OnePlus is preparing a significant leap in display technology across its next-generation smartphone family. According to multiple industry sources, the upcoming OnePlus 16 series will adopt a new panel that pushes refresh rates beyond current flagship norms, positioning the devices as strong contenders in the high-performance mobile market.
A uniform 185Hz display refresh rate
The standard OnePlus 16, widely expected to be among the first handsets to launch with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro, will reportedly feature a 185Hz display. This moves the refresh rate distinctly beyond the 165Hz screen found on the OnePlus 15. Well-known leaker Smart Pikachu now corroborates earlier claims from Digital Chat Station, adding that the elevated refresh rate will not be limited to the top-tier model. Instead, the entire OnePlus 16 series is set to receive the same 185Hz panel, including the OnePlus 16R, a more affordable sub-flagship device.
Narrow bezels and a BOE-supplied panel
Digital Chat Station previously indicated that OnePlus is testing a 6.78-inch display manufactured by BOE for the OnePlus 16. Key to the design is a bezel profile measuring less than 1mm, which would give the phone a strikingly clean and immersive look. Coupled with the 185Hz refresh rate, the slim-bezel screen could make the OnePlus 16 an appealing tool for competitive gaming, directly challenging successors such as the next RedMagic 10 Pro series models.
Advanced battery and cooling tests in the 16R
Additional details from Digital Chat Station’s reporting in May 2026 suggest that a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 device featuring a 185Hz screen is under development. This device is widely believed to be the OnePlus 16R. The same reports detail ambitious internal specifications being tested, including a capacious 9,000mAh battery and 100W fast charging support. Engineering samples are also said to incorporate an active cooling fan, pointing to a focus on sustained high performance under demanding workloads.
Source: weibo.com