The smartphone arena is heating up, and OnePlus seems poised to launch a device that could disrupt the entire "flagship killer" category all over again. While the recently launched OnePlus 15 and its sub-flagship sibling, the OnePlus 15R (known as the Ace 6 in China), are capturing headlines, a new leak suggests the brand has an even more compelling product in the pipeline for late 2025.
According to reliable sources, OnePlus is developing a new, more affordable smartphone powered by the standard Snapdragon 8 Gen 5—and it's packing a feature set that seems almost too good to be true.
Beyond the Elite: A New Tier of Performance
The current flagship king, the OnePlus 15, is equipped with the top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. However, this new model would utilize the non-Elite version of the chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5. This strategic move is expected to significantly lower the cost, making flagship-level performance more accessible than ever before. It aligns perfectly with OnePlus's original "Never Settle" mantra, offering top-tier speed without the top-tier price tag.
The most tantalizing details come from the well-known and often accurate Weibo tipster, Digital Chat Station. In a recent post, the leaker shared a treasure trove of specifications that paint a picture of a performance powerhouse designed for endurance.
A Battery Behemoth for Unmatched Endurance
The most staggering revelation is the phone's purported battery capacity. According to the leak, this Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 device will feature a battery larger than 8,000 mAh. To put that into perspective, that's more than double the capacity of many current flagship phones and even surpasses most gaming phones and power banks.
This suggests OnePlus is targeting users who are tired of daily charging, especially power users, mobile gamers, and frequent travelers. With such a colossal battery, multi-day battery life could become a standard feature rather than a pipe dream. For those looking to keep all their devices powered on the go, a high-capacity power bank like the 10K Anker Nano power bank (currently $39.99 on Amazon) is a great companion, but this OnePlus phone might make it less of a necessity.
A Display Built for Speed and Clarity
But a huge battery isn't the only highlight. Digital Chat Station also claims the phone will sport a 165 Hz refresh rate flat-screen with a "1.5K" resolution. This combination is a sweet spot for gamers and media consumers. The 165 Hz refresh rate ensures buttery-smooth scrolling and incredibly responsive gameplay, while the 1.5K resolution provides sharp, detailed visuals without draining the battery as quickly as a full 4K display might.
Premium Touches: Metal Frame and Ultrasonic Scanner
Further elevating the phone beyond a mere performance workhorse, the leak points to a metal frame construction. This is a premium feature often reserved for true flagships, offering better durability and a more premium feel in the hand compared to plastic frames.
Additionally, the device is said to include a 3D ultrasonic fingerprint scanner. This technology is faster, more secure, and can read your fingerprint even when your hands are wet—a significant upgrade over the optical scanners found in many mid-range and even some flagship phones.
While the official model name is still under wraps, speculation points towards it launching under the rumored "OnePlus Turbo" moniker, signaling its focus on raw speed and performance.
You can view the original source of this leak from Digital Chat Station's Weibo feed below.
A Two-Pronged Attack on the Mid-Range Market
Interestingly, the leak doesn't stop there. Digital Chat Station notes that OnePlus is also developing another powerful device powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset. This model is positioned in the upper mid-range segment and is also expected to feature a large battery.
This device appears to be part of a strategic two-pronged attack, with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 model reportedly taking on competitors like the rumored Redmi Turbo 5 and other phones featuring the Dimensity 8500 chipset. This indicates a fierce battle for dominance in the high-performance, value-focused segment of the market is on the horizon.
The Bottom Line
If these leaks hold true, OnePlus is preparing a spectacular one-two punch for late 2025. The prospect of an affordable Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 phone alone is exciting, but coupling that with a massive 8,000+ mAh battery, a 165Hz display, and premium features like a metal frame and ultrasonic fingerprint scanner creates a potentially unbeatable value proposition.
This device could redefine what users expect from a "affordable flagship," shifting the focus squarely towards unparalleled battery life without compromising on performance or core premium features. The smartphone world is watching closely, and if OnePlus delivers, they might just have another cult classic on their hands.
