NEW YORK, Jan 21, 2026, 06:30 (EST)
- OnePlus India CEO Robin Liu confirmed the brand is running as usual in India, addressing the shutdown rumors circulating online
- Leaks suggest the OnePlus 16 will see a major leap in camera and battery, with rumors of a 200MP sensor and a massive 9,000mAh battery
- Reports suggest OnePlus might limit its next flagship to China, potentially skipping a global release for the OnePlus 16
OnePlus India CEO Robin Liu insisted the company is “operating as usual and will continue to do so,” dismissing rumors that parent Oppo plans to shut down the brand. IDC research manager Jitesh Ubrani told Android Central, “I certainly haven’t heard anything along these lines from the grapevine.” (Android Central)
The statement comes at a sensitive time for OnePlus. Rumors of a pullback are swirling just as chatter about the next flagship begins, leaving buyers in India and beyond wondering if the brand intends to stay in the high-end Android game.
In the last two days, reports have surfaced questioning if the OnePlus 16 will launch beyond China at all. Android Central pointed to a social media post making this claim, which was reinforced by tipster Yogesh Brar. So far, OnePlus hasn’t confirmed any global release plans. (Android Central)
In India, speculation is heating up around OnePlus specs. Tipster Digital Chat Station claimed on Weibo that the company might replace the 50-megapixel telephoto camera with a 200-megapixel sensor, according to India Today. Other sources suggest the upgrade could target the main camera instead. The same outlet also mentioned OnePlus is experimenting with a 200Hz refresh-rate screen and might boost battery size from 7,300mAh to 9,000mAh, all while retaining its DetailMax imaging engine. (India Today)
Refresh rate refers to how many times a screen updates per second; higher rates generally result in smoother motion, especially in games and select apps. Battery capacity is measured in milliampere-hours (mAh), with larger numbers typically indicating longer battery life—though that can also add weight to the phone.
Gizchina noted that the rumored battery increase clashes with the industry’s trend toward slimmer devices and might mean sacrificing charging speed. It highlighted OnePlus’ Turbo 6 phones in China, which pack a 9,000mAh battery but only support up to 80W wired charging. (Gizchina)
FindArticles, relying on the same leak sources, labeled the 200MP as a main-camera upgrade and noted Brar’s tip about two 50MP secondary lenses, one of which is a 3.5x telephoto. The site also raised a question for buyers outside China: will OnePlus restrict the top camera setup by region or reserve it for a pricier model? (FindArticles)
In premium Android, the numbers game is nothing new. Samsung and Google have pushed camera specs and software tweaks to stand out, and a global pause from OnePlus could open up space in the price range where it usually targets “flagship” customers.
Much of what we know about the OnePlus 16 still comes from leaks and social media chatter, not official filings or announcements. OnePlus might tweak the specs, delay the launch, or opt for a staggered regional release. Plus, a larger battery might bring trade-offs like added weight, heat management challenges, or slower charging.
For context, OnePlus promotes the OnePlus 15 with a 7,300mAh battery and 80W wired charging, which helps clarify why a 9,000mAh number is turning heads so soon in the cycle. (OnePlus)
OnePlus hasn’t revealed any details about the OnePlus 16 or its launch markets yet. What’s clear: the company is sticking with its India operations, even as speculation swirls about how widely the next flagship might roll out globally.
