OnePlus just launched an unexpected upgrade to its best flagship killer phone

OnePlus 15R is getting a new edition that saves it from its only performance limitation.

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A green OnePlus 15R upright on a table with a man sitting in the background and looking at the phone
OnePlus 15R | Image by PhoneArena
Staying true to its roots, OnePlus still offers devices that fit the “flagship killer” description by offering top-tier performance at a lower price. The OnePlus 15R is precisely the performance-oriented mid-range device, which now has an even more powerful new variant.

OnePlus 15R gets a new version with extra RAM


OnePlus has launched a new version of the OnePlus 15R, which features 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. That would be the third variant of the model, which was initially offered in 256GB and 512GB storage options, both of which were paired with 12GB of RAM.

The rest of the specs of the device are unchanged, including the enormous 7,400 mAh battery, and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset. The upgrade may help the phone run on-device AI models faster and generally handle more demanding workloads than the version with 12GB of RAM.

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Hopefully coming to the US



Currently, the new version of the OnePlus 15R appears to be exclusive to the Indian market. The device is reportedly listed on both Amazon India and OnePlus India website, priced at INR 61,999 (directly converted to about $656).

There’s no official information about a US launch of the 16GB version of the OnePlus 15R. Considering the usual prices of the 12/256GB and the 12/512GB are $699.99 and $799.99 respectively, the new variant could be priced at up to $800 if it ever becomes available stateside. Of course, that’s just a speculation.

While we’re on the topic of good OnePlus deals, I should let you know that the flagship OnePlus 15 is currently available with a very tempting discount. Being one of the best phones money can buy you right now, the OnePlus 15 is proper rival to the Galaxy S26 Ultra and the iPhone 17 Pro, and you can have it with a $100 discount and a free pair of earbuds.

An unexpected move



One thing nobody would expect from a smartphone company in 2026 is to launch a device with extra memory in it. The continuing components crisis has made various devices much more expensive, and it may put Ultra flagships under threat

What makes this release even more surprising were the issues OnePlus has been facing lately. The company is closing down its global operations and its phones are disappearing from shelves in the US. Maybe the 16GB RAM version of the OnePlus 15R will remain an India exclusive or that could be the company’s swan song.

Long-term investment


Even if you’re not orchestrating AI agents from your smartphone, I can’t imagine some extra RAM hurting your device. If I had the choice, I’d always choose the higher number, mostly because it can help a smartphone feel faster even after a few years.
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