OnePlus is preparing to launch the first smartphone in the world with Snapdragon 8 Jan 5 (not elite)

On the day when Qualcomm turned on the spotlight on his leading chip for 2026, that Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Ready to debut with the next Flagships of Xiaomi and Honor, an equally interesting novelty has gone to the deafen or the announcement of the Snapdragon 8 Jan 5 “Standard”that is, the basic variant of the new Soc top of the range.

Just on this “non Elite” chip OnePlus has decided to bet for one of his next devices, officially confirming that it will be the First company in the world to throw it on the market.

The first smartphone with Snapdragon 8 Jan 5 could be the OnePlus 15r

The news comes directly from Li Jie Louis, manager OnePlus, through a post on Weibo, the well -known Chinese social platform.

In his message, the manager not only confirms the primacy of the company on the new chip, but also anticipates that the phone in question will be available globally. A no small detail, which suggests how it will not be a device from the “ACE” line, usually exclusive for the Chinese market.

All clues therefore seem to aim for OnePlus 15rfuture heir of the OnePlus 13r. In the past, the “R” series has always represented a “almost flagship” proposal, which coupled a high -level design and specifications at a more competitive price, often using chips of previous generations.

For example, the current 13R is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Jan 3, so it is logical to hypothesize that the 15R can adopt the standard version of the Snapdragon 8 Jan 5, just below the Elite.

Snapdragon 8 Jan 5: what should change compared to the elite variant?

Although Qualcomm has not yet shared the entire technical data sheet of the Snapdragon 8 Jan 5 “Base”, it is legitimate to expect one similar structure but less push Compared to the Elite version.

The chip will however be made with 3 nanometer architecture And it will integrate core Oryonthe same CPU technology derived from Nuvia already present in the upper model.

The differences could concern more contained clock frequenciesa less performing GPU or the absence of some advanced features in the field of or imaging.

Despite this, if the preliminary benchmarks and the rumors are confirmed, the performance of the Snapdragon 8 Jan 5 “Non elite” could far exceed those of 8 Jan 3.

OnePlus and the lead from the forerunner with the new Soc

This move confirms once again the role of OnePlus like strategic brand For Qualcomm, often used as a forerunner for new chipsets.

In the past, the company has often had early access to latest generation hardware solutions, especially for the devices of the numbered line or “ace”.

The intention of the Chinese company seems to be well defined: Qualcomm offers two levels of processors to cover different market bands, and OnePlus wants presiddle immediately the intermediate-altaleaving the Elite chip to the OnePlus 15 “Standard”, already the protagonist of some full -bodied rumors, and reserving the gen 5 base at 15r.

Furthermore, the fact that the launch will take place “globally“, As pointed out by Li Jie Louis in the post on Weibo, suggests a return of theMore international approach for the R serieswhich in recent years has seen some alternations between exclusive models for the Indian market and global versions (such as 12r, then also brought to Europe and the USA).

Timing and availability

There is still no official information on the launch date of the first OnePlus phone with Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, but the device is likely to be presented By the end of 2025 or in the early months of 2026. Considering that Qualcomm has just revealed its new chips, and that the first implementations of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 are already expected on Xiaomi 17, Honor Magic 8 and other models, even OnePlus should not delay too much.

The fact that we already speak of “global launch” indicates that the production is in advance and that the official announcement could already arrive in October or November, with availability in the first markets within the beginning of the new year.

Well, all the clues aim for a competitive, powerful and designed OnePlus 15r for a global audience. All that remains is to wait for the official announcement to find out how it will be placed compared to the other flagships of 2026.

On the cover, OnePlus 13r