OnePlus 15R hands-on: 7,400mAh battery, 165Hz display

• Key Takeaways:
• OnePlus 15R packs a massive 7,400mAh battery and up to 165Hz OLED refresh rate.
• Uses Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 with LPDDR5X Ultra RAM; OxygenOS 16 emphasizes AI features.
• Fast wired charging via SuperVOOC (up to 80W; 55W with included brick) but no wireless charging.
• Camera setup is modest (50MP main, 8MP ultrawide); overall price aims at $699.

Design and hardware

The 15R adopts OnePlus’ latest design language with a slimmer, frosted-glass back and a narrow camera bump. The finish can feel slightly textured under the finger, which may divide opinions compared with smoother premium backs.

An action button replaces the traditional alert slider and sits on the left side, reflecting a move toward a more iPhone- and Samsung-like control layout. Build quality feels solid and the device maintains a thin profile despite the large battery.

Performance and software

Chipset and memory

The phone runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 rather than the higher-end 8 Elite, but pairs it with LPDDR5X Ultra RAM and a marginally faster GPU variant. Real-world performance is snappy for daily use and gaming, helped by OnePlus’ proprietary scheduling and a vapor chamber cooling design.

OxygenOS 16 and AI

OxygenOS 16 leans heavily into AI: Mind Space, integrated Gemini support, AI writer and search tools are prominent. These features feel experimental and sometimes cumbersome, but they do add convenience for specific workflows like voice notes and assisted search.

Battery and charging

Runtime

The headline is the 7,400mAh cell — the largest OnePlus has used. In mixed use this consistently lasted well over a day and often close to two, making it an excellent choice for users prioritizing battery life.

Charging

OnePlus offers SuperVOOC charging up to 80W, though the included charger tops out at 55W. That keeps refill times reasonable for such a large battery, but the lack of any wireless charging option is a notable omission compared with other flagship models.

Cameras

The imaging package is serviceable but not class-leading: a 50MP main sensor and an 8MP ultrawide. OnePlus’ “Clear Mode” and night processing can produce highly processed images; the 15R can shoot 4K at 120fps for video, which is a useful perk.

Who should buy it?

The 15R is aimed at users who want long battery life and a very smooth display for gaming or scrolling, without paying flagship premiums. If wireless charging or top-tier telephoto cameras matter to you, consider other OnePlus 15 variants or competing flagships.

Final verdict

The OnePlus 15R is a competent, battery-first alternative to pricier flagships. It trades some premium features for endurance and value, making it an appealing mid-to-high-end option if the final price sticks near the $699 launch figure.