2026-01-07 13:17:26

OnePlus is reportedly preparing to launch its first Pro or Ultra-branded phone with the OnePlus 16.

According to multiple tipsters, including OnePlus Club on X, the Chinese company has taken on board sustained user feedback calling for a more fully featured “all-rounder” device.

If accurate, the move would mark a notable shift for the company, which has long avoided the Pro and Ultra naming conventions used by most of its rivals like Apple, Google and Samsung.

While it remains unclear whether the phone will be branded OnePlus 16 Pro or OnePlus 16 Ultra, sources agree that a premium variant is planned alongside the standard OnePlus 16.

Details on the hardware are still sparse, but expectations are being shaped by the company’s recent design choices.

The OnePlus 15 – released globally last month – focused heavily on raw performance and battery life, pairing Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset with a 7,300mAh silicon-carbon battery and a 165Hz display for smoother gaming.

However, the device also made compromises elsewhere, including a lower display resolution and a camera system that – while still capable – no longer carried Hasselblad imaging system.

A Pro or Ultra model could be designed to address those trade-offs, as industry observers expect upgrades in areas such as camera hardware, display quality and materials – allowing OnePlus to better compete with top-tier devices from Apple and Samsung.

It may also help the company clearly separate its flagship offering from Oppo, which has increasingly positioned itself as parent company BBK Electronics’ camera-focused brand.

The potential launch window of Q4 2026 would align with OnePlus’s usual release cadence and give the company time to refine its strategy as competition at the high end of the smartphone market intensifies.

With flagship prices continuing to rise across the industry, introducing a premium tier could also give OnePlus more flexibility in pricing and positioning.

OnePlus has not commented on the reports, and no official announcement has been made.

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