OnePlus has officially launched the OnePlus 15 in China, marking a significant milestone in the smartphone industry. The device is powered by Qualcomm’s cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and will make its global debut on November 13, 2025. This flagship represents a major evolution for the brand, featuring upgraded battery technology, a new proprietary camera engine, and advanced AI capabilities through OxygenOS 16.
Key Specifications and Features
The OnePlus 15 arrives with impressive hardware specifications that position it as one of the most powerful Android flagships available. Here are the standout features:
Processor and Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is at the heart of the OnePlus 15, delivering 18-20% better CPU performance compared to its predecessor, the Snapdragon 8 Elite. Built on TSMC’s optimized 3nm process, the chip features upgraded Oryon Gen 3 cores clocked at 4.6 GHz for prime cores, alongside an enhanced Adreno 840 GPU and improved AI processing with the Hexagon Gen 3 NPU. The device comes equipped with 16GB of LPDDR5X Ultra+ RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking and gaming experiences.
Display Technology
OnePlus has equipped the OnePlus 15 with a 6.78-inch BOE LTPO AMOLED display featuring a remarkable 165Hz dynamic refresh rate—one of the highest on any smartphone. The 1.5K resolution (1,272 x 2,772 pixels) provides exceptional clarity at 450 PPI, while the peak brightness reaches 5,000 nits, making it highly visible in bright sunlight. The flat AMOLED panel includes an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor for seamless biometric authentication.
Battery and Charging Innovation
Perhaps the most significant upgrade is the massive 7,300mAh silicon-carbon (Si/C) battery, a substantial increase from the OnePlus 13’s 6,000mAh pack. This positions the OnePlus 15 among the flagships with the largest batteries in the market. The device supports blazing-fast 120W wired SuperVOOC charging and 50W wireless AIRVOOC charging, enabling rapid top-ups without compromising long-term battery health. Additionally, it features 10W reverse wireless charging for supporting other devices.
Camera System Overhaul
OnePlus has marked a significant transition by ending its partnership with Hasselblad and introducing its proprietary DetailMax Engine for photography. The OnePlus 15 features a triple rear camera setup, with all three sensors sporting 50MP resolution—the main camera with f/1.8 aperture, an ultra-wide lens at f/2.0, and a 50MP 3.5x periscope telephoto at f/2.8. Each camera benefits from Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) for shake-free shots.
The DetailMax Engine combines computational imaging techniques including tone mapping, noise reduction, and shadow recovery for accurate color representation. New features include Ultra-Clear 26MP mode for enhanced texture detail, Clear Burst 10fps for motion freezing, and Clear Night Engine for improved low-light photography with reduced noise. The front-facing 32MP sensor handles selfies and video calls with f/2.4 aperture and 4K recording capability.
Software: OxygenOS 16
The OnePlus 15 runs OxygenOS 16 (based on Android 16 globally, ColorOS 16 in China) with deep AI integration. New features include Mind Space powered by Google Gemini, AI Writer toolkit for text generation and editing, AI Recorder for automatic transcription, and enhanced Gallery features for portrait lighting adjustments. The software also introduces improved fluidity through extended Parallel Processing and new customization options for lockscreen and homescreen.
Design and Build Quality
The OnePlus 15 features a refined flat-edge design with curved corners, continuing the aesthetic direction established by previous models. The device comes in three color options: Infinite Black with frosted matte glass, Sand Storm with a fiberglass composite finish, and Ultra Violet with gradient tones. OnePlus has upgraded durability with IP69 and IP69K ratings, providing robust protection against dust and water immersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. A notable design change includes replacing the trademark alert slider with a remappable shortcut button offering multiple functions including AI access, ringtone profiles, and screenshot capture.
Global Launch and Availability
OnePlus has accelerated its international rollout significantly. After launching in China on October 27, 2025, the device will make its global debut on November 13, 2025—only a few weeks later. This represents a major shift from OnePlus’ historical pattern of delaying international releases by several months. The global launch is scheduled for 7:00 PM IST on November 13, with sales beginning immediately afterward via OnePlus official stores and Amazon. In India specifically, sales will commence at 8:00 PM IST on the same day.
Pricing
In China, the OnePlus 15 launches with competitive pricing: the base 12GB + 256GB variant starts at CNY 3,999 (approximately Rs. 50,000). Storage-enhanced models range from CNY 4,299 to CNY 5,399 for the top-tier 16GB + 1TB configuration. Global pricing hasn’t been officially confirmed, but early imports through global retailers show base models at around $699 USD, with expectations for India pricing to remain competitive with previous OnePlus flagships.
Market Impact and Competition
The OnePlus 15’s launch timing is strategic, arriving ahead of Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series and capturing holiday season demand. The combination of aggressive specifications and early global availability positions OnePlus as a formidable competitor in the premium Android segment. Compared to Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra, the OnePlus 15 offers a substantially larger battery (7,300mAh vs 5,000mAh), higher display refresh rate (165Hz vs 120Hz), and significantly faster charging capabilities, making it an attractive option for power users prioritizing battery endurance and performance.
First Impressions and Outlook
Early hands-on experiences suggest the OnePlus 15 delivers exceptional versatility with its triple camera system and maintains the flagship performance standards expected in this category. The shift away from Hasselblad to OnePlus’ DetailMax Engine represents a bold move toward in-house imaging expertise, with early indications suggesting solid computational photography capabilities. The massive battery combined with the efficient Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 promises extended usage between charges, addressing one of the perennial complaints about flagship smartphones.
For potential buyers considering whether to wait or purchase immediately, the OnePlus 15 represents a compelling value proposition—particularly for those prioritizing battery life, display quality, and raw performance over camera pixel counts.
Related News Coverage
- OnePlus 15 Phone Price, Specs, Comparison and Reviews – Gadgets360 | Published: October 28, 2025
- OnePlus 15 Launched: Price, Top Specs, Key Features – India Today | Published: October 27, 2025
- OnePlus 15 with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 to Launch on November 13 – The Hindu | Published: October 29, 2025
- OnePlus 15 Launch Date for India Confirmed – Croma Unboxed | Published: October 29, 2025
- OnePlus 15 Global Launch November 13: Beats Samsung Race – GadgetHacks | Published: October 28, 2025
- OnePlus 15’s New Camera System Explained – Hindustan Times | Published: October 29, 2025
- OnePlus 15 Battery and Charging: Everything You Need to Know – PhoneArena | Published: October 27, 2025
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Performs On Par With Apple A19 Pro – Notebookcheck | Published: September 23, 2025
- OnePlus 15 Global Launch Set for November 13 – Republic World | Published: October 29, 2025
- OnePlus 15 Is Here: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back – Android Authority | Published: October 27, 2025
- OnePlus 15: Rumoured Specs, Camera Overhaul, Launch Timeline – Economic Times | Published: October 7, 2025
- OnePlus 15 India Launch Date Announced – News18 | Published: October 29, 2025
- OnePlus 15 vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra – GizInfo | Published: December 31, 2024
