Apparently, we’re not done with major flagship releases in 2025 just yet.
OnePlus announced that the OnePlus 15 will launch globally on November 13th, much earlier than expected.
The rumored specs are impressive, and if what we receive stateside is anything like the Chinese variant, the OnePlus 15 will feature a massive battery.
The phone will carry flagship credentials, and I expect the price to remain around $1,000, making it an intriguing choice for enthusiasts once again.
The OnePlus 15 is unlikely to pose a significant threat to Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 in the marketplace.
A lack of carrier store presence will likely relegate the OnePlus 15 to a niche status, reserved for enthusiasts who seek top-of-the-line specs in a flagship at a reasonable price.
It’s tough to gain traction in the US without the ease of carrier financing and promotion. Still, the OnePlus 15 will set the bar for what’s possible, and I’d hate to see Samsung get embarrassed with an underwhelming Galaxy S26 Ultra — again.
A bigger battery isn’t the only advantage
Impressive charging speeds
The Chinese OnePlus 15 variant features a massive 7,300mAh battery. Even if the US version only gets close to that, it’ll easily top what we anticipate in the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Samsung hasn’t increased the battery size in its top flagship model for years, relying on improved chipset efficiency to squeeze out extra battery life.
Samsung has gotten away with it, but I feel OnePlus is about to set the bar for battery performance in 2026.
I love phones that I can use for two days without touching a charging cable. Whether it’s a long day of recording videos and pictures, or I’m away on vacation, battery anxiety is a real thing, and it should be a thing of the past on flagship phones.
The OnePlus 13’s battery life was outstanding, and I expect even better performance this year.
It’s not just battery capacity that will make the OnePlus 15 impressive. The company moved to silicon-carbon battery technology, something Samsung desperately needs to do soon. It’ll allow the company to put higher-capacity cells in its devices without compromising the phone’s design too much.
I’m hopeful we’ll see faster wired charging on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. I’ve seen rumors of 60W wired charging, which is a must.
I’m tired of having 50W wireless charging on OnePlus flagships being higher than the wired charging on Samsung’s $1,300 phones.
OnePlus doesn’t keep the same design for long
Expect more changes
Whether you love OnePlus or hate it, it’s hard to deny that the company continues to move forward.
We just got a major design refresh last year, and it appears we’re getting another one with the OnePlus 15. OnePlus isn’t afraid to try new designs, which has been true since the beginning.
I loved the look of the OnePlus 8, and I appreciated the slightly curved 2.5D glass on the OnePlus 13.
I won’t know how I feel about the OnePlus 15 until I get extensive hands-on time, but it does keep the device exciting.
I understand OnePlus is in a position where it has nothing to lose, especially in the US. If Samsung misses with a design, the company would take a huge hit — that’s not the case with OnePlus.
Still, it’s evidence of how wonderful competition is, as OnePlus needs to keep its focus on the international market, where overseas companies are always pushing the envelope.
Samsung largely gets a pass here in the United States, without a serious challenge from an Android competitor vying for the same customer base. It’s starting to show for Samsung, and the company has become more than stagnant with its phone designs over the last few years.
All is not lost for Samsung
I have some hope for the Galaxy S26
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra doesn’t appear to be a wholesale departure from the Galaxy S25 Ultra based on the leaks I’ve seen.
However, Samsung appears to have a few smaller changes planned that may have a more significant overall impact. Changes to the design and charging speeds will help Samsung’s new flagship.
I also hope Samsung takes the plunge and goes with its Exynos 2600 chipset in the Galaxy S26 Ultra. It’s a way for Samsung to differentiate its phones from the competition, and even if there are growing pains, the long-term benefits far outweigh any short-term issues.
There’s no reason Samsung shouldn’t provide the efficiencies and performance Apple and Huawei do by using its own silicon.
If the rumors about improved yields for the Exynos 2600 are true, it’s time for Samsung to take a chance.
So much wasted potential for Samsung
I know we’ll never get back to the days when, every time I walk into a carrier store, Samsung has a new design or product that it’s trying out. I’m not asking for that.
It’s a mature company with a large installed user base that it doesn’t want to turn off. Still, there are things Samsung can add to keep pace with other smartphones we see overseas, especially for the prices it charges.
The OnePlus 15 won’t outsell the Galaxy S26 Ultra, but it will show just how far Samsung has fallen off.
