OnePlus could already be working on its next compact flagship, according to a new leak. The leak points to a small-screen phone powered by Qualcomm’s next-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chipset.
The information comes from reliable tipster Digital Chat Station, who claims OnePlus is currently testing a device with a 6.3-inch flat display and Qualcomm’s unreleased flagship processor. While the phone wasn’t named directly, the hardware suggests this could be the rumoured OnePlus 16T and a real rival to the iPhone in terms of size.
If accurate, the leak indicates that OnePlus isn’t giving up on compact flagship phones anytime soon. This is despite reports that the company may cancel plans for a global launch of the OnePlus 15s. The OnePlus 15s was expected to be an international version of the China-exclusive OnePlus 15T.
Details beyond the screen size and chipset remain scarce. However, the use of Snapdragon’s next flagship silicon suggests OnePlus is positioning the device as a true premium offering rather than a cut-down alternative.
The reported processor, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, is expected to be built on a 2nm process, which could bring improvements to both performance and efficiency over current-generation flagship chips. However, Qualcomm has yet to officially announce the platform.
The leak also hints that development is progressing smoothly, making a launch in early 2027 a possibility. That would align with the timing of the OnePlus 15T, which debuted in March this year.
For context, the current OnePlus 15T pairs a 6.32-inch AMOLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate, a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, a 50MP dual-camera system, and a sizeable 7,500mAh battery. Assuming OnePlus sticks with a similar formula, the next model could offer flagship-level performance. It would do this in a relatively compact form factor.
The bigger question is whether the device will launch outside China. Recent reports suggest OnePlus has been scaling back in several international markets. Additionally, the apparent cancellation of the OnePlus 15s has only added to that uncertainty.
For now, the OnePlus 16T remains firmly in rumour territory, but the leak suggests compact Android flagships still have a place in OnePlus’s roadmap.
