– OnePlus is testing a new compact flagship with a 6.3-inch display and next-gen Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chipset (2nm process).
– This prototype is likely the OnePlus 16T, with a projected launch window in Q1 2027.
– The global version (OnePlus 16s) may never release due to OnePlus’s ongoing pullback from international markets.
– This follows the likely cancellation of the OnePlus 15s, highlighting a trend of China-exclusive compact phones.
OnePlus’s Cancellation and Compact Ambitions
We recently covered that OnePlus might be scrapping its plans to launch the OnePlus 15s, which was expected to be the global version of the China-exclusive OnePlus 15T. This potential cancellation lines up with ongoing reports that the company is scaling back it’s operations in several international markets. It seems the brand is rethinking its strategy heavily now.
A New Leak About a Smaller Phone
However, even if the 15s never sees the light of day globally, OnePlus hasn’t abandoned the small-phone form factor. A new leak from reliable tipster Digital Chat Station suggests the company is already testing its next compact device. This is exciting news for those who prefer smaller handsets. The prototype reportedly features a 6.3-inch flat display and is being tested with Qualcomm’s unreleased Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, a next-generation chip built on a 2nm process.
Is This the OnePlus 16T?
While the tipster didn’t explicitly name the phone, packing a top-tier flagship processor strongly points to this being the OnePlus 16T. Aside from the screen size and the chipset, the final specs are still up in the air. But since development is reportedly progressing smoothly, we are likely looking at a launch window in the first quarter of 2027, which tracks perfectly with the March debut we saw for the 15T this year. This timeline seems very plausible given past releases.
Global Availability Concerns
The real question is whether this next-generation compact phone will ever leave its home market. With the 15s looking like a casualty of OnePlus’s global pullback, we will just have to wait and see if this new model eventually gets a global release as the OnePlus 16s next year. The company is clearly in a period of transition right now. Many fans are hoping for a wider rollout.
Specs of the Current OnePlus 15T
For context, the OnePlus 15T features a 6.32-inch AMOLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate. Similar to the standard OnePlus 15, the 15T uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. It comes with a 50MP dual rear camera setup and a 7,500mAh battery. These are very impressive specifications for a compact device. The battery capacity is particularly noteworthy in this size.
- Display: 6.32-inch AMOLED, 165Hz refresh rate
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
- Camera: 50MP dual rear setup
- Battery: 7,500mAh
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