The OnePlus 15T might be the Android flagship to beat next year

While the OnePlus 15 is likely still a few weeks away from launching, information is already emerging about its smaller flagship counterpart, which could debut next year.

According to a reputable tipster on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, OnePlus is already working on a smaller version of the OnePlus 15, reportedly called the OnePlus 15T (via Android Headlines).

This is similar to what OnePlus did earlier this year when it released the OnePlus 13T, a compact version of the OnePlus 13 with a 6.3-inch display, which was exclusively launched in China and later introduced in India as the OnePlus 13s.

The OnePlus 15T is expected to follow a similar path as the OnePlus 13T, reportedly featuring a 6.3-inch AMOLED display, which is slightly smaller than the 6.78-inch AMOLED display anticipated for the OnePlus 15. It is also rumored to be powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, meaning it will have the same powerful chipset as the OnePlus 15, helping reduce any performance differences between the two.

The OnePlus 15T could debut early next year

The big question is whether it will launch in the US

As for when the OnePlus 15T is actually expected to launch, it might not be until March or April of next year, so there’s still a long wait before OnePlus officially reveals it. However, if you’re a fan of smaller phones, it could be worth waiting for. Leaks also suggest that the phone will feature a massive 7,000mAh battery and support 100W charging.

The big question about the OnePlus 15T is whether OnePlus will actually release it globally. I was really excited for the OnePlus 13T earlier this year, but OnePlus crushed my hopes and dreams for it when it only launched the phone only in China and re-released it in India as the OnePlus 13s. Hopefully, when OnePlus launches the 15T, it will actually reach North America and Europe this time. With specs like a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and a 7,000mAh battery, it could rival other “smaller” flagship handsets, such as the iPhone 17 or the Pixel 10.

Meanwhile, the OnePlus 15 is expected to debut soon, with rumors pointing to a launch in China on October 27 and a global release on November 13. Personally, while I’m excited about the OnePlus 15, I think that if OnePlus releases the 15T in the US, it could become the Android phone to beat in 2026 and a much more compelling option over the OnePlus 15, especially for those looking for a powerful yet more affordable, compact Android device.