iQOO 15R vs OnePlus 15R: The new Rs 50,000 power clash

There was a time when Rs 50,000 bought you compromise. In 2026, that’s not the case any longer. The new iQOO 15R and OnePlus 15R sit in that sweet spot where flagship processors meet almost-flagship polish.

Both promise four years of Android updates, six years of security patches, and enough raw power to embarrass last year’s ultra phones. On paper, they look evenly matched. In hand, they reveal starkly different personalities.

So which phone deserves space in your jeans pocket, your gaming backpack, or your café-table? Let’s find out in our iQOO 15R vs OnePlus 15R comparison.

iQOO 15R vs OnePlus 15R: Build and display

The iQOO 15R offers IP68 and IP69 ratings. The OnePlus 15R adds IP66 and IP69K alongside IP68 and IP69. But for most users, this distinction will not change survivability in daily life. Both phones are built to survive splashes, dust, and the occasional drop into a sink. In hand, both feel premium. The OnePlus leans slightly more refined. The iQOO feels unapologetically performance-driven.

As for display, the iQOO 15R goes bold with a 6.59-inch 1.5K AMOLED panel pushing up to 144Hz. It also claims an eye-watering 5,000 nits of local peak brightness. Protection comes via Schott Xensation Alpha glass.

ALSO READ: iQOO 15R debuts with 144Hz display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, 7,600mAh battery

The OnePlus 15R, meanwhile, has a 6.83-inch 1.5K AMOLED display, topping out at a 165Hz adaptive refresh rate. It is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i and pairs that with a dedicated touch response chip delivering 3,200Hz sampling. For competitive gaming, that responsiveness translates to quicker taps and tighter control.

If you live in BGMI, Call of Duty Mobile, or Genshin Impact, OnePlus feels engineered for your gamer thumbs. If you care more about brightness and like a more compact build, the iQOO 15R is the better option.

iQOO 15 vs OnePlus 15R: Performance and software

Under the hood, both phones run on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5. That alone changes the conversation. This is not a mid-range chip pretending to be premium. It is proper flagship silicon. The iQOO 15R pairs it with an Adreno 826 GPU, while the OnePlus 15R uses an Adreno 840 GPU. In real-world usage, both should feel blisteringly fast.

RAM and storage configurations are similarly aligned. Both offer LPDDR5X Ultra RAM and UFS 4.1 storage, scaling up to 512GB. OnePlus does offer a 16GB RAM top variant at the same Rs 52,999 price as iQOO’s 12GB top model, though. For power users who keep dozens of apps alive or edit 4K videos on their phone, that extra RAM could be meaningful.

Software is another subtle differentiator. iQOO runs Origin OS 6 based on Android 16, while OnePlus sticks to OxygenOS 16. OxygenOS remains cleaner and closer to stock Android in spirit. Origin OS is more experimental and feature-heavy.

Both brands promise the same longevity: four years of OS updates and six years of security patches. That levels the playing field for long-term buyers.

iQOO 15 vs OnePlus 15R: Cameras

The iQOO 15R packs a 50MP Sony LYT-700V primary sensor with OIS and an 8MP ultra-wide. The 32MP selfie camera supports 4K at 60fps, and the rear camera also records 4K at 60fps. For vloggers who switch between front and rear cameras frequently, that parity matters.

The OnePlus 15R counters with a 50MP Sony IMX906 primary sensor, the same one found in the OnePlus 15. It adds an 8MP ultra-wide and a 32MP front camera. The headline feature here is 4K video at 120fps on the rear camera. That unlocks dramatic slow-motion footage in full resolution. The selfie camera is limited to 4K at 30fps but includes autofocus support, which sharpens up framing for creators.

ALSO READ: OnePlus 15R review

If you care about cinematic slow-motion and sharper selfies, the OnePlus edges ahead. If you want consistent 4K performance front and back, the iQOO holds its own.

iQOO 15 vs OnePlus 15R: Battery life and charging

Battery anxiety feels almost non-existent with these two. The iQOO 15R houses a 7,600mAh battery with 100W fast charging. The OnePlus 15R is close behind with a 7,400mAh unit and 80W SuperVOOC charging.

In practice, both will easily stretch beyond a full day of heavy use. Gaming sessions, long Instagram scrolls, 4K video recording, and streaming marathons will not drain them before dinner. The iQOO’s slightly larger battery and faster charging give it a practical edge if you are often topping up between meetings or classes.

iQOO 15 vs OnePlus 15R: Price

The iQOO 15R starts at Rs 44,999 for 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. Its 12GB and 256GB model costs Rs 47,999, while the 12GB and 512GB version climbs to Rs 52,999. The OnePlus 15R starts at Rs 47,999 for 12GB and 256GB. Its top-tier 16GB and 512GB variant also sits at Rs 52,999.

If your budget is tight and you are targeting the lowest entry point, the iQOO is clearly the more accessible option. At the top end, OnePlus delivers more RAM for the same price, which shifts the value equation.

iQOO 15 vs OnePlus 15R: Which one should you buy?

You need to answer this question based on your preferences. Choose the iQOO 15R if you want the lowest starting price, the slightly larger battery, and faster charging. It is the value-forward powerhouse.

Choose the OnePlus 15R if you are a gamer chasing the smoothest refresh rate, the fastest touch response, better slow-motion video, and a 16GB RAM option at the top tier. It feels more tuned for performance purists and content creators.

Which one is your preference? Drop a comment to let us know, and stay tuned to Unboxed by Croma for all things tech.