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OnePlus 16 teases a return to circular cameras
OnePlus teases the OnePlus 16 with a possible circular camera design and upgraded gaming features, ahead of a rumored October launch in China.
Image: gizmochina
OnePlus is teasing the OnePlus 16 with two clear priorities: a possible return to a circular camera module and a stronger focus on gaming. The timing is deliberate, with the Redmi K100 Pro expected to appear soon on the Chinese market.
OnePlus 16 gaming features
At the Snapdragon Gaming Technology Showcase, Liu Baoyu, general manager of OnePlus China, said the company is expanding its gaming work and updating three proprietary technologies:
- Fengchi Gaming Kernel
- Extreme High Refresh Rate
- Esports Triple-Chip
According to Liu, the OnePlus 16 will be the first device to demonstrate the upgrades in full. He also said OnePlus smartphone sales rose 13% year over year in the first half of 2026, making the brand the fastest-growing smartphone brand during that period.
Circular camera design and rumored specifications
A teaser shared on Chinese social networks appears to hint at a circular camera module. If it represents the production design, OnePlus would return to an arrangement previously used on the OnePlus 13, after the more angular design of the OnePlus 15.
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Image source: Gizmochina
An image based on the poster is also circulating online, but its authenticity has not been confirmed. Rumors suggest that OnePlus could unveil the phone in China in early October. The reported specifications include:
- A 6.78-inch LTPO OLED display with 1.5K resolution and a 185Hz refresh rate
- An ultrasonic fingerprint scanner under the display
- A battery of approximately 9,000mAh
- 100W wired and 50W wireless charging
- The next-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro chipset
- Android 16 with the ColorOS 17 interface
- Symmetrical stereo speakers and an X-axis vibration motor
- IP68 and IP69 water and dust resistance
Image source: Gizmochina
Neither the launch date nor the rumored specifications have been confirmed. If the early-October timing holds, OnePlus will face the Redmi K100 Pro and other autumn flagships using next-generation Snapdragon chips. The company will also need to show that gaming features and a high refresh rate can sustain its recent sales momentum as effectively as major camera upgrades.
Gadgets Editor
Eli is obsessed with the tangible future. He reviews phones, wearables, and everything with a battery. Known for his rigorous testing protocols and unabashed teardowns, Eli has broken more review units than he cares to admit, all in the name of discovering the truth about durability and repairability.
via ITzine
