OnePlus may be preparing a notable shift in its flagship strategy with the upcoming OnePlus 16 series. Early leaks suggest the company could launch a more premium flagship phone dubbed the OnePlus 16 Pro or OnePlus 16 Ultra. Here’s a look at what the latest leak claims.
OnePlus may revive Pro or Ultra branding
For several years, OnePlus has avoided using Pro or Ultra branding for its flagship phones, instead launching a single numbered model alongside a more affordable R version. This approach set it apart from rivals that offer multiple tiers within the same series. However, a new leak from tipster OnePlus Club indicates that the company is listening to long-standing user feedback and could introduce either a OnePlus 16 Pro or OnePlus 16 Ultra alongside the standard OnePlus 16.
The leaker describes the upcoming premium variant as an “all-rounder”, suggesting balanced improvements rather than a focus on one specific area. This could mean upgrades across performance, display, battery life, and camera hardware. Such a move would also mark a change in OnePlus’s recent positioning, where camera innovation has largely been associated with Oppo rather than OnePlus.
The timing also aligns with OnePlus’s usual launch cycle. Both the OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 15 were unveiled in the fourth quarter of their respective years, and the same window is expected for the OnePlus 16 series in Q4 2026. While it remains unclear whether the base OnePlus 16 will still launch as a standalone model or share the stage with a Pro or Ultra version, the leak suggests a broader flagship lineup is under consideration.
Alongside branding changes, early rumours point to significant hardware updates. One report claims the OnePlus 16 could feature a 200Hz refresh rate display, potentially setting a new benchmark for smartphone screens. Another leak from Digital Chat Station suggests a 200-megapixel camera sensor may be in development, addressing criticism around recent sensor downgrades. As with all early leaks, these details should be viewed cautiously until official confirmation emerges.
