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New Delhi: OnePlus has officially launched the OnePlus 15 in China, and it has already sparked a debate among users and tech circles in India. On paper, it offers a refreshed design, a more powerful processor, and the largest battery ever shipped in a OnePlus phone. But some long-time users argue that certain features have seen a downgrade when compared to the OnePlus 13. So is the OnePlus 15 a true upgrade, or is OnePlus making strategic trade-offs to push performance and battery life?
The OnePlus 13 was praised for introducing eco-leather finishes, QHD+ display, and higher RAM options in its top variant. The OnePlus 15, while bringing in newer AI features and a cleaner glass design, appears to have stepped back in a few areas. Here is a detailed breakdown.
The OnePlus 15 introduces a square camera island instead of the circular module seen on the OnePlus 13. The back is now a matte-finish glass, replacing the eco-leather texture. It keeps the signature OnePlus style but goes for a simpler, more conservative look.
On the display front, the OnePlus 15 features a BOE-made LTPO AMOLED screen with up to 165Hz refresh rate and 1.5K resolution. It also gets brighter with 1,800 nits of HBM brightness. However, the resolution has been downgraded from the QHD+ screen seen on the OnePlus 13 to a lower FHD+ resolution. For users who value sharper visuals over refresh rate, this could be a noticeable change.
One user criticism highlights this directly, pointing out that OnePlus has moved from “QHD+ to FHD+”, calling it a step down.
Both phones come with a 50MP primary camera, a 50MP periscope telephoto, and a 50MP ultra-wide sensor. The OnePlus 15 offers a higher 3.5x optical zoom versus the 3x zoom on the OnePlus 13. However, the main camera sensor on the OnePlus 15 is smaller at 1/1.56 inches compared to the OnePlus 13’s larger 1/1.43-inch sensor. A smaller sensor usually means less light capture, which may affect low-light photography.
A comparison online states, “Main camera went from 50MP 1/1.43” to a smaller 50MP 1/1.56”.” The telephoto sensor has also been reduced in size from 1/1.95 inches to 1/2.76 inches.
This is where the OnePlus 15 takes a clear lead. It runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, which promises faster performance and improved AI capabilities. The OnePlus 13 uses the previous Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset.
The new device ships with UFS 4.1 storage compared to UFS 4.0 on the 13, meaning faster app loading and file transfer speeds. Both offer up to 1TB internal storage, but RAM has been standardised at 16GB for the 1TB variant, whereas the OnePlus 13 offered up to 24GB RAM in its top model.
In everyday use, users can expect speed improvements across gaming, multitasking, and AI features such as image editing and voice-assisted functions.
The most significant hardware update in the OnePlus 15 is its 7,300mAh silicon-carbon battery, the largest ever in a OnePlus flagship. It supports 120W fast wired charging and 50W wireless charging.
The OnePlus 13 had a smaller 6,000mAh battery with 100W wired charging. The new silicon-carbon technology is expected to offer better thermal efficiency and longer cycle life.
The OnePlus 15 runs Android 16 out of the box with AI enhancements built into system apps. The OnePlus 13 runs Android 15. Both devices are expected to receive long-term software support, with AI tools like photo eraser available across both models.
OnePlus has not removed major AI features from the older model, which makes the OnePlus 13 still relevant for users who do not want to switch devices immediately.
For new buyers, the OnePlus 15 stands out as a performance powerhouse. For OnePlus 13 owners, the decision may depend on whether features like a larger battery and faster chipset matter more than camera sensor size and display sharpness.
Both phones remain competitive in their own right, but the OnePlus 15 marks a shift in the brand’s priorities, moving towards power and longevity over raw specifications on paper.
