The OnePlus 15 lands at the tail end of 2025 with a mix of familiar strengths and noticeable shifts in design, camera, and software. On paper, it boasts a massive battery, a high-refresh-rate OLED display, and a versatile triple-camera setup—but how does it hold up in daily use? From the new Plus Key replacing the iconic Alert Slider to software that leans heavily on AI, the phone introduces features that feel both ambitious and divisive. In this review, we take a close look at whether OnePlus has hit the mark or simply traded comfort and subtlety for spectacle.
Design
The OnePlus 15 walks into the party with a bold design overhaul from the usual design language of the brand. The edges are flatter, the silhouette boxier, and overall, a look that feels modern in its compact 215-gram body. The new Plus Key replaces the classic Alert Slider and offers a range of quick actions, which we will look at later. The frame, crafted from ceramic-like aluminium, is paired with Gorilla Glass 7i to protect the display. The device also boasts a bunch of IP ratings which protect it against dust and high-pressure water jets.
The colour finishes include Ultra Violet, Sand Storm and Infinite Black, of which the first is the most alluring and the one we’ve got for review.
Mind Space, with assistance from Gemini offers personalised experiences
Display & multimedia
The OnePlus 15’s 6.78-inch OLED display definitely stands out in daily use. Watching a visually striking show such as Wednesday on Netflix or a colourful animation such as Rick & Morty makes vibrant colours easy to appreciate. Gaming also feels super fluid, be it casual games or graphics-intensive titles such as Call of Duty: Mobile. HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and OnePlus’ Ultra HDR standard added extra depth to both dark and bright scenes, whether bingeing episodes or streaming music videos. Even prolonged viewing, beyond 30 minutes, feels fairly comfortable, thanks to TÜV Rheinland eye care certification. While most consumers will pair headphones with watching content, the device itself sports hybrid stereo speaker setup which is loud enough. The only downside is the bass lacks depth, but then no audiophile is going to be streaming their favourite tracks through smartphone speakers and looking for the best acoustics anyway.
The newly designed triple camera module
Camera
The OnePlus 15 sports a triple 50 MP rear camera setup— main, telephoto, and ultrawide — which it pairs with its homegrown DetailMax engine to boost detail and colour fidelity. Gone is the Hasselblad collaboration that so many of us have come to associate with the flagship series.
Nevertheless, the smartphone delivers some crisp photos in daylight. The telephoto performance is decent too, but starts failing visibly beyond 10x zoom. Low-light shooting is improved with automatic Night mode, producing clean, well-detailed shots, though some images can look slightly over-processed.
The 32 MP selfie camera also benefits from autofocus and a new RGBW sensor, making portraits and video calls sharper and more natural. It offers a wide native field of view and three zoom options—0.6x, 1x, and 2x—giving flexibility for group shots or tighter selfies. The lens captures Indian skin tones really well, without an iota of whitewashing or texture-washing, unless so chosen. Overall, the OnePlus 15 delivers a well-rounded camera experience for most real-life uses, such as capturing personal logs or posting on social media.
Tech Specs
The flagship smartphone runs on Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, paired with up to 12 GB RAM and 512 GB storage. The Ultra Violet variant is available only in this configuration. You can also upgrade to a variant with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB storage, and choose between the black or white colour options. It ships with OxygenOS 16, with a new set of customisations, animations and AI features. OnePlus continues to lean into AI with the OnePlus 15, making smart features more central to the experience.
The new Mind Space collects your notes, screenshots, photos, videos, and files, using AI to provide insights and answers tailored to your data. Soon, Google’s Gemini AI will deepen this integration, offering even more personalised responses. The hardware-based Plus Key complements this system, letting you quickly add content to Mind Space or perform a variety of actions—from taking screenshots and launching the camera to toggling Do Not Disturb or switching to vibrate mode. Everyday performance is exactly what you’d expect from a flagship in this bracket—fast, responsive, and reliable—even when juggling heavy apps, gaming sessions, or AI-assisted features such as Mind Space. Connectivity across devices remains seamless, with file sharing made possible with Windows, Mac, and even iPhones, letting you transfer files instantly just by bringing devices close together, after setting up an app.
The brand has promised four OS updates and six years of security patches.
Battery
The OnePlus 15 packs a massive 7,300 mAh battery, giving it a clear edge over most competitors. In real-world use, it easily lasts two full days on a single charge, and on lighter use, may even stretch into a third day without breaking a sweat. Web browsing, video playback, and general day-to-day usage are handled effortlessly, putting the OnePlus 15 at the top of the charts when it comes to battery endurance.
Charging is equally impressive. The phone supports 120W wired SuperVOOC charging, topping up the massive battery in well under an hour, while 50 W wireless charging over OnePlus’ AirVOOC pad compatibility makes for an added convenient fast-charging option.
Verdict
The OnePlus 15 is a confident, deliberate refresh—one that doubles down on battery life, display quality, and raw performance to justify its position in the premium flagship lane. The two-day battery life, the silky smooth display, and the stability of the Snapdragon 8 Elite make it a natural fit for power users who demand consistency. Where the OnePlus 15 hesitates is in the camera department. It delivers dependable, social-media-ready shots, but photo-first users who want standout zoom, natural colour science, or dramatic low-light results may find Samsung and Pixel devices more satisfying.
With its price tag, value seekers should weigh their priorities carefully. If what you want is the absolute best camera for your money, the best deal, or the most experimental hardware, there are alternatives worth exploring. But if your daily routine revolves around heavy usage, vibrant content consumption, smooth performance, and long battery life, the OnePlus 15 is easily one of the most reliable and gratifying flagships you can buy right now.
Price – ₹72,999 onwards
Pros – Bright, vibrant OLED display, superb two-day battery life with fast charging, powerful processor, polished and fluid OxygenOS 16, solid build quality
Cons – Cameras are not cutting-edge, speakers lack depth, Mind Space can take some getting used to
Published on November 19, 2025
