I’ve been watching the smartphone landscape for a long time, and if there’s one brand that’s been on a total roller coaster, it’s OnePlus. We all remember the OnePlus 7 Pro—that was the peak. It was the “Flagship Killer” era where they were genuinely out-innovating the big dogs.
But let’s be real: things got rocky for a while. If you owned a OnePlus 8, 9, or 10, you know the dread of the “Green Line” issue. It felt like the “Never Settle” spirit had settled for hardware defects. However, in a move I genuinely respect, OnePlus didn’t hide. They offered a lifetime display warranty for affected units. That’s a bold way to win back trust.
Fast forward to 2026, and the narrative is shifting again. Here’s my take on where the brand stands today.
The Flagship Resurgence: OnePlus 12 to 15
OnePlus essentially “dropped the ball” for a few years, but the OnePlus 12 was the turning point. It brought back that premium stability we missed.
-
OnePlus 12 & 13: These were absolute home runs in terms of balance.
-
OnePlus 15: This is where it gets interesting. While the performance is top-tier, the camera took a slight step back.
-
The Big Change: OnePlus officially ended its partnership with Hasselblad. They are now betting on their own proprietary image processing. It’s a “growing pains” phase, but it’s a necessary step for them to find their own identity again.
OxygenOS: The Secret Sauce
Hardware comes and goes, but software is what you live with every day. Despite the mergers and changes behind the scenes, OxygenOS remains my personal favorite.
-
Fluidity: Still the smoothest skin on Android.
-
AI Integration: They’ve managed to bake in AI features that actually feel useful rather than just gimmicky.
-
User Control: It gives you the “power user” feel without the clutter.
The Nord Dilemma
For a while, the Nord series felt like it was diluting the brand. The early Nords didn’t quite feel like “OnePlus” phones. But credit where it’s due: the Nord 4 and Nord 5 changed that. They finally brought that snappy, high-end feel to a price point that doesn’t hurt your wallet.
Technical Snapshot: What to Expect
If you’re looking at the current lineup or waiting for the OnePlus 16, here is the baseline they’ve established:
-
Display: High-refresh rate LTPO panels that have (thankfully) moved past the green line era.
-
Performance: Consistently using the latest Snapdragon 8-series chips with aggressive RAM management.
-
Charging: Still leading the pack with ultra-fast wired charging that puts certain “S” and “i” brands to shame.
-
Build: A return to unique textures and premium glass-metal sandwiches.
Why It Matters
OnePlus is trying to reclaim the “Android King” title in India, and honestly? They’re close. By focusing on a strong community and admitting their past hardware mistakes, they are building a loyal base that rivals the early “invite-only” days.
The upcoming OnePlus 16 will be the ultimate test. Will they fix the camera dip we saw in the 15? If they nail the proprietary processing, the competition should be very worried.
What do you think? Are you still rocking an older OnePlus, or did the green line issue scare you off for good? Let me know, and stay tuned—I’ll be doing a deep dive into the first OnePlus 16 leaks very soon.
