OnePlus 15 Review: Speed, AI Features, and Battery That Lasts Days

OnePlus has released its new flagship phone, the OnePlus 15, focusing on performance, endurance, and software improvements, and at the same time not making only slight updates. The changed model includes a total redesign along with various hardware and software upgrades that are meant to provide a faster and a more seamless experience for the users.

The OnePlus 15 has completely changed its design compared to the previous models by going for a sharper and more angular approach instead of the soft and curved one. The matte glass back of the Infinite Black version is very subtle, offers a luxury feeling, and is of course not the hardest one so it is still susceptible to scratches. Although it weighs 215 grams and has 8mm thickness, the phone is heavier than some current flagships but is still nicely balanced and therefore comfortable for daily use.

The durability has seen a tremendous improvement. The smartphone comes with IP68, IP69, and IP69K certifications that allow it to be underwater at a depth of two meters for half an hour and also protect it from high-pressure water jets. Gorilla Glass Victus 2 is used for the front while Gorilla Glass 7i is used for the back.

OnePlus 15 has a 6.78-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1.5K (2,772 x 1,272), which is a bit lower than 1440p of its predecessor, but still visual quality is not affected substantially. The LTPO display allows for changes in refresh rates from 1Hz to 120Hz and can go up to 165Hz for gaming use. Although peak brightness is lower than that of last year, the "high-brightness" mode can reach 1,800 nits, so the display is very legible even in bright outdoor areas. The screen is equipped with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision which guarantee uniform color reproduction and contrast as well. The touch sensitivity is as high as 3,200Hz, which is a big plus during fast gaming sessions.

The OnePlus 15 does not collaborate with Hasselblad anymore, rather it introduces the DetailMax Engine which is an in-house creation. The triple rear camera consists of a 50MP main, a 50MP telephoto of 3.5x optical zoom, and a 50MP ultrawide sensor that also works as a macro lens. Self-portraits are taken care of by a 32MP front-facing camera.

In good lighting conditions, photo quality is great but the performance of different modules varies. Outdoor photos are clear, portraits capture nice details, however, colors and dynamic range are not consistent. Telephoto at zoom is excellent in daylight but hardships are in the form of detail loss in shadowy areas. Macro pictures are fine but dramatic performance on the opposite end of the spectrum (low-light) is noticed. Video shooting offers 4K at 120fps with stabilization but low-light footage may be underexposed. To sum up, there is a mixture of good and bad in terms of camera consistency and capability among others.

Exclusively equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and accompanied by Adreno 840 GPU, OnePlus 15 assures fast performance not only in daily activities but also in gaming. The launching of apps occurs in no time, keeping the animations buttery-crisp and the simultaneous running of the apps is hassle-free. The most graphically demanding of games such as BGMI and Call of Duty Mobile are played at the highest frame rates with hardly any lag at all. Moreover, a dedicated chip for touch-response and a customizable gaming sidebar are some of the advantages that come with the OnePlus 15 phone, accompanied by heat management to ensure the device stays cool during long hours of gaming.

The OnePlus 15 operates on the OxygenOS 16 overlay that is based on the Android 16 version. The AI integration has been broadened, and there are no complaints about the fluidity of animations and transitions. A new physical Plus Key now substitutes the regular alert slider and it is also a gateway to “Mind Space,” a digital space for notes, screenshots, reminders, and voice memos.

The collaboration with Google’s Gemini permits the content to be retrieved and analyzed smartly depending on the situation. Among others, AI tools such as AI Recompose, AI Portrait Glow, AI Perfect Shot, and AI Eraser are at the photographer's disposal, but the performance may sometimes be inconsistent in tricky scenes.

Battery life is the most prominent characteristic of OnePlus 15. The 7,300mAh battery enables up to five days of use with a normal workload that includes social media, calls, messaging, and light gaming. A 120W charger is included in the box, which can completely recharge the phone in about half an hour, and fast charging can give a couple of hours of use in a matter of minutes.

With a starting price of Rs 72,999, the OnePlus 15 is a well-rounded flagship with strong performance, long battery life, and a solid software experience. While the camera system has potential, it still lacks consistency. Speed, endurance, and AI-enhanced usability are the main priorities for the user, and the OnePlus 15 will surely be an attractive choice in the premium smartphone segment.