OnePlus 15 Camera Leaks Reveal 200MP Telephoto Revolution

The mobile photography world is buzzing with anticipation as OnePlus 15 camera leaks start painting a picture that's both exciting and puzzling. If you've been following OnePlus's journey from camera underdog to serious contender—something I've been covering for years—the latest rumors suggest we might be looking at another pivotal moment for the brand. What makes this timing particularly significant is that OnePlus has finally hit their stride with mobile photography, just as the flagship competition is heating up with manufacturers pushing computational photography boundaries.

These leaks seem to tell two different stories at once—one about maintaining successful partnerships, and another about striking out on their own. Let's break down what we know, what's speculation, and what it all means for anyone who cares about smartphone cameras.

The Hasselblad partnership question: what's really happening?

Here's where things get confusing in the best possible way. Early leaks had many of us thinking OnePlus was ready to ditch their Swedish camera partner entirely. Digital Chat Station suggests OnePlus will do its own camera branding for the OnePlus 15, which initially sounds like a clean break from the collaboration that helped transform their reputation.

But hold on—that's not the whole story. OnePlus and Hasselblad have since renewed their partnership, which means we're likely looking at something more nuanced than a simple split. Think of it this way: OnePlus might be taking the driver's seat while still having Hasselblad's renowned color tuning expertise riding shotgun.

This makes strategic sense when you consider the foundation they've built. OnePlus spent $150 million in three years on this partnership, and OnePlus and Hasselblad have been partners since 2021 through multiple flagship generations. More importantly, this investment has paid off—OnePlus is now confident enough in their camera capabilities to potentially lead the branding while still leveraging the technical expertise that got them here.

What we might be seeing is OnePlus evolving from student to co-teacher, putting their own name front and center while maintaining the behind-the-scenes collaboration that delivers results. This suggests they're prioritizing brand independence without sacrificing the image quality improvements that made their recent flagships competitive.

Camera specs and hardware: triple 50MP setup with a twist

The hardware rumors paint a picture of thoughtful evolution rather than revolutionary change. The OnePlus 15 could have three 50-megapixel rear cameras, which maintains the triple-camera approach that's become the sweet spot for flagship versatility.

Now here's where things get interesting—and where the rumor mill shows its limitations. While some sources suggest all three cameras will stick to 50MP, one leak suggests it will have a 200-megapixel periscope lens, which would represent a significant upgrade in zoom capabilities. The expected camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor, an ultra-wide lens, and a periscope-style telephoto unit.

This conflicting information actually tells us something important about OnePlus's development process—they're likely testing multiple configurations to see which delivers the best real-world performance. The fact that a 200MP telephoto is even being considered suggests OnePlus is serious about competing in long-range photography, where digital zoom quality becomes crucial for scenarios like wildlife photography or distant architectural details.

What's smart about their overall approach is that OnePlus seems to be learning from their recent successes. OnePlus phones have earned a reputation for their cameras in recent years, and the OnePlus 13 has great camera specs with all Hasselblad-tuned sensors. Rather than chase megapixel wars on just one sensor, they're focusing on delivering consistent quality across all focal lengths—which is what most photographers actually want in daily use.

Design revolution: goodbye circular, hello rectangular

Perhaps the most visually striking change involves ditching what's become OnePlus's signature look. OnePlus is ditching its iconic circular camera island in favor of a rounded-corner rectangular camera bump, and this might be the change that catches the most attention when people first see the device.

The square-shaped design prototype reportedly offers better internal space utilization while accommodating the same triple-lens system. But here's what's particularly telling—the rectangular module is expected to be larger than the one on compact models, which suggests OnePlus is making a deliberate choice to prioritize camera performance over minimizing the camera bump.

This design strategy aligns with their broader product philosophy. The design will be very similar to the island employed by the recently launched OnePlus 13T and OnePlus 13s, creating visual consistency across their entire lineup. It's like they're moving from having each flagship be a unique snowflake to building a more cohesive family identity that customers can immediately recognize.

From a practical standpoint, rectangular camera modules offer better internal space utilization for larger sensors and more complex optical systems, including periscope telephoto arrangements. While some might miss the distinctive circular design, this change could actually enable the camera performance improvements that matter more in the long run.

What this means for mobile photography enthusiasts

Let's get to the heart of what really matters: will the OnePlus 15 actually take better photos? Based on my experience testing OnePlus devices over the years, the early signs are promising, but there's still a lot we don't know.

The potential 200MP telephoto capability could be a game-changer for zoom photography. Most current flagship phones max out at around 10x optical zoom before digital enhancement takes over, so a higher-resolution periscope sensor could extend that range significantly while maintaining image quality—think wildlife photography or concert shots where you can't get physically closer to your subject.

But here's what's really exciting from a technical perspective—OnePlus is building a platform capable of supporting serious computational photography advances. The upcoming device is expected to house a large 7,000mAh battery and Qualcomm's next-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 processor. This combination means plenty of processing power and battery life to handle complex computational photography tasks—like advanced night mode processing, real-time HDR, or AI-powered scene optimization—without compromising day-to-day usability.

The timing also puts pressure on the competition. The OnePlus 15 is expected to launch in China around October with a global rollout anticipated in early 2026. That puts it right in the heart of the flagship camera competition season, where every manufacturer will be bringing their A-game.

Where do we go from here?

Bottom line: the OnePlus 15 represents a fascinating inflection point for the brand's camera strategy. The combination of potential hardware upgrades, design changes, and whatever approach they ultimately take to the Hasselblad partnership could position this phone as a serious contender in the increasingly competitive flagship camera space.

What's particularly encouraging is that OnePlus seems to be making decisions based on what actually improves the photography experience rather than just chasing specs or cutting costs. The larger battery, more powerful processor, and potentially higher-resolution telephoto sensor all suggest a company that's thinking holistically about mobile photography rather than just checking boxes.

Whether OnePlus will do its own camera branding while maintaining technical collaboration with Hasselblad, or if they're planning something entirely different, the early signs suggest they're not backing down from their camera ambitions. If anything, they seem to be doubling down with the confidence that comes from several generations of steady improvement.

The mobile photography landscape could look quite different by early 2026, and based on these leaks, OnePlus seems determined to be part of that conversation. For anyone who's been following their camera journey from the early days of mediocre sensors and inconsistent processing to their current position as a legitimate flagship contender, that evolution represents one of the most compelling comeback stories in smartphone photography.