The OnePlus 15 has jumped a major step closer to US availability, as fresh Federal Communications Commission clearance suggests the flagship could finally be on course to launch stateside. The listing — based on a filing spotted in the FCC database and flagged by users in the Android-focused government filings community — effectively removes a regulatory hurdle that earlier had put a hold on sales during a moratorium. “We were just sick,” said John Mehall, an Elevation spokesman, of not being able to sell devices after filing certification papers late in 2018 with the FCC because of a backlog caused by US government shutdown-related furloughs.
Why FCC Certification Matters for US Phone Sales
FCC certification is a requirement for any device that emits radio frequencies in the US. It ensures that cellular, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC radios comply with strict emissions and safety requirements. Retailers and carriers aren’t allowed to stock or activate the phone without that certificate.
OnePlus had previously linked the US delay to the backlog of federal processing. Now that the certificate is issued, the compliance box is checked and commercial plans can continue on their way. (That’s no promise for an on-sale date, but it is the removal of the largest formal barrier to launch.)
What the FCC Filing Reveals About the OnePlus 15
The FCC listing is for a OnePlus phone carrying the model number CPH2749, which watchers of the industry generally believe to be a variant of the OnePlus 15. This type of documentation from a typical vendor will address RF exposure (SAR), power output, and band testing on LTE and 5G along with Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth stacks validated by accredited labs. The filing is not a full spec sheet, but its existence means the hardware for the US market has received regulatory approval.
Consumers in real-world usage can anticipate the US model to support the most pervasively utilized mid-band 5G among major carriers, with nationwide low-band layers as well as standard LTE fallbacks. Carrier feature support in the end — things like VoLTE profiles, Wi‑Fi Calling, 5G SA, and eSIM — tend to crop up in carrier certification notes and device whitelists that come after or run alongside the FCC stage.
Carrier Readiness and US Market Dynamics for Launch
FCC approval is a must-have, but not a silver bullet for broad compatibility. Carriers such as Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile often perform their own network acceptance testing before they give a thumbs-up for sales or to activate full feature sets on their networks. OnePlus has typically split unlocked sales between its own store and big-box retailers with selective carrier partnerships, particularly T-Mobile in recent cycles.
Also important: timing for market dynamics. Apple and Samsung together own roughly 80% of US smartphone sales, while a few companies are scratching out some other share by competing on hooks like “performance value,” battery life, and fast charging — areas OnePlus has always managed to set itself apart in. Rapidly moving from FCC clearance to retail sales would also let the OnePlus 15 capitalize on pent-up demand from enthusiasts who’ve been holding off on making any purchases.
A Companion OnePlus 15R Model Is Entering the Market
As well as the flagship, OnePlus has also confirmed a launch for the OnePlus 15R in the US and other locations. The 15R, the company says, will launch with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 (non‑Elite) SoC and have the same durability ratings as the premium model — IP68, IP69, and IP69K — which seems to point to an emphasis on power and ruggedness. The more than likely assumption is that the 15R will follow in the footsteps of a regional spinoff already on shelves and effectively indicate PTT backing down, but not too much.
What to Watch Next Before the OnePlus 15 US Launch
With the FCC green light in hand, the next signals to monitor are an official US on-sale date, carrier certification approvals, and pricing details.
OnePlus has been directing interested potential buyers to register their interest, a common play when a device is approved but not shipping. If history is any indication, follow-up announcements from the brand and carrier compatibility pages will be coming shortly to flesh out availability and trade-in offers — not to mention how 5G will work on your network.
Bottom line: The gate is open on the regulatory front. Now it’s all about execution — carrier partnerships, retail timing, and whether OnePlus can turn enthusiast excitement into market share in a fiercely consolidated US.