Is progress always about moving forward? The OnePlus 15 has sparked debates within the tech community as several of its features appear to be a step back when compared to the OnePlus 13. Last year’s OnePlus 13 poll showcased the overwhelming excitement around the device, but the reception this time around is noticeably different.
Take the display, for example – the OnePlus 15 sports a 1272p+ resolution instead of the Quad HD+ 1440p+ of its predecessor. The cameras also saw reductions in sensor size; the primary sensor shrank from 1/1.43” to 1/1.56”, and the telephoto module from 1/1.95” to 1/2.76”. And yet, the price remains virtually unchanged.
This is the heart of the frustration – the OnePlus 15 is priced similarly to flagship devices like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. While it benefits from a newer Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset and boasts a massive 7,300mAh battery (outpacing the Galaxy’s by a whopping 2,300mAh), OnePlus has traditionally been known for offering better value, something many feel is missing this time.
Two camps of dissatisfaction have surfaced among potential buyers. One consists of those seeking a powerful flagship phone, who found the OnePlus 13 to be quite capable, but now view the 15’s camera downgrades as a significant drawback. The other group prioritizes value for money and believes that if the OnePlus 15’s specs are compromised, the price should reflect that.
OnePlus 15
The first group is leaning toward purchasing the OnePlus 13 or spending more on other premium brands such as Oppo, Vivo, or Xiaomi. Meanwhile, the second group is scouting for value-packed alternatives from brands like iQOO and Poco. The arrival of the Realme GT 8 Pro complicates the OnePlus 15’s position even further.
The Realme GT 8 Pro offers impressive camera improvements over its predecessor, featuring a 200MP periscope lens and a 50MP ultra-wide sensor compared to the GT 7 Pro’s 8MP ultra-wide. These enhancements highlight the kind of upgrades many expected from the OnePlus 15.
Still, optimism remains – OnePlus is known for timely discounts and promotions, so it’s worth watching how the OnePlus 15’s positioning evolves in the coming months.
OnePlus 15 5G Pricing
| 256GB 12GB RAM | £849.00  |
€949.00  |
| 512GB 16GB RAM | £879.00 |
€1,049.00 |
| Show all prices |
| 12/256GB | 16/512GB | |
|---|---|---|
| EU | €950 | €1,100 |
| UK | £850 | £980 |
| US | $900 | $1,000 |
| CA | C$1,300 | C$1,400 |
| IN | ₹73,000 | ₹80,000 |
