Samsung holds a lot of sway over the UK Android phone market, so it’s a good reminder when one of its rivals releases a new high-end alternative. Today, OnePlus has announced its new OnePlus 15 is hitting these shores with specs that technically outgun the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, for a much lower (but still high) price.

The OnePlus 15 is targeted to appeal to gamers and Android enthusiasts with a focus on graphics performance, cooling tech, and fluid, customisable software.

“At OnePlus, our philosophy has always been to push the boundaries of mobile technology to create devices that truly enhance our users’ lives,” says Celina Shi, Chief Marketing Officer of OnePlus Europe. “OnePlus 15 is the culmination of this belief. We have torn up the blueprint and delivered a device that is a two-generation leap in power, intelligence and design, further strengthening our focus on delivering a fast & smooth performance.”

The OnePlus 15 starts at £849 for the black model with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. There are also Sand Storm and Ultra Violet models for £979 that boost the RAM to 16GB and offer 512GB storage.

I’ve been testing the Sand Storm model for a couple of weeks to see what the latest OnePlus phone has to offer.

Here are three things I love about the OnePlus 15.

Die-hard OnePlus fans will notice this is a significant departure in design from previous models. Gone are the curved screen edges and round camera module of the OnePlus 11, 12 and 13, replaced by a flat screen with flat edges and a squared-off camera bump. It’s all very iPhone, but so are Samsung and Google phones these days.

Design-wise, I am most impressed by how lightweight this phone feels. My Sand Storm model weighs 211g. That’s only 7 grams less than the S25 Ultra but significantly less than the 233g iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Each colour model has a different finish too, and the Sand Storm version has matte edges and a fibreglass back. The look has grown on me, and it’s cool to the touch thanks to a micro-arc oxidation process that OnePlus says improves durability. I’ve not got a case for the phone, so we will see! The black and violet versions do not have this potential advantage.is 

Inside the OnePlus 15 is the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, the latest top-of-the-line chip from Qualcomm. Though you only really notice the gains in power when you really push a phone with 4K video editing or graphically intense mobile games, the OnePlus 15 packs more of a punch on paper than the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the OnePlus 13 from last year.

OnePlus phones are known for their snappy performance, and with 16GB RAM and this chipset, the phone absolutely flies through anything. Switching apps is very fast indeed, and I’ve encountered no stutters whatsoever.

I personally appreciate this most with photo processing. Modern phones have amazing cameras, the OnePlus 15 included with a triple lens set up, but software processing is always used to improve shots and get them Instagram ready. Thanks to the 8 Elite Gen 5, I haven’t had to wait while the phone does this. Processing wait times are more noticeable on phones such as the Pixel 10 Pro XL, whose Tensor G5 chip is no match for this Qualcomm number.

One of the best things about the OnePlus 15 is its enormous battery. It’s a 7,300mAh cell that wipes the floor with the 5,000mAh one in the S25 Ultra. This is possible as OnePlus is using newer more energy dense silicon tech in the battery compared to older lithium-ion batteries. It means more power in the same slim phone designs.

This means the OnePlus 15 can easily last for two days on a single charge. I can go out with 50 percent battery in the morning and be sure I’ll get home in the evening – possibly on red, but still going. I can’t say that about many other phones.

The catch is OnePlus no longer includes a charger in the box with the OnePlus 15 in the UK, which is a crying shame as the charging speeds are super-fast. This phone can charge from one to 100 percent in 39 minutes, but the compatible 120W charger costs £69.99 from OnePlus. When you’re spending more than £800 on a phone, you might expect the charger to be included – it’s not.

OnePlus also uses proprietary charging tech, so another brand charger won’t hit the same high speeds. You need the OnePlus charger and OnePlus cable specifically.

I’m still testing the OnePlus 15 and will need longer with it to see if I would recommend it over other great phones released this year such as that superlative Galaxy S25 Ultra, the Oppo Find X9 Pro or the amazingly thin Honor Magic V5 folding phone.

If you’re tempted, you can buy the OnePlus 15 starting today from OnePlus. If you pre-order, you can choose from a selection of free products and accessories as part of an introductory offer.