Speed doubled and lower consumption: OnePlus 16 with LPDDR6, but at a high price

While the wait for the next generation of flagship grows, new details on OnePlus 16 outline a device designed to deliver maximum performance. Thanks to the adoption of the very new LPDDR6 memories and the unprecedented 2 nm chipset from Qualcomm, the future top-of-the-line promises breakthroughs for artificial intelligence. But innovation comes at a price: among refreshed periscope sensors and the global semiconductor crisis, the launch price could set a new record for the brand.

OnePlus 16: how camera and memory will improve, according to the latest leaks

The next OnePlus 16 will mark the transition from the current LPDDR5X memories to the new LPDDR6: the result will be a maximum speed almost doubled (up to 14.4 Gbps) and improved efficiency, with power consumption reduced by 20%. The future flagship will offer very high performance, without impacting the battery and with a data transmission capacity optimized for on-device generative AI.

All this, orchestrated by the 2 nm chipset SM8975, i.e., the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro – still unreleased; launch is expected in September. Revealing it is Digital Chat Station: the Chinese insider raises the bar, revealing a bit more about the camera hardware.

OnePlus 16 will be the first flagship in the lineup with a 200 MP sensor and should be the telephoto periscope (there was uncertainty between the main and the telephoto), perhaps Samsung HP5.

However the novelties will cost a lot: due to the memory crisis, price increases are expected. We are talking about around 5,000 yuan for the base 12/256 GB version, compared to the 3,999 yuan starting price of OnePlus 15. So over €1,000 for the Italian market, but obviously the final word rests with Pete Lau’s company.

Presumed specifications

• Dimensions and weight: /
• Colors: /
• Certification: IP66/IP68/IP69/IP69K
• Internal display: OLED BOE X5 LTPO 1.5K with 240 Hz refresh rate and LIPO technology (0.8 mm bezels)
• Security: under-the-screen fingerprint reader (ultrasound)
• Liquid cooling with vapor chamber
• SoC: UNRELEASED – Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro, 2 nm TSMC
• CPU: octa-core
• GPU: Adreno
• RAM: 12/16 GB LPDDR6
• Storage: 256/512 GB/1 TB UFS 4.1 non-expandable
• Battery: 9,000 mAh
• Charging: 100W or 120W, wireless 50W
• Camera: triple 50 + 50 + 200 MP (f/?) with OIS, ultra-wide and telephoto periscope with OIS | DetailMax Engine (Global), OPPO Lumo Engine (China)
• Selfie camera: /
• Connectivity and others: Dual SIM 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, dual-band GPS, stereo speakers, USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, IR sensor, Plus Key button
• Operating system: Android 17 with ColorOS 17 (China) and OxygenOS 17 (Global)