OnePlus 15 Review Round‑Up (15 November 2025): 7,300mAh Battery Rewrites the Rules, Cameras Go “Down to the Wire” Against Samsung

The OnePlus 15 has gone from rumor to reality in just a few days, and as of 15 November 2025 it’s already the most talked‑about Android flagship of the season — not because of AI tricks, but because of an absolutely enormous 7,300mAh silicon‑carbon battery and a controversial camera reboot.

Early reviews from CNET, The Verge and others, plus fresh tests and updates published over the last 48 hours, paint a clear picture: this is the phone to buy if you hate charging, but camera perfectionists may still look toward Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra.

OnePlus 15 at a glance: a battery-first flagship

On paper, the OnePlus 15 reads like a spec monster:

Battery: 7,300mAh silicon‑carbon cell, 120W wired and 50W wireless charging
Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
Display: 6.78‑inch LTPO AMOLED, 1.5K resolution, up to 165Hz in supported games
Cameras: 50MP main (Sony IMX906), 50MP ultrawide, 50MP 3.5x telephoto with “optical‑quality” 7x zoom, plus 32MP selfie with autofocus ^[1]
Durability: IP66, IP68, IP69 and IP69K water/dust ratings, Gorilla Glass Victus 2, 215g chassis ^[2]
Memory & storage: 12GB/256GB or 16GB/512GB, with some regions offering up to 1TB ^[3]
Software: OxygenOS 16 based on Android 16, with four years of OS updates and six years of security patches, according to OnePlus ^[4]

The company also ditched its Hasselblad branding and introduced a new in‑house imaging pipeline called DetailMax Engine, betting that its own AI‑driven processing (deblurring, edge reconstruction, more aggressive tone mapping) can keep up with the best camera phones. ^[5]

At the same time, OnePlus removed its iconic Alert Slider, replacing it with an Apple‑style “Plus Key” action button that can trigger different shortcuts or launch the new “Mind Space” AI memory hub. Reviewers are divided: some like the flexibility, many miss the instant mute switch. ^[6]

CNET and The Verge: a new battery champion is born

CNET’s review — “I Tested the OnePlus 15 and Its Massive 7,300-mAh Battery Deserves a Medal” — zeroes in on that huge silicon‑carbon pack. According to aggregated notes from CNET’s testing, the phone’s battery is nearly 50% largerthan the 5,000mAh cells found in most rival flagships, and in casual use it sailed past a day and a half while still having plenty left in the tank. Using the included 80W charger, they saw 1% to 73% in around 30 minutes. ^[7]

The Verge’s Allison Johnson took things further, deliberately maxing out every battery‑draining setting — high resolution, always‑on display, performance mode, long screen‑on sessions — and still couldn’t kill the phone in two days:

Over roughly two days of use and nearly nine hours of screen‑on time, the OnePlus 15’s battery dropped to just 32%. ^[8]

That’s the sort of result that makes most other flagships look fragile. Johnson calls it “a phone for the battery anxious” and notes that it’s effectively impossible to drain in a single day for typical users. ^[9]

There is a catch: silicon‑carbon batteries tend to degrade faster than traditional lithium‑ion cells. That’s one reason US brands have been cautious about adopting them. OnePlus says the pack should retain over 80% of its health after four years, and it pairs that with 4 OS updates and 6 years of security patches — roughly matching its claimed battery lifespan. ^[10]

For now, though, both CNET and The Verge agree: in late 2025, no other mainstream phone sold in the US can touch the OnePlus 15’s combination of capacity and endurance. ^[11]

Lab tests: 25‑hour benchmarks and brutal real‑world torture runs

Independent testing backs up the reviewers’ impressions — and then some.

Tom’s Guide: record-breaking 25:13 battery test

Tom’s Guide ran its standardized web‑browsing battery test and clocked the OnePlus 15 at 25 hours and 13 minutes, a new record in its database. ^[12]

For context, in the same test:

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: 14:27
iPhone 17 Pro Max: 17:54 ^[13]

In other words, OnePlus isn’t just eking out a modest edge — it’s lapping other flagships by hours.

Tom’s Guide’s reviewer then used the phone normally and managed almost two and a half days on a single charge, finishing at 2% after 2 days, 11 hours and 5 minutes with no power‑saving tricks enabled. They also measured the included charger refilling the phone to about 81% in 30 minutes, despite real‑world wattage peaking under the advertised 80W. ^[14]

NotebookCheck: stress test vs Oppo and Apple

NotebookCheck covered a separate “torture test” run by the YouTube channel Lover Of Tech, pitting the OnePlus 15 against the Oppo Find X9 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Under a brutal loop of 4K/60 video recording, social media, gaming, streaming and video calls, the phones lasted: ^[15]

Oppo Find X9 Pro: ~11 hours of on‑screen time
OnePlus 15: 9 hours 39 minutes 28 seconds
iPhone 17 Pro Max: 7 hours 37 minutes 42 seconds

The takeaway from NotebookCheck: OnePlus 15 comfortably delivers all‑day endurance even under extreme use, though Oppo’s slightly larger 7,500mAh pack still holds a narrow lead. The publication suggests there’s room for further software tuning but concludes that “battery anxiety should be a thing of the past” for OnePlus 15 buyers. ^[16]

Wired, Android Authority and others: two‑day phone in practice

Wired’s review describes the OnePlus 15 as “a phone with two‑day battery life”, noting that it is the only smartphone currently sold in the US with a 7,300mAh silicon‑carbon battery. The reviewer found they only needed to charge it every other day. ^[17]

Android Authority’s tests found the OnePlus 15 topping their charts in 4K video playback and simulated Zoom calls, with consistently excellent results across other benchmarks. Their reviewer calls it “the largest battery I’ve ever used on a smartphone” and praises how its 80W SuperVOOC brick still fills that massive cell almost as quickly as its predecessor’s smaller pack. ^[18]

Across outlets, the consensus is unusually strong: OnePlus 15 is the new battery king of mainstream Android phones, and probably of the entire flagship market.

Silicon‑carbon batteries: denser power, shorter long‑term bets

So what’s different about this battery?

Most smartphones still use conventional lithium‑ion cells. The OnePlus 15 instead uses a silicon‑carbon dual‑cell designwith roughly 15% silicon in the anode, branded as “Silicon NanoStack” by OnePlus. This allows much higher energy density without turning the phone into a brick or adding too much weight. ^[19]

Benefits:

Massive capacity in a “normal‑sized” phone (215g, similar thickness to many 5,000mAh flagships). ^[20]
Support for very fast charging (claimed up to 120W wired, 50W wireless) with acceptable thermals thanks to a large vapor chamber and upgraded cooling. ^[21]

Trade‑offs:

Silicon‑based anodes tend to degrade more quickly over hundreds of cycles than pure graphite, potentially shortening peak capacity life. The Verge calls this out explicitly as a concern. ^[22]
OnePlus doesn’t offer the same easy walk‑in battery swaps that Apple and Samsung have in many markets; official US repairs take 12–15 working days, according to its own site. ^[23]

For most buyers upgrading every three to four years, OnePlus’s 80% health after four years claim plus six years of security support is probably enough. But if you’re the type who keeps a phone for five or six years and then hands it down, this is the one big question mark in the OnePlus 15’s otherwise stellar endurance story. ^[24]

Cameras: OnePlus 15 vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra goes “down to the wire”

While the battery narrative is almost universally glowing, the camera story is far more nuanced, especially compared to Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra.

New hardware, no Hasselblad, and the DetailMax Engine

Camera‑focused outlets highlight several big changes:

OnePlus ended its high‑profile Hasselblad partnership, replacing it with its own DetailMax Engine aimed at more flexible AI tuning and computational photography. ^[25]
The rear system is now triple 50MP:
- Main: 1/1.56″ Sony IMX906, f/1.8, OIS
- Ultrawide: 1/2.88″, 16mm equivalent
- Telephoto: 1/2.76″, 3.5x (80mm) optical zoom with lossless 7x reach
Video gets meaningful upgrades, including 8K at 30fps and 4K at up to 120fps, plus real‑time tone mapping to separate subject and background for more accurate skin tones. ^[26]

On paper, that’s an impressive package, and Digital Camera World notes that OnePlus clearly intends the 15 to challenge the best camera phones of 2025. ^[27]

Review reality: “consistently inconsistent”

In practice, though, reviews are mixed:

Android Authority says the OnePlus 15’s new camera stack is “less endearing” than the excellent OnePlus 13. Smaller sensors and immature processing mean more aggressive, sometimes heavy‑handed AI, and the phone can struggle to deliver the same consistency as last year’s model. ^[28]
They specifically call out worse telephoto performance beyond 30x, processing quirks, and the feeling that the 15 is “not quite the flagship camera phone we’d hoped to see.” ^[29]
A dedicated camera review published today by Android Central, titled “OnePlus 15 camera review: Consistently inconsistent”, backs this up:
- The main camera is cleaner and better balanced than the OnePlus 13 in many shots.
- However, foliage rendering can look smeared, some daylight scenes are overexposed, and the 3.5x telephoto is slower to focus and struggles with color consistency in low light. ^[30]
- The ultrawide is described as “strictly average.”

That’s not to say the camera is bad — far from it. In good light, reviewers praise detail and color, and 4K120 video is a rare flagship perk. But the reputation OnePlus built with the Hasselblad‑tuned 13 means expectations were sky‑high, and early software on the 15 hasn’t fully met them yet. ^[31]

ZDNet’s shootout: Galaxy S25 Ultra vs OnePlus 15

ZDNet’s Adam Doud devoted an entire piece to a camera showdown between the OnePlus 15 and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, describing the contest as going “down to the wire.” He’s been testing the OnePlus 15 for weeks and frames it as a true Android flagship competitor that naturally invites a head‑to‑head with Samsung’s best. ^[32]

The full ZDNet verdict remains behind its own article, but the framing alone tells us a lot: rather than being outclassed, the OnePlus 15 can clearly keep pace in many scenarios, especially in bright daylight and portraits. Other outlets, however, still award the overall camera crown to the Galaxy S25 Ultra, with Tom’s Guide currently calling it the best camera phone you can buy, thanks to its 200MP main sensor and multi‑stage zoom system. ^[33]

The emerging consensus:

If you must have the very best camera system, Samsung’s flagship still has the edge, especially in long zoom and low light. ^[34]
If you care more about battery life and value, but still want a strong camera that’s competitive in most situations, the OnePlus 15 is “good enough” — though not the slam‑dunk upgrade over the OnePlus 13 many hoped for.

Display, design and software: more than just a giant battery

Display: 165Hz eye‑friendly OLED

The 6.78‑inch LTPO AMOLED panel is another highlight:

Resolution: 1.5K (1272 x 2772)
Refresh rate: adaptive 1–120Hz in general use, with up to 165Hz in supported games
Eye comfort: Android Central calls it “best in class,” noting strong brightness, excellent image quality and top‑tier eye‑care scores. ^[35]

Several reviewers say the 1.5K resolution downgrade from the OnePlus 13’s 2K panel is nearly impossible to see in real‑world use, while the extra refresh‑rate headroom is more tangible for gamers.

Design: flatter, tougher, more divisive

The design leans heavily into the flat‑sided, iPhone‑style aesthetic:

Flat frame and display, plus a squared‑off camera island on the back.
New “Sand Storm” color uses a ceramic‑like coating for durability, alongside Infinite Black and Ultra Violet options. ^[36]
IP66/68/69/69K ratings give it some of the best water‑resistance numbers of any non‑rugged phone. ^[37]

Reviewers are split: some welcome the extra grip and sturdy feel; others miss the softer, more playful design of the OnePlus 13 and lament the loss of the Alert Slider in favor of the Plus Key. ^[38]

Software: OxygenOS 16, Gemini and early updates

Out of the box, the OnePlus 15 ships with OxygenOS 16 on Android 16, and OnePlus is wasting no time patching it:

Within 24 hours of launch, the company began rolling out OxygenOS 16.0.1.303 to units in India and the EU, bringing the November 2025 security patch, faster app launches from the home screen and new features like setting videos as ringtones. ^[39]
Other regions are expected to follow once local approvals are in place. ^[40]

On the AI side:

The Plus Key can open “Mind Space,” a new vault for screenshots and voice notes that can be searched by Google’s Gemini Assistant, turning your scattered snippets into a searchable archive — at least in theory. ^[41]
There’s also an AI Writer that pops up in the text selection menu, plus other assistive tools. The Verge notes that these additions, along with legacy OxygenOS features like Shelf and suggested apps, make the interface feel increasingly cluttered compared to older, cleaner OnePlus phones. ^[42]

If you like feature‑rich Android skins, you’ll feel right at home. If you long for the minimalist OnePlus of old, OxygenOS 16 may feel more Samsung‑like than you’d prefer.

Pricing and availability on 15 November 2025

As of today, here’s where the OnePlus 15 stands globally.

Europe & UK (and early‑bird US pricing)

Digital Camera World and TechRadar outline the main configurations: ^[43]

12GB + 256GB (Infinite Black):
- £849 in the UK
- $899 in the US once sales begin
16GB + 512GB (Sand Storm, Ultra Violet):
- £979 / $999 standard pricing
- Limited‑time early‑bird promo at $899 / £879 in some markets

TechRadar confirms that the global version keeps the full 7,300mAh battery and high‑refresh 165Hz screen — no regional downgrades. ^[44]

India

Indian launch coverage confirms:

OnePlus 15 is the first global flagship phone with a battery greater than 7,000mAh.
It offers up to 16GB RAM and 512GB storage, a 165Hz LTPO AMOLED display and triple 50MP camera setup with 120W charging.
Pricing starts at ₹72,999, with sales through Amazon India and OnePlus’s own store. ^[45]

Canada and the US

CNET notes that OnePlus skipped a “OnePlus 14” and jumped straight to the 15, launching it first in Canada with prices starting at around $900 CAD, while US availability is paused pending Federal Communications Commission (FCC) certification. ^[46]

OnePlus told TechRadar that the phone has already completed all required lab tests and that its FCC application is formally submitted. However, the ongoing US government shutdown has delayed final approval, so American buyers are stuck waiting despite the early buzz. ^[47]

Should you buy the OnePlus 15 today?

Based on everything published up to 15 November 2025, including CNET’s deep dive, The Verge’s review, early lab tests and today’s new camera coverage, the OnePlus 15 is a very specific kind of flagship.

Buy it if…

Battery life is your number one priority. No mainstream phone currently touches its combination of 7,300mAh capacity, 25‑hour lab benchmark and two‑day real‑world endurance. ^[48]
You want a big, bright, eye‑friendly display with 165Hz gaming support. ^[49]
You value fast wired charging and don’t mind using the bundled 80W brick or OnePlus’s proprietary wireless charger. ^[50]
You appreciate rugged, water‑resistant hardware and don’t mind a slightly boxy, iPhone‑style design. ^[51]

Think twice if…

You’re a camera purist who wants the absolute best photos and zoom at any cost. Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra is still widely regarded as the camera phone to beat. ^[52]
You loved the Hasselblad look and feel of the OnePlus 13; the 15 is more of a reset than a straightforward upgrade in image quality. ^[53]
You’re wary of silicon‑carbon battery longevity and plan to keep your phone for five or more years without a battery swap. ^[54]
You hate bloat and prefer ultra‑clean Android; OxygenOS 16 is feature‑rich and increasingly crowded with AI tools and one‑off features. ^[55]

Bottom line

The OnePlus 15 is the clearest statement yet that battery life can be a headline feature, not an afterthought. Across CNET, The Verge, Wired, Tom’s Guide, Android Authority and today’s new reviews, the story is remarkably consistent:

Battery: industry‑leading, verging on absurd
Display, performance and durability: firmly top‑tier
Cameras: good to very good, but no longer OnePlus’s undisputed strength
Software & long‑term bets: powerful but cluttered, with open questions about silicon‑carbon aging

If your ideal flagship is a phone you can forget to charge and still trust, the OnePlus 15 is already the standout Android story of late 2025. If you’re chasing the perfect camera, however, the real battle this holiday season still goes “down to the wire” — and Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra remains the safer pick.

OnePlus 15 vs. Galaxy S25 Ultra: a REAL day camera & battery test!

Watch this video on YouTube.

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