For years, smartphone makers have been locked in a race for brighter screens, thinner bezels, and sharper resolutions. Now, it looks like the next battleground could be refresh rates — and things are getting a little absurd.
A new leak suggests OnePlus is exploring a roadmap that could eventually bring 240Hz OLED displays to its flagship phones. That’s a number typically associated with competitive gaming monitors, not devices that spend most of their time scrolling through social media feeds and watching YouTube videos. According to tipster Digital Chat Station, OnePlus is considering a gradual jump through 165Hz and 185Hz panels before ultimately reaching 240Hz in future devices.
The refresh rate race is heating up
Most flagship smartphones today top out at 120Hz, which already feels incredibly smooth for everyday use. Animations are fluid, scrolling feels responsive, and games that support high frame rates look noticeably better. But OnePlus appears interested in pushing beyond what most users would consider necessary.
Recent rumors surrounding the upcoming OnePlus 16 have already hinted at a 165Hz-to-185Hz jump while retaining the company’s preferred 1.5K display resolution. That suggests OnePlus may be prioritizing speed over pixel count, at least for now. It’s not hard to see the appeal. Higher refresh rates can make supported games feel more responsive, especially in fast-paced shooters and racing titles. The challenge is that the benefits become increasingly difficult to notice as the numbers climb.
The real challenge isn’t speed
Getting to 240Hz is one thing; doing it without destroying battery life is another. That’s likely why OnePlus reportedly continues to favor 1.5K panels over sharper 2K displays. Combining ultra-high refresh rates with higher resolutions demands more power, more processing muscle, and more aggressive thermal management.
The company could revisit 2K screens in the future, but only if display technology improves enough to avoid major compromises. For now, the rumored OnePlus 16 is expected to arrive later this year with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chip and a larger silicon-carbon battery, both of which could help support more demanding display hardware. Whether anyone truly needs a 240Hz smartphone screen is another question entirely. But if the leak is accurate, OnePlus seems determined to find out.