OnePlus 15T Could Be the Next Compact Powerhouse as Early Leaks Reveal Flagship-Level Features

What You Need to Know

• OnePlus 15T leaks suggest a compact 6.31-inch flat display with a super-smooth 165Hz refresh rate.

• Expected to pack a 7,000mAh+ battery, a major upgrade over the compact OnePlus 13s.

• May launch in early 2026, as suggested by tipster Digital Chat Station.

• Positioned as a compact performance phone, focusing on smooth UI, high frame rates, and battery life.

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OnePlus is firing on all cylinders in 2025. After the successful debut of the OnePlus 15, the brand seems ready to expand its lineup again-this time with a compact yet powerful model known as the OnePlus 15T. While the OnePlus Ace 6T is gearing up for launch in China, leaks around the 15T are already creating serious buzz among tech enthusiasts. If the rumors that have surfaced recently prove to be true, then the OnePlus 15T would indeed serve as an enticing middle ground between a compact flagship and performance powerhouse.

A Compact Design Without Compromising Power

If the latest leak from OnePlus Club on X is any indication, the OnePlus 15T will come fitted with a 6.31-inch flat display, essentially making it as large as the OnePlus 13s, which boasts a 6.32-inch panel. For all practical purposes, the 15T then falls squarely into compact territory, an increasingly uncommon category in the Android space these days, without compromising on performance.

Adding even more excitement to the 15T is the 165Hz refresh rate, which offers exactly the same ultra-smooth experience as on the OnePlus 15. This implies that OnePlus might be using the same 3rd-gen BOE Oriental Display, boasting crystal-clear visuals, high brightness, and industry-leading responsiveness. The symmetrical bezel design further adds to the sleek and modern appeal.

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 to Power the Beast

Performance enthusiasts will be in for a treat. The OnePlus 15T is tipped to run on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 flagship processor, which is the same one powering the OnePlus 15. This makes the 15T one of the most powerful compact smartphones of the year, capable of handling heavy multitasking, gaming, and performance-centric workflows with ease.

Apart from a metal frame, the device is also very likely to sport an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, which is a radical improvement upon optical sensors in terms of both speed and authenticity.

Massive Battery in a Compact Body

One of the surprising things about OnePlus' 2025 lineup has been how much endurance the batteries have. The OnePlus 15 launched with a massive 7,000mAh battery, which was highly unusual for a flagship device. It now appears that the OnePlus 15T might also boast a battery in the 7,000mAh class and could even slightly surpass it.

If that's accurate, it would be a significant boost from the OnePlus 13s, which arrived with a 5,850mAh battery. A compact body combined with marathon-grade endurance could make the 15T the perfect companion for travelers, gamers, and users for whom battery life is the most critical factor.

Improved Durability

The leak also claims that the OnePlus 15T would arrive with IP68/69 water and dust resistance, bringing it at par with the durability seen on premium flagships. This, too, is yet another step up from the IP65 rating on the OnePlus 13s and shows that OnePlus is serious about making its compact lineup more rugged and reliable.

Camera Setup

Camera details for the OnePlus 15T remain sketchy, but there are many good hints from previous patterns by OnePlus. T-series devices have always made mild changes to differentiate themselves from the main flagship.

For context:

• The OnePlus 15 features a triple 50MP configuration with OIS and 3.5x optical zoom.

• The OnePlus 13s employs a more minimal dual 50MP arrangement featuring 2x optical zoom and avoids wireless charging entirely.

With these trends in mind, expect the camera system of the OnePlus 15T to be more subdued compared to the OnePlus 15, perhaps with fewer sensors or a reduced zoom capacity. This should fit the expected target group for the 15T: performance-first buyers who don't value photography as much.

Where the 15T Fits in OnePlus’ 2025 Lineup

OnePlus is shaping an interesting portfolio strategy this year:

• OnePlus 15 - All-round flagship for premium users

• OnePlus Ace 6T (global: OnePlus 15R) - Affordable performance phone with Snapdragon 8 Gen 5

• OnePlus 15T - Compact performer with top-tier internals (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 + 165Hz display + huge battery)

If those leaks prove to be correct, then the OnePlus 15T will immediately be the phone people will look to for flagship power in a compact form without paying top-tier pricing or focusing on cameras.

This is particularly noteworthy, as OnePlus hasn't launched a T-series flagship since the OnePlus 10T back in 2022. Given that the 15T is reportedly part of the 2025–26 lineup, it could mark a major return for the brand's mid-cycle refresh strategy.

Expected Launch Timeline

One tipster, Digital Chat Station, believes that the OnePlus 15T may launch in early 2026. Thus, it seems OnePlus doesn't want to rush things and wants to give enough time for the OnePlus 15 and Ace 6T to dominate their respective segments.

While nothing's officially confirmed yet, the leaks paint a promising picture of what could be one of the most exciting compact Android phones in the coming year.