OnePlus 15R Unboxing and First Impressions: The Phone Most Buyers Should Be Watching Closely
OnePlus 15R first impressions reveal Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 performance, a 165Hz display, 7,400mAh battery and expected pricing under Rs 50,000.
OnePlus has launched several smartphones over the years, but if there is one pattern that long-time users recognise instantly, is the R series usually where the real value sits.
These phones tend to deliver near-flagship performance, strong battery life and clean software, while avoiding the price shock that comes with top-tier models.
With the OnePlus 15R, the company appears to be pushing that formula harder than ever.
After spending time with the official media kit and the device itself, early impressions suggest that this is not a routine upgrade.
In fact, in a few areas, the OnePlus 15R feels more ambitious than expected for an R-series phone.
Familiar, But More Thoughtful
The OnePlus 15R arrives in the brand’s signature red-and-black box. It is minimal, clean and instantly recognisable. Inside, however, OnePlus has added a few extras that most brands have quietly stopped including.Along with the phone, the box contains a Never Settle badge, a branded keychain, two black protective cases and an additional mint green case tucked inside the documentation envelope.
You also get the usual essentials: an 80W fast charging adapter, a red USB Type-C cable, SIM ejector tool and paperwork.
At a time when many brands are removing chargers from the box, OnePlus continuing to include an 80W adapter will matter to buyers in India.
Design and Build: Lighter, Cleaner, More Premium
Once the phone is out of the box, the first thing that stands out is how light it feels in hand.On paper, the OnePlus 15R carries a large battery, but the weight distribution is well balanced and noticeably improved compared to the previous generation.
The mint green colour option looks understated and premium, with a matte finish that resists fingerprints. The new square-shaped camera module is a clear departure from the circular design used on older R models, and it gives the phone a more modern, flagship-like appearance.
Side-by-side with the OnePlus 13R, this feels like a meaningful design upgrade rather than a cosmetic refresh.
Display Changes the Game
One of the biggest highlights of the OnePlus 15R is its display. The phone features a 165Hz refresh rate panel, which is still rare even among premium smartphones.In daily use, the difference is immediately visible. Scrolling feels smoother, animations are cleaner and touch response is quicker. For gaming, the experience feels more controlled and responsive, helped further by OnePlus’s dedicated touch response chip.
At this price point, a 165Hz display is a serious advantage.
Performance
The OnePlus 15R is the first smartphone in the world to launch with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor.OnePlus says it has worked closely with Qualcomm on optimisation, focusing on efficiency, thermal control and sustained performance.
The phone also includes a new G2 Wi-Fi chip, improved cooling and gaming features borrowed from the flagship OnePlus 15. OnePlus is promising stable 120fps gameplay in supported titles, which is something that will need deeper testing, but expectations are high.
If real-world performance matches the claims, this could be one of the strongest phones for gaming in its segment.
Cameras: New Direction Without Hasselblad
There is no Hasselblad branding on the OnePlus 15R, and that is a deliberate choice. Instead, OnePlus is using its new in-house imaging pipeline called the Detail Max Engine.This means photo processing, colours and HDR behaviour may feel different from previous OnePlus phones. Final judgement will require proper testing, but one feature already stands out on paper.
The OnePlus 15R supports 4K video recording at 120 frames per second. This is typically seen only on top-end flagship phones, and its presence here is a genuine surprise.
Software Experience: OxygenOS 16 With Practical AI
The phone runs OxygenOS 16, continuing OnePlus’s reputation for clean and fast Android software. All the expected AI tools are included, but the focus remains on usability rather than gimmicks.Plus Mind, one of OnePlus’s more useful recent additions, is also present here. It blends into daily usage without feeling intrusive, which is exactly how AI features should work.
Battery Life and Charging: Built for Heavy Use
Battery capacity is another strong point. The OnePlus 15R packs a 7,400mAh battery, slightly larger than the one found in the OnePlus 15.While the difference may seem small on paper, the combination of a new chipset and software optimisation could result in excellent real-world battery life. The included 80W fast charger ensures that even this large battery can be topped up quickly.
Durability
One of the most unexpected aspects of the OnePlus 15R is its durability. The phone carries IP66, IP68, IP69 and IP69K ratings, covering dust resistance, water immersion and high-pressure water exposure.This is an unusually comprehensive set of durability certifications for a phone in this category and suggests OnePlus wants users to treat this device as an everyday workhorse, not something that needs constant care.
Expected Price and Launch Timeline
OnePlus is expected to officially reveal pricing for the OnePlus 15R on December 17.Based on previous launches and current industry chatter, the phone is likely to be priced under Rs 50,000, with some expectations placing it closer to Rs 45,000.
If that pricing holds, the OnePlus 15R could become one of the most compelling options in the upper mid-range segment.
Early Verdict
There is still a lot left to test, including sustained performance, camera consistency and battery endurance. However, early impressions are strong.The OnePlus 15R does not feel like a compromised device. It feels like a phone built deliberately for buyers who want speed, durability and a premium experience without paying full flagship prices.
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