The OnePlus 15R boasts exceptional battery life, surpassing even the impressive OnePlus 15, and at a lower price point. However, despite these advantages, recommending it presents a challenge.
The R-series from OnePlus typically offers a more streamlined, affordable alternative to its flagship counterpart, and the 15R technically fits this description. However, it doesn’t quite deliver the sensation of acquiring premium features at a reduced cost. Priced at $699, compared to the OnePlus 15’s $899, it features a robust, though slightly less powerful, Qualcomm processor and omits a telephoto camera. Its 7400mAh battery capacity, however, surpasses the 15’s performance, allowing for multiple days of use before requiring a recharge.
Despite its strengths, the 15R has notable drawbacks. Its camera performance is underwhelming, and it lacks wireless charging. At $700, the device occupies an awkward price point; it feels too expensive to be considered a bargain and omits features found in similarly priced competitors. Consumers might consider opting for the flagship OnePlus 15 for a more complete experience, accepting slightly less battery longevity, or choosing the Pixel 9A for a superior camera and a more attractive $499 price.
OnePlus 15R
The Good
- Multiple day battery life
- Top-tier performance
The Bad
- So-so camera
- $700 feels a little too steep
The 15R is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset, a slightly less advanced version than the “Elite” SOC found in the OnePlus 15. In practical, everyday use, its performance is equally robust. Navigating media-rich and interactive web pages, such as those on Icy Veins, reveals minimal choppiness, mirroring the smooth experience of the OnePlus 15.
Notably, the device does not exhibit OnePlus’ past inclination to aggressively terminate background applications. Applications left open for extended periods, such as Google Photos, consistently resume from their last state without needing to reload, indicating improved background process management.
The 15R’s battery performance is truly remarkable. Under light-to-moderate usage with the phone in its highest performance setting and the always-on display active, the battery typically lasted three full days before dropping below 20 percent. Utilizing the default balanced performance mode can extend this even further, suggesting that with aggressive power-saving settings, the device could potentially last for nearly a week on a single charge.
This is performance you measure in days, not hours.
A potential drawback of the 15R’s silicon carbon battery technology, which enables its substantial capacity, is a tendency for faster degradation compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries. OnePlus states that the battery should maintain 80 percent of its original capacity over four years of use, which is an acceptable lifespan.
The absence of wireless charging on a $700 phone is generally a significant omission. However, given the 15R’s multi-day battery life, this feature’s absence becomes somewhat more tolerable. The device supports up to 55W wired charging, with the necessary brick and cable provided in the box. While some users might prefer even slow wireless charging over ultra-fast wired charging, others may prioritize the quicker wired option.
The camera system on the 15R features the same 50-megapixel main camera sensor with an f/1.8 lens as the flagship OnePlus 15, utilizing OnePlus’ DetailMax engine for image processing, without Hasselblad branding. While it produces good photos in optimal lighting, results can be inconsistent in mixed or dim indoor conditions. Images occasionally appear overly bright and unnaturally saturated, and low-light performance remains a weakness, similar to the OnePlus 15.
A dedicated telephoto camera is absent on the 15R, which is common for phones in its price range. However, the inclusion of an 8-megapixel ultrawide camera is less excusable, as it represents a significant downgrade from the 50-megapixel ultrawide on the OnePlus 15. This difference is particularly noticeable in low-light conditions, where ultrawide shots appear muddled. The camera system is adequate for users who are not particular about image quality, but the Pixel 9A offers a superior photographic experience.
Looking sharp.
The Google Pixel series highlights the 15R’s challenging market position. The 15R is $200 more expensive than the midrange Pixel 9A, which includes wireless charging and a more dependable camera. Alternatively, for just $100 more, the Pixel 10 provides a telephoto camera and Qi2 wireless charging with integrated magnets. The 15R’s combination of immense battery capacity, a subpar camera, and no wireless charging at its mid-to-high price point appears to be an imbalanced offering.
Ultimately, the exceptional battery life of the OnePlus 15R is its strongest selling point. For those drawn to the OnePlus 15 primarily for its battery performance but deterred by its cost, the 15R could be a suitable option. Otherwise, alternative smartphones may offer a more balanced feature set for the price.
