OnePlus 15 Leak Sparks Debate Over iPhone-Like Design and Bold Specs

The first leaked image of the OnePlus 15 has sparked heated debate across tech communities, largely because of its redesigned rear camera module and its overall resemblance to Apple’s iPhone lineup. OnePlus has never shied away from bold design choices, but this year seems to mark a dramatic departure from its past aesthetic identity. The familiar circular camera island that distinguished its earlier flagships is now gone, replaced by a square-shaped bump with rounded corners painted in black.

It holds three sensors – two grouped together and a third one set apart, accompanied by a repositioned flash that many observers have already called “oddly placed.”

The image also hints at a flat 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED display on the front, supporting a remarkably high 165Hz refresh rate – a feature that sets it apart from most current Android rivals. Color options are said to include Dune, Absolute Black, and Mist Purple. Among these, Dune is expected to serve as the hero color for promotional materials, while Absolute Black is reportedly one of the deepest black finishes ever attempted on a smartphone. Mist Purple, on the other hand, aims to offer something softer and more playful for buyers who find the darker tones too aggressive.

Under the hood, leaks suggest the OnePlus 15 will be powered by the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and feature an in-house image processing engine – a direct response to the company’s decision to end its high-profile collaboration with Hasselblad. The phone’s rumored 7,000mAh battery, combined with 120W wired and 50W wireless charging, could make it one of the longest-lasting and fastest-charging flagships of the year. The launch is expected around October, and it will likely be joined by the OnePlus Ace 6.

Yet the design has divided fans. Many accuse OnePlus of abandoning its unique design language in favor of something that looks uncomfortably close to an iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 16 prototype. Commentators have described it as an “uglier iPhone,” a “knockoff look,” and even questioned whether the image itself is AI-generated due to the strange proportions of the camera placement. Others reminisce about the days of the OnePlus 13 series, praising its balance of bold looks and powerful specs, and lament the brand’s apparent decision to chase mainstream design trends rather than innovate.

Still, not all hope is lost. Some insist these images may just be fan-made renders or very early prototypes, suggesting that the final device could look cleaner and more polished. History has shown that leaked renders sometimes fail to capture the refinement of the real hardware – Huawei’s Mate series was once similarly criticized before launch, only to later be praised in person. For now, the OnePlus 15 remains shrouded in uncertainty, but one thing is clear: expectations are high, and OnePlus can ill afford a misstep in design after building its reputation on daring aesthetics combined with performance-driven engineering.