OnePlus Cuts 15R 12GB/512GB to $699.99 With $100 Graduation Discount

Q: With its huge battery and 165Hz screen, does the 15R make pricier flagship phones irrelevant?

No. The OnePlus 15R makes many pricier flagships look poor value, but it does not make them irrelevant. At $699.99 with the current discount, the 15R is unusually strong on the features most people notice every day: a 6.83-inch 165Hz AMOLED display, a very large 7,400mAh battery, fast 80W charging, solid Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 performance, and a premium build with strong water resistance. Reviews cited in the supporting material say it delivers roughly “90% of the flagship experience” for much less money, with two-day battery life and smooth everyday performance. That is enough to make expensive phones harder to justify for buyers who mainly want speed, endurance, and a big, fluid screen. In that sense, the 15R is a serious threat to the flagship pricing model. But the trade-offs still matter. The 15R lacks a telephoto camera, wireless charging, and the top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip used in the OnePlus 15. Its camera system is clearly less versatile, especially for zoom photography, and its software support, while respectable, is not class-leading. Some reports also note that the flagship model remains better in sustained performance and charging options. So the 15R does not erase the need for flagships; it narrows their audience. For most users, it is likely the smarter buy. For buyers who care about the best cameras, maximum performance, or premium extras, pricier flagships still have a clear role.

3 articles · Updated · Notebookcheck.net · Jun 13

$699.99 is the new US price for the OnePlus 15R 12GB/512GB model after buyers apply the code GRADUATION on OnePlus's website.
OnePlus is pairing the graduation-season promotion with a free Sandstone Magnetic Case and one optional gift: either a Hole-Pattern Magnetic Case or Nord Buds Pro earbuds.
The 15R, launched in the US in December 2025, sits below the OnePlus 15 but offers a 6.83-inch 165Hz AMOLED display and a 7,400mAh battery with 80W charging.
Its trade-offs versus the flagship include a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 instead of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and no telephoto camera, while keeping a 50MP main camera.