TL; DR
- The OnePlus 16 could make its way to India after all, with the company testing the phone and its Indian software build for the past couple of months.
- A potential India price of ₹1.3 lakh to ₹1.4 lakh has surfaced, significantly higher than the China starting price of around ₹86,000.
- The OnePlus 16R is also expected to launch in India at a lower price. OnePlus has yet to confirm either phone.
OnePlus could bring its flagship OnePlus 16 to India after all. The company launched the phone in China on October 12, although its plans for other markets remain unclear. Earlier reports suggested the flagship might remain exclusive to China following OnePlus’s withdrawal from North America and Europe, with India potentially getting only the OnePlus 16R.
Recent developments suggest an India launch is still under consideration. The OnePlus 16 has reportedly been undergoing internal testing for a couple of months, with the company evaluating its India launch based partly on how competing flagship phones perform.
Tipster Abhishek Yadav (@yabhishekhd on X) claims OnePlus recently held a meeting in Mumbai to discuss the India launch. He also says the phone is being tested privately. Last month, Yadav reported that OnePlus was testing global and Indian software builds under model numbers CPH2901, CPH2903 and CPH2905.
ALSO READ: OPPO Expands Tap-to-Share Support to vivo, Xiaomi, and HONOR Phones With ColorOS 17
OnePlus 16 India price could reach ₹1.4 lakh
The potential India pricing has also surfaced, with reports suggesting the OnePlus 16 could cost between ₹1.3 lakh and ₹1.4 lakh. That would put it roughly 50% above the China starting price of CNY 5,999 (around ₹86,000) and well above the OnePlus 15’s India launch price.
The reported price has sparked debate on X, particularly given OnePlus’s traditional flagship pricing. Rising component costs could be one reason behind the potential increase.
The ongoing RAM shortage has already contributed to smartphone price increases across several brands this year. A flagship with 12GB or 16GB of RAM could face similar cost pressures. Import duties, a potentially smaller India or Asia-focused production run, and OnePlus’s move towards a more expensive flagship segment could also influence the final price.
The top-end China variant already converts to around ₹1.21 lakh before any additional India pricing.
ALSO READ: ColorOS 17 November Rollout Schedule: Exact Dates for OPPO, OnePlus and realme Devices
OnePlus 16R could launch alongside it
The OnePlus 16R is also expected to arrive in India, with leaks suggesting a price of ₹70,000 to ₹75,000. It is tipped to use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and 200MP main camera plus a 3.5X telephoto.
OnePlus has yet to confirm either phone and their India launch dates. The reported testing and software builds suggest that the company is actively evaluating an India release for the OnePlus 16. An official announcement will clarify whether the flagship joins the 16R in the Indian lineup.
You can follow Smartprix on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Google News. Visit smartprix.com for the latest tech and auto news, reviews, and guides.
