OnePlus 15R Launched: Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, 7,400mAh Battery, and Pricing that suits you

Wednesday, 17 December 2025 at 23:50

OnePlus is essentially tearing up the mid-range rulebook with the launch of the OnePlus 15R. Debuting in India at Rs. 47,999, this phone doesn't just nudge the flagship boundary—it crashes right through it. If you’ve ever felt like the "R" series was just a consolation prize for those who couldn’t afford the flagship, this year might change your mind.

Key Points:

World-First Chipset: The first smartphone to feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 for top-tier speed.
Insane Refresh Rate: A 6.83-inch 1.5K AMOLED screen peaking at 165Hz for ultra-smooth visuals.
Massive Battery: A 7,400mAh battery using Silicon Nanostack tech for extreme endurance.
Pro-Grade Durability: Fully IP69K rated to withstand high-pressure water and dust.
Long-Term Support: 4 major OS updates and 6 years of security patches guaranteed.

The Dragon Reborn: Snapdragon 8 Gen 5

The headline here is undeniably the silicon. The 15R is the first phone to ship with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5. While it’s technically positioned just below the "Elite" version found in the standard OnePlus 15, I think most users will find the distinction purely academic. Paired with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and a massive 360° Cryo-Velocity cooling system, it’s built for the kind of person who keeps forty tabs open while gaming.

Speaking of gaming, the display is a massive 6.83-inch 1.5K AMOLED panel. It supports a staggering 165Hz adaptive refresh rate. Honestly, 165Hz on a phone feels like overkill for scrolling through Twitter, but for competitive mobile gaming, it’s a genuine edge.

A Battery That Just Won’t Quit

Perhaps the most "un-robotic" thing about this phone is the sheer anxiety-erasing size of the battery. At 7,400mAh, it’s a monster. OnePlus used "Silicon Nanostack" technology to cram that much capacity into an 8.1mm frame without making it feel like a brick.

It supports 80W SUPERVOOC charging, which OnePlus claims can hit 50% in about 22 minutes. Interestingly, they also claim the battery will stay healthy (above 80% capacity) for four years. We’ve heard similar promises before, but given the 15% silicon content in the anode, this feels like a significant step forward in longevity.

Cameras and Software

The camera setup is where the 15R takes a slight, pragmatic step back. You get a 50MP Sony IMX906 main sensor with OIS and an 8MP ultra-wide. There’s no telephoto lens here—last year’s 13R actually had one—which might annoy some. However, the new DetailMax Engine handles the heavy lifting for clear 2x digital crops and night shots.

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On the software side, it runs OxygenOS 16 (based on Android 16). It leans heavily into "Plus Mind," a context-aware AI that acts like a second brain. It’s ambitious, perhaps a bit too much, but the promise of four years of OS updates makes it a safe long-term bet.

Built to Survive

Usually, the "R" series cuts corners on durability. Not this time. OnePlus went all out with IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings. This means the 15R can actually survive high-pressure water jets up to 80°C. If you’re prone to dropping your phone in puddles—or just want something that feels indestructible—the Electric Violet fiberglass finish is particularly tough.

Commenting on the launch, Robin Liu, CEO of OnePlus India, said:

One of our driving philosophies at OnePlus is to Never Settle in the pursuit of brilliance, and OnePlus 15R is truly the distillation of this. It combines the best hardware on the market with our commitment to giving our users the absolute best software experience. It really shows what happens when you turn the power on and the limits off.