Back when rumors were flying at the start of the year, Engadget editor Adnan Ahmed still added the OnePlus 15 to his cart. He didn't mind that the camera specs fell a bit short—what he got in return was a price much lower than Samsung or Apple flagships, a bright OLED display, the horsepower of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and 120W fast charging. He described the software experience as smoother than any Android interface he'd ever used.
That bet didn't come too late. OnePlus confirmed in July 2026 that it's pulling out of the North American and European markets—most models are currently showing as out of stock on its official website, though they're still available through third-party channels like Amazon. Engadget's earlier review of the $900 OnePlus 15 was fairly positive overall, with the camera performance being the main reservation.
Saying Goodbye to OxygenOS
OnePlus got its start with CyanogenMod, a community-driven version of Android, before developing its own OxygenOS—known for its clean interface and high degree of customization, which became the brand's core identity. OnePlus says software and after-sales support for existing devices will continue, but future major OS updates will instead be handled by ColorOS, the software used on Oppo phones. It's understandable that longtime users aren't happy about this.
That said, OxygenOS and ColorOS have shared the same codebase since 2021, so the two interfaces are actually already quite similar. The main difference is that ColorOS comes with a bit more preloaded bloatware than OxygenOS. It would be a shame if some of OnePlus's signature Easter egg features end up disappearing as a result.
High Risk, But the Terms Are Clear
The OnePlus 15 and OnePlus 15R are still slated to receive four major Android version upgrades and six years of security updates, with after-sales service available through the OnePlus Support website. The company also says it will continue to honor existing warranty commitments. On top of that, OnePlus doesn't lock users into a closed ecosystem the way Apple does—even if you buy OnePlus Buds or a OnePlus Watch, you can still pair them with other Android phones without worrying about crippled features.
If you're truly set on getting a OnePlus phone, it's still doable to buy one now—just be prepared that going forward, it'll be ColorOS handling your updates, not the OxygenOS that won everyone over in the first place.
