This article may contain personal views and opinion from the author.
OnePlus decided to give its fans a little early holiday gift this year: the OnePlus 15 has already launched globally – way ahead of the usual schedule. And now, it looks like the brand isn’t slowing down, because another phone from the lineup is following the same early-release playbook.
We’ve already spent time with the OnePlus 15 and our review is live (spoiler: battery life is impressive!). But today, it’s all about its more wallet-friendly sibling, the OnePlus 15R.
OnePlus 15R: A flagship vibe at a mid-range price
OnePlus 15R ditches the circular camera for a new look. | Image by OnePlus
The OnePlus 15R is essentially a lighter version of the flagship OnePlus 15 – it shares the same overall vibe, just with trimmed-down specs and a price that won’t make your wallet cry (it should cost around $600). Think of it like the Pixel 9a compared to the Pixel 9, or the Galaxy S25 FE compared to the Galaxy S25. It’s clearly aimed at fans who don’t want to drop $800 and more on a new phone.
The phone will pack a huge at least 8,000mAh battery with 100W charging. Yes, that’s an eight with three zeros behind it. For context, even its flagship sibling, the OnePlus 15, only has a 7,300mAh battery. If you care more about screen-on time than benchmarks or camera specs, the OnePlus 15R should definitely be on your radar.
Under the hood, it’ll run on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, the mid-range variant that is yet to be announced (not the Elite edition). While exact specs are under wraps, early leaks suggest it shares a lot of DNA with the flagship’s chip, meaning solid performance without venturing into the $1,000+ territory.
We also know that the OnePlus 15R will feature a 165Hz display, just like the OnePlus 15. Gamers will get extra perks too, with bypass charging and the same gyroscope as the flagship for smoother motion tracking.
The phone will support the same refresh rate as its flagship sibling. | Image by OnePlus
OnePlus is also going all-in on durability. The OnePlus 15R is expected to carry IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K ratings, meaning it can survive submersion for up to 30 minutes at 1.5 meters, plus high-pressure, high-temperature water jets – features usually reserved for flagships.
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Other confirmed features include a 3D ultrasonic fingerprint scanner under the display, keeping security and convenience on point.
Camera-wise, some fans might raise an eyebrow: we might be looking at a 50 MP main camera and an 8 MP ultra-wide. Yep… underwhelming, I hear you. But let’s be real – one phone can’t crush it in every department, especially in the mid-range segment. This year, OnePlus is clearly putting its chips on battery life, and honestly? I think that’s a smart, totally defensible move.
Mid-rangers need that wow factor more than flagships
Mid-range phones have gotten steadily better – and way more interesting – over the last few years. The main goal of a mid-ranger is simple: give you a premium feel and solid performance, but at a price far below today’s flagship phones.
Typically, mid-rangers sit somewhere between $400 and $700, hitting that sweet spot between affordability and capability. But here’s the tricky part: in a crowded market with Samsung, Google, OnePlus, Motorola, Xiaomi, and more, a mid-range phone can’t just be “good enough.” If you’re going to spend a little extra over a budget option, you need a wow factor – something that makes you pause and say, “Yeah, I’ll take it.”
Budget phones? They give you what you pay for. Flagships? They show off the latest and greatest from a brand you love. Mid-rangers? They sit squarely in the middle, and while the lower-than-a-flagship price helps, they still need standout features to make a mark. And every mid-ranger brings its own twist.
The Galaxy S25 FE, for example, has a display worth bragging about. The Pixel 9a? Its camera quality sneaks surprisingly close to the mainline Pixels. The iPhone 16e? Well… it has a lower price than the rest of the iPhones. And the OnePlus 15R? This year, its wow factor is the battery. Big, bold, can’t-ignore battery.
With at least 8,000mAh on board, the OnePlus 15R is clearly aimed at anyone who values long battery life above all else. Pair that with a new design that mirrors the OnePlus 15, and you’ve got a mid-range phone that not only performs but also looks the part. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if it ends up on everyone’s list of best mid-range phones of 2026.
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Tsveta, a passionate technology enthusiast and accomplished playwright, combines her love for mobile technologies and writing to explore and reveal the transformative power of tech. From being an early follower of PhoneArena to relying exclusively on her smartphone for photography, she embraces the immense capabilities of compact devices in our daily lives. With a Journalism degree and an explorative spirit, Tsveta not only provides expert insights into the world of gadgets and smartphones but also shares a unique perspective shaped by her diverse interests in travel, culture, and visual storytelling.
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