Buzz around the OnePlus 15 is heating up ahead of its expected October 27 debut in China. Official teasers have been rolling out on Weibo, but it’s an unofficial hands-on clip that’s stealing the conversation—sparking debate over a feature longtime fans value and may fear is gone.
A short, 20-second video posted by a Reddit user shows the OnePlus 15 from multiple angles. The unit appears to be the Sand Dune finish (often referred to as Sand Storm globally), though the lighting makes it look a touch lighter than in official promos. The top edge is shown clearly, revealing speaker cutouts and what appears to be a microphone. Notably absent is any obvious infrared window, leading many to suspect the OnePlus 15 might drop the IR blaster—a tool some rely on to control TVs, air conditioners, and other home devices.
That possibility hasn’t gone over well with parts of the community. Several commenters say the lack of an IR blaster would be a deal-breaker, especially since previous models such as the OnePlus 13 positioned the emitter along the top frame. Others are voicing frustration about another change that’s been rumored for months: the continued absence of an alert slider.
There is, however, a twist. A recent specifications leak lists a “multi-function infrared remote control,” suggesting the feature may still exist—just not where fans expect it. One plausible explanation is that OnePlus has relocated the IR hardware, potentially integrating it within or near the camera island. With the company gradually teasing features, an official confirmation could land before launch day.
If you’re weighing an upgrade, keep an eye on three things in the coming days:
– Whether OnePlus confirms a built-in IR blaster or remote-control functionality
– Any final word on the alert slider
– Full specifications around camera performance, battery life, and charging
Until the curtain lifts, consider the IR chatter an open question. The hands-on video shows no obvious sensor on the top edge, but the spec leak hints the OnePlus 15 may still deliver infrared control—possibly in a new location. Either way, the discussion underscores how features like an IR blaster and alert slider remain surprisingly important to many OnePlus fans, and could influence upgrade decisions this cycle.
