Early leaks surrounding the OnePlus 15 suggest it may arrive with more subtraction than innovation. While the phone is expected to pack Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 “Elite” chip, that flagship heart might beat inside a device with trimmed-down camera hardware and downgraded haptics compared to the OnePlus 13.
OnePlus 15 could shrink key camera sensors
A major talking point is the rear camera array. According to leaker @OnePlusClub, the OnePlus 15 will use a 50MP primary sensor, but with a smaller 1/1.56″ size and f/1.8 aperture. That’s a step down from the OnePlus 13’s 50MP 1/1.43″ sensor with a wider f/1.6 lens key specs that influence light capture and detail, especially in low-light scenarios.
The telephoto lens may also take a hit. The rumored ISOCELL JN5 sensor measures in at 1/2.75″, compared to the OnePlus 13’s Sony LYT-600 at 1/1.95″. Both sit at 50MP with 3x optical zoom, but smaller sensors typically mean less sharpness and dynamic range.
Not all elements are changing, though. The ultra-wide camera is expected to stay the same, sticking with the 50MP ISOCELL JN5 from last year’s model.
Oppo Find X9 and X9 Pro debut October 16 with Dimensity 9500, new AI features, and a design similar to the leaked OnePlus 15.
End of Hasselblad partnership marks a turning point
One of the more symbolic downgrades? OnePlus is reportedly parting ways with Hasselblad. After years of color-tuning collaboration, the OnePlus 15 will now rely on the in-house DetailMax Engine. That’s a risky move. Hasselblad’s branding may have been more than just cosmetic for users who valued accurate color reproduction.
Haptic motor gets smaller and likely weaker
Beyond optics, another shift is coming in the haptic experience. The OnePlus 15 may trade in the larger AAC CSA+0916Turbo motor (602mm²) used in the OnePlus 13 for the smaller AAC ESA1016 (560mm²). While the difference in size isn’t dramatic, it could translate to weaker vibration feedback, something users notice when typing or gaming.
Quick list of rumored downgrades on the OnePlus 15:
- Smaller 50MP primary sensor (1/1.56″ vs. 1/1.43″)
- Narrower f/1.8 aperture (vs. f/1.6)
- Smaller telephoto sensor
- Loss of Hasselblad color tuning
- Reduced-size haptic motor
A shift in priorities or just early leaks?
OnePlus hasn’t confirmed any of these details yet. But if these leaks prove accurate, the OnePlus 15 could represent a pivot toward internal performance over premium sensory hardware. That might appeal to some, but it could feel like a step back for fans who expected refinement, not rollback.
