For years, OnePlus has been working with Hasselblad to enhance the cameras on its flagships. The company doesn’t offer the best camera-focused phones out there, but the camera brand’s help has been positive. That said, after years of behind-the-scenes development, it appears the firm is ready to bet on itself with a new approach to photography. A recent report claims that OnePlus will develop its own image engine for its smartphone cameras, and it could arrive with the OnePlus 15.
As reported by Smartprix, the upcoming OnePlus 15 will debut the company’s new, in-house image engine. This isn’t just a minor software update. We are talking about a proprietary platform designed to take full control of photo and video processing from the ground up. This move is the culmination of a multi-year strategy to fine-tune algorithms for everything from low-light detail and skin tone accuracy to dynamic range.
An in-house camera engine for the OnePlus 15, replacing Hasselblad
The potential shift signals a new era of self-sufficiency for OnePlus. For the past few years, the company has collaborated with Hasselblad. This partnership brought distinct color tuning and a premium brand name to its phones. However, recent leaks suggest the OnePlus 15 may not feature the Hasselblad branding at all. Those leaks now make more sense with the latest report.
If true, this move mirrors a similar trajectory seen in the industry. For instance, Huawei once worked with Leica but later developed its own in-house XMAGE image engine to replace it after gaining sufficient experience.
An in-house image camera or image engine would mark a crucial pivot for OnePlus. The move would give them full control over their imaging pipeline, much like their top competitors.
Other expected upgrades
Beyond the camera overhaul, the OnePlus 15 is shaping up as a really interesting flagship. The phone could feature a powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 (or Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5) chipset, a triple 50MP camera system, and a new design with a “Plus Key” action button. It could also have a 6.78-inch 1.5K flat OLED display with an ultra-smooth 165Hz refresh rate. You could also find an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and IP68/69 dust and water resistance.
According to rumors, OnePlus will launch the OnePlus 15 between late 2025 and early 2026. Will this device truly put OnePlus on par with its main premium rivals in the smartphone industry? And will these potential improvements increase the price of the device? We’ll have to wait a few months to find out.
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