Early OnePlus 16 hype suggests firm may have ditched its key markets too soon

It’s difficult to get away from the Pixel 11 hype this week, but let’s try. Although it’s no longer a player in the EU and North American markets, OnePlus has confirmed this month that its next flagship is indeed in the works.

The OnePlus 16‘s ins and outs remain nebulous, but it’ll seemingly pack a 165Hz display according to pre-release marketing slides, while rumors point to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 SoC, a 200MP periscope camera, and a roomy 9,000mAh battery. It sounds brilliant on paper, but do you even care?

We asked our readers in a recent survey if they’re looking forward to the OnePlus 16. The results suggest that OnePlus may have announced its retreat from its two key markets far too early.

A total of 2,214 votes were cast in this poll, and just under half of all respondents (48%) said they “would be” excited about the OnePlus 16 if the company hadn’t confirmed its departure from North America and Europe.

Readers in these regions are clearly still hurt. noamnn88 writes:

I’m very disappointed, they shot themselves in the leg. I hope no one will buy their phone until they change their decision. [sic]

Others weren’t much kinder. Reader michiel.w.breur adds:

It’s quite annoying they left us to rot. Been a OnePlus fan since the 6T and gotten OnePlus everytime after that.

Despite the negative comments, the overall survey results look great from a OnePlus perspective. A further 44% of respondents are indeed still excited for the OnePlus 16, as they still “love OnePlus phones.”

Remarkably, that would’ve left only an 8% share of voters who aren’t holding their breath for the new OnePlus flagship, and who knows how many of these readers now shun the company because they feel shunned themselves.

While the OnePlus 16 won’t be as widely available in the EU or North America as it would’ve been before the company’s withdrawal, it’ll likely be available for purchase through third-party retailers.

Should the phone prove to be a real contender, would you consider importing it, or are your OnePlus smartphone days done? Let me know in the comments.