OnePlus officially introduced its new flagship phone, OnePlus 16, in China. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 processor, the phone comes with a 200 megapixel main camera, a 9000 mAh capacity battery and a screen refresh rate of up to 185 Hz. The device, which offers notable changes compared to the previous generation, especially on the camera and battery side, carries a price tag of 5,999 yuan (44,282 TL) with its initial version with 12 GB RAM and 256 GB storage. General sales of OnePlus 16 in China will start on October 31.
OnePlus 16 has a 6.78-inch LTPO OLED display on the front with a resolution of 1272 x 2772 pixels. Using the X4 light-emitting material developed by BOE, the panel reaches a 165 Hz refresh rate in daily use, while this value increases up to 185 Hz in supported games. Therefore, the highest refresh rate stated is not a value at which the phone works continuously in all applications. However, the brightness of the screen, which can be reduced to 1 nits due to hardware, enables use in lower light levels, especially in dark environments. The 1.15 mm thick frames surrounding the screen also help allocate most of the front surface to the display area.
An ultrasonic fingerprint reader is placed on the phone’s screen. On the front, there is a 50 megapixel camera. Ultrasonic fingerprint technology, unlike optical readers, uses sound waves to detect fingerprints. On the other hand, the LTPO panel allows the refresh rate to be changed according to the content displayed. Although a high refresh rate may provide smoother images, especially in supported games, its impact on battery consumption will vary depending on usage conditions.
OnePlus 16 comes with Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 and 200-megapixel camera
At the heart of OnePlus 16’s hardware is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 processor. The phone is offered in configurations ranging up to 16 GB RAM and 1 TB storage, as well as a starting option with 12 GB RAM and 256 GB storage. Thus, a different option is provided for users who need a large amount of storage space. In addition, how the high-end processor and high refresh rate screen will affect gaming performance will become clearer with real usage tests. Maintaining performance and temperature management, especially during long gaming sessions, are among the points that the device should be evaluated.
The camera system on the back is also among the notable features of OnePlus 16. The phone has a 200 megapixel main camera using a 1/1.4 inch sensor. This camera is accompanied by a 50-megapixel telephoto camera that offers 3 times optical zoom and an ultra-wide-angle camera with a resolution of 50 megapixels. Thus, three separate rear cameras are used to take photos at different focal lengths. However, it should be noted that megapixel value alone does not determine photo quality, sensor features, image processing algorithms and optical system are also effective in the results obtained.
One of the most obvious hardware changes of OnePlus 16 is its 9000 mAh battery. The high-capacity battery comes with 100W wired and 50W wireless fast charging support. These values have the potential to reduce charging frequency, especially in intensive phone use. However, actual battery life will vary depending on the processor’s power consumption, screen refresh rate, connection conditions and applications used. Similarly, the results of charging tests are needed for a definitive assessment of the battery’s full charge time.
On the software side, OnePlus 16 comes to users with the ColorOS 17 operating system. This software, offered for the Chinese market, creates the phone’s interface and basic system features. Three color options have been prepared for the device: Starlight, Dark Forest and Mars Masterpiece. However, OnePlus has not yet shared information about whether the phone will be sold in markets outside China. Therefore, the launch schedule of the model to international markets and possible global software options are not yet clear.
The starting price of OnePlus 16 in China was announced as 5,999 yuan, that is, approximately 44,282 TL. For this price, a version with 12 GB RAM and 256 GB storage is offered. The price of the model at the top of the series with 16 GB RAM and 1 TB storage is 8,499 yuan, approximately 62,735 TL. The device will be offered to consumers with general sales starting on October 31 in China.