The OnePlus 15 is finally here, powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, bringing desktop-level performance to your smartphone. With a stunning 6.78-inch 165Hz OLED display, the phone offers ultra-smooth visuals perfect for gamers and content lovers alike. A massive 7,300mAh battery with 120W fast charging ensures all-day power and quick top-ups. Running on OxygenOS 16 based on Android 16, the device delivers a clean, fast, and AI-optimized user experience. The triple 50MP camera setup, enhanced with Lumo Imaging technology, promises flagship-grade photography that rivals the best devices of 2025.
The OnePlus 15 is set to launch globally on November 12, 2025, with an India release expected on November 13. Succeeding last year’s OnePlus 13, it delivers upgrades in battery, processing power, display, and camera performance—all while introducing a few questionable changes that may divide longtime fans.
Display: Blazing Fast but Slightly Downgraded
The OnePlus 15’s display is a 6.78-inch 1.5K BOE Flexible Oriental OLED panel that runs at an ultra-smooth 165Hz refresh rate. This third-generation LTPO OLED display promises 13% higher brightness, 11.8% better color accuracy, and 10% lower power consumption compared to the OnePlus 13. It also features minimal bezels (1.15mm) and a TÜV Rheinland-certified 1-nit minimum brightness for comfortable low-light viewing.
However, the resolution downgrade—from QHD+ to 1.5K—may disappoint display enthusiasts. While 165Hz ensures buttery-smooth motion for gamers, the resolution cut means slightly lower pixel density, which could affect sharpness in high-detail media.
Verdict: The display is perfect for gamers and fluid UI lovers, but pixel-purists may spot trade-offs.
Performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Dominance
At its core, the OnePlus 15 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 SoC, a 3nm processor that brings major boosts over its predecessor. The CPU offers 20% faster single-core, 17% faster multi-core, and 23% higher GPU performance, with a 35% improvement in efficiency. AI computation sees a 37% boost, making this chipset ideal for both gaming and computational photography.
Benchmark results show outstanding performance:
- Geekbench 6: ~3,832 (single-core) and ~12,329 (multi-core)
- 3DMark Wild Life Extreme: ~3,143 GPU points
These results put the device close to Apple’s A19 Pro in gaming and rendering power, clearly surpassing Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.youtube
Verdict: Easily among the fastest Android phones in the world right now—especially for gamers.
Battery and Charging: A Massive Leap Forward
OnePlus has gone all-in on battery endurance this year. The 7,300mAh “Glacier Battery” is the largest ever in a OnePlus flagship. It supports 120W Super Flash wired charging and 50W wireless charging, ensuring a full charge in under 25 minutes.
Despite the large capacity, the phone maintains a relatively slim build thanks to optimized cell stacking technology. OnePlus claims a 30% longer battery lifespan and 10% lower heat output compared to last-gen models.
Verdict: Outstanding for binge users and gamers who need power longevity and ultra-fast charging.
Camera System: New Direction Without Hasselblad
The camera setup marks a big shift for OnePlus. It ditches the Hasselblad partnership
Camera configuration:
- 50MP Sony LYT-700 main sensor (IMX900 class)
- 50MP ultrawide Samsung JN5
- 50MP periscope telephoto (3.5x optical zoom)
- 32MP front camera
The OnePlus 15 supports 4K 120fps Dolby Vision recording, AI-assisted HDR optimization, and “Detail Boost” mode for low-light shots.
Early reports suggest sharper mid-tone control, improved edge detail, and vastly reduced noise in night modes. However, losing Hasselblad tuning could make color science feel different—less artistic, more neutral.
Verdict: Great step forward in AI processing, but may lack the ‘cinematic tone’ of previous Hasselblad-tuned cameras.
Software: OxygenOS 16 Brings Polished Android 16
The OnePlus 15 debuts with OxygenOS 16, based on Android 16, combining speed with design minimalism. The update refines animations, introduces a new Always-On Display toolkit, and enhances workspace integration with “Oxygen Sync,” allowing connected transfers with PCs and tablets.
Also Read: OxygenOS 16: What’s New With OnePlus’s Android 16
AI assistant capabilities also improve. The OS now gives users semantic search inside the Gallery, AI batching in file management, and gaming optimizations under the new Funi Gaming Code 2.0—designed to improve frame rate stability in intense titles.
Verdict: OxygenOS 16 feels refined, fluid, and lightweight – one of the cleanest Android experiences available.
Thermal Management: Better Cooling Than Ever
Thermal throttling has long been OnePlus’s weak spot, but the OnePlus 15 seems to fix that. The redesigned vapor chamber cooling system spans 8,000mm², integrated with a graphene composite plate and newly engineered airflow pipelines.
According to early Geekbench stress tests, sustained performance maintains 92–94% of its peak even after 30 minutes of heavy load (like gaming or 4K video export). That’s notably better than Galaxy S24 Ultra and Pixel 9 Pro.
Verdict: Drastically improved heat control—essential for gamers and creators alike.
Design and Build: Premium Yet Familiar
Visually, the OnePlus 15 doesn’t revolutionize its design but subtly improves on ergonomics. The matte-glass back is now paired with a titanium alloy mid-frame, improving durability. The phone will launch in Absolute Black, Misty Purple, and Sand Dune color finishes.
The overall footprint remains similar to OnePlus 13, but the bezels are thinner, and the curved edges are less pronounced. Its symmetrical design language makes it look premium yet understated—closer in vibe to Apple’s iPhone line than to flashy gaming phones.
Verdict: Elegant refinement rather than radical reinvention, with improved durability.
Pricing and Variants
- 12GB RAM + 256GB Storage: ₹69,999 (expected)
- 16GB RAM + 512GB Storage: ₹74,999
- 16GB RAM + 1TB Storage: ₹82,999
Prices are slightly lower than last year’s OnePlus 13 at launch, especially considering the improved battery and SoC. The phone will be sold through OnePlus.in and Amazon India, starting mid-November.
Verdict: Competitive pricing for a feature-stacked flagship.
Why the OnePlus 15 Is Good
- Performance Beast: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 dominates every benchmark.
- Long-Lasting Battery: 7,300mAh is a game-changer for heavy users.
- Superb Display: 165Hz OLED offers unmatched smoothness.
- Fast Charging: Fully recharged in under 25 minutes.
- OxygenOS 16 Stability: Clean, bloat-free environment with smart AI tools.
- Improved Cooling System: Makes sustained gaming practical.
- Better Camera Control: True-to-life output with DetailMax engine.
- Reasonable Pricing: Under ₹75,000 for top-tier performance.
Why the OnePlus 15 Might Be a Miss for Some
- No Hasselblad Cameras: Reduced color tuning sophistication.
- Display Downgrade: 1.5K resolution instead of QHD+.
- Heavy Weight: Larger battery increases overall bulk.
- Neutral Camera Colors: May lack distinct artistic contrast many users loved.
- Limited Optical Zoom: 3.5x is lower than competing flagships offering 5–10x.
- No Major Design Revolution: Feels iterative rather than new.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy the OnePlus 15?
The OnePlus 15 represents OnePlus returning to its “Never Settle” roots. By focusing on core performance, battery innovation, and display smoothness, it confidently competes against Samsung’s Galaxy S25 and Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro. It’s a flagship built for gamers, creators, and power users rather than photographers chasing art-style filters.
While it stumbles slightly in resolution and camera branding, it triumphs everywhere that matters: speed, endurance, and price-value ratio.
In short:
If you crave performance, fast charging, and gaming excellence, the OnePlus 15 is arguably the best flagship Android buy of 2025. But if camera artistry or 4K display sharpness are your priorities, you might find it just shy of perfect.