The OnePlus 15 has arrived, positioning itself as a late-year contender for the title of best flagship phone. With a starting price of USD 899 and a compelling trade-in offer, it challenges established rivals from Apple, Google, and Samsung. Early reviews and user experiences highlight a device of extremes: it sets new records for endurance and charging speed while making controversial design choices. This article synthesizes insights from extended testing and accessory reviews to provide a comprehensive look at where the OnePlus 15 excels and where it falls short.
Unrivaled Battery Performance and Charging
The most lauded feature of the OnePlus 15 is its exceptional battery life, which has been tested to last over 25 hours on average—a record in its class. This stamina is powered by a new carbon-siliconic battery and efficient software optimization, allowing the phone to frequently end a full day with more than 60% charge remaining. Complementing this longevity is incredibly fast charging. The U.S. model supports 80W wired charging, capable of replenishing the large battery to 81% in just 30 minutes. This combination means users can enjoy multi-day usage with minimal downtime plugged into an outlet, a significant practical advantage over competitors.
Key Specifications & Data
- Price: Starts at USD 899 (with trade-in credit offer)
- Battery: 7,300 mAh (Carbon-Silicone)
- Battery Life (Tom's Guide Test): 25 hours 13 minutes (average)
- Charging: 80W wired (U.S.), 100W wired (International)
- 30-minute charge: ~81%
- Display: 6.78-inch Flat OLED, 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate (165Hz in supported games)
- Cameras: Triple 50MP rear array
- Notable AI Features: AI Perfect Shot, AI Portrait Glow
- Design Change: Alert Slider replaced with dedicated AI button
A Camera System with Clear Strengths and Weaknesses
The OnePlus 15's triple 50MP camera array delivers impressive results in specific scenarios. Its macro photography is particularly standout, capturing sharper and more detailed close-up shots than even the iPhone 17 Pro. New AI-powered editing tools, like AI Perfect Shot and AI Portrait Glow, offer useful and effective post-processing options. However, the system shows a notable weakness in low-light conditions. Compared to rivals, the main sensor struggles to brighten dark scenes effectively, resulting in less detailed and noisier images in pitch-black environments. This inconsistency prevents it from being a top-tier all-round camera phone.
Comparative Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 15 | Galaxy S25 Ultra (Comparison Point) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Life | 25h 13m (Tested Avg.) | Lower (Specific time not provided) |
| 30-min Charge | ~81% (7,300 mAh) | ~71% (5,000 mAh) |
| Macro Photography | Sharper, more detail vs. iPhone 17 Pro | N/A |
| Low-Light Photography | Underperforms vs. iPhone 17 Pro | N/A |
Controversial Design and Ergonomics
OnePlus has made several design changes with the 15 that have proven divisive. The phone features a boxier frame than its predecessor, which some find less comfortable to hold. More controversially, the company has replaced its signature Alert Slider with a dedicated AI button, a move lamented by long-time fans. The phone's display, while flat and thus more compatible with screen protectors, has been reported to be overly sensitive at times, leading to accidental touches. These ergonomic and functional regressions have led many users to seek third-party cases to improve the in-hand feel.
The Case for a Case: Enhancing the Experience
Recognizing the design shortcomings, accessory makers have stepped in. Minimalist cases, like the one from Thinborne, have become popular solutions. These cases, made from materials like aramid fiber, address the grip and comfort issues by adding a more tactile surface and subtly rounding the phone's edges. Crucially, they also add MagSafe compatibility without significant bulk, a feature not built into the OnePlus 15 itself. It's important to note that such minimalist cases prioritize scratch protection and grip over drop protection, making a paired tempered glass screen protector a wise investment.
Gaming and Multitasking Prowess
For power users, the OnePlus 15 offers compelling features. Its display can hit a 165Hz refresh rate in supported games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Mobile, providing an exceptionally fluid and responsive gaming experience that surpasses the standard 120Hz found on most flagships. Beyond gaming, the phone introduces a refined multitasking system. It moves beyond simple split-screen by allowing dynamically resizable app windows, enabling a more flexible and desktop-like workflow that makes better use of the large screen for productivity.
Final Verdict: A Phone of Compelling Trade-offs
The OnePlus 15 presents a clear value proposition. Its battery life and charging speed are in a league of their own, its performance is top-tier, and it offers unique advantages for gamers and multitaskers. However, these strengths come with compromises in camera consistency, ergonomic design, and the loss of a beloved hardware feature. For users who prioritize all-day (and beyond) battery life and raw performance, and who are willing to use a case to mitigate design quirks, the OnePlus 15 is a formidable and competitively priced flagship. For those who value consistent low-light photography or the classic OnePlus ergonomics, the trade-offs may give pause.
