Gaming Focus: How OnePlus 15 Outperforms Samsung's Flagship

OnePlus has turned the Android flagship market on its head with the 15, which outperforms Samsung's S25 Ultra in critical areas like battery life and sustained performance. The new device, with its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset and 7,300mAh battery, sets a new standard for mobile gaming and power users, even as it makes compromises in camera optics.

Design Evolution: From Unique to Familiar

When I first unboxed the OnePlus 15, I was struck by how far the company has come from its "Never Settle" roots. The device has moved away from the faux-leather backing of its predecessor to a satin-textured fiberglass panel. The Sand Storm variant, with its tan and beige hues, features a grippy side railing that provides reassurance during daily use.

However, this shift comes at the cost of the brand's traditionally slim and contoured form factor. The OnePlus 15 now more closely resembles an iPhone Pro Max or Google Pixel XL, a design choice that may disappoint fans of originality. Yet, this trade-off enables OnePlus to deliver on its promise of a premium device that can withstand daily wear and tear.

Display Engineering: Thin Bezels, Practical Resolution

OnePlus is making significant claims about its display engineering, particularly in bezel reduction. The OnePlus 15 features bezels measuring just 1.15mm, allowing for more screen real estate and a more immersive viewing experience.

Interestingly, the display resolution has dropped from the previous version's 2K panel to a new 1.5K panel. This trade-off likely enables the phone to operate at a consistently smooth 165Hz refresh rate without consuming excessive power. During testing, the display performed admirably, whether scrolling through content or playing graphics-intensive games.

Performance Champion: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

The OnePlus 15's standout feature is undoubtedly its performance capabilities. Powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset—the first to feature this processor—the device demonstrates remarkable thermal management and sustained performance.

During testing, the OnePlus 15 didn't show signs of throttling until the 30-minute mark of gaming sessions. This is a significant improvement over the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, which dropped frames and became uncomfortably warm within the first five minutes of gameplay.

This performance advantage stems from two key factors: the raw power of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and OnePlus' CPU Scheduler, which intelligently allocates computing bandwidth specifically for gaming. Additionally, the dedicated Wi-Fi chip supporting the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard further enhances the connectivity experience.

Camera System: Software Over Hardware

As with many devices, the OnePlus 15 demonstrates that one phone can't excel in every area. The camera system represents a step back from the OnePlus 13, with smaller sensor sizes and less capable camera hardware across all lenses.

In lieu of hardware upgrades, OnePlus is relying on improved AI software processing and Qualcomm's Image Signal Processor (ISP) to deliver quality results. This approach works to a certain capacity, producing well-saturated images with higher contrast than previous models. The HDR capturing is less aggressive than Samsung and Google offerings, providing a good balance of detail and color.

The telephoto performance is particularly impressive, with the 120x optical zoom outperforming even Samsung's 200MP camera in reproducing distant text and signage. The generative AI processing is executed tastefully, though it's worth noting that almost all modern phones incorporate some form of AI enhancement.

The primary weakness is low-light performance, where the smaller sensors struggle to capture sufficient light, resulting in less detail and natural colors. While no flagship phone excels at nightography, the OnePlus 15 falls behind its premium competitors in this area.

Battery Life: The Real Game Changer

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the OnePlus 15 is its battery performance. The 7,300mAh battery delivers exceptional endurance, easily lasting a full day of heavy use including photography, GPS navigation, and app usage.

During testing in South Korea, the device consistently had enough battery to last into the next morning. When needed, the 80W wired charging provides rapid replenishment—taking the phone from 0 to 50% in the time it takes to complete a morning routine. This combination of capacity and charging speed sets a new benchmark for the industry.

AI Integration: Beyond the Basics

OnePlus has introduced an innovative feature with the programmable action button, replacing the traditional three-level alert slider. While it can be mapped to standard functions like flashlight or camera activation, its most compelling use is for accessing "Mind Space."

Similar to Nothing's Essential Space, Mind Space serves as a local database for screenshots and voice recordings that Google's Gemini can reference for context-aware assistance. During testing, this feature proved particularly useful for travel, allowing quick access to flight schedules, weather information, and required documents simply by referencing saved images.

The Verdict: A Specialist in a Generalist World

Despite what the specifications suggest, the OnePlus 15 isn't a radical departure from the OnePlus 13. Instead, it represents a refinement that doubles down on the brand's strengths: battery life, fast charging, and sustained performance.

At the same starting price of $899, the OnePlus 15 emerges as the definitive option for mobile gamers, power users, and tech enthusiasts. The trade-off comes in camera optics, where Samsung and Google still hold an advantage. However, for those prioritizing endurance and performance over photographic excellence, the OnePlus 15 represents an exceptional value proposition.

One caveat for US customers: due to the government shutdown, FCC certification has been delayed, postponing US sales. OnePlus has assured customers that all required tests have been completed and the certification application has been submitted, with sales expected to proceed once approvals are granted.

In a market increasingly dominated by incremental improvements, the OnePlus 15 stands out by making meaningful advances in areas that matter most to its target audience—proving that sometimes, specialization trumps generalization.