Hey there! Something big is shaking up the phone world—and yes, OnePlus 15 is at the center of it. If you’ve been following leaks and rumors, you already know there are some bold changes coming. I dug into what’s credible, what might just be hype, and what this shift could mean for folks like you (and me) who care more about real-performance than just flashy marketing. So let’s break it down.

OnePlus 15: What changed, where, when (the essentials)

• What: OnePlus is said to be moving away from their long-standing camera partnership with Hasselblad. They’re building their own imaging engine, likely called DetailMax Engine.

• Where / when: These changes are expected to debut in the OnePlus 15, which is rumoured to hit the market in late 2025 in China and early 2026 globally.

• Also, design-wise, OnePlus 15 leaks show a square camera module inspired by the iPhone, replacing their usual circular camera bump.

What’s new with the camera & design (and yes, something looks very iPhone-esque)

Square module instead of circular

One of the biggest visual shifts: OnePlus 15 seems to abandon the circular camera cluster for a square module aligned to the top left of the back, very similar to what Apple has been doing with its iPhones. Two lenses vertically stacked, plus a third off to the side. It’s not just aesthetics; it might help with internal layout.

No more Hasselblad logo / branding

Yep, the Hasselblad name seems to be off the books for OnePlus going forward. After 5 years of collaboration (starting with the OnePlus 9 series), they’re reportedly done. OnePlus has announced they’re working on their own imaging engine—DetailMax. So the color-tuning, filters etc. that came via Hasselblad might be reimagined under OnePlus’s own tech.

What OnePlus claims / is aiming for (the promising stuff)

This isn’t just about copying Apple for style points. According to leaks and official hints:

• OnePlus believes a square camera module is more efficient for packaging multiple sensors, stabilisation hardware, and better heat dissipation. More room = better hardware-layout.

• They want stronger computational photography: better skin tones, more natural colours, improved performance in low light or motion. ⦿ Less over-processing, more realistic shots.

• Expect hefty specs: Snapdragon 8 Elite (or 8 Elite Gen 5), a flat OLED display (~1.5K resolution) with 165Hz refresh, large battery (rumors tip 7,000 mAh), etc. All signs point to this being a serious performance flagship.

Why it matters (for OnePlus, for users, for the phone game)

Here’s where things get interesting—this move could be more than just cosmetics. If OnePlus nails it, it could mean:

1. More control
   Having their own imaging engine means OnePlus can tune both hardware and software together. No waiting for Hasselblad-teamed updates; more nimble adjustments. Better updates for real-world usage (motion, portraits, tricky lighting).

2. Stronger identity
   Losing Hasselblad might sting for some, but this could be OnePlus’s chance to define what its camera photography looks like, rather than being partially defined by an external partner. If people like the results, that builds trust in OnePlus itself.

3. Competitive positioning
   The top flagship phones are pushing both hardware and computational photography harder than ever. Apple, Google, Samsung—they’ve all found ways to balance these. OnePlus trying to follow some of Apple’s design cues isn’t bad if the internal engine can compete. It’s like acknowledging what’s working in the premium tier and saying, “we can do that, and maybe even better.”

4. Expectation risk
   Of course, with these leaks and hype comes danger. If the camera ends up looking like an iPhone but doesn’t perform at that level, critics will call it a copy without substance. Or if battery/drain issues happen, or processing is inconsistent, people will lose patience. So OnePlus has to deliver, not just promise.

What we still don’t know (the open questions)

Friend, there are a bunch of unknowns. Rumors are strong, but speculation always has gaps.

• How well will the DetailMax Engine actually perform vs. Hasselblad-co-tuned ones? In controlled lab shots vs everyday handheld photos, what’s the gap?

• Will OnePlus fully replace all Hasselblad effects (filters, signature colour tuning), or just move away from the branding while retaining similar styles?

• How durable will the square module be? What about lens quality, optical zoom, stabilization? Having a square bump is one thing; making all parts high quality is another.

• Pricing and real battery life under load. All these fancy specs (7,000 mAh, high refresh rate, powerful chip) are only useful if optimized.

• Global release and variant performance. Sometimes phones ship with different sensors/components by region (China vs India vs EU etc.). Will they maintain consistency?

My take: Is this smart—or just safe?

Here’s me, speaking plainly: I think this is a bold move. It shows OnePlus is stepping into its own more confidently. They’ve learned from past partnerships with Hasselblad; now they seem ready to turn a new leaf. The square camera design is obvious “inspired by iPhone,” but that’s not necessarily a bad thing—borrowing good ideas isn’t copying if you bring your own spin and performance to the table.

If OnePlus delivers strong camera hardware + great computational software + keeps the user experience smooth (fast charging, good battery, durable build), then OnePlus 15 could be one of the best flagships in its class. It has the potential to raise the bar. But: hype is easier than execution. I’ll believe it when I see the sample shots side by side, optimal real-world battery, consistent updates, etc.

What this means for you, the user

If you’re in the market for a flagship phone (or planning to upgrade), here’s what to watch out for:

• Check camera sample photos (especially portraits, low light, motion) once the phone is out. Don’t rely only on spec sheets.

• Compare skin tones/natural colour output. If OnePlus promises realism and clarity, sometimes companies overshoot into over-sharpened or over-processed territory.

• Battery + heat: square modules might help with layout, but if the phone overheats when using high-power camera modes, that’ll hurt usability.

• Software updates: since they’re developing their own engine, updates matter. Will OnePlus commit to keeping the camera software sharp over time? Patch bugs? Improve under-performing areas?

• Price vs features: If OnePlus 15 costs close to iPhones or other premium devices, you’ll want every one of these bells and whistles working well to justify your spend.

Bottom line

OnePlus 15 seems to be a turning point: ditching Hasselblad, adopting a more iPhone-style camera design, building its own imaging engine, and doubling down on computational photography. If all this pans out, it’s not just “company follows trend,” it might be OnePlus defining its next chapter. But the measure of success won’t be in how much it looks like an iPhone—it’ll be how well it performs like one in challenging real life.