OnePlus May Bring Back Mini Flagship in 2025

OnePlus is just a few weeks away from unveiling its latest flagship device globally while also preparing to launch the Ace 5 series smartphones in China. However, there’s an exciting twist for fans of the brand.

As reported by Digital Chat Station, a trusted source for information on Chinese smartphone brands, OnePlus is currently working on a compact phone featuring a 6.53-inch display. For context, the OnePlus 13 boasts a larger 6.82-inch screen.

This isn’t the first instance of OnePlus releasing a smaller phone. In 2019, the OnePlus X was launched, showcasing a sleek glass and metal design, a 5-inch display, high-end Qualcomm processing power, and an appealing price tag of $250.

Currently, companies like Google and Apple continue to push the boundaries of phone sizes, maintaining models with screens exceeding 6 inches while still being pocket-friendly. Interestingly, this trend is gaining momentum, with Vivo recently introducing the X200 Pro mini, which integrates top-notch hardware into a more compact form.

According to the latest leaks, which originated on the Chinese microblogging platform Weibo, OnePlus’s upcoming device is said to come equipped with Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. The display will have a 1.5K resolution, and one of its primary rear cameras is expected to utilize a 50MP Sony sensor, housed in a newly designed horizontal camera layout at the back.

A fingerprint sensor will be embedded beneath the display, but it appears that the phone will forgo a periscope-style zoom lens. The rumored specifications and design suggest it will stand apart from the China-only Ace series models.

So far, OnePlus has not issued any official statements regarding the development of this device. It’s also worth noting that Oppo, which collaborates closely with OnePlus in research and development, is purportedly planning a “mini” smartphone for the Chinese market, as reported by the same leak source.

The connection between the two brands is significant; for example, the Oppo Find N3 is essentially identical to the OnePlus Open. While it remains unclear which brand will lead this new market segment, OnePlus could very well be the first to release a mini flagship, given their recent track record.