OnePlus has confirmed that the upcoming OnePlus 15R will be the first smartphone in the world to launch with Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chip. This is not Qualcomm’s top-tier flagship chip. Instead, it is designed for the “affordable premium” category, where brands try to offer strong performance at lower prices.
Qualcomm positions the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 below the Snapdragon 8 Elite. So this is not the most powerful chip from the company. But it still promises major improvements over the older Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The CPU performance jumps by 36%, GPU goes up by 11%, and AI processing improves by up to 46%. This is a strong upgrade for gamers and heavy users who want smooth performance without paying flagship prices.
The interesting part is that OnePlus is the first global brand to launch a phone with this chip. This shows two things. OnePlus wants the R-series to be seen as its main performance-focused category and Qualcomm trusts OnePlus to showcase its affordable premium lineup. Brands usually fight for early access to new chips. When OnePlus wins this race, it means the company wants more attention in the mid-to-high segment, especially in markets like India where pricing is sensitive.
OnePlus is letting the main OnePlus 15 series focus more on cameras, design, and premium features. The R-series will carry the legacy of “fast and powerful” phones.
The full reveal is planned for 17 December. More details will be shared in the coming weeks. If OnePlus follows its usual pattern, we can expect a fast and bright AMOLED display, large battery, strong thermals, fast charging and a balanced camera setup.
OnePlus wants to dominate the ₹40,000–₹55,000 segment in India. The OnePlus 15R could easily become one of the most popular performance phones early next year if the price does not jump too high.
