OnePlus launched the OnePlus 15 in China on October 27, 2025. Today, November 13, the company introduces the global version. The global version mirrors the Chinese model in hardware, while running OxygenOS 16 based on Android 16 in place of the ColorOS firmware used in China. The new flagship brings Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, a 165 Hz LTPO AMOLED display, and a massive 7,300 mAh silicon-carbon battery, marking a shift in priorities toward endurance and sustained performance.
The OnePlus 15 joins a growing trend among Chinese manufacturers, such as Xiaomi, Oppo, and Honor, whose recent flagship phones now exceed 7,000 mAh. At the same time, OnePlus is introducing its first in-house imaging engine and a new gaming-oriented hardware architecture designed to manage both power and thermal efficiency under heavy workloads.
What’s New Compared with the OnePlus 13
The previous generation, the OnePlus 13, featured the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 4 processor, a 120 Hz LTPO display, a 5,400 mAh battery, and a 50 MP triple-camera array. The new model builds on these foundations with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a display capable of 165 Hz, a roughly 35 percent larger battery, and a new computational photography system known as the DetailMax Engine.
Design
The OnePlus 15 continues the company’s preference for clean, symmetrical design. Uniform ultra-slim bezels frame the display, while subtle curvature at the edges gives the phone a balanced hand-feel. The aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front protection improve durability without adding bulk.
Color options include Infinite Black, Sand Storm, and a limited Ultra Violet edition available through Amazon and OnePlus.com. The company says the phone now meets one of its highest IP ratings for dust and water resistance. The design changes are evolutionary rather than radical, but the result is a more refined object that emphasizes precision over flashiness.
Display and Audio
The 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED panel (2772 × 1272 pixels, 450 ppi) supports 10-bit color and 100 percent DCI-P3 coverage. Brightness reaches up to 1,800 nits, and the adaptive refresh rate ranges from 1 Hz to 120 Hz during general use, scaling to 165 Hz in gaming scenarios.
Audio is handled by the OReality Audio system, featuring three-microphone noise cancellation and support for high-resolution wireless codecs such as LDAC, aptX Adaptive, and LHDC 5.0. Combined with the improved haptics and linear vibration motor, the phone aims to deliver a more immersive multimedia experience without relying on exaggerated sound tuning.
Camera
The camera hardware revolves around three 50 MP sensors. The main Sony IMX906 (ƒ/1.8) serves as the primary camera with optical stabilization, while a Samsung S5KJN5 telephoto module offers 3.5× optical and 7× “optical-quality” zoom. The OV50D ultra-wide lens covers 116 degrees. On the front, a 32 MP Sony IMX709 sensor supports 4K video at up to 60 fps.
Video capture extends to 8K at 30 fps and 4K at 120 fps, with Dolby Vision HDR and real-time tone mapping. Modes include multi-view recording, pro-video, and 4K slow motion.
The most notable update is the OnePlus DetailMax Engine (link), a new computational photography framework developed in-house. Introduced by CEO Pete Lau, it replaces the long-running Hasselblad collaboration. DetailMax focuses on realistic color reproduction and natural texture rather than algorithmic enhancement. Built from user feedback and extensive color-science research, it merges data from multiple exposure layers to preserve fine detail even under strong zoom.
Hardware and Performance
At its core, the OnePlus 15 runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, featuring the Oryon CPU clocked at up to 4.6 GHz, and the Adreno 840 GPU. According to Qualcomm, the new chip delivers up to 23% higher graphics performance while using 20% less power, and the CPU achieves up to 35% better power efficiency compared with the previous generation. Overall, SoC power consumption is said to be reduced by about 16%.
OnePlus combines this platform with its own OnePlus Gaming Technology suite, introduced earlier this month. The system includes the OP Gaming Core, which optimizes CPU scheduling to cut redundant instructions by 22%; the Performance Tri-Chip, featuring dedicated processors for performance, touch response (330 Hz continuous / 3200 Hz instantaneous sampling), and Wi-Fi management; and the OP FPS Max framework, which enables stable 165 fps gameplay in supported titles.
In combination with the 360 Cryo-Velocity Cooling System, this setup is designed to maintain consistent frame rates and keep temperatures under control during long gaming sessions. Connectivity options include dual 5G SIM, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, and USB 3.2 Gen 1.
Battery and Charging
The massive 7,300 mAh dual-cell battery (3,650 mAh × 2) uses silicon-carbon chemistry for higher energy density and better heat management. Charging supports SuperVOOC fast charging and AIRVOOC wireless charging, but speeds vary by region: the Chinese and global models support up to 120 W wired and 50 W wireless, while the U.S. version is limited to 80 W wired due to local power and certification standards. According to OnePlus, the phone can charge fully in under 40 minutes and retain about 80% capacity after 1,600 cycles. OnePlus estimates up to two days of battery life, depending on usage patterns. We have not had the chance to test a unit yet, so real-world results may differ.
Pricing and Availability
In the United States, the OnePlus 15 starts at $899.99 for the 12 GB + 256 GB variant (Infinite Black only) and $999.99 for the 16 GB + 512 GB configuration (all colors). Sales will open once FCC certification is complete; the process is delayed by the ongoing U.S. government shutdown. Interested buyers can register for notification on OnePlus.com/us.
In Canada, pre-orders begin today (Nov 13, 9:30 a.m. ET) at CA $1,299.99 (256 GB) and CA $1,399.99 (512 GB). Open sales start November 18 on OnePlus.com, with additional partners to follow. Launch offers include a choice of free gift (OnePlus Watch 3, Buds Pro 3, AIRVOOC Charger, or case), trade-in credits up to CA $1,249, and student discounts.
Protective cases — Sandstone, Hole-Pattern, and Aramid Fiber Magnetic — are priced between $24.99 and $39.99 USD.
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