OnePlus 15R review: Days of battery, middling value

• Key Takeaways:
• OnePlus 15R delivers extraordinary battery life with a 7400mAh pack—often lasting three full days with typical use.
• Performance is strong thanks to Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, though it sits below the OnePlus 15’s Elite chipset.
• Camera system is inconsistent: 50MP main sensor performs well in good light, but the 8MP ultrawide and low-light shots disappoint.
• At $699 the phone omits wireless charging and a telephoto lens, making its price hard to justify against Pixel alternatives.

Overview

The OnePlus 15R targets buyers who prioritize battery life over camera or charging bells and whistles. Priced at $699, it undercuts the flagship OnePlus 15 but doesn’t feel like a clear bargain versus midrange rivals.

Who this phone is for

If you dread daily charging and want a phone that can go multiple days between charges, the 15R is compelling. If mobile photography or wireless charging matters, look elsewhere.

Battery performance

The headline feature is the 7400mAh battery. In high-performance mode with the always-on display active, the device commonly drops below 20% after about three full days of mixed light-to-moderate use.

Charging and battery tech

OnePlus uses silicon-carbon battery chemistry to reach that capacity. The company promises roughly 80% capacity retention after four years, but silicon-carbon cells can degrade faster than conventional lithium-ion packs.

Charging speeds

Wired charging is up to 55W and OnePlus includes the charger and cable in the box. There’s no wireless charging, a notable omission at this price point.

Performance and software

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 inside the 15R delivers snappy day-to-day performance. It’s a step below the OnePlus 15’s Elite chip, but real-world use—including heavy web pages and multitasking—felt smooth.

Background app management

OnePlus appears less aggressive about closing background apps compared with earlier models; apps like Google Photos stayed in place during multi-day use, improving the experience for longer tasks.

Cameras

The 15R carries a 50MP main sensor with OnePlus’ DetailMax processing. Shots in good light look pleasing, but mixed and low-light images can be oversaturated or inconsistent.

Ultrawide and zoom

An 8MP ultrawide is a clear downgrade from the 50MP ultrawide on the OnePlus 15, producing softer, smear-prone images in low light. There’s no dedicated telephoto lens.

Value and verdict

At $699 the 15R sits awkwardly between midrange and flagship options. Google’s Pixel 9A ($499) offers a stronger camera and wireless charging, while the Pixel 10 (about $599) adds telephoto and Qi2 charging for a similar outlay.

Recommendation: Buy the 15R if multi-day battery life is your top priority. If you want better cameras or wireless charging, consider the Pixel 9A/Pixel 10 or stepping up to the OnePlus 15.