OnePlus 15 launches with 7,300mAh battery, 165Hz display, IP69
After weeks of teasers, OnePlus has officially unveiled the OnePlus 15 in China, pulling the wraps off a device that doubles down on battery endurance and speed while reshuffling some long-standing brand staples.
Design & durability
The OnePlus 15 sticks to flat edges with softened corners and a redesigned rear camera island. The headline surprise is durability: IP69 and IP69K ratings bring serious water and high-pressure resistance — a welcome about-face after years of inconsistent IP protection on OnePlus flagships. Also new is a remappable hardware shortcut key on the left frame, replacing the iconic alert slider (last absent on the 10T). You can map it to ringer profiles, AI shortcuts, screenshots, and more.
Display
Up front sits a 6.78-inch OLED that pushes a 165Hz refresh rate and can dim to a single nit. The trade-off: resolution drops from QHD+ to 1.5K. OnePlus argues QHD+ at 165Hz isn’t technically feasible and says this panel actually costs more than the OnePlus 13’s — a notable shift for a brand that once championed uncompromised display specs.
Performance, cooling & charging
Power comes from Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 paired with “Glacier VC” vapor-chamber cooling. The battery is the star: a massive 7,300mAh cell with 120W wired and 50W wireless charging. That’s a sizable jump over the OnePlus 13’s 6,000mAh—and a clear advantage on capacity versus Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra (5,000mAh).
Cameras & imaging
The Hasselblad era is over. In its place, OnePlus is leaning on OPPO’s Lumo imaging engine (likely to be rebranded “DetailMax” internationally). Hardware includes an unnamed Sony 50MP main camera, a 50MP 3.5× periscope (f/2.8), a 50MP ultrawide, and a 32MP selfie shooter. Sensor specifics for the main and periscope units weren’t disclosed; earlier chatter suggested smaller sensors than the OnePlus 13, hinting that software tuning and the new chipset will carry much of the imaging load.
Software & extras
The phone ships with ColorOS 16 in China and adds a handful of enthusiast-friendly touches: an IR blaster, ultrasonic in-display fingerprint reader, Wi-Fi 7, and USB 3.2 Gen 1. There’s also a curious perk for Apple users — Apple Watch compatibility via the OPPO Health Connect app installed directly on the watch (initial pairing and activation still require an iPhone).
Price, colors & availability
The OnePlus 15 starts at 3,999 yuan (≈$562) for 12GB/256GB and comes in Sand Dune, Misty Purple, and Absolute Black. While OnePlus hasn’t confirmed global timing, rumors point to a November 13 announcement — potentially giving the company runway ahead of Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series, which has reportedly slipped from its usual January window.
Bottom line
The OnePlus 15 is a deliberate pivot: bigger battery, higher refresh rate, tougher build — and a willingness to sacrifice QHD+ and the alert slider to get there. If OnePlus nails the imaging and efficiency story, this could be the battery-life bruiser to beat heading into the holiday season.
