OnePlus 15T launched out of nowhere and it’s the compact powerhouse of my dreams — here’s why

Out of the blue, the OnePlus 15T has launched in China, and I’m excited for all the right reasons. It takes nearly everything great about the OnePlus 15 and packs it into a much more compact body.

To me, this feels more like a mini version of the OnePlus 15. It’s sporting the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a massive 7,300 mAh silicon-carbon battery, and 100W wired charging. While I’ve loved using the OnePlus 15 as my daily driver over the last few months, the OnePlus 15T is a more practical device for me — but it's launching at a much higher price point than its predecessors.

It’s currently retailing for about $624 in China, a steep jump from the OnePlus 13T’s launch price of roughly $465. While this hike is likely due to the ongoing RAM crisis, it doesn’t change the fact that this is the compact powerhouse I’ve been craving. Here’s why.

OnePlus 15T: Specifications

Smaller size, incredible power

First off, it’s rocking a much more hand-friendly 6.32-inch AMOLED (2640 x 1216) display — with the same 165Hz refresh rate found on the standard OnePlus 15. This screen size pits it squarely against the Galaxy S26, making it a compact flagship that’s way easier to handle in one hand.

If that’s not enough, it’s also powered by the same Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip with up to 16GB of RAM. Since this is the exact combo powering the current OnePlus 15, I’m confident that the 15T will be a beast for gaming or anything else you throw at it.

More importantly, it steals the feature I love most about the larger OnePlus 15: that massive 7,300 mAh silicon-carbon battery. That propelled the OnePlus 15 to levels unseen before in Tom’s Guide’s battery drain test, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the 15T actually surpasses it, given the smaller screen.

Dual camera setup with telephoto abilities

Naturally, I pay close attention to camera performance, and the OnePlus 15T features a capable dual-camera system. It houses a 50MP main sensor paired with a 50MP telephoto lens capable of 3.5x optical zoom.

These specs are nearly identical to those on the standard OnePlus 15, save for the omission of an ultrawide lens. If these sensors are indeed the same as those in the OnePlus 15, you can expect outstanding shots worthy of the best camera phones on the market. On the video front, I’m impressed that it retains 8K recording and slow-motion capabilities of up to 240 fps.

While it would’ve been nice to have that third ultrawide sensor, this main-and-telephoto combo should suffice for most users. Around the front, you’ll find a 16MP selfie shooter, which is a slight step down from the 32MP sensor found in the OnePlus 15.

Likely to have limited release

Currently, the company sells the OnePlus 15 and OnePlus 15R at $899 and $699, respectively. The OnePlus 15T slots in at around $624, which remains an attractive price for anyone yearning for a compact phone that doesn't sacrifice power.

However, don’t hold your breath for a stateside release. While it is currently launching in China, I don’t anticipate a wider rollout for this phone — which is a genuine shame. OnePlus hasn’t confirmed whether it will be sold in India, though the chances are high given that the OnePlus 13T launched there previously.

Regardless, I really hope OnePlus reconsiders with future models because a compact flagship like this would be a much-needed addition to the lineup.

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