OnePlus is betting high on power with the latest flagship

There was a time when OnePlus stood for "flagship killer." But today, it goes shoulder to shoulder with the flagships it once challenged. The newly launched OnePlus 15, unveiled globally on Thursday, carries that evolution forward.

At first glance, the device feels both familiar and new. Its refined matte back, available in Infinite Black, Sand Storm, and Ultra Violet, sits within a sturdy aluminium frame.

The attention to build quality is unmistakable, and with IP66, IP68, IP69, and even IP69K ratings, this is one of the most rugged smartphones on the market.

The OnePlus 15 is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. What sets it apart is the triple-chip architecture, combining a dedicated touch processor and a custom Wi-Fi module for smoother gaming and lower latency. Everyday performance feels effortless, even under demanding multitasking.

The display continues OnePlus's tradition of visual excellence. Its 6.78-inch BOE Flexible Amoled LTPO panel delivers up to 4,500 nits brightness and a 165 Hz refresh rate. Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support make colours rich and details striking, while the 3,200 Hz touch sampling ensures instant responsiveness.

Photography has been given equal attention. The triple 50 MP setup, led by Sony's IMX921 sensor, benefits from the new DetailMax Engine that refines clarity and tone. Features like Ultra-Clear 26 MP Mode and Clear Burst Mode make it a strong contender for mobile photographers. However, even though the camera specs look impressive on paper, it is quite a downgrade from the last generation.

Perhaps its biggest leap lies in endurance. The whopping 7,300 mAh Silicon NanoStack battery, paired with 120W Supervooc charging.

The price tag for OnePlus 15 has been set at $899 for the 12GB RAM variant with 256GB storage and $999 for the 16GB RAM and 512GB storage variant.