OnePlus 15 to OnePlus 16: Is It Worth Upgrading?
A plain-English look at what actually changes, 1 year apart.
Maybe — worth it only if the new features matter to you
The OnePlus 16 is 1 year newer than the OnePlus 15, and the BeastScore rises from 92.9 to 94.0. The biggest improvements: performance rated 3 points higher, newer snapdragon 8 elite extreme gen 6 chipset (replaces snapdragon 8 elite gen 5), 1,700 mah bigger battery. Trade-offs to know: display rated 3 points lower, 20w slower wired charging.
What you gain with the OnePlus 16
- Performance rated 3 points higher
- Newer Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipset (replaces Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5)
- 1,700 mAh bigger battery
- Smoother display (+20Hz refresh rate)
- Higher-resolution main camera (+150 MP)
What you give up
- Display rated 3 points lower
- 20W slower wired charging
- Shorter optical zoom (−0.5x)
Head-to-head
| Spec | OnePlus 15 | OnePlus 16 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore (overall) | 92.9 | 94.0 | +1.1 |
| Performance score | 95 | 98 | +3 (3%) |
| Camera score | 91 | 92 | No real change |
| Battery score | 100 | 98 | No real change |
| Display score | 98 | 95 | −3 (3%) |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 | New generation chip |
| Battery capacity | 7,300 mAh | 9,000 mAh | +1,700 mAh (23%) |
| Wired charging | 120W | 100W | −20W (17%) |
| Wireless charging | 50W | 50W | No real change |
| Refresh rate | 165Hz | 185Hz | +20Hz (12%) |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 200 MP | +150 MP (300%) |
| Optical zoom | 3.5x | 3x | −0.5x (14%) |
Upgrade if…
- You regularly run out of battery before the end of the day
- Photo quality is a priority for you
- You play demanding games or want the newest on-device AI features
- You use your phone outdoors a lot and want a brighter, smoother screen
OnePlus 15 to OnePlus 16: Common Questions
Is it worth upgrading from the OnePlus 15 to the OnePlus 16?
Maybe — worth it only if the new features matter to you. The OnePlus 16 is 1 year newer than the OnePlus 15, and the BeastScore rises from 92.9 to 94.0. The biggest improvements: performance rated 3 points higher, newer snapdragon 8 elite extreme gen 6 chipset (replaces snapdragon 8 elite gen 5), 1,700 mah bigger battery. Trade-offs to know: display rated 3 points lower, 20w slower wired charging.
What is the biggest difference between the OnePlus 15 and OnePlus 16?
Performance rated 3 points higher: 95 on the OnePlus 15 vs 98 on the OnePlus 16.
Does the OnePlus 16 have a bigger battery than the OnePlus 15?
The OnePlus 16 has a 9,000 mAh battery versus 7,300 mAh on the OnePlus 15 (+1,700 mAh (23%)).
Who should upgrade to the OnePlus 16?
Upgrade if: You regularly run out of battery before the end of the day; Photo quality is a priority for you; You play demanding games or want the newest on-device AI features; You use your phone outdoors a lot and want a brighter, smoother screen.