It’s almost difficult to compare the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL and the OnePlus 15. They both run Android and have flagship price tags, but that’s where the similarities end.

However, they’re still two of the best smartphones on the market, and people will be deciding between them.

It’s not as easy as it seems on the surface, and while the phones present distinct cases of why you should buy each, it’s important to find out what kind of buyer you are.

The is much more than meets the eye, and I think it’s too often dismissed by people who would actually enjoy it.

By comparison, the OnePlus 15 is upfront — a blistering powerhouse with top-tier performance and outstanding battery life.

If you’re undecided about your next smartphone, let’s take a look at why you might consider each.

The OnePlus 15 on a table

What I like about the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL

Fantastic software and excellent cameras

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL held up against brown rock

I describe the Pixel 10 Pro XL as more than the sum of its parts.

I don’t typically begin a conversation about smartphones with software, but it’s necessary for the Pixel 10 Pro XL.

Material 3 Expressive is easily the best-designed version of Android 16 I’ve used. It’s inspired and intuitive. It’s the first time in a while that I feel the software I’m using was designed by people who use it themselves.

It’s easy to dismiss the work Google put into unifying the user experience, with purposeful design choices throughout the entire UI and snappy performance.

These aren’t items that show up on a spec sheet, and they don’t add anything to benchmark scores. However, the software experience makes up a significant portion of how we enjoy our phones.

The Pixel 10 Pro XL is just fun to use, and Material 3 Expressive is a big reason why.

I firmly believe the Tensor G5 chipset gets way more hate than it deserves. Whenever someone complains about overheating Pixels or poor modem performance, I immediately know they are using an older device.

Modern Pixels have improved, and while Google doesn’t get a pass for the pain they caused me and others from their previous devices, I can only judge what’s in front of me.

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL catching a Bidoof

It’s true. If you’re a hardcore gamer, you’ll love what I have to say about the OnePlus 15 more than you will about the Pixel 10 Pro XL.

However, that doesn’t mean the Pixel 10 Pro XL can’t game, and if that’s not a deciding factor for you, the Tensor G5 provides snappy performance. It’s power-efficient, and I have no problem breezing through daily tasks, especially paired with 16GB of RAM.

The display on the Pixel 10 Pro XL is better than the OnePlus 15. It features a slightly higher resolution and more saturated colors.

Google equipped the Pixel 10 Pro XL with a 6.8-inch Super Actua panel. If you haven’t used a Pixel in a few years, you’ll love what Google’s done with its screens.

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL display in sunlight

I’m not a shutterbug, and I don’t have a great eye for photos. However, it doesn’t take a photographer to know that the image outputs from the Pixel 10 Pro XL easily top what I get from the OnePlus 15.

Google’s Night Sight is still fantastic for low-light photography, and I love the details I see in photos from my Pixel.

I don’t typically care about telephoto lens performance, either, but the Pixel 10 Pro XL’s is good enough that I find myself coming up with excuses to take zoomed-in photos.

What I like about the OnePlus 15

Outstanding battery life and snappy performance

OnePlus 15 in Sand Storm at the beach

You may notice that I didn’t mention battery life on the Pixel 10 Pro XL, because I didn’t want to insult the OnePlus 15.

I won’t entertain any further battery conversations from Google or Samsung until they can match what I experience on the OnePlus 15.

You can poke holes in other areas of the phone, but I can easily go three days on a single charge with light to mixed use. Over three hours of turn-by-turn navigation drained less than 15% of my battery during a recent vacation.

The OnePlus 15’s dual-cell, 7,300mAh silicon-carbon battery is nothing short of outstanding. The phone also embarrasses the competition when it’s time to recharge, with 80W fast charging from an adapter included in the box.

I now know what’s possible for battery life in a flagship smartphone that still maintains a relatively slim form factor, and it’s time for Google and others to step up.

I also can’t fault the OnePlus 15 for its performance. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset blazes through anything I throw at it.

If you’re a gamer, this is the phone you want. I can play all AAA mobile games at high settings and get excellent frame rates.

You’ll need to spend $1,000 if you want to match the 16GB of RAM in the Pixel 10 Pro XL, but that’s still less than what you’d spend on Google’s flagship.

Home screen on the OnePlus 15

I prefer the display on the Pixel 10 Pro XL, but the OnePlus 15’s panel isn’t bad.

Its 6.78-inch screen doesn’t have the QHD+ resolution you’ll find on its predecessor, but it’s still detailed and saturated.

I’m pleased to say that the software no longer holds back OnePlus, but it’s nowhere near as polished as what you get on the Pixel 10 Pro XL.

OxygenOS 16 is snappy and features smooth animations. I didn’t encounter any issues with glitches or slowdowns, and the company has come a long way since the disaster that was OxygenOS 12.

OnePlus 15 sitting face down against a rock

I may not prefer OxygenOS 16 overall, but it features the best multitasking I’ve used. I love Open Canvas, and it works well on the OnePlus 15.

It’s safe to say the photos from the OnePlus 15 aren’t amazing. I like them more than many other people do, but I can still see where the Pixel 10 Pro XL comes out ahead.

However, the OnePlus 15 features a versatile camera system that does a good job of reproducing the colors I see.

It has the occasional miss, where you can see in the preview that the phone is struggling to balance the photo, but in decent lighting, I enjoy what the OnePlus 15 can do.

It’s an easy decision if you know what you’re looking for

The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL offers a lot to buyers who don’t necessarily need a ton of raw performance, which is most of us.

If you’re not trying to squeeze every frame out of your games or editing photos and videos on your phone, it’s harder to justify picking out a device purely for the power of its chipset.

The Pixel 10 Pro XL is enjoyable to use, and more people should give it a chance. Still, there will always be enthusiasts who want better raw performance and the best battery life I’ve ever gotten on a smartphone.

I also love that OnePlus got back to basics, giving us the value flagships that we know and love from the company.

It’s hard to consider $900 as a value phone, but as far as top-tier smartphones in 2025 go, it’s a bargain. All told, it’s an easy decision; you just have to be honest with yourself.


  • Pixel 10 Pro XL-1

    Google Pixel 10 Pro XL

    SoC

    Google Tensor G5

    RAM

    16GB

    Storage

    256 GB / 512 GB / 1TB with Zoned UFS / 1 TB with Zoned UFS

    Battery

    5200mAh

    Operating System

    Android 16

    Front camera

    42 MP Dual PD selfie camera

    The Pixel 10 Pro XL packs all the same features you’ll find on its less expensive siblings, along with a few exclusive features like a 6.8-inch display and faster charging.



    $1199 at Amazon
    $1199 at Google Store
    $1199 at Best Buy


  • OnePlus 15 Black Sandstone Left Back
    Credit: OnePlus

    OnePlus 15

    SoC

    Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

    RAM

    12GB / 16GB

    Storage

    256GB / 512GB

    Battery

    7,300mAh

    Operating System

    OxygenOS 16

    Front camera

    32MP

    The OnePlus 15 brings a massive 7,300mAh battery to the flagship phone table, which when paired with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor gives it spectacular battery life. Despite the battery size, the phone has a modern design and modest weight, and also showcases OnePlus’s new DetailMax Engine for the camera. 



    See at OnePlus