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OnePlus may be testing a display upgrade you’d prefer not to get

A new leak hints at a display improvement that might make OnePlus’ flagship devices a bit worse.

By Ilia Temelkov

Published: Aug 12, 2025, 4:59 AM

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OnePlus may be testing a display upgrade you’d prefer not to get

OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R | Image credit — PhoneArena

OnePlus may be testing brand-new display panels, which might be used on some of the smartphones the company is expected to release by the end of the year. The upgrade will be focused on the refresh rate of the panels, but may only reach lower-resolution displays.

A new report (source in Chinese) from the leaker Digital Chat Station on Weibo claims that OnePlus is testing a display with a 165Hz refresh rate. The tests may be conducted on a mid-range device featuring a flat display with 1.5K resolution and the higher refresh rate. If the report is accurate, that would be the first time OnePlus uses such a high refresh rate on any of its devices.

The new device may offer an upgrade to the integrated circuit chip, which would improve the touch responsiveness. Despite the claim that the feature is tested on a mid-range device, it’s possible that OnePlus sticks to the usual logic and premieres it on its upcoming flagship.

Which display spec is more important for you?

Higher refresh rate is crucial

22.93%

I prefer higher resolution

56.34%

I don’t care about those specs

20.73%

Earlier rumors for the OnePlus 15, which is expected in October, claimed that the device will have a lower-resolution display compared to its predecessor, the OnePlus 13. So, instead of a 6.82-inch 2K screen, the OnePlus 15 is expected to have a 6.78-inch 1.5K display. That rumor fits with the fresh leak, so I’d say it is likely that the OnePlus 15 features a 165Hz display.

On the other hand, OnePlus is also ramping up to release the mid-range OnePlus Ace 6, which will likely serve as the base for a OnePlus 15R. That model is also rumored to have a 1.5K display, which could utilize the rumored high refresh rate technology. Last year’s OnePlus Ace 5 served as the base for the OnePlus 13R, which we called “the best flagship-killer” in our review.

Just like many other specs, the refresh rate of the best-selling flagship smartphones is lagging behind some devices coming from China. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, iPhone 16 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro all support up to 120Hz, but the vanilla iPhone 16 is lagging behind and supports only 60Hz.

I wouldn’t get too excited about such an upgrade, especially coming from OnePlus. The company’s OxygenOS doesn’t handle variable refresh rates very well, so the 120Hz are often underutilized. Even more importantly, the difference between 120Hz and 165Hz would be difficult to notice in day-to-day use of a smartphone. Adding the resolution downgrade to all that, and the upgrade doesn’t sound all that good, unless you really need to show off some higher-than-the-competition numbers.

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Ilia, a tech journalist at PhoneArena, has been covering the mobile industry since 2011, with experience at outlets like Forbes Bulgaria. Passionate about smartphones, tablets, and consumer tech, he blends deep industry knowledge with a personal fascination that began with his first Nokia and Sony Ericsson devices. Originally from Bulgaria and now based in Lima, Peru, Ilia balances his tech obsessions with walking his dog, training at the gym, and slowly mastering Spanish.

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