OnePlus 15 takes the battle to Google and Samsung with eye-catching upgrades
OnePlus 15 and 15R: In summary
OnePlus’ next flagship and upper-mid-range phones
OnePlus 15 is now available to buy in China
Ace 6 expected to be known as 15R globally
Potential price hike for the main flagship phone
OnePlus was initially known for its ‘flagship killer’ smartphones, but in recent years, the company has shown it can also make excellent high-end handsets.
Its previous attempt, the OnePlus 13, delivered an impressive competition of superb performance, incredible battery life and a slick, AI-infused software experience. As our guide to the best phones you can buy shows, it’s undoubtedly one of the finest handsets around.
Meanwhile, the OnePlus 13R is a strong mid-range device, delivering a surprisingly high-end experience at a more affordable price.
However, attention has quickly shifted to the next generation. With the number 4 being considered unlucky in OnePlus’ native China, the company has skipped straight to 15.
From all that we’ve seen so far, there’s a very good chance that the OnePlus 15 could end up being one of the absolute best phones of the year, but we won’t know for sure until we get our hands on one and start putting it to the test. Before that day comes, here are the things we know so far about OnePlus’ next generation of premium phones.
When will the OnePlus 15 be released?
In summary
OnePlus 15 and Ace 6 are now available in China
Ace 6 expected to be known as 15R elsewhere
Global launch confirmed, but unclear exactly when
Just like with previous generations, we now know that the OnePlus 15 will enjoy its initial launch in China before being brought over to the rest of the world at a later date.
Following an official unveiling on 27th October, the OnePlus 15 is now available to buy in China. All three colourways, including Absolute Black, Misty Purple and Sand Dune, have been included in the launch line-up.
It arrived alongside the more affordable OnePlus Ace 6, which is expected to be known as the OnePlus 15R in the UK and Europe. However, the Ace 6 isn’t yet available in China, with no word on when it might be.
OnePlus
As of yet, OnePlus hasn’t confirmed when Western markets can expect to see the company’s new phones. But if previous launches are anything to go by, there’s a good chance of a global launch happening in January.
After all, the OnePlus 13 followed a similar launch trajectory, initially debuting in China on 1st November before making its way abroad in January of this year. There are a few rumours, however, that the phone could reach international markets as soon as November, but there’s conflicting information out there, and it should be taken with a pinch of salt.
Sources: NotebookCheck | 91Mobiles (in Hindi) | Weibo | Weibo (2)
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
How much will the OnePlus 15 cost?
In summary
A slight price increase in China
A higher price tag in the West seems likely
OnePlus 13 started at £899/$899, while 13R was from £679/$599.99
Until the OnePlus 15 officially makes its way to the West, we won’t know for sure if the company has any plans to change its pricing strategy based on current market conditions, but the recently unveiled Chinese prices do offer some insight:
OnePlus 15, 12GB/256GB – CNY 3999
OnePlus 15, 16GB/256GB – CNY 4299
OnePlus 15, 12GB/512GB – CNY 4599
OnePlus 15, 16GB/512GB – CNY 4899
OnePlus 15, 16GB/1TB – CNY 5399
The entry-level option is slightly more expensive than the CNY 4799 starting price of the OnePlus 13, which means that there could be an uptick in the global pricing that we’ve seen thus far.
As for the OnePlus Ace 6, which is expected to be the 15R globally, it costs the following in China:
OnePlus Ace 6, 12GB/256GB – CNY 2599
OnePlus Ace 6, 16GB/256GB – CNY 2899
OnePlus Ace 6, 12GB/512GB – CNY 3099
OnePlus Ace 6, 16GB/512GB – CNY 3399
OnePlus Ace 6, 16GB/1TB – CNY 3899
Not all of these configurations will likely make their way into the 15R. Only one version of the OnePlus 13R is available in the UK and Europe.
For context, here are the UK/US launch prices for the OnePlus 13 and the OnePlus 13R:
OnePlus 13, 256GB storage – £899/$899
OnePlus 13, 512GB storage – £999/$999
OnePlus 13R, 256GB storage – £679/$599.99
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
What specs and features will the OnePlus 15 have?
In summary
OnePlus 15 is one of the first Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 phones
The display has had a major revamp
A big leap to 120W charging
It’s several months before the OnePlus 15 series is expected to make its way to the UK and the US, but with the phone now officially available in China, we know all of the key specs for the new phone. Here are the highlights of the OnePlus 15:
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset
6.8-inch, 1.5K flat OLED display with 165Hz refresh rate
50Mp triple rear cameras, including 3x periscope telephoto
7300mAh battery
120W charging
New rear camera design
211-215g weight
Original Sand Dune, Absolute Black and Misty Purple models
There are plenty of things to talk about. The OnePlus 15 is one of the first phones to get Qualcomm’s new flagship chipset, behind only the Xiaomi 17 series so far.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
The screen is slightly smaller at 6.78 inches, but the bezels have been shrunk down to the point where they are only 1.15mm thick, creating a more cinematic panel that’s also flat at the edges, unlike the OnePlus 13.
The display is also getting a 165Hz refresh rate, up from 120Hz. It’ll be the joint-highest figure we’ve ever seen on a phone.
And just how much better could battery life get? The OnePlus 13’s 6000mAh cell already lasts a very long time, but we now know that its successor will have a 7300mAh cell, at least in China. There’s already quite a precedent for phones to have a larger battery in China compared to their global versions, so you can anticipate a slight dip here for when the phone makes its way overseas.
The charging speed has also been given a bump, now boasting 120W wired charging. Wireless charging remains the same at 50W, but it all amounts to a seriously flagship package, especially when you consider that the latest Galaxy phones don’t get anywhere near these speeds.
OnePlus
While the 50Mp main, 50Mp ultrawide and 32Mp selfie cameras might remain unchanged, the 50Mp 3x telephoto was tipped to be upgraded periscope lens, which could improve zoom performance. However, OnePlus has ditched its partnership with camera company Hasselblad in favour of its own new camera system known as the ‘DetailMax Engine’.
The President of OnePlus China has indeed confirmed that the 15 will have a triple 50Mp camera system featuring “LUMO Condensed Light Imaging,” for “pursuing not just clarity, but the depth of light and shadow, the vitality of color.”
He also added that the telephoto camera will offer a 3.5x optical zoom equivalent to an 85mm prime lens. Other camera specs and features include a ‘Super Perception Imaging Engine’, Pro XDR support, full-focus HD output, 4K/120fps Dolby Vision and Live Photos.
OnePlus
OnePlus also announced the OnePlus Ace 6 alongside the OnePlus 15 as a more affordable flagship alternative. There’s a good chance that if the Ace 6 ever makes it over here, then it’ll probably go by a different name, likely the OnePlus 15R.
What’s interesting about the Ace 6 is that in a few areas, it actually outdoes the OnePlus 15 based on the specs that have now been confirmed. Here’s what we know about the phone so far:
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset
6.83-inch FHD+ AMOLED display
165Hz refresh rate
Two rear cameras (50Mp wide, 8Mp ultrawide)
16Mp selfie camera
7800mAh battery
120W wired charging, no wireless charging
The 7800mAh battery is particularly impressive, but just like with the OnePlus 15, we anticipate there being a smaller cell when the phone reaches the West, as this has been the case with a handful of flagship phones in recent memory.
Moving to the previous-gen Qualcomm flagship chip is a smart move and basically guarantees excellent performance. There will also be an upgraded and thinner Glacier cooling system featuring a larger vapour chamber with walls made from tearable steel to aid heat dissipation.
Bumping the refresh rate from 120- to 165Hz and switching out the optical under-display fingerprint sensor for a superior ultrasonic one are both nice touches, too.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
However, there’s plenty of uncertainty regarding the cameras on both phones, especially with OnePlus having confirmed that its Hasselblad partnership has ended. It’s been a mainstay of flagship OnePlus phones since the OnePlus 9 in 2021, so it’s unclear how this could affect overall camera performance.
OnePlus says that the ‘DetailMax Engine’ that replaces it can”deliver unmatched depth and realism”, with CEO Pete Lau claiming that it will offer the “clearest and most real photos on a smartphone”.
The two phones have also been confirmed to have OxygenOS 16 at launch, which includes a smattering of AI-powered features that seem to be going head-to-head with Google in terms of making quality of life improvements that people will see in everyday use.
Sources: Innogyan | Yogesh Brar via X | Digital Chat Station via Weibo (2) | Debayan Roy via X | Even if the west wind blows via Weibo | Li Jie via Weibo | Xpertpick | Lao Chen Air via Weibo | Li Jie Louis (via Weibo) (2) | GSMArena
That’s all we know about the OnePlus 15 series so far, but look out for more news in the run-up to its launch later this year.
If you don’t want to wait, be sure to check out our top recommendations for the best phones and best mid-range phones you can buy.