OnePlus kicked off October with a bang, launching the OnePlus 15 exclusively in China on September 30, 2025, mere days ahead of its wide release on October 27. Priced starting at around ¥5,999 (~$840), this flagship skips the “14” moniker entirely (a nod to aligning with Snapdragon’s “Elite” branding and avoiding superstition), positioning it as a direct iPhone 17 rival with bolder specs and a revamped look. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the 15 promises AI smarts, endurance supremacy, and camera reinvention, albeit without Hasselblad. But the real chatter? A major design pivot that axes the beloved alert slider for an iPhone-esque Action Button. Global rollout hits January 2026, but here’s the full scoop on features, upgrades from the OnePlus 13, and that polarizing redesign.
Key Features: AI, Endurance, and Imaging Overhaul
The OnePlus 15 is a spec-sheet slayer, blending brute force with everyday polish. At its core is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, delivering 30% CPU and 40% GPU leaps for seamless multitasking and gaming. Paired with up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB UFS 4.1 storage, it runs OxygenOS 15 (Android 16-based) with four years of OS updates and six years of security patches—locking in longevity.
The 6.78-inch BOE X3 LTPO AMOLED display shines at 1.5K resolution (2780×1264), with a variable 1-165Hz refresh rate for buttery scrolling and power savings. Peak brightness hits 4,500 nits globally (1,800 nits HBM), supporting HDR10+ and protected by Crystal Shield glass. It’s flat-edge for immersion, ditching micro-curves.
Battery life? A monstrous 7,300mAh silicon-carbon pack crushes all-day (and then some) usage, with 120W SUPERVOOC wired charging (full in 25 minutes) and 50W AIRVOOC wireless. IP69 rating shrugs off dust and high-pressure jets, while an ultrasonic under-screen fingerprint adds security flair. NFC, IR blaster (debated), and stereo speakers round out the package.
Cameras get a fresh lease via OnePlus’ in-house DetailMax Engine (Lumo in China), ending the Hasselblad era for raw, unfiltered prowess. The triple setup: 50MP LYT-808 main (23mm equiv., f/1.6, OIS) for vibrant daylight and low-light magic; 50MP 3.5x telephoto (80mm, f/2.8, OIS) for zoomed portraits; 50MP ultrawide (15mm, f/2.0) for expansive vistas. Front: 32MP for crisp selfies. Video? 8K/30fps with gimbal stabilization. AI perks like Detail Boost, Unblur, and Reflection Eraser elevate editing.
Upgrades from the OnePlus 13: Bigger, Brighter, Bolder
The OnePlus 13 (launched October 2024) set a high bar with its 6,000mAh battery and Hasselblad cams, but the 15 iterates aggressively. Processor jumps to the Elite Gen 5 for cooler, faster operation—up to 20% better efficiency in benchmarks. Display refresh soars to 165Hz (from 120Hz), slashing motion blur in games like Genshin Impact, while brightness doubles for outdoor usability.
Battery swells 22% to 7,300mAh, extending runtime by 15-20% in tests, without bloating the 8.5mm profile. Cameras ditch recycled 50MP sensors for upgraded LYT-808 and tele modules, boosting dynamic range and zoom clarity—early leaks show 25% less noise in low light. Software gains Android 16 out the gate (13 launched on 15) and expanded AI toolkit for productivity. Durability amps to IP69 (from IP68/69 hybrid), and storage hits UFS 4.1 speeds.
| Feature | OnePlus 15 | OnePlus 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon 8 Elite (Gen 1) |
| Display | 6.78″ LTPO AMOLED, 1.5K, 1-165Hz, 4,500 nits | 6.82″ LTPO AMOLED, 2K, 1-120Hz, 4,500 nits |
| Battery/Charging | 7,300mAh, 120W wired, 50W wireless | 6,000mAh, 100W wired, 50W wireless |
| Cameras (Rear) | 50MP main (LYT-808, f/1.6 OIS), 50MP 3.5x tele (f/2.8 OIS), 50MP UW (f/2.0); DetailMax Engine | 50MP main (f/1.6 OIS), 50MP 3x tele (f/2.6 OIS), 50MP UW (f/2.0); Hasselblad |
| RAM/Storage Max | 16GB / 1TB (UFS 4.1) | 24GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0) |
| Software | OxygenOS 15 (Android 16), 4+6 yrs | OxygenOS 15 (Android 15), 4+5 yrs |
| Durability | IP69 | IP68/IP69 |
| Starting Price (China) | ¥5,999 (~$840) | ¥4,999 (~$700) |
The Major Design Change: Sand Storm Swagger and Alert Slider’s Swan Song
OnePlus 15’s aesthetic evolution is its boldest yet: a boxier, iPhone-inspired frame with flat sides and a fully flat display (goodbye, 2.5D edges on the 13 for reduced glare). The camera bump morphs into a rounded-corner rectangle in the top-left—sleeker than the 13’s circular island, housing the triple lenses flush. Colors pop with Sand Storm (a sandy beige special edition), SuperBlack, Purple, and Titanium; the Sand Storm uses micro-arc oxidation (MAO) on the aluminum frame for 3.4x hardness over standard alloy and 1.3x over titanium, paired with lightweight fiberglass rear for resilience without bulk (199g total).
But the elephant: the alert slider’s gone, swapped for a customizable Action Button on the left side—programmable for shortcuts like camera launch or voice notes, à la iPhone 16. Fans decry it as a betrayal of OnePlus DNA, but execs tout versatility. At 8.5mm thick, it’s premium without heft, with vegan leather options for grip.
Verdict: Evolutionary Powerhouse or Slider Sacrifice?
The OnePlus 15 elevates the 13’s formula with stamina and speed that outpace rivals like the Xiaomi 17, all at a competitive clip. Camera tweaks and 165Hz fluidity scream upgrade, but ditching the slider stings for purists; worth the trade for AI depth? In China’s cutthroat market, it launches strong with 100W bundles. Global eyes await January; if battery trumps tradition, snag it. Slider loyalists? Hold for the 13’s discounts. Thoughts on the redesign? Spill below!
More 2025 flagships? Dive into our Xiaomi 17 review.
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