OnePlus 15R Launches: Price Cuts on Samsung Galaxy S25 FE and S25 Edge

January has been relatively quiet, with a focus on discounts for older models. Nevertheless, there are some intriguing new additions to explore.

The OnePlus 15R is listed as "coming soon" on Amazon and should be available shortly. This year's R-model features a substantial upgrade with a 7,400mAh battery compared to the 6,000mAh of the 13R, as well as enhanced water resistance (IP68/IP69K vs. IP65). Additionally, it is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 (non-Elite), an upgrade from the aging Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

However, there are some downgrades as well. Notably, the telephoto camera has been removed, while the main camera (50MP 1/1.56”, OIS) and ultra-wide camera (8MP) remain unchanged. The 6.83” display may support a higher refresh rate (165Hz vs. 120Hz), but it lacks an LTPO panel like its predecessor. The 15R starts at $700 and includes a $100 gift card, enhancing its value proposition.

While considering the 15R, it's also important to evaluate the flagship OnePlus 15. This model too has some reductions compared to the 13. However, with a price difference of only $200 more than the 15R, a comparison is warranted, especially as it also includes the $100 gift card offer.

The OnePlus 15 features an LTPO display and the more powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, alongside a sizable 7,300mAh battery that supports both 80W wired and 50W wireless charging. It also includes a 50MP 3.5x/80mm periscope camera.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, regarded as a misfire, is now being offered at significant discounts on remaining units. It boasts a 6.7” LTPO OLED display with a higher pixel density than the OnePlus devices. While the Snapdragon 8 Elite is an older chip, it still outperforms the new vanilla Gen 5.

While it lacks a dedicated telephoto camera, it does feature a 200MP 1/1.3” main camera for in-sensor zoom. However, a major drawback is its battery, which has a limited capacity of just 3,900mAh, yielding only a 12:06h Active Use score compared to 23:07h on the OnePlus 15.

In the mid-range segment, the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is priced under $500 for the base 128GB model. However, due to the absence of a microSD slot, the 256GB version may be a more viable option.

Regardless, the Samsung Galaxy A56 is available at a lower price point, offering savings of $50-$60 depending on the storage configuration (though it too lacks a microSD slot). The S25 FE is equipped with a more powerful chipset (Exynos 2400 vs. 1580), a superior camera setup (which includes an 8MP 3x/75mm telephoto module), better water resistance (IP68 vs. IP67), and a similar battery (4,900mAh vs. 5,000mAh), featuring 45W charging and 15W wireless charging. The A56 would need a more substantial price cut to remain competitive.

The A56 also faces competition from the Google Pixel 9a, priced similarly at $400 for the 8/128GB model. It features a smaller 6.3” display (compared to 6.7”) and has a width of 73.3mm (versus 77.5mm). Although the Tensor G4 is not a speedster, it outmatches the Exynos 1580. While charging is slower (23W wired vs. 45W), it includes a slow wireless option at 7.5W. Battery capacity and endurance are roughly equivalent (12:42h vs. 12:08h).

The Motorola Moto G Power (2026) was launched just last week, so there are currently no discounts. However, this $300 mid-range device is still worthy of attention. It features a 6.8” 1080p+ 120Hz IPS LCD, a 5,200mAh battery with 30W wired and 15W wireless charging, and a robust build (IP68/IP69, MIL-STD-810H). It is powered by the Dimensity 6300 and does feature expandable storage. The camera setup is basic, including a 50MP main camera (with a small 1/2.88” sensor) and an 8MP ultra-wide camera.

Lastly, there is the economical Samsung Galaxy A17. This device runs on the Exynos 1330 (with expandable storage), featuring a 6.7” 1080p OLED (90Hz panel). It comes with a 5,000mAh battery that supports 25W wired charging and has basic ingress protection (IP54). The camera setup is modest, with a 50MP main camera (1/2.76”) and an additional 5MP ultra-wide camera.

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