OnePlus has officially confirmed that its next “affordable flagship,” the OnePlus 15R, will debut in India on December 17. Although the company has held back on official specifications, a combination of leaks and promotional materials suggests the device will feature high-end hardware, positioning it as a strong contender in the upper mid-range smartphone category, competing with the likes of the Google Pixel 9a and the iPhone 16e.
The OnePlus 15R is widely rumoured to be a rebadged version of the OnePlus Ace 6, which was launched in China last month. If the leaks hold true, the phone is poised to challenge competitors with several headline-worthy specifications, courtesy of which it could come in a much more affordable price point compared to the flagship OnePlus 15. It is likely to replace the OnePlus 13R from earlier this year, with potentially a slight price bump.
OnePlus 15R: What to expect
Considering what the leaks and marketing promos have revealed so far, here is a rough idea of what to expect from the OnePlus 15R.
Processor:
The device is expected to be powered by last year’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, promising a strong performance profile. The Snapdragon 8 Elite is a 3nm chipset that still offers great performance for Android devices and powers some of the most expensive foldable devices in the market today.
Battery:
A major draw is the rumoured 7,800mAh battery, which would make the 15R a leader in battery life for its class, even beating the OnePlus 15’s 7,300mAh battery. Coupled with the 120W wired charging, this should be an ideal favourite for everyone who has battery life anxiety.
Display:
The leaks point to an ultra-smooth 165Hz refresh rate display more akin to the unit found on the OnePlus 15 flagship. Hence, for mobile gamers chasing higher refresh rates, the OnePlus 15R should be a good pick in the midrange space.
Cameras:
For photography, the OnePlus 15R is expected to feature a dual 50MP rear camera system, one being a wide-angle lens and the other being an ultrawide lens.
Design and durability:
Official images published by OnePlus showcase a modern, flat-edged design available in classic Black and a new Green colourway. The phone is also expected to include the customisable Plus key and may carry an IP68 or IP69 protection rating for enhanced durability.
OnePlus 15R: Pricing expectations
While the exact India pricing will be revealed on December 17, market analysts speculate that the OnePlus 15R will see a modest price bump over its predecessor, the OnePlus 13R. Early estimates suggest the new model could start at approximately Rs 44,999, which is a tad pricier than the price the OnePlus 13R launched earlier this year.
