The OnePlus 15R entered the market with a headline-grabbing feature: a massive 7,400mAh battery, touted as the largest available in a US smartphone. This claim naturally raises questions about real-world endurance, especially when compared to other flagship contenders. Recent independent testing has put this spec sheet promise to the test, pitting the 15R against rivals from Google and Samsung in controlled battery rundown scenarios. The results reveal a more nuanced picture of smartphone power management, where raw capacity is just one piece of a complex puzzle involving processor efficiency, display technology, and software optimization.
Lab Tests Reveal Surprising Battery Performance Hierarchy
ZDNET conducted two rigorous battery tests on a selection of 2025 flagships: the OnePlus 15R, OnePlus 15, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, and Google Pixel 10 Pro XL. The first test involved continuous local 4K video playback with screens at maximum brightness in airplane mode. In this scenario, the Pixel 10 Pro XL with its 5,200mAh battery was the first to shut down after 19 hours and 38 minutes. The Samsung S25 Ultra (5,000mAh) followed, lasting 25 hours and 56 minutes. Surprisingly, the OnePlus 15R with its 7,400mAh cell lasted 28 hours and 36 minutes, while the standard OnePlus 15, equipped with a slightly smaller 7,300mAh battery, outlasted them all at 30 hours and 58 minutes. This outcome highlights that a larger battery number does not automatically translate to superior screen-on time, with factors like screen size and processor efficiency playing decisive roles.
Battery Test Results (Video Playback)
- Google Pixel 10 Pro XL (5,200 mAh): 19:37:56
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (5,000 mAh): 25:56:26
- OnePlus 15R (7,400 mAh): 28:36:00
- OnePlus 15 (7,300 mAh): 30:58:28
Battery Test Results (PCMark Work 3.0)
- OnePlus 15R: 11:10 (hours:minutes)
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: 11:32
- Google Pixel 10 Pro XL: 12:34
- OnePlus 15: 13:18
Processor Efficiency Becomes Critical Under Computational Load
The narrative shifted dramatically during the second test, PC Mark's Work 3.0 Battery Rundown, which simulates intensive processing tasks like web browsing, photo editing, and data manipulation. Here, the OnePlus 15R was the first to reach 20% battery, doing so in just 11 hours and 10 minutes. The Samsung S25 Ultra lasted 11 hours and 32 minutes. The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, despite its smaller battery, demonstrated remarkable stamina, lasting 12 hours and 34 minutes, ultimately being outperformed only by the OnePlus 15 at 13 hours and 18 minutes. This test underscores the significant impact of chipset architecture. Google's Tensor G5 and Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, found in the Pixel and OnePlus 15 respectively, are designed with a stronger emphasis on power efficiency compared to the chip in the 15R, leading to substantially better battery life during processor-intensive workloads.
The Hardware and Value Proposition Beyond the Battery
Beyond battery performance, the OnePlus 15R positions itself as a value-focused powerhouse. Priced around USD 700, it aggressively targets users who prioritize raw performance and hardware specs. It features a high-refresh-rate AMOLED display tuned for visual punch and smoothness, and is powered by a Snapdragon chipset that delivers flagship-level speed for multitasking and gaming. Its 100W+ wired charging capability is a standout feature, dramatically reducing downtime compared to many competitors. However, this performance-centric approach involves trade-offs, particularly in camera versatility, where it relies more on its primary sensor and lacks the multi-lens flexibility and advanced computational photography found in rivals like the Google Pixel 10.
Key OnePlus 15R Specifications & Comparisons
| Feature | OnePlus 15R | Google Pixel 10 (Approx.) | Samsung Galaxy S25 FE (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Price | ~USD 700 | ~USD 800 | Similar to 15R |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Tensor G5 | Exynos / Snapdragon (region-dependent) |
| Display Focus | High refresh rate, visual punch | Color accuracy, balance | Refined, adaptive smoothness |
| Battery & Charging | 7,400 mAh, Very fast wired charging | Smaller battery, Wireless & reverse charging | Wireless & reverse charging focus |
| Camera Strength | Sharp primary sensor, high-FPS video | Computational photography, consistency | Versatile system, polished video |
| Key Advantage | Performance, display, charging speed | Software intelligence, camera processing | Ecosystem, long-term support, versatility |
A Balanced Verdict on the Specs-Driven Flagship
The OnePlus 15R presents a compelling case for a specific type of user. It excels in delivering immediate, tangible benefits: blistering fast charging, a smooth and vibrant display, and strong sustained performance from its Snapdragon chipset. For the power user who values these attributes and is less concerned with camera versatility or the absolute longest battery life under all conditions, the 15R offers significant value at its price point. However, the battery tests serve as a crucial reminder that smartphone endurance is a holistic engineering challenge. The phone's massive 7,400mAh battery ensures excellent overall stamina, particularly for media consumption, but it is not the definitive leader in all scenarios. Buyers whose usage leans heavily on intensive, processor-driven apps may find better efficiency elsewhere. Ultimately, the OnePlus 15R is a bold, specs-driven contender that rewards users with its speed and charging convenience, provided they understand its performance profile within the broader flagship landscape.