The OnePlus 15 is reportedly going to cost around ₹72,999 in India for the base 12 GB + 256 GB model, representing an increase of roughly ₹3,000 compared with the OnePlus 13’s launch price of ₹69,999. The higher starting price is being seen as the start of a broader trend of smartphone price hikes across brands in the Indian market. This price was originally spotted by Beebom on the Search Engine as the smartphone was briefly listed on the Reliance Digital online store. The page has now been removed.
Why the Price Hike Is Taking Shape
According to the latest report from 91mobiles, the OnePlus 15’s higher price can be traced to several key pressures. First, the phone is the first in India to be powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, which drives up component cost. The model also integrates a larger 7,300 mAh battery and advanced cooling and gaming features, making it a bigger uplift over its predecessor than usual.
Secondly, industry-wide factors are coming into play, including rising memory-chip and storage costs driven by AI/data-centre demand, the rupee’s depreciation, and other supply-chain inflation. These macro-factors are pushing manufacturers to pass some cost onto consumers. And thirdly, the listing for the OnePlus 15 on a major Indian retailer (now removed) revealed pricing of ₹72,999 and ₹79,999 (for 16 GB + 512 GB), signalling real intent rather than speculation.
What It Means for Consumers and the Market
For buyers in India, this price rise means that upgrading to a true flagship is now more expensive than before. While the OnePlus 15 continues to offer high-end hardware and strong value relative to global premium phones, the ₹72,999 mark shifts it into a different price tier than many earlier OnePlus flagships enjoyed. This raises two considerations. First, buyers who were planning to upgrade may now rethink the cost-benefit of waiting or choosing last year’s model. Second, rival brands may follow suit. According to the report, Chinese brands such as OPPO, vivo, and even top-end models from other players are already seeing price hikes of ₹2,000 – ₹3,000 in India, suggesting this is not just a flagship phenomenon but a more systemic shift.
How Brands Are Responding
From OnePlus’s perspective, the willingness to raise prices reflects growing confidence in its hardware roadmap and the belief that enough consumers remain willing to pay for a premium experience. The company appears to justify this with a larger battery, higher refresh-rate display, gaming-focused hardware, and upgraded cooling systems. For other brands like OPPO and vivo, the move hints at a pivot away from ultra-aggressive pricing toward margin sustainability. Suppliers, meanwhile, will benefit from longer lifecycles and higher per-unit value, but the risk is increased pressure on channels, slower volume growth, and more cautious buyer behaviour.
Could This Change Buyer Behaviour?
Yes, and the change may be subtle but meaningful. As flagship prices inch up, the value proposition from last year’s models becomes stronger. Buyers might delay upgrades or opt for “flagship-lite” models rather than full-charged premium versions. That, in turn, could shift the sales mix away from true top-tier phones toward upper-mid tier models for a period. Brands that offer strong features at lower price points may gain a relative advantage. At the same time, the psychological threshold of crossover pricing could move: if a budget buyer sees a flagship at “₹70,000+”, they may instead choose a lower-cost option with some trade-offs.
The New Pricing Terrain
In effect, the Indian smartphone market seems to be entering a new pricing era. While competition remains fierce in the mid and budget segments, the top-end is showing fewer bargains and more strategic price positioning. For OnePlus, the success of the OnePlus 15 at this higher price will be a test of whether the brand can maintain the “flagship-killer” perception or needs to adjust its strategy. For consumers, it means smarter timing of upgrades, better offer awareness, and possibly waiting for seasonal discounts or predecessor-model drops to find value.
If the trend holds, we may look back at the OnePlus 15’s launch as the moment when flagships in India officially crossed into a stronger premium tier—not just in specs but in price too. Which means for buyers, understanding the value, timing, and offer dynamics will matter more than ever.
Source: 91mobiles
