The Android flagship season is upon us with several devices to look forward to, like the OnePlus 15, iQOO 15, Vivo X300, and more. Smartphone makers have already begun teasing their next big launches, showcasing design changes, new chipsets, and camera samples. Among them, the OnePlus 15 is in the spotlight, promising not just generational upgrades but also a bold new look. While its design may split opinions, it’s bound to spark conversations. With plenty to anticipate, here’s a closer look at the top upgrades expected from OnePlus’ upcoming flagship.
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Flagship power with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
OnePlus has officially confirmed that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 will power its upcoming flagship. This is Qualcomm’s latest chipset for premium smartphones, promising notable improvements. According to official figures, it delivers 20 percent faster performance and improves CPU efficiency by 35 percent compared to the previous Snapdragon 8 Elite. The Adreno GPU also benefits, offering a 23 percent boost in graphics and 20 percent better power management.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered OnePlus 13 is already among the best Android phones, delivering uncompromised speed. It handles everyday tasks, productivity, multitasking, and even demanding games with ease. Of course, performance doesn’t hinge only on the chipset but also on how well OnePlus optimises the overall experience. With the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 set to be even more capable, it will be interesting to see just how far the OnePlus 15 can push the limits and how it measures up against rivals.
No more Hasselblad cameras, but more in-house control
The OnePlus 15’s cameras will be worth watching, not just for the expected upgrades but also for the brand’s departure from its five-year partnership with Hasselblad. OnePlus is introducing its own DetailMax image engine with the OnePlus 15. Since the OnePlus 9, Hasselblad branding has brought recognition to OnePlus cameras, but that partnership has now ended. What does the new move mean for users?
OnePlus says it leverages advanced algorithms and powerful processing to deliver photos that look “breathtakingly clear and truly real.” It also unlocks AI-driven features like Detail Boost and enhanced HDR optimisation. Most importantly, it gives OnePlus complete control over image tuning and allows the company to fully harness the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5’s imaging power.
The brand has already shared several OnePlus 15 camera samples on Weibo, showcasing shots from both the main and telephoto lenses. While it’s hard to gauge real-world performance from official samples alone, the watermarks (85mm) suggest that the OnePlus 15 could feature a 3.7x telephoto camera, according to Android Authority. This marks a noticeable jump from the OnePlus 13’s 3x (70mm) periscope lens.
How the shift from Hasselblad to more in-house control results in the OnePlus 15’s camera performance is something that’s highly anticipated. OnePlus 13 delivered flagship-level camera performance, but it still falls behind the likes of the Vivo X200 (review). We’ll get a clearer picture once we review the phone and compare it against rivals.
New design, stronger build
OnePlus is moving away from the circular camera design in favor of a more subtle, minimalist look. The phone now features a small, square-shaped camera module in the top-left corner, housing three sensors and an LED flash. The design bears some resemblance to the OnePlus 13s, making the change feel natural.
Alongside the new design, OnePlus introduced a new ‘Sand Storm’ colour. This variant uses an industry-first micro-arc oxidation treatment on the aluminum frame, employing a high-voltage plasma process to forge a ceramic coating directly onto the metal. The result is “134 percent harder than titanium, 223 percent harder than stainless steel, and 344 percent harder than ordinary anodized aluminum”. The rear panel also incorporates a fiberglass layer for a smooth, premium texture.
Overall, the OnePlus 15 appears more compact and refined. The design refresh is striking and modern, though fans of the classic circular camera module may miss the old aesthetic.
Bigger battery, faster charging
The OnePlus 15’s battery hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, but leaks suggest significant upgrades. Rumors indicate it could feature a 7,000mAh battery or possibly even 7,800mAh, which would make it the largest battery ever on a OnePlus device. Currently, the OnePlus Nord CE5 holds the record with a 7,100mAh battery. For a flagship, a 7,000mAh battery would be a substantial improvement. Charging speeds may also see an upgrade, from 100W to 120W, while wireless charging is expected to remain at 50W.
By comparison, the OnePlus 13’s 6,000mAh battery comfortably lasts over a day even with demanding settings like AOD, 5G, and 120Hz refresh rate. With a larger battery and faster charging, the OnePlus 15 could redefine endurance for a flagship smartphone.
Gaming powerhouse with 165 FPS support
The OnePlus 15 is confirmed to support 165 FPS gaming, making it the first mainstream smartphone to offer this feature. Until now, such high frame rates were limited to dedicated gaming phones like the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro and Nubia REDMAGIC 7. While 165 FPS support has been officially announced, the true performance will depend on real-world gameplay and whether the phone can consistently hit that mark.
OnePlus China president Louis Lee revealed that popular titles such as Call of Duty Mobile, Delta Force, Arena Breakout, League of Legends: Wild Rift, and Naruto Mobile will support 165 FPS on the OnePlus 15. At this frame rate, gamers can expect a much smoother and more responsive experience compared to lower refresh rates. For context, our internal tests showed the OnePlus 13 hitting 55.5 FPS in COD Mobile, so the OnePlus 15 is poised to deliver a substantial leap in gaming performance.
Is it worth waiting for the OnePlus 15?
The OnePlus 15 launch is just around the corner, but it’s still too early to say whether buyers in India should hold off for it. With several major changes on the horizon, ranging from upgraded cameras and battery to high-frame-rate gaming, the phone promises plenty of new features. These updates give us plenty to look forward to and also raise questions about how they’ll perform in real-world use and benchmarks.
Once the device is official and we put it through our review, we’ll be able to compare it with the OnePlus 13 and other current flagship phones available in India. For now, what we can say is that the OnePlus 15 is shaping up to be a powerful flagship, and for Indian buyers who prioritise performance, display, and cameras, it’s definitely a device worth keeping an eye on before making your next upgrade.
