probably as an R-series phone, as is standard with Ace models), it could be a balanced alternative to ultra-premium phones, but with a larger battery and faster charging. The combination of 1.5K display resolution and 165Hz refresh rate suggests a clear focus on gamers and power users valuing smooth, responsive performance. The same specs are seen on the OnePlus 15, but the battery here is larger. However, another caveat is whether the same 8,000mAh battery would step outside of Chinese soil, as companies occasionally face certification hassles.
Priced competitively, it should score well with end-users who want the latest in performance without paying full flagship prices. With the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chip, huge battery, and familiar display, the phone seems poised to bridge the gap between OnePlus’ mainstream and flagship segments, and gaming enthusiasts should wait for the big reveal.
