Two flagship challengers are on the horizon — and they might redefine what ‘compact’ flagship actually means. The much-anticipated Vivo X300 FE 5G and OnePlus 15s 5G have reportedly surfaced online, and the details suggest an India launch could be just around the corner. But here’s where things get interesting: these ‘lite-sized’ models might still pack the kind of specs that rival full-fledged flagships.
The year has already seen several big smartphone launches — from the OnePlus 15 5G to the Oppo Find X9 lineup — flooding the premium market. Now, Vivo seems ready to add its next major release to the mix. The company is reportedly set to unveil its X300 series on December 2. And while fans await the standard X300 models, whispers about their compact counterparts — the Vivo X300 FE 5G and the OnePlus 15s 5G — have started making rounds. The latest leaks hint that both devices could be on their way to Indian shores soon, building even more hype among smartphone enthusiasts.
What’s brewing behind the scenes?
Renowned tipster Debayan Roy, better known as Gadgetsdata, recently dropped some tantalizing information on X (formerly Twitter). According to him, both the Vivo X300 FE 5G and OnePlus 15s 5G are designed as compact flagships featuring high-end specs despite their smaller footprints. He hinted that their India launch may not be too far off. Interestingly, he also suggested that Oppo might join the competition with a rumored ‘Oppo 15 Mini’. However, exact release dates remain a mystery — keeping fans refresh-button-ready.
Vivo X300 FE 5G: Small size, serious power
The Vivo X300 FE 5G appears to aim straight for balance — portability without compromise. Expected to feature a 6.3-inch flat OLED display with silky-smooth 120Hz refresh rate and crisp 1.5K resolution, this phone could offer an impressive visual experience. Powering the device may be Qualcomm’s brand-new Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chip, which debuts globally today — a major performance step forward for compact devices.
And here’s something unexpected: despite its size, the device is rumored to house a massive 6500mAh battery supporting 90W fast charging. That’s unusually generous for a compact phone, potentially setting a new battery-life benchmark in its class. Camera-wise, users can expect a triple-lens setup, comprising a 50MP main shooter, a 50MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and an ultrawide option for flexibility.
OnePlus 15s 5G: Power just got sleeker
Meanwhile, OnePlus seems ready to give Vivo stiff competition with its upcoming OnePlus 15s 5G. It too might feature a 6.3-inch flat OLED panel, but this one could take things a step further with a blistering 165Hz refresh rate for those who crave ultra-fluid performance. The display resolution remains at 1.5K, striking a balance between sharpness and efficiency.
Under the hood, the phone is rumored to run on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset — the same class of processor found in the more expensive OnePlus 15 5G. The camera setup mirrors that of its rival: a 50MP primary sensor, a second 50MP telephoto lens, and a versatile ultrawide. However, the real standout feature may be its whopping 7000mAh battery. That’s the kind of capacity typically seen in power-focused smartphones, not sleek flagships. Add a durable metal frame and IP69 water resistance rating, and it’s clear OnePlus is pushing to redefine what a compact premium phone can offer.
The big question — can ‘compact’ still mean ‘flagship’?
As both brands double down on this growing ‘compact powerhouse’ trend, one thing is clear: size no longer dictates performance. But this shift also invites debate. Are bigger phones becoming obsolete, or will these smaller flagships struggle to deliver sustained performance over time? More importantly, if compact devices can offer flagship-level specs, do consumers still need massive handsets?
What are your thoughts? Would you trade screen size for pocket-friendly design if performance stayed top-tier? Share your thoughts — the conversation around ‘compact flagships’ is only just getting started.