OnePlus 15 Outpaces Samsung S25 Ultra in Key Areas

When the latest Android flagships hit the market, the narrative usually pits Samsung against Google, with OnePlus often playing the underdog. But a recent review from ZDNet shows that the OnePlus 15 is not just keeping pace—it’s leading the pack in several critical dimensions.

Battery Life and Fast Charging

One of the most striking differences is the battery. The OnePlus 15 ships with a 7,300 mAh pack, compared to Samsung’s 6,500 mAh. Coupled with 80 W wired charging, the phone reaches 50 % in under 30 minutes—enough time to grab a coffee and get back on the road.

"The 80W wired charging takes it from 0 to 50% by the time I brushed and washed my face in the morning," the reviewer notes.

"Imagine every phone was like this?"

The battery endurance was tested in real‑world scenarios: GPS navigation, video playback, and continuous gaming. Even after a full day of heavy use, the OnePlus 15 still had ample charge left.

Display and Performance

The OnePlus 15 features a 6.7‑inch AMOLED display with a 165 Hz refresh rate and 1.15 mm bezels. Although the resolution dropped from 2K to 1.5K, the lower pixel density helps maintain the high refresh rate without excessive power draw.

Below is a quick spec comparison:

| Feature                 | OnePlus 15          | Samsung S25 Ultra |
|--------------------------|---------------------|-------------------|
| Display                  | 6.7" AMOLED, 165 Hz | 6.8" AMOLED, 120 Hz |
| Battery                  | 7,300 mAh, 80 W     | 6,500 mAh, 65 W   |
| Chipset                  | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Exynos 2400 (US) |
| RAM / Storage            | 12 GB / 256 GB      | 12 GB / 512 GB    |
| Camera (Main)            | 200 MP, 120× zoom  | 200 MP, 200× zoom |

Gaming‑Focused Optimizations

The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, coupled with OnePlus’s custom CPU scheduler, keeps the phone from throttling for extended periods. In a 30‑minute gaming session, the OnePlus 15 maintained a consistent frame rate while Samsung and Google flagships began to heat up and drop frames within the first five minutes.

"This is a testament to Qualcomm's new chipset and OnePlus' CPU Scheduler," the reviewer writes.

The dedicated Wi‑Fi 7 chip also ensures low‑latency, high‑throughput connections—an essential feature for mobile esports.

AI‑Driven Productivity

OnePlus has quietly positioned itself as a leader in mobile AI. The new Mind Space feature stores screenshots and voice memos locally, which Gemini can then reference to answer contextual queries. This is a step beyond the typical AI camera processing.

"I found it most useful to activate Mind Space to store screenshots and voice memos," the reviewer notes.

The programmable side key adds versatility, allowing users to map functions from flashlight to launching the camera.

Camera Performance: A Mixed Bag

While the OnePlus 15’s sensor sizes are smaller than the OnePlus 13, the improved AI processing and Qualcomm’s ISP help mitigate the loss. Wide and ultrawide shots are saturated and high‑contrast, though low‑light performance still lags behind Samsung and Google.

"The smaller sensors struggle to pull in enough light," the reviewer cautions.

The 120× optical zoom outperforms Samsung’s 200 MP camera in clarity, especially for signage and distant text.

Availability and Pricing

At a starting price of $899 for the 12 GB / 256 GB variant, the OnePlus 15 offers a compelling value proposition for gamers and power users. However, U.S. sales are delayed due to FCC certification delays caused by the government shutdown. The phone is available in Canada from November 13.

"We are hopeful that approvals can be generated quickly," OnePlus’ Spenser Blank told ZDNet.

Verdict

The OnePlus 15 is a deliberate step forward: it builds on the strengths of its predecessor—battery life, fast charging, and performance—while adding AI productivity tools that set it apart. The camera’s downgrade is a trade‑off, but for many users, the gains in power, gaming, and battery outweigh the loss.

Source: ZDNet