OnePlus 15R Review: Settling for Mediocrity Is No Longer Acceptable

For those in search of a new flagship without breaking the bank, OnePlus’s R-series offers commendable options. This lineup seeks to provide flagship-level experiences while utilizing more affordable parts to enhance value. The OnePlus 15R is no exception, but it faces some hurdles.

Among the notable drawbacks, the compromises made by OnePlus are significant ones. Additionally, the steep increase in the entry price compared to last year’s model adds to the concern. These elements combined lead to a reassessment of OnePlus’s strategy.

While this phone appears solid on paper—with a stunning display, substantial battery life, rapid charging, and ample storage—it may frustrate photography enthusiasts. Despite its many appealing aspects, it does have a few major downsides. After using a OnePlus 15R review unit for a fortnight, here’s my comprehensive assessment.

My review device is in what OnePlus terms as “Mint Breeze,” which appears to have a subtle yellowish-green hue that I’m not completely fond of, although Gen Z might say it’s trendy. The other color option is Charcoal Black, which would be my preference if given the choice. Under the hood, it boasts remarkable hardware, including a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5— a minor step down from the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, recently revealed at the Snapdragon Summit. It also holds 12 GB of RAM and offers either 256 GB or 512 GB of storage.

The device sports a stunning 6.83-inch LTPS AMOLED screen capable of reaching a 165 Hz refresh rate in compatible games, although it defaults to 120 Hz otherwise. The visual experience is excellent, making it perfect for multimedia consumption. Measuring at 8.3mm and weighing approximately 215 grams, it presents itself as an attractive package, justifying its flagship appeal.

Additionally, there’s a novel Plus Key functionality, similar to that found in the iPhone 17 Pro, enabling specific actions through a designated button. The UI for this feature amusingly mimics Apple’s, all while ignoring broader software consistency—another Apple-like trait.

On the software side, OnePlus continues with its signature close-to-stock Android design. If you’ve perused our OnePlus 15 review, the interface remains largely familiar. The app launcher is neat, and organizing apps into folders is quite straightforward. I did find it a bit frustrating while migrating from the OnePlus 15, as my previous folders did not carry over properly, though this isn’t unique to OnePlus.

OnePlus was among the first to embrace Open Canvas, a multitasking interface that Google integrated into Android 16. While this feature has become standard across many Android devices, it still represents a step forward for the platform as a whole.

An interesting addition that’s often absent in U.S. smartphones is the inclusion of an IR blaster, allowing the phone to function as a remote control. This feature could be particularly useful in situations where you can’t find the remote or if it’s within reach of someone fast asleep—a rare but humorous scenario.

With a monumental 7,400 mAh battery, the OnePlus 15R showcases impressive stamina, although it surprisingly underperformed compared to its predecessor, the OnePlus 15, which has a 7,300 mAh battery. In a test involving 4K video playback, the OnePlus 15R lasted 28.5 hours, whereas the OnePlus 15 managed nearly 31 hours. Similarly, during a PC Mark Rundown test, the 15 outlasted the 15R by almost two hours.

Although various factors contribute to this difference, it’s likely due to the more efficient Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip found in the OnePlus 15, which enhances its battery performance. Nonetheless, the OnePlus 15R is still a reliable two-day phone. During a trip to New York, the only time I felt challenged was when using it as a hotspot for an extended period, along with back-to-back meetings and navigating the city.

While the OnePlus 15 supports 55W wired charging, the 15R escalates to 80W. There’s no option for wireless charging; however, the officially provided case includes a MagSafe ring, enabling accessory use. It’s puzzling why OnePlus hasn’t incorporated the wireless charging coil directly into the device.

In terms of performance, the OnePlus 15R’s Geekbench scores reflect a strong showing, clocking in at 2,614 for single-core and 8,887 for multi-core tests. The overall experience remains as fluid as one would expect from a OnePlus device.

A significant shortcoming of the OnePlus 15R lies in its camera performance, especially when compared to its predecessor, the OnePlus 15. Equipped with a 50-megapixel primary camera and an 8-megapixel ultrawide lens, it can capture decent photos under optimal lighting conditions.

However, the ultrawide images lean toward a warmer tone, whereas the main sensor offers a cooler yet more accurate color representation. This distinct color tuning among cameras feels outdated but shows a marked difference in output quality. A side-by-side comparison highlights these variations.

Adam Doud/SlashGear

The ultrawide photos are merely passable, displaying quality that deteriorates significantly when viewed on larger screens. Conversely, the primary camera excels in gathering light and detailing the subject, leading to superior images. Macro photography can, however, be inconsistent, often missing focus on one object while perfectly capturing another. One of my best macro shots illustrates this point beautifully.

Adam Doud/SlashGear

In terms of video capture, it’s not impressive, with stabilization issues evident even in well-lit scenarios. Night recordings don’t show much improvement, primarily because daylight videography sets an already low benchmark.

When shooting in low-light conditions, the main camera tends to struggle, with dynamic subjects appearing blurred and out of focus, creating an unintended artistic effect. Nevertheless, it can yield some decent captures, though this is generally contingent upon keeping the scenes simple and compact. Night shots reveal a degree of graininess in dark areas and some banding around brighter illuminations, but overall, they’re not wholly inadequate.

Adam Doud/SlashGear

It’s almost comical how the main camera performs substantially better in low-light conditions. That said, it’s still hit or miss, presenting varied outcomes; landscapes shot in the dark might turn out fine, but achieving consistent results remains a challenge.

In summary, the camera system underwhelms significantly, which is unfortunate, especially considering the overall quality of the phone itself.

OnePlus introduces the 15R at an intriguing price point of $699.99, which is just shy of the iPhone 17 range. The higher storage version, with 512 GB capacity, will retail at $799.99. Pre-orders commence today on OnePlus’s website, with general availability expected through Amazon and Best Buy early next year. Furthermore, pre-ordering the 512 GB variant from OnePlus also grants a set of OnePlus Buds 4 and a phone case at no additional cost.

Ultimately, the OnePlus 15R occupies a peculiar niche. While many specifications impress, the inferior camera performance detracts significantly from its overall appeal. Given the increasing significance of camera quality in smartphones, this compromise is surprising. Considering this factor, along with the price tag leaning toward the higher side, makes other alternatives like the Pixel 9a or even the Pixel 10, which starts at just $100 more, worth considering. It challenges whether the cost savings justify the sacrifices in quality.