Phone Comparisons: OnePlus 15 vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

The gauntlet has been thrown. The OnePlus 15 has officially landed on the global stage, and we’ve already put it through its paces. Now, the real test begins: a clash of titans. Forget brand loyalty, we’re diving deep into a head-to-head battle. Prepare for the ultimate showdown: OnePlus 15 versus the reigning champion, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Yes, the S26 Ultra is on the horizon, lurking in the Q1 shadows, but for now, the S25 Ultra remains the king. Let’s see if OnePlus can dethrone it.

Forget everything you think you know about flagship smartphones. We’re pitting two titans against each other, and the results might surprise you. Yes, they both boast massive screens and top-tier specs, but scratch the surface and you’ll find a chasm of differences.

Prepare for a deep dive as we dissect these devices. We’ll kick things off with a spec sheet showdown, then move into the trenches. Expect a brutal comparison of design aesthetics, display prowess, raw performance, battery endurance, camera capabilities, and even their sonic landscapes. Buckle up.

Table of Contents

Toggle

Specs
OnePlus 15 vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Design
OnePlus 15 vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Display
OnePlus 15 vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Performance
OnePlus 15 vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Battery
OnePlus 15 vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Cameras
Audio

Specs

OnePlus 15

OnePlus 13

$949 at

View Specifications

OnePlus 15 vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Design

The Galaxy S25 Ultra and OnePlus 15 both flaunt the premium feel of glass and metal, but beneath the surface lies a key difference: strength. The S25 Ultra boasts a titanium frame, suggesting unparalleled durability, while the OnePlus 15 opts for aluminum. Aesthetics also diverge. The S25 Ultra sports a bolder, more angular design with sharper corners. Despite these distinctions, both phones embrace the modern, flat display with a discreet, centered camera. Moreover, they achieve a sleek, immersive experience with impressively thin and uniform bezels.

Forget curves and angles, let’s talk sides. Both the OnePlus 15 and Galaxy S25 Ultra sport subtly contoured flanks, like windswept plains gently rising to meet the horizon. But that’s where the symmetry ends. OnePlus throws a curveball with its "Plus Key" – a chameleon button morphing from alert slider to something far more intriguing – nestled on the left. Meanwhile, Samsung keeps it classic, sticking solely to volume and power controls, all lined up dutifully on the right like well-trained soldiers.

Flip those phones and you’ll see a tale of two backplates! Both are smooth and flat, but the camera arrangements? Worlds apart. The OnePlus 15 corrals its three lenses within a raised, rounded-square island nestled in the upper-left. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, on the other hand, unleashes a quartet of cameras directly onto the scene, five circular lenses jutting out like watchful eyes from its top-left corner.

While the Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts a hair more screen real estate and a touch more heft in every dimension compared to the OnePlus 15, you’d be hard-pressed to notice the difference without a micrometer. Think fraternal twins, not distant cousins. However, when it comes to ruggedness, the OnePlus 15 takes a slight lead with its IP68/IP69K certification, edging out the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s IP68 rating. Just a word of caution: both phones are as slippery as eels, so grip responsibly!

OnePlus 15 vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Display

Feast your eyes on the OnePlus 15’s mesmerizing 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display, a portal to a billion vibrant colors. This flat expanse of visual brilliance boasts a dynamic refresh rate, gracefully scaling from a power-sipping 1Hz to a blistering 165Hz for silky-smooth scrolling and gameplay. Dive into the immersive depths of Dolby Vision and HDR10+ content, brought to life with unparalleled clarity. Say goodbye to eye strain with its revolutionary PWM dimming, leaving even the Galaxy S25 Ultra in the shadows. Prepare to be dazzled by its blinding peak brightness, illuminating every pixel of its crisp 2772 x 1272 resolution within a cinematic 19.5:9 aspect ratio, all shielded by the virtually indestructible Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Feast your eyes on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra’s display: a sprawling 6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X canvas. Eschewing curved edges, it presents a perfectly flat surface with an adaptive refresh rate that dances between a silky smooth 120Hz and a battery-sipping 1Hz. While its peak brightness crests at 2,600 nits a hair shy of the OnePlus 15 don’t mistake that number for anything less than blindingly brilliant. A crystal-clear 3120 x 1440 resolution and a cinematic 19.5:9 aspect ratio combine for visual immersion, all shielded by the virtually impenetrable Gorilla Glass Armor 2.

Prepare to be dazzled. These displays aren’t just good; they’re visual feasts. Colors explode with vibrancy, and the brightness could rival the sun. Viewing angles? Flawless, no matter how you contort yourself. Touch response is silky smooth, making every swipe a delight.

Now, for the showdown: The OnePlus 15 cranks the brightness to eleven and boasts high-frequency PWM dimming for comfortable late-night scrolling. Gamers will appreciate its higher refresh rate, giving them a competitive edge. The Galaxy S25 Ultra counters with a slightly sharper image (though only pixel peepers will notice) and superior glare protection, keeping your screen pristine even under harsh lighting. Choose your champion.

OnePlus 15 vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Performance

Under the hood, the OnePlus 15 roars to life with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 – the current king of the hill. Built on a cutting-edge 3nm process, this powerhouse is bolted to a blistering 12GB or 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and ultra-fast UFS 4.1 storage, ensuring lightning-quick performance.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy S25 Ultra flexes its custom-tuned muscle with the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy SoC, also a 3nm marvel. It’s paired with a respectable 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage. One minor drawback both phones share: expandable storage is a no-go.

The OnePlus 15 flexes some serious muscle with its upgraded chip, pumped-up RAM, and lightning-fast storage. Sure, both phones are blisteringly quick, but side-by-side, the OnePlus 15 just edges ahead, offering a noticeable zip. Will this micro-advantage revolutionize your daily scroll? Probably not. Both phones deliver butter-smooth performance that eats everyday tasks for breakfast.

Choosing between the two for gaming? You’re in luck – both are powerhouses capable of handling virtually any title you throw at them. However, the OnePlus 15 takes a slight edge, emerging as the preferred weapon for serious gamers. Think of it as having a secret advantage: a superior cooling system, the potential for blistering-fast refresh rates in select games, and a suite of dedicated gaming software to fine-tune your experience. Push it hard, and the OnePlus 15 simply stays cooler under pressure. While neither phone overheats, the OnePlus 15 ensures you remain in the game, uninterrupted, for longer. Bottom line? Both deliver, but the OnePlus 15 is engineered for the win.

OnePlus 15 vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Battery

Forget "great" battery life. The Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts stamina, sure, but let’s talk aboutdomination. The OnePlus 15 doesn’t just play the battery game; it owns the field. Packing a massive 7,300mAh silicon-carbon beast compared to the S25 Ultra’s 5,000mAh, even the slightly larger display of Samsung’s flagship can’t save it. The result? The OnePlus 15 isn’t just lasting longer; it’s in a different league. Among the current flagship crop, the OnePlus 15 redefines battery endurance.

Seven hours glued to the vibrant display of the OnePlus 15, and the battery indicator still boasts a solid 50%. Imagine the alternative. The Galaxy S25 Ultra? Likely gasping for its last breath, clinging to a mere sliver of power. Truthfully, both titans will probably conquer your daily digital grind. But if you crave a smartphone marathon runner, a device that simply refuses to quit, the OnePlus 15 leaves the competition in the dust.

Charging speed is where the OnePlus 15 leaves the Galaxy S25 Ultra in the dust. Prepare for lightning-fast power-ups with 120W wired charging (80W in the US), 50W wireless, and even reverse charging capabilities (10W wireless, 5W wired). The Galaxy S25 Ultra? A more leisurely 45W wired, 15W wireless (though Qi2 ready), and a meager 4.5W reverse wireless.

Imagine this: the OnePlus 15 goes from zero to fully charged in a mere 40 minutes. The Galaxy S25 Ultra makes you wait a full hour. And the best part? OnePlus actuallyincludesa charger in the box (US version, at least)! Samsung? You’re on your own to find a compatible power brick. Consider it a victory lap for the OnePlus 15.

OnePlus 15 vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Cameras

The OnePlus 15 boasts a trifecta of 50MP cameras on its rear, each a portal to a different photographic dimension. The main lens, armed with a 1/1.56-inch sensor, captures reality with breathtaking clarity. Expand your horizons with the 50MP ultrawide lens, boasting a 116-degree field of view, perfect for sweeping landscapes. Finally, bring distant subjects into sharp focus with the 50MP periscope telephoto lens, offering a 3.5x optical zoom that unlocks new perspectives.

OnePlus 15

Behold the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra’s groundbreaking camera system: a symphony of lenses designed to redefine mobile photography. Its heart is a massive 200MP main sensor, capturing detail you have to see to believe. The 50MP ultrawide lens bends reality with a 120-degree field of view, pulling you into sprawling landscapes. Zoom in with the 10MP telephoto, offering a crisp 3x optical zoom, or unleash the power of the 50MP periscope telephoto, reaching an incredible 5x optical zoom for stunning close-ups from afar. Prepare to capture the world in ways you never thought possible.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra and OnePlus 15 brawl it out in the camera arena, trading punches like seasoned fighters. The S25 Ultra leans towards warmer tones, while the "better" choice hinges entirely on the subject. Think of it as a stylistic preference, rather than a clear winner. Both main cameras deliver solid performance across various conditions, yet neither claims the ultimate championship title – superior camera phones exist. The ultrawide lenses? Serviceable, but clearly second-string players compared to the main event. We favored the OnePlus 15’s telephoto zoom capabilities, though the Galaxy S25 Ultra puts up a respectable fight. Good cameras, yes. Contenders for the crown? Not even close.

Audio

Both smartphones boast stereo speakers that deliver impressive audio. Expect a similar, robust loudness from each device, coupled with a rich, high-quality sound experience.

Ditch the dongle dance! Both the OnePlus 15 and Galaxy S25 Ultra have waved goodbye to the headphone jack. But fear not, audiophiles! Their USB-C ports are ready to rock your wired headphones. Yearning for untethered tunes? The OnePlus 15 blasts onto the scene with cutting-edge Bluetooth 6.0, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra keeps things slick with Bluetooth 5.4.

Thanks for reading Phone Comparisons: OnePlus 15 vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra