Chinese tech giant OnePlus has officially expanded its portfolio in India with the launch of two new devices: the OnePlus 15R smartphone and the OnePlus Pad Go 2 tablet. The launch event, held on Wednesday, December 17, marks the company's strategic move to cater to the growing premium segment while offering feature-rich options for students and young professionals.
OnePlus 15R: Bridging the Gap Between Flagship and Mid-Range
The OnePlus 15R is positioned as the capable sidekick to the flagship OnePlus 15, which debuted last month. True to the R-series formula, it aims to be the perfect halfway point between top-tier and mid-range devices. The phone is powered by the cutting-edge Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 mobile processor and runs on the latest Android-based OxygenOS 16.
In terms of pricing and availability, the OnePlus 15R starts at an attractive Rs 44,999. It will be offered in two storage configurations: 12GB RAM + 256GB storage and 12GB RAM + 512GB storage. Customers can purchase it via OnePlus.in, Amazon, and across offline retail partner stores.
The device arrives in three distinct colour options: Mint Breeze, Charcoal Black, and a striking Electric Violet. The Electric Violet variant, branded as the Ace Edition, is an exclusive offering for the Indian market. Similar to the Sand Storm finish on the OnePlus 15, the Electric Violet 15R features a unique fiberglass back, while the other two colours come with a standard glass back.
Camera and Performance Highlights
Photography is a strong suit for the 15R. It inherits the flagship's 50MP + 8MP dual camera system, complete with the same DetailMax Engine for enhanced image processing. It also supports high-quality 4K video recording at 120 frames per second. A significant upgrade for the R-series is the inclusion of a 32-megapixel selfie camera with autofocus, a first for this line.
Beyond raw power, the phone is packed with advanced AI features like AI Playlab, Mind Space, and deep integration with Google Gemini. To ensure a seamless experience, OnePlus has included a dedicated Wi-Fi chip and a dedicated touch response chip alongside the powerful Snapdragon silicon. A major highlight is the massive 7,400mAh battery, the largest ever on a OnePlus smartphone, supported by SUPERVOOC fast charging. The phone also boasts a robust build with IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K certification for dust and water resistance.
OnePlus Pad Go 2: Stylus Support for Creatives and Students
Alongside the smartphone, OnePlus unveiled the second generation of its affordable tablet, the OnePlus Pad Go 2. The key upgrade this time is the introduction of stylus support for the first time, clearly targeting students, young professionals, and creatives who need precision input.
The tablet features a large 12.1-inch (30.73 cm) display with a 7:5 aspect ratio and 284 pixels per inch. Under the hood, it is driven by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Ultra octa-core chipset. Keeping the device powered through long study or work sessions is a gigantic 10,050 mAh battery with SUPERVOOC charging. Interestingly, the company claims the Pad Go 2 can also reverse-charge other devices using its charging cable.
Pricing and variant details for the OnePlus Pad Go 2 were marked as 'xxx' in the initial announcement and are awaited.
Launch Context: India's Shift Towards Premium Smartphones
The launch of these devices comes at a pivotal time for the Indian smartphone market. Industry data indicates a clear consumer shift from value-oriented devices to more premium offerings. According to IDC, the average selling price (ASP) of smartphones in the previous festive quarter rose by 13.7% year-over-year to US $294 (approx. Rs 24,500).
This trend suggests that demand for entry-level Android phones and feature-packed budget devices may be softening. A contributing factor is retail stores aggressively discounting premium models, making high-end features more accessible to a broader audience looking to upgrade. OnePlus's strategy with the 15R and Pad Go 2 appears designed to capture this very segment of consumers who desire flagship-like experiences without the flagship price tag.
