Introduction: A flagship that aims to redefine how we power and perform
OnePlus has pulled back the curtain on the OnePlus 15 at its October 2025 launch event in China, delivering a smartphone that blends a bold new design with unprecedented battery life and cutting-edge performance. After months of leaks, the OnePlus 15 arrives with substantial upgrades across the board, signaling the company’s intent to set a new benchmark for Android flagships in the year ahead.
Design and display: A refreshed silhouette with premium touches
The OnePlus 15 adopts a redesigned aesthetic, featuring a square-shaped triple-camera module that marks a departure from the circular module seen on its predecessor. The device sports a sleek and compact profile that remains comfortable to hold while projecting a premium, modern look. A 6.78-inch OLED display dominates the front, delivering a blistering 165Hz refresh rate for ultra-smooth scrolling and gaming animation. OnePlus explains that the 165Hz panel is paired with a 1.5K resolution to balance performance, power efficiency, and cost considerations, noting that a QHD+ panel at 165Hz isn’t technically viable yet. An impressive 1 nit minimum brightness also helps reduce eye strain in dark environments.
Performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 fuels the flagship
Under the hood, the OnePlus 15 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a processor that promises meaningful gains in both CPU and GPU performance. Paired with up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of internal storage, the phone is designed for heavy multitasking, demanding games, and future-proof app experiences. Software experiences are split by market: OxygenOS globally and ColorOS in China, with OnePlus emphasizing AI-driven optimizations and snappy app responses across configurations.
Battery and charging: The largest flagship battery from OnePlus yet
Arguably the standout feature is the colossal 7,300mAh battery, described as the largest ever fitted to a OnePlus flagship. The charging regime is equally bold, with 120W Super Flash Charge and 50W Wireless Flash Charge support. In practice, that combination aims to deliver rapid top-ups that minimize downtime. OnePlus has not confirmed whether global variants will retain the maximum 7,300mAh capacity, as regulatory and regional guidelines can lead to market-specific configurations. Still, the emphasis on battery life signals a shift toward endurance alongside power and speed.
Camera system: A focused, capable triple-camera setup
Photography remains a key pillar for OnePlus, and the OnePlus 15 continues the brand’s imaging-first approach. The device features a triple 50-megapixel rear camera array, including a primary sensor, an ultra-wide lens, and a 3.5x optical zoom telephoto. While the company has not adopted Hasselblad branding for this generation, it highlights in-house imaging algorithms designed to deliver accurate color reproduction and improved low-light performance. Real-world camera testing will ultimately determine how these claims translate to everyday use, particularly in challenging lighting.
Storage, pricing, and finishes: Choices for a global audience
In China, pricing starts at CNY 3,999 (~₹50,000) for the base 12GB/256GB model, rising to CNY 5,399 (~₹67,000) for the top-tier 16GB/1TB configuration. Three finishes are offered: Absolute Black, Misty Purple, and Sand Dune, the latter featuring a distinctive sandstone-inspired matte texture. For Indian buyers, OnePlus has teased a “special” reveal on October 29, pointing to an India launch in early November 2025. Industry chatter places the expected price in the ₹60,000–₹70,000 range, aligning with OnePlus’ historical pricing for flagship devices in India.
What this means for the flagship landscape
The OnePlus 15 brings together a robust processor, an exceptionally large battery, and a high-refresh-rate display in a design that feels both restrained and premium. If the software experiences—whether OxygenOS or ColorOS in China—can harmonize well with this hardware, the OnePlus 15 could redefine expectations for battery life and day-to-day performance in a year crowded with powerful Android flagships.
Conclusion: A bold step forward with undeniable appeal
With its bold design moves, record-breaking battery capacity, and a top-tier chipset, the OnePlus 15 stands out in the 2025 flagship lineup. Whether global variants will retain every spec remains to be seen, but the combination of 165Hz display, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and a 7,300mAh battery makes a compelling case for this device as one of the year’s most anticipated Android smartphones.
