Ultra polarizing OnePlus 16 feature is under testing: do you need it at all?

Two months after we reported on the possibility of the OnePlus 16 getting a display panel with a 240Hz refresh rate, it seems that things are moving ahead.

Twice as much as what other phones offer

The "OnePlus Club" account on X (it's unofficial, but with a great record) shares a short message in the first day of 2026:

No phone models are mentioned here, but the "240Hz Ultra High Refresh Rate" feature should land on the OnePlus 16; after all, that's the company's crown jewel. As a reminder, the current-day OnePlus 15 supports a 165Hz refresh rate. That's notably above the 120Hz industry average (sort of).

It seems that even the recently-released Honor WIN series with its 185Hz refresh rate will be blown away by the OnePlus 16, if the leak turns out to be correct.

On a side note, I can almost hear the screams of disbelief and despair that are probably coming out of Cupertino headquarters. After all, it's been only three months since the baseline iPhone finally moved past the 60Hz refresh rate milestone.

Is 240Hz a lot?

Last time when we discussed the OnePlus 16 and its eventual panel that supports a 240Hz refresh rate, almost nobody of you was thrilled. In the conducted PhoneArena poll, almost 80% of respondents clicked on "Not at all" as an answer to the question "Do you need 240Hz on your phone?"

What's more, on social media platforms, OnePlus fans say that "The wasted money on 244 should go to the cameras" – and conclude the same: phones should not support a 240Hz refresh rate.

But why not?

Each level has its own benefits and trade-offs. A 120Hz display already feels much smoother than the traditional 60Hz screens, making scrolling, animations, and most games look more fluid. It's also easier on the battery compared to higher refresh rates, which is why it's a popular choice for most users.

Stepping up to 165Hz or 185Hz makes things feel even smoother, especially in fast-paced games. You'll notice a slightly quicker touch response and more fluid motion, but for everyday tasks like browsing social media or watching videos, the difference isn't huge. The higher the refresh rate, the more battery it uses, and not all apps are optimized to take full advantage of it.

At the extreme end, 240Hz displays are incredibly smooth and responsive, but the benefits for most people are minimal. In theory – and unless OnePlus comes up with something revolutionary – they drain battery much faster and only really make a difference in competitive gaming or very high-frame-rate content. For regular use, the extra smoothness is not worth the trade-off in battery life.

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