Every year, the smartphone market becomes a battleground where manufacturers try to outperform themselves with innovation, design, and power. In the middle of that fierce competition, OnePlus launches the OnePlus 15, a model that does not boast grand fireworks, but that goes straight to the heart of the demanding user: balance. Not the most expensive, nor the most revolutionary, but perhaps the most sensible.
This analysis aims to go beyond numbers and technical specs. What does the OnePlus 15 really offer to the everyday user? Is it on par with other premium devices that double its price? Is it, as many say, the best value-for-money smartphone of 2025?
With a refined design, a display that promises an outstanding visual experience and performance that can stand up to the giants of the industry, this model seems to have all the ingredients to stand out. But as with any device, the key is in the details, in how it behaves in daily use, in its strengths... and in its limitations.
Here we tell you everything you need to know before deciding if the OnePlus 15 is your next purchase.
Design that makes a statement: elegance, durability and a new visual language
One of the most surprising aspects of the new OnePlus is its design. It’s not just a simple aesthetic change compared to previous generations: we are looking at an evolution that combines elegance, comfort, and durability with a clearly premium focus. And the best part is that it achieves this without resorting to extremes or compromising usability.
At a glance, the new OnePlus recalls the refined style of the OPPO Find X9 Pro. The similarity is not casual: both brands share DNA, but the OnePlus 15 knows how to mark its own identity. Its slim chassis, with minimal 11.5 mm bezels and aluminum edges, conveys a feeling of lightness while still feeling solid in hand.
The thickness is another of its strengths: at only 8.2 mm in the standard version (and even 8.1 mm in the Sand Storm model), it feels comfortable and modern. This is complemented by a maximum weight of 215 grams, which makes it a device pleasant for long use, ideal for those who consume multimedia content, browse or play for hours. It doesn’t feel bulky or uncomfortable. It adapts.
A radical twist on the back
The real change in personality is on the back. OnePlus abandons the now-classic circular camera module centered (present on the OnePlus 13) and makes way for a new rectangular module with a metallic finish, located in the top-left corner. This new arrangement gives it a sophisticated, more mature air, and at the same time improves ergonomics, as it avoids the phone from wobbling when you place it on a table.
Additionally, the back panel is more visually balanced, with the OnePlus logo now better centered. The finishes also convey a lot of personality: the Ultra Violet model, for example, features a gradient effect that shifts between violet and blue tones depending on the light. It’s a detail that not only catches the eye but offers a dynamic and elegant aesthetic experience thanks to Silicon NanoStack technology, which improves the durability of the finish without compromising design.
And it’s not all about looks. This finish repels fingerprints and dirt, doesn’t slip, and feels comfortable to the touch. It’s a phone designed to be used without a case, something many users will appreciate.
Three finishes, three distinct sensations
The new OnePlus doesn’t settle on a single style, but offers three variants with different textures, materials and experiences.
- Infinite Black: glass back with a matte, sober and elegant finish.
- Ultra Violet: color-degraded glass, bolder and more modern, that leverages the AI Portrait Glow effect to enhance front portraits under any lighting condition.
- Sand Storm: made with a ceramic material called Micro-Arc Oxidation, which provides outstanding resistance: 3.4 times harder than aluminum and 1.3 times more resistant than titanium.
This last version is clearly designed for those looking for a smartphone that withstands the passage of time and heavy use without losing its appearance or structural integrity.
Beauty and durability, at the highest level
Just because the design is attractive doesn’t mean protection was neglected. Quite the opposite. The new OnePlus is presented as one of the most rugged phones on the market, thanks to its IP66, IP68, IP69 and IP69K certifications. In practice, this means the device can withstand immersion up to 2 meters for 30 minutes, as well as high-pressure and high-temperature water jets. A perfect complement for those seeking reliability outdoors or in demanding conditions.
A new button that makes a difference
Another standout addition in the design is the new “Plus Key,” which replaces the classic Alert Slider. This button not only preserves the functions of switching between silent, vibrate or sound, but is now fully customizable. You can configure it to open the camera, turn on the flashlight, record audio or save quick notes, and also directly access AI features like DetailMax Engine or the device’s smart software shortcuts.
This detail underscores something important: the OnePlus 15 hasn’t just been designed to look good, but also to adapt to the user. Its design is not decorative; it’s functional and meant to leverage the full potential of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, its software system and its new AI features that elevate the experience to another level.
A screen that has it all: extreme brightness, total fluency and precise touch
The OnePlus 15’s screen isn’t just a pretty showcase. It is, without exaggeration, one of the most impressive components of the entire device. The brand has strongly bet on improving the visual experience, and the result is a true delight for the eyes, whether you’re a casual user or you spend hours watching content or gaming.
This new model features a 6.78-inch AMOLED ProXDR LTPO panel, with a 1.5K resolution (2772 x 1272 pixels). Image quality is simply outstanding: vibrant colors, excellent sharpness and a contrast that stands out even in dark scenes. The screen also has a dynamic 120 Hz refresh rate, but can reach up to 165 Hz in compatible games, guaranteeing spectacular smoothness that’s noticeable from the first scroll.
A brightness that can outshine the sun
One of the highlights of this panel is its maximum brightness level of 1,800 nits. What does this mean in practice? That you can use the phone effortlessly under direct sunlight, without straining your eyes or desperately seeking shade. Visibility is guaranteed in any environment, whether outdoors or in dim interiors.
And since not everything is visual power, the display is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, a durable glass that gives you more peace of mind against accidental drops or scratches.
Extreme precision at every touch
Another strong point is the touch response, where OnePlus has gone a step further. The OnePlus 15 includes a dedicated chip that enables a touch sampling rate of 3,200 Hz, a very high figure even in the premium segment. This sensitivity translates into pinpoint precision when touching the screen, even with wet fingers, something not all smartphones can guarantee.
The experience is particularly notable in games or tasks that require speed, such as typing or editing photos. The panel responds without lag, with a smoothness that is appreciated with every gesture.
Perfect angles and immersive experience
Thanks to its color calibration and very wide viewing angles, content is enjoyed from any perspective. Moreover, the thin bezels of only 1.15 mm create a more immersive visual feel, ideal for watching videos, series or movies on platforms like YouTube, Netflix or Prime Video.
Under-display security
The biometric system also integrates smartly. Under this panel hides an ultrasonic fingerprint reader, inherited from the OnePlus 13 but fine-tuned for greater precision. During tests, the sensor worked flawlessly, even with a wet screen.
As a complement, the device also includes a 2D face unlock, fast and effective, though with a lower level of security compared to the fingerprint reader.
Power without limits: how the OnePlus 15 performs day to day (and under pressure)
The OnePlus 15 arrives with the clear aim of placing itself among the most powerful phones of the year, and it does so with substantial arguments. Its performance not only shines on paper, but also proves it in real use, where it offers a fast, fluid and uninterrupted experience. It doesn’t matter if you’re browsing, editing photos, gaming or managing multiple tasks at once: this smartphone responds with impeccable agility.
At the heart of the device we find the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, Qualcomm's latest processor, built in a 3-nanometer process by TSMC. This new generation of chips offers a significant leap in energy efficiency and performance. It consists of eight cores: two of them “prime,” capable of reaching up to 4.6 GHz, and six additional high-performance cores that reach up to 3.62 GHz. A true competition engine inside a compact body.
Memory and graphics up to the task
Alongside the powerful processor, the OnePlus 15 comes with two LPDDR5X Ultra RAM configurations: one with 12 GB and another with 16 GB, both paired with UFS 4.1 storage, available in 256 GB or 512 GB. This not only guarantees ultra-fast load speeds but also enables true multitasking without slowdowns or unexpected background app closures.
In the graphics department, the Adreno 840 GPU handles it without issues. Games like Call of Duty: Mobile, Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile run with graphics maxed out, without frame drops or overheating. In most of these titles, it stays around 120 FPS, providing a smooth and competitive visual experience.
Smart cooling for consistent performance
One of the great successes of the OnePlus 15 is its Cryo-Velocity 360 cooling system, which includes a 3D vapor chamber of 5731 mm². Thanks to this system, the device stays surprisingly cool even after long gaming sessions or heavy use. This technology prevents the dreaded thermal throttling, ensuring stable performance over time.
Improved connectivity for the real world
The OnePlus 15 doesn’t forget the details that matter in practice. That’s why it includes a dedicated Wi-Fi connectivity chip, designed to improve coverage in challenging environments, such as large houses or homes with many walls. The result is a more stable connection, with lower latencies and steadier pings, which is key for online gaming or streaming content.
Sound that matches the level
Another strong point is the stereo sound system, consisting of two high-quality speakers. The audio is not only powerful —it can reach 80 or 90% volume without distortion— but also offers good channel separation and surprising clarity. Ideal for listening to music, podcasts or watching videos without needing to connect external speakers in quiet spaces.
OxygenOS 16 Review: an intelligent, smooth experience designed for daily use
The OnePlus 15 not only stands out for its raw power or its impressive display; its true transformation begins when you turn it on and dive into OxygenOS 16, the latest version of OnePlus’s custom layer based on Android 16. This new version represents a significant change both aesthetically and functionally, and brings real improvements that enrich daily use of the device.
The first impression is visual: OxygenOS 16 adopts a much brighter, modern and organized interface. Everything feels clearer and more polished. The notification shade and quick settings have been redesigned with a cleaner approach, and the new app drawer includes interesting features like a lower search bar (more accessible) and two top tabs that allow switching between the classic alphabetical list and a view with apps organized by categories, generated through artificial intelligence.
Fluidity you can feel
Beyond the look, the real magic happens in the system performance. OxygenOS 16 flies. Transitions between apps, multitasking and scrolling feel smoother than ever. Everything responds with immediacy and precision. Additionally, it now includes the "dual app control," which allows opening and using two apps at the same time in split screen, a feature especially useful for those who work from mobile or want to do multiple things at once.
A kind of “Dynamic Island” has also been added to the top of the screen, from where you can control music or podcasts, check headphone status and follow active notifications like sports events.
Total connectivity with your computer
One of the standout features is O+ Connect, a tool that establishes a deep connection between the OnePlus 15 and your PC (Windows or Mac). You can view mobile notifications on your computer, copy and paste between devices, transfer files instantly, control the smartphone remotely and even use it as a mouse. It’s a significant step toward a unified ecosystem experience, which until now had been more reserved for brands like Apple or Samsung.
Plus Mind and the future of AI in your pocket
OxygenOS 16 bets strongly on artificial intelligence with a suite called “Plus Mind,” a personal assistant that is responsible for recognizing on-screen text and transcribing voice notes, storing everything in a central space called Mind Space. This system allows internal searches, creating reminders or tasks from a voice note or a capture, and even requesting Gemini, Google’s AI assistant, to summarize content or help you organize ideas.
All this is controlled with the new "Plus Key," the button that replaces the classic Alert Slider. You can use it to take a quick screenshot or record a voice note that is automatically saved and transcribed within the system.
What’s best? All this data processing is done locally, on the device itself. Nothing is uploaded to the cloud, and OnePlus does not access your personal information, which reinforces user privacy and trust.
Useful tools for daily life
OxygenOS 16 doesn’t stop there. It also includes useful features like an AI writer to help you craft social media posts, an improved photo editor that lets you erase objects or adjust blur, a tool to summarize web pages and a smart recorder that automatically transcribes and summarizes audio, identifying different voices if necessary.
Guaranteed updates
Regarding long-term support, OnePlus has confirmed that the OnePlus 15 will receive four years of operating system updates and six years of security patches, placing it among the best-maintained Android devices on the market.
Battery for all-day (and more): endurance and charging of the OnePlus 15
Battery life is one of those factors that often decides a smartphone purchase, especially for high-end devices. In this area, the OnePlus 15 clearly differentiates itself from the competition. Equipped with a huge 7,300 mAh battery, this handset not only withstands demanding days… it comfortably exceeds them.
To put it in perspective, it’s the second-largest battery we’ve seen in a modern flagship, only behind the OPPO Find X9 Pro. But the interesting part isn’t just the number, but what it achieves with that capacity.
Two days of use, without breaking a sweat
Under moderate use —social media checks, web browsing, email, some music and screen-on for about 5 hours— the OnePlus 15 has managed two full days of autonomy with the Always On Display active. And that without needing to resort to aggressive power-saving modes.
When we move to more demanding use, the results are just as impressive. In a busy day with long YouTube sessions and matches of Call of Duty: Mobile, the device finished the day with 33% battery remaining and more than 8 hours of screen-on time. In another test, after almost 9 hours and a half of screen time with heavy apps like Waze, Instagram, Genshin Impact and PUBG Mobile, there was still 43% battery. This cycle ended the next morning, with nearly 11 hours of accumulated active screen time and still 17% available.
Fast charging that doesn’t keep you waiting
A big battery needs a big charging solution, and OnePlus knows it. Therefore, the OnePlus 15 includes 120 W wired charging, which allows battery replenishment in under 40 minutes. Even using a 67 W charger (as we did in our tests), the phone fully charges in under an hour, which is still remarkable.
Additionally, the device isn’t short on wireless options: it offers 50 W fast wireless charging and wireless reverse charging, ideal for recharging accessories like earbuds or even another compatible phone if needed.
A versatile camera system: evolution without Hasselblad, results that convince
The photography section of the OnePlus 15 arrives with interesting novelties. Although the Hasselblad collaboration is no longer part of the project, the brand has compensated for that absence with a smart combination of Sony, Omnivision and Samsung sensors. The proposition is ambitious: three rear cameras of 50 megapixels each and a 32-megapixel front sensor that surprises more than you’d expect.
The main camera uses a 50 MP Sony IMX906, with optical stabilization, laser autofocus and a f/1.8 aperture that captures a good amount of light. In our tests, this sensor delivered clean images, with realistic colors and an excellent level of detail. By day, results are practically flawless; at night, it holds up with dignity, though not reaching the levels of pricier models from brands like Samsung or Google. Still, auto exposure behaves well and avoids artificially lit scenes.
Ultra-wide: versatility with very good quality
The second camera is an Omnivision OV50D ultra-wide, also 50 megapixels and with autofocus. Its performance stands out for a wide dynamic range and colorimetry coherent with the main camera. The surprise comes with the macro mode, which uses this same sensor to obtain very close images with great sharpness and contrast. For small objects or textures, the results are impressive.
Telephoto: competent, but with room for improvement
The telephoto is powered by a Samsung S5KJN5, a 50 MP periscope sensor that offers an optical zoom of 3.5x and a “Quality Zoom” of 7x. On paper it sounds very powerful, but in practice it’s the camera that convinces the least. Its tendency to saturate colors reduces the natural look of some shots, especially outdoors with a lot of light.
In challenging conditions, such as sunset or night, noise and loss of detail appear, which are attempted to be corrected with somewhat aggressive digital sharpening. It isn’t a bad telephoto, and the 7x zoom is useful, but it still trails behind the best in the field.
32 MP selfie: a pleasant surprise
The front camera, based on a 32 MP Sony IMX709 sensor, certainly deserves applause. It delivers sharp selfies, with very natural skin tone reproduction both in daylight and with artificial light. The level of detail is high and the processing avoids artificial smoothing, something many will appreciate.
AI at the service of photography
The OnePlus 15 integrates a computational processing system called Detail Max Engine, which works continuously to improve sharpness, dynamic range and color accuracy. In challenging scenes —backlighting, interiors with strong shadows— this technology makes a noticeable difference, delivering much more balanced results.
Video: power and creative control
In video, the device shines even more. It’s capable of recording in 8K at 30 fps and in 4K at 120 fps, with support for Dolby Vision HDR. One of the most striking features is Real-Time Tone Mapping, which adjusts exposure and color in real time, treating subject and background separately to achieve more natural skin tones under any light.
The camera app also offers tools designed for creators:
• Live LUT Preview, which shows in real time the final aesthetic of the video.
• Portrait mode with continuous optical zoom (1x to 3.5x), which allows smooth transitions between focal lengths, like in a professional camera.
• Underwater mode, which enables capturing photos and video underwater using the physical buttons as shutter.