OnePlus launched its flagship OnePlus 15 smartphone in India today. It has several upgrades from last year’s OnePlus 15 such as new design, 165Hz screen, faster SoC, bigger battery, and lots more. However, the price of the phone has increased once again. Is the phone a good upgrade to last year’s OnePlus 13? Let us dive into the review and find out.
| Box Contents |
| Camera |
| Battery Life |
| Conclusion |
Box Contents
- OnePlus 15 12GB + 256GB in Ultra Violet colour
- 120W SuperVOOC charger
- USB Type-A to Type-C Cable
- Protective Case
- SIM Ejector tool
- Quick Guide
Display, Hardware and Design
The OnePlus 15 features a 6.78-inch (2772 x 1272 pixels) 1.5K AMOLED display with 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate LTPO display, and can go up to 165Hz for gaming. The phone has ultra-slim 1.15 mm bezels on all the four sides, thanks to LIPO (Low Injection Pressure Over-molding) technology. However, the display resolution has reduced from 2K to 1.5K.
The phone has 450 PPI pixel density, and the display is bright since it has up to 1800 nits (HBM) / Peak Brightness. It offers good colour output since it has 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, and the sunlight legibility is good as well. You can select from vivid, Natural and Pro screen colour modes. The nature tone display feature adjusts the display based on the ambient lighting conditions.
The phone has full-brightness DC dimming and PWM dimming and can go as low as 1 nit (or even 0.5nit when you enable ‘reduce white point’), which is useful when using the phone in the dark. There is also Eye Comfort for Gaming. The phone has Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection. The display has achieved TÜV Rheinland Intelligent Eye Care 5.0 certification.
The phone also has HDR 10 support, which works for YouTube, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, and Dolby Vision works for Netflix. You can enable video color boost from display settings, which increases the colors in select apps. There is also image sharpener option.
The phone doesn’t have a notification LED, but this has an always-on-display that shows contextual info and notifications all day or as per schedule. It has strong X-axis linear vibration motor.
The phone has a tiny punch-hole that houses a 32-megapixel camera. Above the display, there is an earpiece on the top edge that doubles up as a secondary speaker. It has an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint scanner.
Coming to the button placements and ports, the power button is present on the right side along with the volume rockers. The alert slider is on the left side is replaced by the plus key, which has several customization options.
You can also see the antenna bands, since this has a metal frame. The Dual SIM slot, primary microphone, USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 port and the loudspeaker grill are present on the bottom. The speaker vent is on the top, along with an IR blaster.
The Ultra Violet colourway that we have uses proprietary dual-texture coating technology offering a mesmerizing, light-responsive surface where shades of blue and violet interplay fluidly with every movement, offering a truly vibrant and evolving visual experience, said the company.
The rear camera design is similar to the OnePlus 13s. It also comes in Sand Storm colourway that uses MAO-treated middle frame and the rear camera housing with a lightweight yet strong fiberglass back panel. The Infinite Black utilizes an advanced AG glass process that achieves higher light transmittance, allowing for a deeper, purer black finish and also resists fingerprints, said the company.
The phone weighs 215 grams, which is almost similar to OnePlus 13, and the Sand Storm version is lighter at 211 grams.
The phone also doesn’t miss on the waterproof ratings. The OnePlus 15 is the company’s first phone to get IP68, IP69 and IP69K ratings, so it can withstand water immersion at a depth of 2m for 30 min and high-pressure water jets at temperatures up to 80°C.
Camera
- 50MP main camera with 1/1.56″ Sony IMX906 sensor with f/1.8 aperture, OIS
- 50MP 116° ultra-wide camera with 1/2.88″ Omnivision OV50D sensor, f/2.0 aperture
- 50MP 3.5x periscope telephoto camera, 1/2.76″ Samsung JN5 sensor, f/2.8 aperture, OIS
- 32MP front-facing camera with 1/2.74″ IMX709 sensor, f/2.4 aperture
The camera UI in the OxygenOS 16 is familiar. There is Pro mode, Panorama, Macro, Slo-mo, Time-Lapse, Dual-View video, doc scanner, Underwater, Tilt-Shift and more. The rear camera offers 12.5MP output after pixel binning, and the front camera images are 32MP in size. The Ultra-Clear 26MP mode that can be enabled from settings combines data from multi-frame 12MP shots with a single 50MP high-resolution frame.
Daylight shots came out well, and the dynamic range is better with auto HDR. Zoom is better, thanks to the new periscope telephoto sensor, and there is 3.5x optical zoom, and 7x in-sensor zoom. Up to 30X looks good, but you lose details when you zoom further.
The OnePlus 15 replaces Hasselblad with new OnePlus’ own DetailMax Engine. The 1x 24mm portrait can be used for normal shots 2x portrait mode offers 48mm, for medium long or medium portraits and 3.5x portrait mode in 85mm can be used for medium close-up portrait or close-ups in complex backgrounds, and there is 7x for 170mm zoomed shots. Thanks to the large periscope telephoto sensor, 3.5x portraits look better compared to the OnePlus 13. Even when you zoom further, images look good.
You can shoot macro from the main camera like the OnePlus 13s, but it is limited to 30cm, and there is no telemacro option since the telephoto camera can’t focus close.
Ultra-wide shots are good as usual. Low light shots are good with a lot of details and less noise. The night mode is useful, but it takes a few seconds to process. There is also a tripod mode. OnePlus says that it uses Clear Night Engine for low-light photography, employing Dual Analog Gain technology to eliminate timing gaps between exposures, offering brighter, cleaner, and more natural-looking night photos with reduced noise.
The 32MP RGBW front camera does a good job in daylight, and could be better in low light. Edge detection is good in portrait shots. Even though the sensor size for the rear cameras have reduced compared to the OnePlus 13, the phone manages well with computational photography.
Check out the camera samples.
It can record videos in up to 8K in 30fps, and all the rear cameras can record 4K 120 fps in Dolby Vision HDR for the first time. There is slow motion 1080p at 240fps, and finally portrait video mode video now lets you record in 4K 30 fps from front and rear cameras. The ultra-steady mode lets you shoot in 4K at 60 fps. There is OIS and EIS which does decent job.
Software, UI and Apps
The OnePlus 15 runs Android 16 based OxygenOS 16out of the box. It has Android security patch for October 2025. The phone will get 4 Android updates and 6 years of security updates. OxygenOS 16 offers AI-powered features, performance enhancements, a redesigned user interface, and new security protocols.
Flux Home Screen lets you reshape app folders with dynamic layout adjustments, you can resize and reposition icons, cards, and folders dynamically, Match icon colors automatically with wallpaper tones and more.
In addition to smoother user interface, there are improvements to productivity tools.
- AI Recording: Includes AI Clear Voice, real-time transcription, and speaker identification. Auto-generated titles help organize key discussion points efficiently.
- AI Writer: Converts short prompts into structured content such as posts, emails, or documents, and can summarize or convert long text into tables or mind maps.
- AI Assistant for Notes: Supports modular editing, allowing users to move, rearrange, or format note components with swipe or drag gestures.
In photos app there is a new AI Portrait Glow feature, Master Cut that offers speed adjustment, crop, rotation, and 4K export for enhanced video editing and Motion Photo Collage that combines multiple motion photos into cinematic collages.
OxygenOS 16 enhances cross-device integration and expands interoperability beyond Android, allowing seamless interaction between OnePlus devices, iPhones, and Macs.
OnePlus Lock adds advanced data protection features such as Call to Lock, Dual Verification, and Chip-Level Deep Lock, securing devices and data even when lost. With Private Computing Cloud sensitive data is processed within OnePlus’ Private Cloud, ensuring user information remains secure and inaccessible externally, said the company.
Out of 12GB LPDD5X RAM, you get 10.88GB of usable RAM, and about 6GB of RAM is free when default apps are running in the background. It also has DRE or dynamic RAM expansion feature, which uses the built-in storage as RAM. This has up to 12GB of additional RAM expansion. Out of 256GB UFS 4.1 storage, you get about 218GB of free storage. The phone uses 10,667Mbps LPDDR5X Ultra+ RAM in the 16GB variant that will further improve the performance, said the company. There are some pre-loaded apps, but these can be uninstalled.
Plus Key and AI Plus Mind
The Plus Key that was first introduced with the OnePlus 13s lets you switch between ring, vibrate, and silent modes. Additionally, customization allows for quick access to features like the camera, translation, or flashlight. You can also set it to launch AI Plus Mind, which saves your content so that you can access them later.
It lets users save and organize important on-screen information — such as events, bookings, or listings — into a dedicated Mind Space, helping avoid information overload.
OnePlus has integrated Mind Space with Google Gemini. This allows Gemini to access information saved in Mind Space and combine it with its own large language model and real-time internet access, creating what OnePlus calls the “industry’s 1st personalized AI with Gemini”.
For example, you can ask Gemini to create an itinerary based on saved locations in Mind Space while cross-referencing the current weather forecast online. You can also ask Gemini for all the content saved on Mind Space. I asked for the gym membership details I had saved on Mind Space from Instagram, and it gave all the details.
Fingerprint sensor and Face unlock
It has an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor that unlocks the phone quickly, and it works even when your fingers are wet. The scanner’s sensitivity and compatibility are optimized to work best with the official tempered glass screen protector, says the company, so the experience might vary depending on the scanner. You can add up to 5 fingerprints. You can also use the fingerprint for app local and payments in apps.
Furthermore, you can change the fingerprint animation and also disable it, and also enable quick launch option to launch apps directly from the lock screen by holding the fingerprint. The phone also has face unlock feature.
Music and Multimedia
YouTube Music is the default Music Player. It doesn’t have Dolby Atmos, but has OReality Audio with customizable Smart, Movie, Game and Music modes. It doesn’t have FM Radio support. Audio through the stereo speakers is good without any distortion even in full volume. Audio through earphones is good as well.
This has Widevine L1, so that you can play HD content on Netflix and other streaming apps. It supports HDR content on YouTube, and Netflix. There is also Dolby Vision for Netflix.
Dual SIM and Connectivity
The OnePlus 15 has support for n1/n2/n3/n5/n7/n8/n20/n26/n28/n38/n40/
n41/n48/n66/n77/n78 Network Bands in India. It Carrier Aggregation on 4G, and eSIM support in India. The company says that Dual eSIM feature will be available via an over-the-air (OTA) update in the first quarter of 2026.
Other connectivity options include Wi-Fi 7 802.11 be (2.4GHz + 5GHz), Bluetooth 6.0, GPS(L1+L5), GLONASS(G1), BeiDou(B1I+B1C+B2a), Galileo(E1+E5a), QZSS(L1+L5), NavIC(L5). It has OTG support, and NFC support. The BeaconLink is a new Walkie-Talkie functionality to connect with other supported OnePlus devices even without network coverage.
Moving on, the call quality is good, and we did not face any call drops and the earpiece volume was loud. The Clear Voice feature automatically blocks background noise in calling apps. It uses own calling app with call recording, AI call translation, summary and more.
The OnePlus 15’s body SAR is 0.996W/Kg and head SAR is at 1.177/Kg, which is well under the limit of 1.6 W/kg (over 1 g) in India.
Performance and Benchmarks
This is the first phone in India to be powered by the flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 platform. It also integrates the OP Gaming Core out of the box. It has a 2 + 6 all-big core architecture that uses 2 x Oryon Prime CPU at up to 4.6GHz, 6 x Oryon Performance CPUs at up to 3.62GHz.
It is fabricated using the TSMC 3nm Process Technology. It promises 20% boost in CPU performance in single-core, 17% in multi-core, up to 35% CPU power efficiency and 16% overall SoC power savings, compared to predecessor.
There is also a dedicated Touch Response Chip that offloads and accelerates all touch processing from the main SoC. It supports a 330Hz touch sampling rate and an ultra-high 3200Hz instantaneous sampling rate, much higher than most phones.
There is also Wi-Fi Chip G2 with advanced RF modules and enhanced algorithms, including SmartLink, designed to improve network connectivity in weak signal environments. It prioritizes gaming traffic to optimize connection stability and reduce stutter in challenging network conditions, said the company.
The phone has a 5,731mm² 3D VC vapor chamber for core heat dissipation and a white graphite back cover for additional thermal spread. We did not face any issues or frame drops in the graphic-intensive games like COD, BGMI and Genshin Impact, thanks to the new Adreno 840 GPU clocked at 1200MHz. It offers 165fps gaming in select games such as Call of Duty: Mobile, Brawl Stars and Clash of Clans, and other games like BGMI needs game frame interpolation for 120fps.
While temperature during gaming hardly reached 40°C when playing Genshin Impact, 3D Mark wild life stress test didn’t run in our unit since the phone got too hot before finishing the test. It showed 47° C outer temperature which is not too hot, and the internal CPU temperature was 62.9° C. The outer temperature was 26° C inside the AC room. Check out the benchmark scores below.
In the latest AnTuTu Benchmark 11, the phone scored 3.7 million points.
Battery life
Coming to the battery life, the phone packs a 7300mAh (typical) Silicon-Carbon battery, which is 1300mAh bigger than the OnePlus 13. It uses advanced Silicon NanoStack technology, which incorporates an industry-high 15% silicon content in the anode for significantly greater energy density, said the company.
I got close to 7 hours of screen on time with over 2 days of use, mostly on Wi-Fi, and occasional 5G use with Smart refresh rate. This is way better than the OnePlus 13. The phone should last for the whole day, even for heavy users like gamers, on a single charge.
The Bypass Charging function supports direct device power without charging the battery, avoiding excess heat, and preserving battery longevity. The battery is designed to retain over 80% of its health after 4 years of use and operates reliably in temperatures as low as -20°C, said the company.
Since the phone has support for 120W fast charging, it can charge up to 50% in less than 15 minutes, up to 90% charge in about less than 30 minutes, and 100% in about 40 minutes. You will have to enable fast charging option if you want to reduce the charging time, but the phone gets a bit hot. You will also have to use the original 10A cable that comes in the box for 120W charging to work.
The phone has 50W wireless flash charging, and also supports wireless reverse charging. It can be charged up to 100% in over an hour with a wireless charger, which is sold separately.
It even has Magnetic wireless charging support with the Magnetic charging case and AIRVOOC 50W Magnetic Charger that are sold separately. The case also supports third-party Qi charging power banks.
Conclusion
Is the OnePlus 15 a good upgrade to last year’s OnePlus 13? For the performance enthusiast and serious mobile gamer, the answer is a definitive yes, even at the higher price point of Rs. 72,999.
The OnePlus 15 is engineered from the ground up to deliver a dominant gaming experience, marking a clear strategic shift from its predecessor. The enormous 7300mAh Silicon-Carbon battery is a standout feature, promising over two full days of typical use or several hours of heavy gaming on a single charge—a critical factor for competitive players. The 120W charging ensures minimal downtime.
The gaming focus does lead to a few compromises. The reduction of the display resolution from 2K to 1.5K is the most immediate trade-off, though the difference is minimal in practice and enables the blistering 165Hz refresh rate. While the camera system is still decent, it is no longer the phone’s headline feature, with reduced sensor size compared to the OnePlus 13.
The OnePlus 15 successfully repositions itself as a true mobile gaming and performance flagship. It combines brute-force power with a huge battery and innovative responsiveness features that eclipse the OnePlus 13.
Pricing and availability
The OnePlus 15 is priced at Rs. 72,999 for the 12GB + 256GB model, and 16GB + 512GB model costs Rs. 79,999. There is a Rs. 4000 bank offer for HDFC Bank customers.
It is now available from OnePlus.in, OnePlus Store App, Amazon.in and offline retail partners such as OnePlus Experience Stores, Reliance Digital, and others.
Alternatives
There is no direct competition for the OnePlus 15 in India yet. The upcoming iQOO 15 also comes with Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, and has a 2K screen. If you need a slightly smaller phone, the OPPO Find X9 that is launching in India next week should be a good option.
Pros
- 1.5K OLED LTPO display with up to 165Hz refresh rate is good
- Smooth performance and good gaming performance
- Decent cameras, 4K 120fps Dolby Vision HDR recording
- Solid build quality, IP68 + IP69 + IP69K ratings
- Excellent battery life with 120W fast charging, 50W wireless charging
Cons
- No telemacro option
- Gets hot under extreme sustained GPU load