OnePlus 15 is set to make waves. Mark your calendar — China launch slated for October 27, 2025, with a global/India rollout expected in January 2026. That’s what current leaks and official teases suggest. And yes — it’s got enough intrigue to make even skeptics lean in.

Launch Timing: China First, then Rest of the World

So here’s what seems most likely: the OnePlus 15 5G will debut in China on October 27, 2025. Then, several reports point to its international and Indian debut sometime in January 2026.
That’s not a huge delay for India compared to past devices, which sometimes had months-long waits.

Design & Build: Sand Storm, Strong Frame & New Touches

Let’s talk looks — and feels. OnePlus is going bold with a “Sand Storm” color option, which is more than just a pretty tone. The frame is reportedly aluminium treated via micro-arc oxidation (MAO), giving it extra hardness and durability. Behind the scenes, the back may be fibreglass, offering a strong but light structure.

On the front-end design: the camera module is revamped, and the usual Alert Slider is out. In its place? The new Plus Key, customizable for shortcuts and actions. It’s clear they’re trying to balance form and function in a more seamless way.

Performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite + Cooling Upgrades

Powering the OnePlus 15 is the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip. That’s a serious upgrade. To match that, insiders suggest an improved cooling system — because all the power in the world means nothing if the phone overheats under load.

Also expected: a high-refresh-rate screen (likely 165 Hz) and ultra-slim bezels to deliver an immersive viewing experience.

Camera & Imaging: Goodbye Hasselblad, Hello In-House

Here’s a big shift — OnePlus is reportedly ending its long-running partnership with Hasselblad. Instead, the OnePlus 15 will use its own DetailMax image processing engine (in-house). This is bold, but it puts full control of the camera pipeline back with OnePlus.

The camera setup is rumored to consist of three 50 MP sensors — wide, periscope telephoto, and ultrawide. Expect more advanced computational processing behind each shot, especially now that the brand is taking over imaging fully.

Expected Price in India: Premium, but Not Astronomical

In India, the OnePlus 15 looks likely to land around ₹70,000 to ₹75,000. That’s comparable to what current flagships cost — not a huge surprise, but still in premium territory. For many buyers, that price forces real choices between flagship phones.

Why All this Matters (To You & Me)

• Strategic shift: OnePlus going in-house on imaging shows they want control over the end-to-end experience. That can mean more consistent updates, better integration, and stronger identity.

• No more waiting forever: Moving the global launch closer to the China release means fewer frustrated users in India and other markets.

• Bold build decisions: Using fibreglass, aluminium + MAO, new physical keys — OnePlus is leaning into innovation rather than playing safe.

When the OnePlus 13 launched, many praised it as the “sweet spot” between performance, design, and price. The 15 is on its shoulders, but it’s clearly trying to leap forward — new chips, new design language, new imaging stack. Whether it “sticks” with consumers will depend on how well these components are balanced in real life.

Final Thoughts

I’m excited about OnePlus 15 — not just because of specs, but because it seems like a pivot, a bet on doing things differently. It’s rare when a brand this well-known experiments in places people feel (look, ergonomics, shortcuts). If all these rumors hold true, this one could define what “premium Android” feels like in 2026.

If I had to pick what I’m most curious about: how good the Plus Key will feel day to day, and whether the new imaging engine really competes with the best in phones. Also — battery, stability, and software polish will make or break it.

When official details drop (India pricing, full specs, software), I’ll send you the refined version. Meanwhile — what feature are you most excited or skeptical about?