• Source:JND
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OnePlus stands to make one of their most significant decisions yet by unveiling their next-generation phone, the OnePlus 15. Their journey began back in 2021 when Pete Lau, one of OnePlus' founding members and Chief Product Officer for Oppo at that time, acknowledged what many reviewers had pointed out: although OnePlus phones had enough power and speed for most tasks, their cameras couldn't compete with those found on popular Android and Apple models.

It was a moment that set off a yearslong transformation. OnePlus has since quietly doubled down on camera R&D, perfecting HDR, night photography and color science. And now, behind the scenes, the company’s attempt to step up its imaging game and all but dismiss reliance on third-party companies for further advancement is tipped to reach its climax with the upcoming introduction of OnePlus’s first-ever Image Engine, an internally developed system for implementing post-processing on both stills and moving pictures.

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The Culmination of a Four-Year Camera Bet

According to tipster Yogesh Brar, the Image Engine is the direct result of a four-year roadmap. Unlike the incremental tuning seen in earlier OnePlus devices, this is a ground-up imaging platform designed to deliver breakthroughs in:

  • Low-light detail
  • Skin tone accuracy
  • Dynamic range handling

The platform will reportedly work in synergy with the rumored triple 50MP camera system and Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chipset, promising flagship-grade imaging performance.

If true, the OnePlus 15 won’t just be another upgrade — it could be the most ambitious camera leap in the company’s history.

Goodbye Hasselblad?

One of the biggest question marks around the OnePlus 15 is the fate of its partnership with Hasselblad. Since 2021, the Swedish camera brand has provided color tuning expertise and a premium brand association to OnePlus flagships. However, leaks suggest that the OnePlus 15 may not feature Hasselblad branding at all.

If this pivot is confirmed, it would mark:

  • The end of the Hasselblad collaboration
  • The start of true imaging independence for OnePlus

That would put OnePlus in the same company just as Apple, Google, and Samsung, who have their entire imaging pipelines in house — which means faster updates, deeper optimization, and a stronger brand identity.

OnePlus 15: Rumored Specs and Features

Beyond the camera revolution, the OnePlus 15 is expected to pack several major hardware upgrades:

  • Display: 6.78-inch 1.5K flat OLED panel with 165Hz refresh rate
  • Performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chipset
  • Design: Rounded form factor with ultra-narrow bezels via LIPO technology
  • Camera Module: New squarish design
  • Action Button: A “Plus Key” for customizable shortcuts
  • Security: Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor
  • Durability: IP68/69 water and dust resistance

 

Leaks suggest the device will also emphasize battery endurance, gaming performance, and a refined design language, signaling a complete makeover from the OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 13.

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Why the Image Engine Matters

For years, OnePlus has been accused of being a performance-first brand that lagged in imaging. With the OnePlus 15, the company is making cameras its core strength. This self-developed Image Engine is the outcome of four years of behind-the-scenes work, sparked by Pete Lau’s 2021 call for a camera-first strategy.

The launch could be one in which the company turns a corner — just as it did with the OnePlus 7 Pro in 2019, staking a claim in the OnePlus fight to be a flagship from then on. Done right, the OnePlus 15 could not only bring it within sight of Apple, Samsung and Google but redefine the quality standard for Android imaging.

Expected Launch Timeline

OnePlus has yet to confirm an exact release date but we should be seeing the OnePlus 15 release at some point towards the end of 2025 or early 2026. If the leaks are accurate, this could be the first in a new era for OnePlus — one in which cameras are no longer a weakness, but a headline feature.