The wait is finally over for US fans of OnePlus. After weeks of regulatory delays and a missed global launch window, the OnePlus 15 officially goes up for pre‑order in the United States today, December 4, 2025 — and OnePlus is piling on aggressive launch offers, including a free OnePlus Watch 3 or Buds Pro 3 for early buyers. [1]
Here’s everything you need to know right now about pre‑orders, pricing, specs, and whether it’s worth locking in your order on day one.
OnePlus 15 US pre‑order date, time, and where to buy
Pre‑orders open:
- Date: Thursday, December 4, 2025
- Time:11:00 AM Eastern (8:00 AM Pacific)
- Where:OnePlus US online store and the OnePlus US product page [2]
OnePlus confirmed via its official US store and a press statement that US pre‑orders begin at 11AM ET today, after the OnePlus 15 finally cleared FCC certification in late November. [3]
For now, pre‑orders are online‑only through OnePlus; carrier partnerships and in‑store availability haven’t been detailed yet. The official product page still notes that the open sale in the US has been postponed, meaning you’ll likely need to pre‑order if you want to be among the first to get the phone. [4]
OnePlus hasn’t publicly committed to a specific shipping date for US pre‑orders, but Android Central and Android Authority both report that shipments are expected to follow “soon” after pre‑orders, likely within the usual 1–2 week window OnePlus uses for major launches. [5]
Why the OnePlus 15’s US launch was delayed
If it feels like the rest of the world has had the OnePlus 15 forever, you’re not wrong. The phone:
- Launched in China in October
- Went global (including Europe and India) on November 13, 2025 [6]
- Skipped the US entirely at first
The main culprit: this fall’s prolonged US federal government shutdown, which ran from October 1 to November 12, 2025 and froze the final stages of FCC approvals. [7]
OnePlus told multiple outlets that the phone had already passed lab testing at FCC‑recognized facilities, but the final government sign‑off couldn’t happen until the shutdown ended. Once the FCC granted certification for model CPH2749 on November 25, the last regulatory barrier for a US release disappeared. [8]
That’s why US pre‑orders are only opening three weeks after the global launch—and why OnePlus is clearly trying to make up for lost time with generous launch offers.
US pricing, storage options, and colors
In the US, OnePlus is keeping things simple with two storage tiers and three colors: [9]
Configurations & price (US):
- 12GB RAM + 256GB storage – $899.99
- Color: Infinite Black only in the US
- 16GB RAM + 512GB storage – $999.99
- Colors: Infinite Black, Sand Storm, Ultra Violet
These prices line up with what early FCC‑clearance coverage and launch reports had predicted — and keep the OnePlus 15 just below the base pricing of many Galaxy S25 and Pixel 10 variants, while offering more RAM and storage at each tier. [10]
Launch offers: free Watch 3, Buds Pro 3, charger or case
OnePlus is clearly using pre‑order bonuses to soften the blow of another $900–$1000 flagship. In the US, if you pre‑order a OnePlus 15, you can choose one free gift from a bundle of accessories, plus stackable discounts: [11]
1. Free gift (pick one, limited stock)
- OnePlus Watch 3 (43mm) – MSRP ~$299.99, only available if you buy the 16GB/512GB model
- OnePlus Buds Pro 3 – true wireless earbuds worth ~$179.99
- OnePlus AirVOOC 50W Magnetic Charger – high‑speed wireless charger
- OnePlus 15 Magnetic Case
OnePlus notes that these gifts are first‑come, first‑served, and multiple outlets expect the Watch 3 to sell out fastest given its price and appeal. [12]
2. Trade‑in bonuses
According to OnePlus’ public statement and coverage from Techaeris and AndroidCentral, US buyers get an unusually aggressive trade‑in package: [13]
- Up to $899 trade‑in credit with eligible phones
- Guaranteed $100 instant credit for any phone, in any condition
- Additional $100 cashback bonus when you buy with a trade‑in
That effectively means even an old or broken phone can knock $200 off the price between instant credit and cashback.
3. Extra discounts
- 5% student discount (verified through OnePlus’ education program)
- Up to 30% off accessories when bundled with the phone at checkout [14]
If you combine trade‑in, student, and the value of the free Watch or earbuds, many buyers will be able to get effective pricing well below MSRP, especially on the 512GB model.
OnePlus 15 specs at a glance
Under the hood, the US OnePlus 15 is the same hardware monster that launched globally—just tuned for US charging standards. Here’s a quick overview of the key specs. [15]
Display
- 6.78‑inch LTPO AMOLED
- 1.5K resolution (2772 × 1272)
- Adaptive 1–165Hz refresh rate
- Super‑slim 1.15mm bezels on all sides
This BOE‑made panel has been widely praised as one of the best displays for gaming and general responsiveness, exceeding the 120Hz limit still used by most rivals like the Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max. [16]
Performance
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 flagship chipset
- OnePlus “Tri‑chips” design:
- Main SoC
- Dedicated Touch Response chip
- G2 Wi‑Fi chip for more stable low‑latency connections [17]
Combined, these are tuned for high‑refresh gaming, snappy animations, and better heat management than older designs—though not every reviewer agrees OnePlus has fully tamed the thermals (more on that below). [18]
Battery & charging
- 7,300 mAh silicon‑carbon battery (dual‑cell)
- 80W wired charging in the US
- 50W wireless charging with compatible AirVOOC chargers [19]
Globally, OnePlus advertises up to 120W wired charging, but the US model is capped at 80W—still extremely fast by US standards. [20]
Cameras
Rear triple‑camera setup (all 50MP): [21]
- Main: 50MP sensor with OIS and a larger sensor than the OnePlus 13
- Ultra‑wide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP periscope with 3.5x optical zoom, OIS
- Front: 32MP selfie camera with improved low‑light sensitivity
The cameras are powered by OnePlus’ new DetailMax imaging engine, which replaces the Hasselblad‑branded system and focuses on multi‑frame processing and 26MP output for greater detail. The phone supports 4K 120fps Dolby Vision on the main camera and 4K60 on the others. [22]
Design and durability
- Flat‑edged metal frame with a “ceramic‑like” finish
- Squared camera island in the corner (a big visual change from the circular bump on older OnePlus phones) [23]
- IP68 and IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance [24]
- In‑display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor (a step up from older optical readers) [25]
Notably, OnePlus has removed the classic Alert Slider and replaced it with a new “Plus Key”, a customizable side button that can trigger shortcuts, voice memos into Mind Space, and other actions. [26]
Software & updates
- OxygenOS 16, based on Android 16, with an “Intelligently Yours” AI‑focused design philosophy
- Deep Gemini integration in Mind Space and other AI‑assisted features, depending on region [27]
- Update policy:
- 4 major Android OS upgrades
- 6 years of security patches (typically bimonthly) [28]
Despite at least one article today mis‑stating that the OnePlus 15 will get seven years of updates, multiple primary sources — including OnePlus’ own statements relayed by 9to5Google, Droid‑Life, and others — confirm 4/6 years as the official policy. [29]
Early verdict: legendary battery life, mixed feelings on heat and cameras
Because the OnePlus 15 has been on sale outside the US for weeks, there’s already a mountain of real‑world testing you can factor into your pre‑order decision.
Battery life: “range anxiety” killer
Several independent reviews and lab tests converge on the same conclusion: the 7,300 mAh pack is legitimately as wild as it sounds.
- TechRadar awarded the OnePlus 15 a rare 5‑star rating, partly thanks to what it calls extraordinary endurance and durability. [30]
- Notebookcheck’s dedicated battery test measured well over 30 hours of Wi‑Fi use, estimating 2–3 days of real‑world use for typical users. [31]
- Smartprix reports 11–12 hours of screen‑on time in mixed usage plus sub‑45‑minute full charges with the global 120W brick. [32]
- Droid‑Life’s review describes repeated failed attempts to drain the battery in a single day of heavy use. [33]
For anyone who has ever traveled with a battery pack or hunted wall outlets at 4PM, this is the OnePlus 15’s defining strength.
Performance and heat
With Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and aggressive gaming features, you’d expect flawless thermals—but reviews are a bit more cautious:
- Android Authority points out that while day‑to‑day performance is excellent, the phone heats up quickly under sustained loads, especially in intensive games. [34]
- Notebookcheck’s full smartphone review notes that pushing 165fps gaming can throttle performance slightly compared to the OnePlus 13, likely because OnePlus is balancing speed against battery life and heat. [35]
In short: it’s a performance monster, but not magically immune to physics.
Cameras: strong, but not always a clear upgrade
The camera story is more nuanced:
- Smartprix and other reviewers highlight that OnePlus moved to smaller camera sensors this year (IMX906 main, smaller ultra‑wide and telephoto sensors), relying on DetailMax processing to keep image quality high. That works well in daylight, but low‑light shots and high‑zoom photos can reveal the limits of the hardware. [36]
- Photography‑focused outlets like Digital Camera World praise the speed and consistency for most everyday shots but describe DetailMax as more of an iteration than a revolution over the previous system. [37]
If you mostly take social‑media photos and casual videos, you’ll likely be very happy. If you’re a camera nerd comparing RAW files against a Pixel 10 Pro XL or Galaxy S25 Ultra, you may notice the compromises.
Where the OnePlus 15 fits in the 2025 flagship landscape
TechRadar goes as far as calling the OnePlus 15 better overall than both the Galaxy S25 and Pixel 10, citing its performance, battery, and clean software as key differentiators. [38]
At the same time, OnePlus still trails Google and Samsung on software longevity (4 OS updates vs. 7) and is taking a risk by leaning into a more generic, boxy design that some long‑time fans find less distinctive. [39]
And the OnePlus 15 won’t stand alone for long:
- The OnePlus 15R is launching globally on December 17, 2025, with the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 (non‑Elite), a 165Hz display, and quad IP ratings (IP66/68/69/69K). It’s positioned as a slightly more affordable performance‑focused sibling. [40]
- In China, the same device is debuting as the OnePlus Ace 6T, with an even larger battery than the OnePlus 15, underscoring how aggressively OnePlus is targeting battery life across its lineup. [41]
For US buyers today, though, the OnePlus 15 is the only model you can actually pre‑order.
Should you pre‑order the OnePlus 15 today?
Here’s a quick way to think about it.
You should seriously consider pre‑ordering if:
- Battery life is your top priority. All major tests agree the OnePlus 15 is one of the longest‑lasting mainstream phones ever shipped. [42]
- You want top‑tier performance and a 165Hz display for gaming or smooth UI, and you don’t want to pay Samsung or Apple prices. [43]
- The free Watch 3 or Buds Pro 3, plus trade‑in bonuses and student discounts, meaningfully reduce the effective cost for you. [44]
You may want to wait or compare if:
- Long‑term software support is critical and you’d rather have 7 years of updates, as offered by latest Pixels and Galaxy flagships. [45]
- You’re extremely picky about camera performance and often shoot in low light or at high zoom levels; Pixels and some Samsungs still edge out OnePlus in computational photography. [46]
- You prefer to buy through a carrier with financing or trade‑in handled directly through your operator, and those deals haven’t been announced yet.
For most mainstream Android enthusiasts in the US, the calculus is simple: if you want a battery‑first flagship with brute‑force performance and a huge launch bundle, the OnePlus 15’s US pre‑order window looks genuinely compelling. If you’re more focused on cameras, super‑long updates, or carrier perks, it might be worth waiting a little longer to see how the holiday flagship deals shake out.
References
1. www.androidcentral.com, 2. www.notebookcheck.net, 3. www.androidcentral.com, 4. www.oneplus.com, 5. www.androidcentral.com, 6. www.androidcentral.com, 7. www.androidcentral.com, 8. www.androidcentral.com, 9. www.androidcentral.com, 10. www.androidcentral.com, 11. www.androidcentral.com, 12. www.androidcentral.com, 13. techaeris.com, 14. techaeris.com, 15. www.androidcentral.com, 16. www.androidcentral.com, 17. www.androidcentral.com, 18. www.androidauthority.com, 19. www.androidcentral.com, 20. www.smartprix.com, 21. www.androidcentral.com, 22. www.androidcentral.com, 23. www.androidcentral.com, 24. www.androidcentral.com, 25. www.oneplus.com, 26. www.androidcentral.com, 27. www.androidcentral.com, 28. 9to5google.com, 29. 9to5google.com, 30. www.techradar.com, 31. www.notebookcheck.net, 32. www.smartprix.com, 33. www.droid-life.com, 34. www.androidauthority.com, 35. www.notebookcheck.net, 36. www.smartprix.com, 37. www.digitalcameraworld.com, 38. www.techradar.com, 39. 9to5google.com, 40. www.androidcentral.com, 41. www.notebookcheck.net, 42. www.notebookcheck.net, 43. www.androidcentral.com, 44. www.androidcentral.com, 45. 9to5google.com, 46. www.smartprix.com
