The OnePlus 15 is an impressive new entry to the smartphone market, showing off the power of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset that figures to power many of the best Android phones shipping in the coming year. And that's before we even get to the OnePlus 15's epic battery life, which sets a new standard for longevity.
And yet, that's not the OnePlus device that I'm keen to get my hands on. Instead, I'm hoping to see what the lower-cost OnePlus 15R brings to the table — assuming it enjoys as wide a launch as its predecessors.
For two years running, OnePlus has released an R series phone alongside its main flagship — first the OnePlus 12R, more recently the OnePlus 13R — and they've quickly emerged as great options for anyone who doesn't want to pay top dollar for a phone.
I had the chance to review both devices, and in each instance, I found a phone that offered a powerful processor, long-lasting battery and decent cameras for a couple hundred less than the regular OnePlus flagship. More significantly, the few compromises you have to make for the lower-priced R series phone aren't dealbreakers in my opinion.
The OnePlus 15R figures to continue that tradition, scaling back some of the OnePlus 15's features, but otherwise delivering a very capable device. It's just a matter of finding out where this less expensive model will be available.
OnePlus 15R: What we know so far
It's very clear that the OnePlus 15R will be shipping in some parts of the world. The phone maker has posted OnePlus 15 teasers on localized versions of its website in some markets, including the U.K.
In fact, U.K. customers who register to learn more about the OnePlus 15R can secure themselves a £200 credit when they buy the phone. Assuming the new model matches the OnePlus 13R's $599 / £679 starting price, that's some pretty significant savings.
OnePlus has been less forthcoming with details about the OnePlus 15R, but it's sort of tipped its hand with a version of the phone already announced in China. The OnePlus Ace 6 came out last month, and it's widely assumed this will be the 15R in countries, just under a different name.
Assuming that's true, you'd expect the OnePlus 15R to run on a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. While not as advanced as the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 powering the OnePlus 15, this older Qualcomm silicon still delivers strong CPU and GPU performance while also helping maximize battery life — this is the same chip powering top phones like the Galaxy S25 and OnePlus 13, after all.
Just as significant, the OnePlus Ace 6 lists a 7,800 mAh battery, bigger than even the super-sized 7,300 mAh power pack in the OnePlus 15. It's unclear if that bigger battery uses the silicon-carbon technology that lets the OnePlus 15 pack a denser battery into a smaller space, but it seems like the OnePlus 15R will be well-positioned to improve on its predecessor's impressive battery life.
Other noteworthy Ace 6 specs expected to find their way to the OnePlus 15R include a 6.83-inch display with a 165Hz refresh rate, a 50MP main camera paired with an 8MP ultrawide shooter and OnePlus' ColorOS 16 software built on top of Android 16.
OnePlus 15R: Why it matters
Comparing those likely OnePlus 15R specs to what the OnePlus 15 actually delivers, you'll notice a few trade-offs, though they aren't all that major. The display refresh rate is the same, and the 15R would actually offer a larger battery. (However, if OnePlus follows its game plan from past R series phones, you won't get wireless charging support as you do with the main flagship.)
OnePlus 15 |
OnePlus 15R (rumored) |
|
Screen size |
6.78 inches |
6.83 inches |
Refresh rate |
1-120Hz adaptive, maximum 165Hz in gaming |
165Hz |
Chipset |
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
Snapdragon 8 Elite |
RAM |
12GB, 16GB |
12GB |
Storage |
256GB, 512GB |
256GB |
Rear cameras |
50MP main, 50MP ultrawide, 50MP telephoto with 3.5x optical zoom |
50MP main, 8MP ultrawide |
Front camera |
32MP |
16MP |
Battery size |
7,300 mAh |
7,800 mAH |
The OnePlus 15R wouldn't have as powerful a chipset as the OnePlus 15, but the Snapdragon 8 Elite is still a high-end system-on-chip. Forget about a dedicated telephoto lens, too, but that's another compromise some users would be willing to make for a lower price.
And the OnePlus 15R figures to cost less than its flagship counterpart. This year's OnePlus 13R came in at a $300 discount from the OnePlus 13. If that gap holds, you could pay as little as $599 for a phone that offers a number of premium capabilities.
OnePlus 15R: Is it coming to the U.S.?
Of course, that assumes a U.S. release for the OnePlus 15R, and at present, that could be a big assumption. Unlike the U.K. version for the OnePlus website, there's no OnePlus 15R teaser here — only the OnePlus 15 merits a mention at this point.
I'm hopeful that changes, especially since there's no confirmed U.S. launch date for the OnePlus 15 yet. If OnePlus sticks to its usual pattern, that's unlikely to happen before the new year — the OnePlus 13 came out this past January, for example. And the OnePlus 13R, announced when the OnePlus 13 launched, arrived later that month. So at least there's historical precedent.
There's no arguing with the appeal of flagship phones, and we've seen firsthand what the OnePlus 15 has to offer. But not everyone wants to pay flagship prices, which is why having capable midrange alternatives is so important. OnePlus has recognized that with its recent R series phones — here's hoping the OnePlus 15R can continue that trend.
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