I’ve used the OnePlus 15 for the last few weeks, and it’s been a fantastic experience.
It’s redefined how I calculate battery life on smartphones, and it’s what I’m going to judge future devices against.
It also excels in other areas, and despite a few shortcomings, it’s one of the best devices you can have in your pocket for $900.
Unfortunately, most of you won’t purchase a OnePlus 15. Like the OnePlus 13, it’ll be relegated to niche status in the US, with only hardcore enthusiasts and long-time fans willing to take the plunge.
Until OnePlus changes its strategy, that’s the way it’ll stay. It’s a shame, because we’re in desperate need of flagship competition.
Here’s why the OnePlus 15 is the best smartphone you won’t buy — again.
The OnePlus 15 has outstanding battery life
I don’t even keep track
Good battery life is essential on any smartphone, but I rarely start a review talking about it. It’s the primary reason why I love the OnePlus 15.
Other phones have fantastic battery life, but it’s usually a result of a budget chipset. I don’t mind that for midrange phones, but it’s not something that impresses me.
I’ve seen the reports about overheating, but I wouldn’t give them much attention.
The OnePlus 15 stands out due to its combination of outstanding battery life and excellent performance. I don’t have to compromise or sacrifice merely to get a phone that can last days on a single charge.
It’s not magic that gives the OnePlus 15 its battery prowess. Its dual-cell silicon-carbon batteries combined to equal 7,300mAh, an impressive number.
It’s easy to get desensitized to specs on smartphones. We hear every year how the latest devices do three or four times better than their predecessors, only to not feel any real-world advantages.
That’s not the case with the OnePlus 15, as I’ve seen noticeable real-world battery improvements.
A few friends and I wanted to watch a basketball game that wasn’t available on broadcast television. Unfortunately, I still pay for a Peacock subscription, so I was able to pull up the game.
My phone was already off the charger for about ten hours, but even after that and two hours of an NBA game, I was still at 91% battery remaining.
Google Maps with turn-by-turn navigation is another area where the battery usually drains.
I used it on the OnePlus 15 over the weekend while driving on vacation. I managed to navigate for three and a half hours with the display on through New York traffic, using just under 15%.
It also doesn’t hurt that when it’s time to top off, I can do so at 80W with an adapter that came in the box. I hope Samsung is paying attention.
Not sacrificing performance for battery life
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 gets the job done
I’ve received excellent performance from the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset in the OnePlus 15. It has lived up to the hype, offering smooth gaming and a snappy UI experience.
I’ve seen the reports about overheating, but I wouldn’t give them much attention. If you repeatedly rev a vehicle to 9,000 RPM at a car lot, causing it to overheat each time, you will likely produce a failure.
I can only hope that right before the salesperson calls the neveropen, they will mention that you don’t drive your car that way.
The same can be said for your smartphone. You don’t run benchmarks on max settings repeatedly, so I wouldn’t worry.
I used the phone for intensive gaming and turn-by-turn navigation, as mentioned earlier, without any issues. On the return trip, I was even charging the phone at the same time, and it was cool to the touch when I got to my driveway.
I’ll admit that OnePlus has work to do on the cameras. I’m less critical of the photos than others, as I think the device is capable of some excellent shots.
I like the details in good lighting, and the OnePlus 15 did a fantastic job replicating the colors I saw. There were occasional misses, and the company should continue to work on the DetailMax Engine, but I’m not discouraged by what I’ve seen so far.
The OnePlus 15 won’t put a dent in Samsung’s sales
The company needs to reconsider what it does in the US
There are so many things I enjoy about the OnePlus 15 that it makes me sad most won’t get a chance to experience them.
Long-time users are comfortable buying through the OnePlus site or Best Buy, but those looking to switch may be less persuaded.
Carrier discounts and support matters, and the chances of OnePlus’ success in the US went out the window with the end of its T-Mobile deal.
Additionally, never underestimate the number of people who simply want to upgrade to a new phone by adding a small monthly payment to their bill.
It’s frustrating because I think the OnePlus 15 would compare favorably to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra on store shelves, especially for a significantly lower price.
It’s not all the fault of OnePlus, but I’m still sad
I don’t blame the current delay in the United States on OnePlus. We did have a government shutdown, and devices do need FCC approval.
However, the rest of what OnePlus does is open to question.
I’d love to see the OnePlus 15 come to the US in a big way, just like I wished the OnePlus 13 had.
It’s unlikely to be the case, and Samsung and Google will continue to win by default. Until something changes, the OnePlus 15 will be the best smartphone you won’t buy — again.
