Flagship season arrives with the same frantic energy as a festive rush. Everyone showcases bright displays and bold promises, yet only a select few truly stand out. This time, OnePlus makes the first move with the OnePlus 15, a device aiming to redefine its status in the premium smartphone market. After living with it for three weeks, it is evident that this is a significant upgrade. It is bold, assured, and at times, polarising.
OnePlus has consistently regarded its number series as the ultimate guidebook on the essence of a flagship device. The OnePlus 15 upholds that tradition, albeit with some significant changes in long-standing collaborations. The era of Hasselblad is officially concluded, making way for the in-house DetailMax Engine, which heavily focuses on computational photography. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 arrives with the confidence reminiscent of a tech enthusiast eager for recognition. Coupled with a 165Hz display and an increased emphasis on gaming, the goals of this device are unmistakably clear. This smartphone is designed for speed.
However, specifications represent only part of the narrative. The true essence lies in the details, which unfold with extended use. After two weeks of solid use, the complete picture emerges.
Highlights
Design and Build
The OnePlus 15 introduces a noticeable shift in design. The circular camera module of the OnePlus 11 is now replaced with a more rectangular configuration that will feel familiar to anyone who has seen the Oppo Find X9 or the OnePlus 13s. It is evident that OnePlus is venturing into a new visual direction, particularly now that Hasselblad is no longer part of the equation.
This time around, the company has moved away from curves, opting instead for a flatter, more conventional silhouette. Surprisingly, it still feels comfortable in the hand. While it may lose some distinctiveness, it compensates with practical handling.
The Infinite Black review unit deserves particular commendation. The matte finish resists fingerprints, although occasional white streaks from fingernails may appear. These can be easily wiped away. The remaining hardware remains consistent with expectations. The Plus Key returns, ports are in anticipated locations, and the inclusion of a USB-C 3.2 port is a commendable addition for a device in this price bracket.
The IP rating has seen substantial improvement. The phone boasts certifications of IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K. It can withstand dust, immersion, high-pressure water, and even industrial water jets. This alone underscores its robustness.
Display
The screen of the OnePlus 15 stands out as a highlight. It features a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2772×1272, which OnePlus refers to as 1.5K. Technically, this is a downgrade from the 2K display present on the OnePlus 13. However, the company claims that 2K and 165Hz are currently incompatible due to power limitations.
Yet, the 165Hz refresh rate comes with a considerable caveat. The majority of the system continues to operate between 60Hz and 120Hz. Support for applications is limited, as only the home screen, menus, and a select few games can actually utilise 165Hz. Most of the time, that figure serves as little more than a marketing gimmick.
The touch response tells a different story. With a sampling rate of 3200Hz, improvements become evident when gaming. The display feels rapid, sharp, and fluid.
Support for HDR10+ and Dolby Vision is available immediately upon powering on the device. Content from Netflix appears excellent, particularly in darker scenes that highlight the strengths of AMOLED. The panel achieves peak brightness of around 1185 nits during HDR playback, which holds up well even under bright sunlight.
Performance and Software
Here is where the OnePlus 15 truly excels. It is the first device in India equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and performance benchmarks validate this leap. Both RAM configurations utilise LPDDR5X, with the 16GB option featuring the Ultra grade. Storage for both models is set at UFS 4.1.
The overarching industry context is relevant here. Increasing memory costs due to surging AI data centre demands partially account for the price increase of the OnePlus 15.
During testing, the device scored 3.7 million on AnTuTu and surpassed 11,000 in Geekbench’s multi-core tests. These figures are impressive and indicate a clear generational advancement.
In practical usage, however, the distinctions are subtle. The device is rapid, but many contemporary flagships share that trait. Browsing, switching between applications, and managing background tasks occur almost instantaneously. Video editing is notably swift, with a 1-minute 4K clip exported in less than a minute using the Edits app.
OxygenOS 16, based on Android 16, maintains a lightweight, streamlined, and responsive interface. OnePlus is offering four OS updates and six years of security patches. This is commendable, though competitors like Samsung and Google still hold the edge in this area.
Gaming
Gaming takes centre stage with the OnePlus 15, consistently outperforming competitors during extended sessions.
In BGMI, the device runs at 120FPS in both Smooth and Ultra Extreme modes, maintaining an impressive 118FPS even during intense combat. Other flagship models tend to experience noticeable performance drops under similar conditions.
Call of Duty: Mobile supports 165FPS, but currently, this applies exclusively to Team Deathmatch. Battle Royale remains capped at 120FPS. When 165FPS becomes available, the phone impresses with its smoothness, and the high sampling rate is obvious.
Genshin Impact remains limited to 60FPS, as usual. OnePlus asserts that frame interpolation can elevate this to 120FPS, although this feature was unavailable during testing.
Cameras
The camera system reveals the most significant compromises. The departure from Hasselblad is less critical than the actual hardware downgrade. The OnePlus 13 featured superior sensors, resulting in noticeable deficiencies in low-light performance on the 15.
The rear camera setup consists of:
- 50MP Sony IMX906 primary
- 50MP ultra-wide (OmniVision 50D)
- 50MP telephoto with Samsung JN5 sensor and 3.5x optical zoom
The 32MP Sony IMX709 governs selfies.
Under daylight conditions, the OnePlus 15 performs admirably. Colours appear vibrant, dynamic range is well-managed, and details hold up remarkably upon close inspection. During tests in Gardens by the Bay in Singapore, the camera maintained consistency even in scenes blending bright exteriors with shaded interiors.
Low light, however, presents challenges. The smaller sensors quickly introduce noise, and the DetailMax Engine cannot fully compensate for the hardware’s constraints.
The telephoto lens excels at 3.5x. Portraits appear natural, and edge separation remains consistent. Zooming beyond this quickly relies on AI, delivering acceptable results primarily for buildings and distant subjects.
The phone excels in video performance, offering 4K 120fps recording with Dolby Vision support and LOG capture for creators wishing to colour grade. It even offers real-time LUT previews in the viewfinder, a rare and welcome feature.
Battery and Charging
The 7,300mAh silicon carbide battery stands out as the most impressive aspect of the OnePlus 15. It shows exceptional endurance. Even with heavy usage that includes Maps, WhatsApp, social media, and continuous notifications, the phone consistently lasts a day and a half.
During a two-hour gaming and benchmarking session, the battery level fell to just 65 percent, which is remarkable.
Wired charging is extraordinarily quick. The 120W charger fully charges the device in approximately 35 minutes. Wireless charging peaks at 50W via AirVOOC; however, a magnetic case is required since the phone lacks built-in magnets.
Price and Availability
The OnePlus 15 is available on Amazon India in two configurations. An HDFC Bank promotion offers a discount of Rs 4,000, and early purchasers will receive the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 as a complimentary gift. Additionally, there is a 180-day replacement assurance and a lifetime display warranty to address any potential green-line issues.
Variants and Prices:
- 12GB + 256GB: Rs 72,999
- 16GB + 512GB: Rs 79,999