OnePlus 15 Camera: Upgrades, Rumors, and What to Expect

The OnePlus 15 is shaping up to be a landmark release for the company, not just because it continues OnePlus’ tradition of pushing powerful hardware at competitive prices, but because it could redefine the brand’s entire approach to smartphone photography. With a China debut expected in October 2025 and a global rollout scheduled for early 2026, this device arrives at a crucial time for the brand. It carries the burden of heightened expectations, especially as it aims to compete directly with the most advanced flagship phones from Samsung, Apple, and Google.

One detail already sparking conversation is the naming.

OnePlus is skipping the number 14 entirely, moving straight from the OnePlus 13 to the OnePlus 15. It’s a quirky decision, but not unprecedented in the tech world, where companies occasionally skip numbers for cultural reasons, marketing impact, or simply to signify a major leap forward. For OnePlus, this jump could be symbolic of a new era in both performance and imaging capabilities.

Camera Setup: Familiar but Reinvented

Rumors consistently suggest that the OnePlus 15 will carry a triple rear camera system – a layout familiar to anyone who has followed the brand’s recent flagships. But the difference lies in the ambition of the hardware and the sophistication of the processing pipeline. The baseline expectation points to a 50 MP main sensor, a 50 MP ultra-wide, and a 50 MP 3x telephoto lens. However, more speculative leaks claim the possibility of a groundbreaking 200 MP telephoto sensor, which would place the OnePlus 15 in the same league as some of the boldest camera experiments from competitors.

The idea of a 200 MP telephoto lens is particularly intriguing. Such a sensor would enable extreme detail capture at long range, opening the door for sharper zoom shots, cleaner hybrid crops, and potentially rivaling digital camera performance in certain scenarios. Even if this component doesn’t make it into the final production unit, the fallback option of a triple 50 MP setup remains highly competitive.

End of the Hasselblad Era?

Another key talking point is the reported end of OnePlus’ partnership with Hasselblad. The collaboration, which began with much fanfare, brought improvements in color science and branding cachet, but it seems OnePlus is now ready to bet on its own imaging pipeline. This transition could give the company greater freedom to fine-tune its cameras according to its own philosophy rather than being tied to Hasselblad’s vision. Expect new approaches to tone mapping, HDR balance, and sharpening techniques, all tuned to match OnePlus’ design language for OxygenOS.

Software Enhancements and AI Tools

Hardware is only part of the equation. With OxygenOS 16, the OnePlus 15 is rumored to integrate several AI-driven camera tools designed to improve everyday photography. These include:

• AI Detail Boost: A feature to sharpen and enhance clarity in complex textures.
• AI Unblur: Technology aimed at reducing motion blur, a common issue in action shots and low light conditions.
• AI Reflection Eraser: A clever tool to minimize reflections when shooting through glass, particularly useful in urban photography.

These tools highlight how OnePlus is aligning with broader industry trends: putting AI at the center of user experience, not only for productivity but also for creativity. Combined with the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chip, these features are expected to run smoothly without performance trade-offs.

Design and User Controls

The rear cameras are expected to sit inside a newly designed, rounded-corner rectangular module positioned in the top-left corner. This subtle refresh may help the device stand out visually while maintaining a practical layout for lens placement. On the front, a single selfie camera is confirmed, though its megapixel count remains under wraps.

One particularly bold design change is the replacement of the beloved mute slider with a new customizable Action Button. According to OnePlus, users will be able to map this button to camera-specific actions such as launching the app instantly or triggering the shutter. This small but thoughtful addition signals OnePlus’ intent to make the camera even more accessible to spontaneous photographers.

What It Means for OnePlus

If these leaks and rumors prove accurate, the OnePlus 15 could mark a turning point in the brand’s identity. For years, OnePlus has been seen as a performance-first company, but never quite the leader in mobile photography. A successful launch of the OnePlus 15 with its rumored 200 MP telephoto lens, AI-enhanced imaging, and unique Action Button could finally elevate its standing among camera-centric flagships. Whether it succeeds will depend not only on the specs but also on how well the entire imaging experience comes together for real-world users.

As the October launch date in China draws closer, anticipation is building. By the time the device goes global in early 2026, the world will know whether OnePlus has truly redefined its camera game – or if the OnePlus 15 is another incremental step in an already crowded smartphone market.