January brings smartphone deals including the new OnePlus 15R with 7,400mAh battery and IP68 rating, while Samsung cuts prices on S25 Edge ($300 off) and S25 FE ($200 off) amid competitive mid-range options.
January typically sees discounts on older smartphone models, but this week brings notable additions to the market. The OnePlus 15R appears as "coming soon" on Amazon with imminent availability expected. Positioned as a battery powerhouse, it features a 7,400mAh capacity – significantly larger than the 6,000mAh in 2024's OnePlus 13R. The device also upgrades to IP68/IP69K water resistance (from IP65) and moves to Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor, replacing the two-generation-old Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
Trade-offs accompany these improvements: The telephoto camera disappears while retaining the same 50MP main sensor (1/1.56" with OIS) and 8MP ultra-wide camera. The 6.83-inch display increases refresh rate to 165Hz but loses LTPO technology for dynamic refresh adjustment. Priced at $700 with a $100 Amazon gift card included, it presents a value proposition for battery-focused users. Pre-orders begin January 31.
Comparing the OnePlus lineup
At $900 (also with $100 gift card), the flagship OnePlus 15 offers meaningful upgrades over the 15R: An LTPO display, higher-performance Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, 50MP 3.5x periscope telephoto camera, and dual-mode charging (80W wired/50W wireless) with a slightly smaller 7,300mAh battery. The $200 premium over the 15R brings substantial feature improvements for power users.
Samsung's discounted flagships
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge sees a $300 discount ($800 for 12GB/256GB) despite its commercial challenges. Its strengths include a superior 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display with higher pixel density than OnePlus models and Qualcomm's previous-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset that outperforms the standard Snapdragon 8 Gen 5. The 200MP main camera enables in-sensor zoom capabilities. However, its Achilles' heel remains the 3,900mAh battery, delivering just 12 hours of active use versus 23+ hours on the OnePlus 15.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy S25 FE drops $200 to $400 (8GB/128GB). This model features Samsung's Exynos 2400 processor, 8MP 3x telephoto camera, IP68 rating, and 4,900mAh battery with 45W wired/15W wireless charging. Potential buyers should note the lack of microSD expansion, making the 256GB variant ($510) worth considering.
Mid-range competition
At $400, the Google Pixel 9a competes directly with Samsung's S25 FE and Galaxy A56. Its Tensor G4 chip outperforms the Exynos 1580 in Samsung's A56, while offering wireless charging (albeit at 7.5W) and compact 6.3-inch form factor. Battery endurance is comparable to the A56 at approximately 12.5 hours.
New entrant Motorola Moto G Power (2026) enters at $300 without discounts. It stands out with expandable storage, IP68/IP69 rating, MIL-STD-810H durability, and 5,200mAh battery supporting 30W wired/15W wireless charging. The Samsung Galaxy A17 represents the budget tier at $170 ($30 off) with basic specifications including IP54 rating and 5,000mAh battery.
Value considerations
- Battery-focused users: OnePlus 15R (7,400mAh) or Moto G Power (5,200mAh)
- Camera enthusiasts: OnePlus 15 (telephoto) or S25 FE (telephoto)
- Display quality: S25 Edge (premium LTPO OLED)
- Budget performance: Pixel 9a ($400) or Galaxy A17 ($170)
These deals reflect manufacturers clearing inventory before upcoming launches, creating opportunities for buyers prioritizing specific features over having the absolute latest hardware.
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