After Apple launched its iPhone 18 Pro 5G at a higher price this year, everyone is eager to see how the upcoming OnePlus 16 flagship will undercut Apple’s phones and Samsung’s Galaxy S26 models. As OnePlus prepares for the October 12 launch, we have new insider information, including benchmark performance numbers for the OnePlus 16 that are impressive compared with last year. OnePlus has already teased its new flagship, revealing a teaser with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipset, which reportedly scores around 56,33,288 points. Leaks also suggest the OnePlus 16 will feature a larger 9000mAh silicon-carbon battery and an upgraded 200MP camera sensor.
The larger battery, combined with the new 2nm-based Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipset, should make the OnePlus 16 much more efficient.
As OnePlus prepares for its first-ever October 12 China launch, we have new insider information on the OnePlus 16 flagships.
TELECOMTALK INTELLIGENCE
Follow the Global Telecom Conversation
Get our weekly intelligence briefing covering telecom, AI, devices, data centres and digital infrastructure.
According to a leaked teaser image, the chipset on the OnePlus 16 5G scored around 5,633,288 points, hinting at a huge performance upgrade over last year’s OnePlus 15.
Of course, it will put strong pressure on the Apple iPhone 18 Pro, powered by the latest A20 Pro chipset, which scored around 34,34,654 points on Geekbench 6.
Like the iPhone 18 Pro’s A20 chipset, the OnePlus 16’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipset is built on 2nm based process.
Battery Upgrade
Alongside chipset details, insider information suggests the OnePlus 16 will feature a larger 9,000mAh silicon-carbon battery, compared to the OnePlus 15’s 7,300mAh battery.
Over the past few years, OnePlus’s cameras haven’t held up against the iPhone 18 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S models.
Camera, Display and Design Upgrade
This year, we will see a major camera hardware upgrade. Leaks suggest the OnePlus 16 will pack a 200MP main LUMO sensor, paired with a 50MP periscope telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom and a 50MP ultra-wide-angle sensor with a 116-degree field of view.
On the front, we expect an even faster 6.78-inch 1.5K BOE X4 LTPO OLED display with a 185Hz refresh rate for a smoother gaming experience. The OnePlus 16 will also get luminescent lighting effects on the rear with space rocks, sugrocks. It took inspiration from stars to design the next OnePlus 16 5G.
Also Read: OnePlus 16 5G: 5 Major Upgrades that Make it the Best
OnePlus 16 vs. Apple iPhone 18 Pro – Will OnePlus Beat Apple?
The OnePlus 16 will get a major upgrade over its predecessor, the OnePlus 15. We’ll compare it directly with the Apple iPhone 18 Pro.
The OnePlus 16 gets an improved 2nm-based Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipset, coupled with a bigger battery and an improved, latest 200MP camera sensor.
If OnePlus can undercut Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro premium price of Rs 1,64,900, it could beat Apple and capture a higher margin in flagship smartphone sales in 2026.
As of now, the pricing details for the OnePlus 16 are still under wraps; with the China launch on October 12, 2026, we should get a confirmed price update.
Image Credits: Noah Cat, WorkaholicDavid
Every article you read here is the result of time, research, and effort. If you feel it adds value, you can support TelecomTalk.
FAQsWhen will the OnePlus 16 launch?
The OnePlus 16 is expected to launch in China on October 12, 2026. OnePlus has not yet revealed all details about its global and Indian launch.
Which processor will the OnePlus 16 use?
The OnePlus 16 is expected to run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipset.
What benchmark score has the OnePlus 16 reportedly achieved?
A leaked teaser reportedly shows the OnePlus 16 achieving around 56,33,288 points, suggesting a major performance increase over its predecessor.
Will the OnePlus 16 compete with the iPhone 18 Pro?
The OnePlus 16 is expected to compete with premium flagships like the iPhone 18 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S26 series, especially in performance, camera hardware, and battery capacity.
Will the OnePlus 16 be cheaper than the iPhone 18 Pro?
OnePlus has not confirmed the OnePlus 16’s pricing. So, a direct price comparison isn’t possible yet. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at Rs 1,64,900 in India.
Continue Reading
Trending on TelecomTalk