OnePlus 16 Leak Points to Industry-Leading Sub-1mm Bezels and Major Spec Upgrades

A recent leak from reliable tipster Old Chen Air on Weibo has revealed specifications for the upcoming OnePlus 16, highlighting a significant reduction in display bezels to below 1mm. This measurement represents a 15% decrease from the OnePlus 15's 1.15mm bezels and positions OnePlus among the industry leaders in screen-to-body ratio engineering.

Display Engineering Breakthrough

Bezel reduction below 1mm requires advanced display bonding techniques and precision manufacturing. The achievement suggests OnePlus has improved its display assembly process, potentially using ultra-narrow flexible circuit boards or redesigned driver IC placement. The implications extend beyond aesthetics: thinner bezels enable larger screens in compact form factors and enhance visual immersion by minimizing distractions.

Weibo leak source showing display specifications

Beyond bezels, the display is rumored to upgrade to a 240Hz refresh rate panel – a substantial jump from the OnePlus 15's 165Hz. This enhancement benefits not only gaming but also everyday scrolling and video playback. For context, current flagship competitors typically cap at 120Hz-165Hz, making this a potential market differentiator.

Comprehensive Hardware Upgrades

According to aggregated leaks, the OnePlus 16 will feature:

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6: Next-generation flagship chipset with improved AI processing and energy efficiency
• 9,000mAh battery: 64% larger than the OnePlus 15's 5,500mAh unit, potentially enabling 2-day battery life
• Triple camera system:
  • 50MP primary sensor (likely Sony IMX989)
  • 50MP ultrawide lens
  • 200MP periscope telephoto with 1/1.56" sensor (enabling high-quality 5x+ optical zoom)

Strategic Positioning Against Competitors

The OnePlus 16 notably omits gaming-focused hardware like the shoulder buttons and cooling fan found in the iQoo 15 Ultra. This design choice indicates OnePlus is prioritizing:

1. Form factor refinement: Thinner profile without protruding gaming controls
2. Mass-market appeal: Avoiding niche features that increase cost/complexity
3. Battery optimization: Larger capacity instead of power-hungry active cooling

Leaked design details showing absence of shoulder buttons

Compared to the current OnePlus 15 ($899 on Amazon), the 16 represents a generational leap in display technology, battery capacity, and computational photography. The bezel reduction alone makes the device visually distinct from competitors like Samsung's Galaxy S26 series, which traditionally features thicker uniform bezels.

Target User Profile

This device caters to:

• Media consumers who prioritize immersive screen experiences
• Power users needing all-day battery performance
• Photography enthusiasts benefiting from the high-resolution telephoto capabilities
• Performance seekers wanting flagship processing without gaming aesthetics

Gaming-focused users may prefer alternatives like the iQoo 15 Ultra, but the OnePlus 16 appears optimized for balanced premium use. The rumored Q4 2026 launch aligns with OnePlus' typical release cycle, preceding the expected compact OnePlus 15s model. While pricing remains unconfirmed, the extensive upgrades suggest a potential $100-$150 increase over the OnePlus 15's launch price.