OnePlus 15T/15s: Smaller Flagship, Big Battery, Bigger Ambition

Rumor mill alert: OnePlus is reportedly preparing a smaller-screen flagship for the first half of 2026, and it may wear two names depending on where you live – OnePlus 15T or OnePlus 15s. The tip, originating from Digital Chat Station, points to Qualcomm’s next top-tier silicon, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, inside a body that chases the rarely served compact-flagship niche. If accurate, this device would follow the 13T/13s strategy: keep the core performance and polish, trim the footprint, and sharpen the price-to-value pitch.

The display is said to be a 6.31-inch flat panel with so-called 1.5K resolution, symmetrical slim bezels, and an embedded 3D ultrasonic fingerprint reader. That spec sheet signals OnePlus wants premium touchpoints – fast unlock, cleaner edges, and fewer accidental swipes – without chasing curved-glass theatrics. IP68 durability is reportedly on the table too, which would be a welcome step up for users who felt the 13T/13s lineup under-delivered on protection.

Is 6.31 inches really “compact”?

That depends on what you mean by compact.

Older yardsticks (think iPhone X at 5.8 inches) were defined by chunkier bezels. Modern phones squeeze more screen into similar overall footprints, so width and reachability matter more than diagonal inches. A 6.3-inch device with narrow bezels and a sensible width can still feel one-hand friendly. That said, die-hard mini fans (the iPhone mini crowd, ASUS Zenfone loyalists, Sony’s narrow Xperias) will argue true compactness lives under ~140 mm tall – and they’re not wrong. If OnePlus nails ergonomics, weight, and grip, this could be the most approachable OnePlus flagship in years, even if it isn’t “mini.”

Battery: big number, bigger expectations

The headline-grabber is a rumored ~7,000 mAh battery – ambitious for this size class. Still, capacity is only half the story. Real endurance depends on display efficiency, modem behavior, SoC power management, and software tuning. The 8 Elite Gen 5 should bring generational gains, but OnePlus will need disciplined background policies and smart thermal limits to turn milliamp-hours into meaningful hours. Charging details remain unknown; enthusiasts are loudly hoping for the return of wireless charging on the T/s line to complement fast wired speeds.

Cameras: three lenses, zero gimmicks (we hope)

Whispers suggest a triple-camera rear stack. The fan request list is clear: no faux “2x” without OIS, no token 2 MP macro, and a sensible balance of main + ultrawide (+ telephoto if it’s good). OnePlus has occasionally compromised a single camera to hit targets – this time the community wants consistent sensors, stabilized optics, and a reliable HDR pipeline. If the brand borrows the best bits from the main 15 series while keeping tuning tight, the 15T/15s could be the first compact-ish OnePlus that doesn’t force a photographic trade-off.

Design & durability

Flat glass, narrow bezels, and an ultrasonic reader suggest a pragmatic, usability-first silhouette. If IP68 makes the cut, it closes a lingering gap for shoppers who treat water and dust resistance as non-negotiable. Some users are even calling for IP69, but that rating is rare on mainstream phones and shouldn’t be expected.

Availability, price, and what we still don’t know

The biggest wildcard isn’t performance – it’s where OnePlus ships this thing. Recent T/s models have skipped some regions, frustrating fans in Europe and North America. Pricing is equally murky; position it in upper mid-range territory and it could pressure rivals that pair premium chips with smaller batteries. Still unknown: exact dimensions and weight (critical for one-hand use), wireless charging support, haptics quality, long-term update policy, and the final camera sensor mix.

Bottom line: If these leaks hold, the OnePlus 15T/15s aims to prove a smaller phone doesn’t have to settle for mid-tier power or tiny batteries. Deliver global availability, thoughtful ergonomics, real camera consistency, and modern charging – and this could be the compact-leaning OnePlus many have been waiting for.