OnePlus has officially launched its latest flagship smartphone, the OnePlus 15, in China following weeks of teasers and early specification reveals. While the company has not yet confirmed specific release dates for other regions, it stated that the global launch is expected “soon.” The announcement marks the next step for OnePlus as it continues to compete in the premium smartphone market with high-performance hardware and design updates.
Powerful performance and display upgrades
The OnePlus 15’s design and key features had already been widely discussed since September, after the company revealed several core specifications in advance of the official launch. The phone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, the latest flagship chipset designed to deliver stronger performance and more efficient power management. This places the device in direct competition with other premium handsets using the same processor.
A notable upgrade comes in the display technology. The OnePlus 15 features a 165Hz refresh rate screen, improving responsiveness and smoothness compared to the 120Hz panel used in last year’s OnePlus 13. However, while higher refresh rates offer a more fluid experience, only a limited number of mobile games currently support refresh rates above 120Hz. Even so, the upgrade signals OnePlus’s intention to position the 15 as a performance-focused device with future-proof usability.
Large battery capacity and charging specifications
One of the most eye-catching specifications is the OnePlus 15’s 7,300mAh battery. This continues a growing trend among Chinese smartphone makers to release devices with increasingly large battery capacities, often exceeding 7,000 mAh. These larger batteries are designed to offer longer use between charges, particularly for heavy users such as gamers and frequent video streamers.
However, it remains unclear whether the international models of the OnePlus 15 will retain the same battery capacity. In previous years, certain features available in the Chinese version of OnePlus flagships did not always carry over to European and US releases. Variants outside China sometimes featured smaller batteries due to design differences, market regulations, or cost considerations.
Charging speeds remain a standout feature. The OnePlus 15 supports 120W wired fast charging, designed to significantly reduce charging time and deliver rapid charging, providing convenience without compromising endurance.
Camera system and additional durability features
On the back of the OnePlus 15 is a triple-camera setup, with each lens offering 50-megapixel resolution. The system includes an upgraded periscope lens, intended to improve zoom performance and overall image quality in both close-up and long-range photography. Camera performance remains a major point of differentiation among flagship smartphones, and OnePlus is positioning the 15 as a device for users who prioritise strong imaging capabilities.
The device also carries an IP69K durability rating, indicating resistance against dust, high-pressure water, and extreme cleaning conditions. This is a higher durability rating than most smartphones on the market, making the OnePlus 15 suitable for users who require additional protection or who regularly use their phone in more challenging environments.
In China, the phone is priced at ¥3,999, which is approximately US$560.
The release of the OnePlus 15 coincides with the launch of the more budget-friendly Ace 6. This companion device features an even larger 7,800 mAh battery but uses a simpler dual-rear-camera system. The Ace 6 is expected to be released internationally under the name OnePlus 15R, similar to naming strategies used in previous years.
