OnePlus 15’s Major Downgrade Confirmed
▼ Summary
– OnePlus has confirmed the OnePlus 15 will feature a 1.5K resolution screen, which is a downgrade from the QHD+ displays of recent flagship models.
– The company states this change is due to technical limitations preventing a QHD+ screen from running at 165Hz refresh rate simultaneously.
– OnePlus claims the 165Hz 1.5K display is the optimal solution and is more expensive to produce than the OnePlus 13’s screen.
– The OnePlus 15 is scheduled to launch in China, and this marks a shift as OnePlus flagships have consistently used QHD+ screens since the OnePlus 10 Pro.
– OnePlus’s president emphasized that the new screen offers an unprecedented smooth experience, positioning it as the future of mobile displays.
The upcoming OnePlus 15 will feature a display with a 1.5K resolution and a 165Hz refresh rate, marking a notable shift from the QHD+ screens found in recent OnePlus flagship models. This change has been officially confirmed by the company, directly addressing earlier rumors about the device’s specifications.
OnePlus China president Li Jie Louis shared details in a Weibo post, explaining that the decision was driven by technical limitations rather than a desire to reduce costs. He stated that current technology does not allow for a QHD+ display to operate at a 165Hz refresh rate. According to Louis, the combination of 165Hz and a 1.5K resolution represents the “optimal solution” available today, and he emphasized that the OnePlus 15’s screen is actually more expensive to produce than the panel used in the OnePlus 13. He noted that components like the luminiscent materials, drivers, and circuit design required independent development and reconstruction for this new configuration.
While the specification appears to be a downgrade on paper compared to the QHD+ screens on predecessors like the OnePlus 13, OnePlus is positioning the new display as an industry first for a 1.5K screen running at 165Hz. The company asserts that this setup will deliver an “unprecedented smooth experience” and represents the future direction for mobile displays.
Another factor potentially influencing this decision, though not explicitly mentioned by OnePlus, is battery life. Higher resolution screens combined with very high refresh rates can significantly drain battery power. Even with modern phones featuring large batteries, sustaining a QHD+ resolution at 165Hz could present considerable power management challenges. Previous generations managed QHD+ at 120Hz through advancements like LTPO technology and software optimizations, but pushing to 165Hz may have necessitated this compromise.
This move may disappoint some longtime OnePlus enthusiasts. The brand’s flagship phones have been celebrated for their exceptional screen quality for years, with every Pro model since the OnePlus 7 Pro in 2019 featuring a QHD+ resolution display. The shift to a lower resolution breaks that tradition, even if the refresh rate is higher.
Interestingly, other manufacturers in the same corporate family are taking different approaches. The recently launched realme GT8 Pro, for instance, features a QHD+ screen with a 144Hz refresh rate, demonstrating that alternative technical paths exist. This contrast makes OnePlus’s claim about the impossibility of a 165Hz QHD+ display particularly noteworthy.
Ultimately, the true performance and visual quality of the OnePlus 15’s display will only be verifiable through hands-on testing. Consumers and reviewers will need to assess whether the promised smoothness justifies the resolution change or if the marketing claims are overstated. The device is scheduled to launch in China soon, providing the first opportunity for real-world evaluation.
(Source: Android Authority)
