OnePlus is set to redefine flagship expectations with the global launch of the OnePlus 15 on November 13th. Following its October debut in China, the device arrives in international markets sporting radical hardware choices and parting ways with its long-time camera partner, Hasselblad—a move that places significant bets on raw power and endurance over established imaging pedigree.

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Redesign and Durability:
Departing from the OnePlus 13's aesthetic, the 15 features a redesigned camera module inspired by the Asia-exclusive 13T/13S. Its "sand storm" color variant showcases a textured fiberglass back (replacing the previous faux leather) for improved grip, housed within a ceramic-coated metal frame touted as tougher than aluminum or titanium. A new customizable "Plus Key" on the frame offers iPhone-like shortcut functionality, integrated with OnePlus' Plus Mind feature.

Display Breakthroughs:
OnePlus claims the 15 boasts the "smoothest display yet" with industry-leading 1.15mm symmetrical bezels—thinner than the iPhone 17 Pro—and a groundbreaking 165Hz refresh rate on its OLED panel, a rarity for flagship OLEDs typically capped at 120Hz. Developed with BOE, the new "X3 luminescent material" promises:
* 13% improvement in High Brightness Mode (HBM)
* 11.8% increase in color accuracy
* 10% reduction in power consumption
* 30% longer lifespan
It's also the first Android device certified by TÜV Rheinland for true hardware-level 1-nit minimum brightness (Smart Eye Protection 5.0 Gold).

Performance and the Battery Behemoth:
At its core lies the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, promising 25% faster single-core and 20% faster multi-core performance alongside enhanced on-device AI capabilities. The real headline, however, is the battery: a colossal 7,300mAh cell (for global models, slightly reduced from China's 120W to 80W wired charging, retaining 50W wireless). This dwarfs rivals:
* Galaxy S25 Ultra: 5,000mAh
* Pixel 10 Pro XL: 5,200mAh
This capacity, paired with the efficient chipset and display tech, positions the 15 for potential multi-day endurance.

The Hasselblad Departure and Camera Gamble:
The most significant unknown is the camera system. September marked the end of the Hasselblad partnership. In its place, OnePlus introduces the "DetailMax Engine," described by co-founder Pete Lau as "designed from the ground up to deliver the clearest and most real photos... without over-beautification." Promising "real and clear" results leveraging computational imaging, the system is entirely untested in the competitive flagship arena. Lau's assertion that zooming in will reveal its quality sets high expectations.

Pricing and Availability:
Launching globally November 13th, pricing remains unconfirmed for the US. The Chinese model starts at roughly $689 (¥4,899) for 12GB RAM/256GB storage, scaling to 16GB/1TB. Whether all variants reach global markets is pending.

The Verdict:
The OnePlus 15 makes audacious hardware statements: record-breaking battery capacity, cutting-edge display specs, and a premium, durable build. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 ensures top-tier performance. However, abandoning Hasselblad's proven color science for the unproven DetailMax Engine is a substantial risk. Its success hinges on whether sheer power and endurance can outweigh potential compromises in the critical area of imaging—a gamble that could cement its status as 2025's ultimate value flagship or leave it overshadowed by more balanced competitors. The camera performance, more than any spec sheet number, will ultimately define its legacy.

Source: Based on reporting by Prakhar Khanna for ZDNET.