OnePlus is about to redraw its smartphone playbook, and the story goes back to 2021. That year, Pete Lau, the company’s co-founder and then Chief Product Officer at Oppo, publicly called for a sharper focus on camera R&D. He admitted what many reviewers had long said out loud: OnePlus made fast, powerful phones, but its cameras lagged behind Apple, Samsung, and Google.
Since then, OnePlus has quietly poured resources into imaging research, fine-tuning algorithms for HDR, night shots, and color science. Now, insiders say that the effort is about to pay off. With the OnePlus 15, the company will unveil its first-ever, self-developed Image Engine, a proprietary platform built to take full control of photo and video processing.
The Culmination of a Four-Year Bet
Tipster Yogesh Brar tells us this new Image Engine is the direct outcome of that multi-year R&D roadmap. Unlike past tweaks, this isn’t just a tuning exercise. The platform reportedly integrates advanced algorithms to handle low-light detail, skin tone accuracy, and dynamic range in ways OnePlus has never been able to before.
It’s expected to work hand in hand with the rumored OnePlus 15’s triple 50MP camera system and Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chipset, making it the company’s most ambitious attempt yet at matching to challenge head-on.
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Goodbye Hasselblad?
With this pivot, we are not sure whether OnePlus’s 4.5-year collaboration with Hasselblad continues or not. The Swedish camera brand brought color tuning and prestige branding to OnePlus flagships starting with the OnePlus 9, but leaks suggest the OnePlus 15 may ship without Hasselblad branding altogether.
If true, that would signal not just the end of a partnership, but also the beginning of true self-sufficiency. Much like Samsung, Google, and Apple, OnePlus seems ready to control its entire imaging pipeline, a move that reduces dependence, sharpens identity, and potentially accelerates updates.
OnePlus 15 Expected Specs and Leaks Suggest a Big Change in the Coming Phone
Beyond the imaging overhaul, leaks paint the OnePlus 15 as a transformative flagship with significant upgrades across the board. The device is rumored to sport a 6.78-inch 1.5K flat OLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate for ultra-smooth visuals, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chipset for top-tier performance. Design-wise, expect a rounded design with ultra-narrow bezels using LIPO technology, a new squarish camera module, and a “Plus Key” action button for customizable shortcuts.
Other leaked feature includes an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and IP68/69 dust and water resistance. These changes suggest a “complete makeover” compared to the OnePlus 12 and 13, focusing on performance, battery endurance, and a fresh design language that could appeal to gamers and power users alike.
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Why the New Image Engine Matters?
The OnePlus 15 could mark a turning point for the brand. After years of being accused of playing catch-up in cameras, OnePlus is finally betting on itself.
It’s the culmination of four years of behind-the-scenes work, sparked by Pete Lau’s call for a camera-first strategy. With an expected launch window in late 2025 or early 2026, this phone could be to OnePlus what the OnePlus 7 Pro was back in 2019, a device that redefines what the company stands for in the flagship race.
If OnePlus successfully executes this, the Image Engine could be a significant achievement for OnePlus’s camera development.
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