The OnePlus 15 is set to launch in India on November 13, and it’s already shaping up to be one of the more interesting flagships this season. A big part of the buzz is that it’s the first phone running Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the new top-tier chip that everyone has been waiting to see in action.
But what really stands out the moment you look at the spec sheet is the battery. OnePlus has squeezed in a 7,300mAh unit, which is a pretty dramatic jump from the OnePlus 13. Think fewer battery-anxiety moments and a phone that feels like it’s built for heavy, everyday use. We’ve had the phone with us for a bit now, so here’s how things start off right out of the box.
Unboxing and first setup
The unboxing is familiar if you’ve used OnePlus phones before. You open the red box and everything is right there, no surprises. There’s a 120W SuperVOOC charger, the classic red cable, a soft case that matches the phone, paperwork, the SIM tool, and the Red Cable Club card. It’s a complete kit, and the case especially is handy because you don’t have to go searching for one on day one. You pick the phone up, plug it in, and you’re good to go.
Design and build: Cleaner, calmer, more grown-up
The OnePlus 15 comes in three finishes: Infinite Black, Ultra Violet, and Sand Storm. We’re using Sand Storm, and the texture immediately stands out. It has this subtle matte grain that feels nice in the hand and does a great job resisting fingerprints. The overall shape has shifted too. The front and back are now flat, and the frame has a soft matte touch that gives the phone a more understated vibe.
Durability has been pushed further as well. Along with IP68, you now get IP69 and IP69K ratings, which basically means the phone can handle more dust, more water, and even high-pressure spray. It’s not something you’ll test on purpose, but it’s reassuring to know the phone isn’t fragile.
There is one change that long-time OnePlus users will feel right away. The alert slider is gone. In its place is the new Plus Key, which you can use to quickly capture whatever’s on your screen or save things directly into Mind Space. It’s less of a “silent/vibrate” control and more of a “save this for later” tool. It’ll take a minute for muscle memory to adjust, but the concept does make sense once you use it a couple of times.
Camera shift: A new era without Hasselblad
This is the first OnePlus flagship in years without the Hasselblad logo on the camera bump. The partnership has officially wrapped, so the camera tuning and colour science are now fully in OnePlus’ hands. Early shots look clean and natural, but cameras need time. Daylight, portraits, skin tone handling, and night mode all tell different stories, so we’ll need a few days before saying anything definitive.
Performance and software: Smooth in all the right ways
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is the star inside. The phone feels quick and responsive immediately, whether you’re jumping through apps or just scrolling around. Benchmark results floating around online suggest massive gains in performance, especially for gaming and sustained load, and we’ll test that more closely soon.
The software side is OxygenOS 16 on top of Android 16, and it feels more fluid than before. Animations glide a little better, menus feel tighter, and customization options have been expanded. The new AI-powered Mind Space quietly sorts your screenshots and notes so they don’t pile up into chaos. There’s also direct interaction with Google Gemini now, which makes search feel more natural.
Initial thoughts
It’s early, but the OnePlus 15 gives the feeling of a phone that has matured a bit. Bigger battery, cleaner design, smoother software, and top-tier performance. The real testing begins now — cameras, gaming thermals, charging cycles, and everyday endurance. Full review will be out soon.
