OnePlus 15 Review: The New King of Flagships Arrives in India

The OnePlus 15 has arrived, and it’s clear that OnePlus is done playing catch-up. This is a phone built to impress — big display, bold design, and battery life that goes the distance. Launched in China on 27 October 2025, and arriving in India on 13 November 2025, the device carries the flagship DNA but with a few surprising twists that make it one of the most talked-about phones of the year.

Design & Build Quality: OnePlus has refined its design language with a perfect balance of premium aesthetics and futuristic minimalism. The ‘Sand Storm’ finish is one of its most striking features — matte, elegant, and less prone to fingerprints. The frame uses micro-space grade nano-ceramic metal, which feels incredibly solid but adds a little weight — around 211 grams. The square-shaped camera island blends well into the rear glass, giving it a distinct, confident look. It’s available in multiple shades like Sand Storm Gold, Misty Purple, and Absolute Black.

There’s an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection on the front, making it durable enough for everyday knocks. The alert slider is still here — a small but beloved OnePlus signature.

Display: The OnePlus 15 boasts a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED panel with 1.5K resolution (1272 × 2772 pixels) and a blazing 165Hz adaptive refresh rate. The display dynamically shifts between 1Hz and 165Hz depending on what you’re doing, balancing smoothness with power efficiency. Peak brightness hits 2,800 nits, making it visible even under harsh sunlight. HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support ensure vivid colors and deep contrast.

Whether you’re gaming, watching OTT content, or just scrolling social media, the display feels ultra-smooth and punchy. The tactile response and color accuracy are top-notch — it’s easily among the best panels in this price range.

Performance & Software: At its core, the phone runs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset built on the 3nm process, paired with up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB UFS 4.0 storage. In plain terms, it’s an absolute powerhouse. Day-to-day usage is effortless — apps open instantly, multitasking feels fluid, and high-end games like BGMI, Genshin Impact, and Call of Duty Mobile run at max settings without frame drops.

Thermals are well managed thanks to the new CryoVapor cooling system, which uses an enlarged vapor chamber. Even during long gaming sessions, the phone stays comfortable to hold. On the software front, it runs OxygenOS 16 based on Android 16, offering a clean, near-stock Android experience with subtle customization and zero bloatware. OnePlus promises four major OS updates and five years of security patches, which adds to its long-term value.

Cameras: The camera setup has evolved significantly. OnePlus has ditched the Hasselblad branding but retained pro-grade optics and added a new image processing engine called DetailMax AI. The triple-camera system includes:

• 50MP Sony LYT-808 primary sensor (OIS)
• 50MP ultra-wide sensor (150° FOV)
• 50MP telephoto lens with 3.5x optical zoom

Daytime shots are crisp with natural colors, not oversaturated like some rivals. Dynamic range has improved noticeably, and portrait shots have DSLR-like background separation. The ultra-wide maintains sharpness across the frame, and the telephoto produces detailed zoom shots even in low light. The 32MP front camera handles selfies well with balanced tones and skin texture.

Video recording supports 8K at 30fps and 4K at 120fps, complete with AI stabilization, HDR video, and cinematic filters. Low-light video is cleaner and less noisy than before.

Battery & Charging: The 7,300mAh battery is a standout — one of the largest ever seen in a flagship phone. It supports 120W SuperVOOC wired charging and 50W wireless charging. A full charge from 0 to 100% takes roughly 28 minutes with the included charger. Moderate users can easily stretch it to two days per charge. Power efficiency is improved with adaptive refresh and the 3nm chipset.

Connectivity & Features: You get dual 5G SIM support, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, and an in-display fingerprint sensor. The haptic feedback is tight and satisfying, especially while typing. OnePlus has also added an AI-driven performance optimization mode that dynamically allocates resources for better multitasking.

Performance Summary: In benchmarks, the OnePlus 15 scores over 2.1 million on AnTuTu — edging past most Android competitors. Gaming frame rates stay locked, apps load instantly, and heat management is top-tier. This is arguably the most powerful phone OnePlus has ever built.

Price & Availability: In China, the base model starts at CNY 3,999 (around ₹47,749), while the Indian pricing is expected to start under ₹70,000 for the 12GB/256GB variant. Higher configurations with 1TB storage will likely cross ₹80,000.

Verdict: The OnePlus 15 is a flagship in every sense — refined, powerful, and built to last. It’s not chasing trends; it’s mastering them. The combination of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, 165Hz AMOLED, triple 50MP cameras, and massive 7,300mAh battery makes it a complete package for both tech enthusiasts and professionals. However, it’s heavier and pricier than before, so this isn’t a phone for minimalists. But if you want everything — speed, camera, battery, and design — the OnePlus 15 is hard to beat.

Final Verdict: OnePlus has grown up. The 15 is not just fast; it’s refined. It feels like the most confident OnePlus yet — the perfect blend of muscle and maturity.