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| The OnePlus 13T. |
Just weeks after rumors swirled that OnePlus was dismantling its global business and shelving its most anticipated phones, the company’s product roadmap appears to be in flux once again. Prominent industry leaker Yogesh Brar dropped a bombshell on X (formerly Twitter) late Saturday, stating that the compact OnePlus 15s is "back on the launch calendar"—but it comes with a significant asterisk .
Hearing not so good things about OnePlus... 15s back on the launch calendar but with changed optics .
This update is a classic case of two steps forward, one step back for fans of the brand. To understand why this news is so turbulent, we have to look at the whiplash-inducing events of the last few months.
The Rollercoaster: From Cancellation to Comeback
Earlier this year, reports suggested that OnePlus was quietly retreating from global markets. An explosive report from Android Headlines in January claimed that parent company OPPO was "dismantling" the brand, citing the closure of the Dallas headquarters, mass layoffs in Europe, and a collapse in Indian market share from 21% to just 6% . At that time, it was reported that the much-rumored "Open 2" foldable and the compact OnePlus 15s had been "indefinitely shelved" .
OnePlus quickly denied these reports, with CEO Robin Liu stating operations were "as usual" . However, the damage to consumer confidence was done. Now, just a month later, Yogesh Brar’s leak suggests the 15s is breathing again—but the resurrection isn't exactly a clean bill of health.
The "Changed Optics" Mystery
The most immediate concern for potential buyers is the mention of "changed optics." According to previous leaks, the OnePlus 15s was expected to borrow its camera DNA from the Chinese OnePlus 15T, potentially featuring a 50MP Sony LYT-700 primary sensor paired with a 50MP telephoto lens .
Brar’s statement confirms the 6.3-inch form factor is still on the way, but the camera system is being reworked. The big question remains whether these changes are a cost-cutting measure—perhaps downgrading to the Sony IMX906 sensor mentioned in some rumors—or an unexpected upgrade . Given the "not so good" context of his post, speculation is leaning toward the former.
What We (Still) Think We Know About the OnePlus 15s
Despite the uncertainty regarding the camera, other specifications for the OnePlus 15s have been consistently leaked over the past few months and paint a picture of a true pocket powerhouse:
- Display: A compact 6.3-inch OLED panel with a buttery-smooth 165Hz refresh rate .
- Processor: The latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset .
- Battery: A massive capacity expected to be in the range of 7,000mAh to 7,500mAh—incredible for a phone this size—with support for 100W fast charging .
- OS: Android 16 with OxygenOS 16 on top .
The combination of a top-tier chip and a massive battery in a sub-6.5-inch body would make the 15s a unique device in a market flooded with large phablets.
The "Not So Good" Cloud
Brar's vague warning about hearing "not so good things about OnePlus" is the part of the leak that lingers. It lends credence to the idea that while the product might survive, the company is still navigating treacherous waters.
If you are interested in the OnePlus 15 or the latest flagship available right now, you can check current prices and availability here:
Buy the OnePlus 15 on Amazon
For now, the return of the 15s suggests OnePlus isn't ready to abandon its global user base entirely—especially those craving a compact flagship. However, the "changed optics" suggest that the phone arriving later this year might look a little different—for better or worse—than the one we were initially promised.
We will keep you updated as soon as we learn more about those camera changes and whether the "not so good" whispers turn into anything concrete.
Source : Yogesh Brar