In summary:
- Tech Advisor highlights the OnePlus 15 series, featuring the flagship OnePlus 15 starting at £849/$899.99 and the mid-range OnePlus 15R from £649/$699.99.
- Both models offer impressive specifications including massive batteries (7300-7400mAh), fast charging capabilities, and the new Snapdragon chipsets with extensive water resistance ratings.
- The OnePlus 15 launched globally in November 2025, while the OnePlus 15R becomes available January 15, 2026, providing competitive alternatives in their respective market segments.
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.
The OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R were compelling handsets when they launched globally earlier this year, but the company is already back for more. The number 4 is considered unlucky in OnePlus’ native China, so the company has skipped straight to 15.
And with the official global announcement of the OnePlus 15 and the OnePlus 15R now firmly in the rearview mirror, here’s everything you need to know about OnePlus’s next generation of premium phones.
For our verdict on the flagship, read our full OnePlus 15 review .
When did the OnePlus 15 come out and when will the OnePlus 15R be released?
In summary
- OnePlus 15 is now available worldwide
- OnePlus 15R will be available to buy from 15 January 2026
Just like with previous generations, the OnePlus 15 launched initially in China before being brought over to the rest of the world.
It was initially made available in China on 28 October, before expanding globally on 13 November. The government shutdown caused some delays to its US release, but you’ve been able to buy the phone in the States since mid-December 2025.
All three colourways, including Absolute Black, Misty Purple and Sand Dune, have made it globally.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
After plenty of rumours and teases on specs, the OnePlus 15R was finally unveiled on 17 December alongside a handful of other products within the ecosystem, including the OnePlus Pad Go 2 and the OnePlus Watch Lite.
The OnePlus 15R will be available to buy on store shelves from 15 January 2026.
How much does the OnePlus 15 cost?
In summary
- OnePlus 15 starts at £849/$899.99
- OnePlus 15R starts at £649/$699.99
When the OnePlus 15 hit China with a slight price bump, we feared the worst for the global launch. However, it turns out that it’s actually a little cheaper than the OnePlus 13.
- OnePlus 15, 12GB/256GB – £849/$899.99
- OnePlus 15, 16GB/512GB – £979/$999.99
The entry-level option is £50 cheaper than its OnePlus 13 launch price, while there’s an early bird offer on the higher tier, offering a £100 discount until 12 December.
By comparison, the OnePlus 15R is styled as a more affordable alternative that still provides some of the OnePlus 15’s key features. As such, the starting price is considerably lower at £649, placing it firmly in contention for a spot amongst the best mid-range phones .
Here’s the full range of price tags for the OnePlus 15R:
- OnePlus 15R, 12GB/256GB – £649/$699.99
- OnePlus 15R, 12GB/512GB – £729/$799.99
For context, here were 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
OnePlus 15 in Infinity Black, Ultra Violet and Sand Storm
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
What specs and features do the OnePlus 15 and the OnePlus 15R 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
With the OnePlus 15 series now official, we know all of the key specs for the new phones. 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
- IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K certification
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.
IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K certifications represent some of the most extensive water and dust resistance we’ve seen on any phone. The customisable Plus Key continues, too.
The display is also getting a 165Hz refresh rate , up from 120Hz. It’s the joint-highest figure we’ve ever seen on a phone.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
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 packs a 7300mAh cell on all models. There’s already quite a precedent for phones to have a larger battery in China compared to their global versions, so the fact that this has remained consistent is a real boon.
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
The 50Mp main, 50Mp ultrawide, and 50Mp telephoto cameras are all smaller than before, though the latter has expanded its reach from 3x to 3.5x. The 32Mp selfie camera has gained autofocus. 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 stated that the OnePlus 15 features “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 offers 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.
On the video front, the OnePlus 15 has gained 4K recording at 120fps, enabling extremely sharp slow-motion video capture.
Mattias Inghe
For the OnePlus 15R, there are quite a few similarities with the higher-priced flagship alternative but some key differences to note as they pave the way for the more affordable price tag. Before we dive into the headlines, here are the key specs to know:
- 6.83-inch AMOLED display
- 1.5K resolution
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 5
- IP68/IP69K dust and water resistance
- 50Mp main camera, 8Mp ultrawide camera
- 7400mAh battery
- 80W charging
No, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset is not a typo that’s missing ‘Elite’ in the name, it’s a whole other CPU that’s making its debut on the OnePlus 15R. Even though it’s not quite as powerful as the 8 Elite Gen 5, the standard Gen 5 is still designed to cater to on-device AI tasks, so it should help to push the boundaries of what’s possible on a mid-range device – look out for our full review soon for detailed thoughts on that.
On the camera front, the OnePlus 15R drops the telephoto lens of the 15, leaving just two rear-facing cameras. While it would have been nice to have a telephoto lens of some variety, the OnePlus 15R does at least retain the main 50Mp sensor of its pricier sibling, which paved the way for some mighty vibrant photos during our testing. The 8Mp ultrawide camera is the same one found within the OnePlus 13R.
In terms of battery capacity, the OnePlus 15R actually has the upper hand here. While the OnePlus 15’s 7300mAh cell is far from lacking, the 15R has a slightly larger 7400mAh alternative. It is a handy upgrade on paper, given that the 15R also packs a larger 6.83-inch display that also packs a 1.5K resolution.
We already know that the OnePlus 15 is one of the best phones that you can buy right now, but the OnePlus 15R definitely appears ready to steal some thunder from established mid-range winners like the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE and the Google Pixel 9a .
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
Read our guides to the best phones overall and best mid-range phones to see what the OnePlus 15 and 15R will be up against.
Author: Anyron Copeman, Mobile Editor, Tech Advisor
Anyron is Mobile Editor at Tech Advisor, where he’s been a mainstay of the editorial team since 2019. In his current role, Anyron is responsible for all smartphone, tablet and mobile network coverage on the site. A BA Journalism graduate, he has experience with a wide range of consumer tech products and services, including smartphones, tablets, foldables, wearables and more.
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