I still remember my first OnePlus phone. Slick design, fast for its time, but I’d often find myself hunting for a charger by evening. Which is exactly why the excitement around the new OnePlus 15R feels special this time. The leaks point to a phone that doesn’t just keep up but actually pushes the mid-range segment forward. And for me, that’s worth getting curious about.

Built for Performance

The word now is that the Snapdragon 8 Elite is powering this one, instead of the earlier Gen 3 talk. That’s the kind of chipset usually reserved for top-tier flagships. Add to that a 6.83-inch flat OLED panel with 165Hz refresh rate and 1.5K resolution, and you’re looking at a phone that should feel ultra-smooth whether you’re gaming or just scrolling through feeds.

A Battery That Means Business

Earlier rumors hinted at 8,000mAh, but the latest leaks suggest a 7,800mAh battery. Still massive. Honestly, even with heavy use, this should easily stretch beyond a day or two. And if the expected 100W+ fast charging holds true, even when you do plug it in, the wait won’t be long.

Extra Touches That Stand Out

Fresh upgrades are being hinted at too, like an ultrasonic fingerprint reader under the screen for faster access, a metal mid-frame for extra strength, and full IP68 protection against dust and water. For the global variant, whispers suggest OnePlus might swap in a telephoto camera but slightly cut down the battery size compared to the Chinese Ace 6 model.

The Mid-Range Disruptor?

Pricing is still expected around ₹40,000–₹50,000 in India. Not exactly budget, but for a package like this, it feels like OnePlus is aiming to shake things up again.

I’ll be watching closely once this hits the market. If the OnePlus 15R delivers even half of what’s rumored, this might just be the mid-range phone that blurs the line between premium and practical.