Upcoming flagship phones from OnePlus, Vivo’s iQOO brand, and Redmi could become noticeably more expensive this year, according to a new leak from Weibo tipster Digital Chat Station. The report claims the OnePlus 16, iQOO 16, and Redmi K100 Pro Max may launch in the second half of the year with higher starting prices, and all three are said to use Qualcomm’s next flagship chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6. If the information is accurate, buyers may see a price jump of around 20% compared to last year’s models—at least in China—with potential knock-on effects for global pricing as well.
What the Leak Claims About New Pricing
Digital Chat Station claims the new models will start at CNY 5,000 for a 12GB RAM and 256GB storage configuration. Converted roughly, that is around $725. The tipster’s claim is notable because flagship pricing often sets the tone for the wider market, including “Pro” and “Ultra” models that launch later.
It is also important to remember that China prices are typically lower than international prices due to different taxes, distribution, and regional pricing strategies. So if CNY 5,000 becomes the new baseline in China, the global launch prices for the same phones could end up higher after duties, currency differences, and local margins.
How Big the Increase Could Be vs Last Year
For comparison, the leak suggests the OnePlus 15 and Redmi K90 Pro Max launched around $580, while the iQOO 15 started near $595. If the next generation begins around $725, that is roughly a 20% increase. Even if final numbers vary, the direction matters: any jump in the entry price can affect buyer behaviour and push more people toward older models or mid-range options.
A higher entry price also changes how consumers evaluate upgrades. When price gaps widen, people become more selective and look for clear improvements in performance, cameras, battery life, and long-term software support. Brands may respond by improving trade-in offers or offering more aggressive launch bundles to make the price feel easier to accept.
Possible Reasons: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and Memory Costs
The tipster did not share a detailed explanation, but two common cost drivers stand out. First, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 is expected to cost more than the previous generation. Flagship chipsets are a major part of a phone’s bill of materials, and a higher chipset price can quickly push up retail pricing.
Second, rising memory prices can add pressure. Flagship phones are increasingly using faster RAM and storage, and even small increases in component pricing can become significant at scale. If manufacturers also add upgrades like brighter displays, better camera sensors, or stronger cooling systems, those improvements can further raise the total cost.
What This Could Mean for Pakistan and Global Buyers
For Pakistani buyers, global pricing is usually the real issue because imported smartphones are affected by currency rates, taxes, PTA duties, and retailer margins. If Chinese launch prices rise, the global versions of OnePlus 16 and iQOO 16 could also see increases, and that can translate into higher local market rates. Redmi’s pricing strategy also matters because it often sets expectations for “value flagship” pricing in many regions.
At this stage, the information remains unofficial and has not been confirmed by the manufacturers. Still, the leak is a useful signal for planning. If you are considering an upgrade later this year, keep an eye on official launch announcements and pricing tiers, and compare them against last year’s models, which may become better value if new prices move up. In a rising-cost cycle, buying decisions often shift toward timing: either buy early with launch deals or wait for discounts once supply stabilises.
