diff --git a/src/helpers/ota/OtaStoreQspiNrf52.cpp b/src/helpers/ota/OtaStoreQspiNrf52.cpp
index 20c2208b..83278dcc 100644
--- a/src/helpers/ota/OtaStoreQspiNrf52.cpp
+++ b/src/helpers/ota/OtaStoreQspiNrf52.cpp
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ bool OtaStoreQspiNrf52::ensureFlash() {
     return false;
   }
   _qspi_awake = true;
-  delayMicroseconds(50);
+  delayMicroseconds(MOTA_QSPI_DPD_WAKE_GUARD_US);
   alignas(4) uint8_t jedec[4] = { 0, 0, 0, 0 };
   if (!customInstruction(0x9F, NRF_QSPI_CINSTR_LEN_4B, jedec) || jedec[0] == 0 || jedec[0] == 0xFF ||
       jedec[2] < 20 || jedec[2] > 24) {
@@ -306,7 +306,10 @@ void OtaStoreQspiNrf52::releaseFlash() {
     // releasing the nRF QSPI peripheral instead of leaving both active for
     // the rest of the boot. ensureFlash() issues 0xAB on the next operation.
     (void)customInstruction(0xB9, NRF_QSPI_CINSTR_LEN_1B);
-    delayMicroseconds(5);
+    // Do not deactivate or let a following ensureFlash() assert CS until the
+    // flash has both entered and remained in DPD for its required interval.
+    // plan_layout() is intentionally followed immediately by begin().
+    delayMicroseconds(MOTA_QSPI_DPD_ENTRY_GUARD_US);
   }
   // Match nrfx_qspi_uninit(): DEACTIVATE does not require a READY wait before
   // disabling the peripheral. Trigger it after every successful ENABLE, even
diff --git a/src/helpers/ota/OtaStoreQspiNrf52.h b/src/helpers/ota/OtaStoreQspiNrf52.h
index cbe11a3d..2b1d8487 100644
--- a/src/helpers/ota/OtaStoreQspiNrf52.h
+++ b/src/helpers/ota/OtaStoreQspiNrf52.h
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 #pragma once
 
+#include <stdint.h>
+
 #if defined(OTA_QSPI_STORE) && defined(QSPIFLASH)
 #error "OTA_QSPI_STORE raw staging cannot share a QSPI chip with QSPIFLASH"
 #endif
@@ -16,6 +18,21 @@
 #error "RAK3401's RAK13302 radio already owns the WisBlock SPI bus/chip-select"
 #endif
 
+namespace mesh {
+namespace ota {
+
+// A status/capacity probe can be followed immediately by begin(). Supported
+// NOR parts need time both to enter deep power-down after B9 and to remain
+// there before CS may be asserted again. MX25R1635F needs 10 us + 30 us;
+// retain margin for scheduling granularity and other matched flashes.
+static const uint32_t MOTA_QSPI_DPD_ENTRY_GUARD_US = 50u;
+
+// Release-from-deep-power-down latency is as high as 45 us on supported NOR.
+static const uint32_t MOTA_QSPI_DPD_WAKE_GUARD_US = 50u;
+
+} // namespace ota
+} // namespace mesh
+
 #if defined(NRF52_PLATFORM) && defined(OTA_QSPI_STORE)
 
 #include "OtaStore.h"
diff --git a/test/test_ota/test_ota_flashplan.cpp b/test/test_ota/test_ota_flashplan.cpp
index bdc66b43..e944f42a 100644
--- a/test/test_ota/test_ota_flashplan.cpp
+++ b/test/test_ota/test_ota_flashplan.cpp
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 #include <cstring>
 
 #include "helpers/ota/OtaFlashLayout_nrf52.h"
+#include "helpers/ota/OtaStoreQspiNrf52.h"
 #include "helpers/ota/OtaSdHandoff.h"
 
 using namespace mesh::ota;
@@ -25,6 +26,15 @@ static constexpr uint32_t CAP_V7 = LEGACY - APP_END_V7;
 static constexpr uint32_t CAP_V6_EXPANDED = EXPANDED - APP_END_V6;
 static constexpr uint32_t CAP_V7_EXPANDED = EXPANDED - APP_END_V7;
 
+TEST(OtaQspiTiming, PreservesDeepPowerDownEntryAndWakeGuards) {
+  // MX25R1635F requires 10 us to enter DPD plus 30 us before another command;
+  // its release latency can reach 45 us. These constants are consumed by the
+  // real HAL path, so a future power-saving edit cannot restore the live
+  // plan_layout()->begin() race without failing the native suite.
+  EXPECT_GE(MOTA_QSPI_DPD_ENTRY_GUARD_US, 50u);
+  EXPECT_GE(MOTA_QSPI_DPD_WAKE_GUARD_US, 45u);
+}
+
 TEST(OtaFlashPlan, SelectsCeilingFromLinkedLayoutAndStorage) {
   // Actual internal secondary storage is authoritative regardless of linker selection.
   EXPECT_EQ(mota_nrf52_stage_ceiling_for_layout(EXPANDED, true), LEGACY);