A cheaper mid-range phone is considered a better option than the OnePlus 15.
The OnePlus 15 looks like an exceptional handset, but here's my two cents on why the OnePlus Ace 6 – a.k.a. the OnePlus 15R – might be the better choice (for me).
I would pass on the OnePlus 15 in favor of another recently released OnePlus phone. Announced in China for under $370 (direct conversion), it boasts a larger battery than the OnePlus 15's 7,300 mAh.
A word about Chinese ROMs: If you buy a phone from China, it will include a Chinese ROM. This software is designed for the Chinese market and lacks Google apps, contains bloatware, and may require complex setup if you don't understand Chinese. Updates might be faster, but they could also impact global features or lack support for Western networks.
Global ROM phones offer convenience with Google services, multilingual settings, and support for global LTE and 5G bands. They cost more but offer cleaner software, consistent updates, and ease of use. Chinese ROMs suit users who enjoy tinkering, while global ROMs are for those who want a phone that works immediately.
If you do your research, checking specs and accepting some Chinese UI elements, Chinese ROM phones can be a great option. The decision depends on your needs; if it feels risky, wait for the global version.
Why the OnePlus 15 isn't my favorite: For general use, I'd recommend the OnePlus 15 over other Android phones. It features a 6.78-inch 1.5K display, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, a 7,300 mAh battery with 120W charging, and a 3.5x telephoto lens.
While the OnePlus 13 had a slightly bigger (6.82-inch) 2K display, the 1.5K resolution is still good for a phone. The OnePlus 15 is also about $70 cheaper than its predecessor. So why the ambivalence?
The OnePlus 15 only has one telephoto camera. I prefer two for optical zoom capabilities. A single 3.5x telephoto is insufficient, so I wouldn't spend money on the OnePlus 15.
The alternative: OnePlus Ace 6: I'd look for deals on a camera phone with dual telephoto lenses, such as the Vivo X300 Ultra, Oppo Find X9 Ultra, or Xiaomi 17 Ultra.
In the meantime, I'd buy a great new phone for under $370 with a larger battery than the OnePlus 15. That's where the OnePlus Ace 6 comes in.
This mid-range phone includes a 6.83-inch AMOLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate, a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, up to 16 GB of RAM, and up to 1 TB of storage. It also has a 7,800mAh battery with 120W charging. While not as premium as the OnePlus 15, it has an aluminum and glass build and the same chip as the OnePlus 13. The Ace 6 provides flagship performance without the cost.
The base model costs around $365, while the top-tier model with 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage is under $550. Since I'm not getting the camera setup I want either way, I'd rather save money and get the Ace 6, a nearly flagship phone at a lower price.
A word about Chinese ROMs: If you buy a phone from China, it will include a Chinese ROM. This software is designed for the Chinese market and lacks Google apps, contains bloatware, and may require complex setup if you don't understand Chinese. Updates might be faster, but they could also impact global features or lack support for Western networks.
Global ROM phones offer convenience with Google services, multilingual settings, and support for global LTE and 5G bands. They cost more but offer cleaner software, consistent updates, and ease of use. Chinese ROMs suit users who enjoy tinkering, while global ROMs are for those who want a phone that works immediately.
If you do your research, checking specs and accepting some Chinese UI elements, Chinese ROM phones can be a great option. The decision depends on your needs; if it feels risky, wait for the global version.
Why the OnePlus 15 isn't my favorite: For general use, I'd recommend the OnePlus 15 over other Android phones. It features a 6.78-inch 1.5K display, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, a 7,300 mAh battery with 120W charging, and a 3.5x telephoto lens.
While the OnePlus 13 had a slightly bigger (6.82-inch) 2K display, the 1.5K resolution is still good for a phone. The OnePlus 15 is also about $70 cheaper than its predecessor. So why the ambivalence?
The OnePlus 15 only has one telephoto camera. I prefer two for optical zoom capabilities. A single 3.5x telephoto is insufficient, so I wouldn't spend money on the OnePlus 15.
The alternative: OnePlus Ace 6: I'd look for deals on a camera phone with dual telephoto lenses, such as the Vivo X300 Ultra, Oppo Find X9 Ultra, or Xiaomi 17 Ultra.
In the meantime, I'd buy a great new phone for under $370 with a larger battery than the OnePlus 15. That's where the OnePlus Ace 6 comes in.
This mid-range phone includes a 6.83-inch AMOLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate, a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, up to 16 GB of RAM, and up to 1 TB of storage. It also has a 7,800mAh battery with 120W charging. While not as premium as the OnePlus 15, it has an aluminum and glass build and the same chip as the OnePlus 13. The Ace 6 provides flagship performance without the cost.
The base model costs around $365, while the top-tier model with 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage is under $550. Since I'm not getting the camera setup I want either way, I'd rather save money and get the Ace 6, a nearly flagship phone at a lower price.