- By Prateek Levi
- Wed, 22 Oct 2025 07:14 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
As competition in the smartphone world intensifies, OnePlus is gearing up to make a bold statement with the upcoming OnePlus 15. With Apple’s iPhone 17 already on shelves in select regions, the spotlight now turns to how OnePlus plans to redefine Android flagships in 2026. The device is expected to make its global debut by mid-November, and early comparisons with Apple’s latest reveal a fascinating rivalry.
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Display and Design
Rumours indicate the OnePlus 15 will have a 6.78-inch BOE X3 OLED screen, with a 1.5K resolution, a 165 Hz LTPO refresh rate, and a peak brightness of up to 1,800 nits. Support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+ adds to the visuals, with rich, smooth motion for streaming and gaming. Apple's iPhone 17, on the other hand, packs a smaller 6.1-inch OLED screen with True Tone and ProMotion adaptive refresh, with an emphasis on natural colour, a 165 Hz colour and battery life.
Physically, the OnePlus 15 reportedly arrives in three colours—Sand Storm, Absolute Black, and Misty Purple—with a combination of MAO metal frames and a fibreglass back. The iPhone 17 carries Apple's familiar look, with aluminium rims complemented by glass backs and several colour choices.
Performance and Software
Driving the OnePlus 15 is the expected Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, coupled with a maximum of 16GB RAM and as much as 512GB storage. Powered by OxygenOS 16 built on Android 16, it seeks to be at its best when it comes to multitasking. The iPhone 17, on its part, runs Apple's A19 chip and iOS 26 for close system tuning and better power management.
Battery and Charging
Battery life may be the biggest separator in this case. The OnePlus 15 is set to feature a 7,300mAh "Glacier Battery", supporting 120W wired Super Flash Charging and 50W wireless charging. Apple's iPhone 17 settles for a smaller battery but makes up for it with efficiency, promising up to 30 hours of video playback on a single battery.
Camera System
Camera fans will be treated to a triple 50MP configuration on the OnePlus 15, with main, ultra-wide, and telephoto sensors. Apple's iPhone 17, however, features a dual 48MP camera setup—Fusion Main and Ultra Wide lens—coupled with an 18MP Center Stage front camera for seamless video framing on calls.
Pricing and Launch
OnePlus 15 launches in China on October 27 and goes on sale elsewhere by mid-November, with prices likely to begin at £949 for the 512GB version. iPhone 17, going on sale since September 19, starts at $799 for its 256GB version.
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With its robust specs, design that cuts deep, and blinding-fast charging, the OnePlus 15 might just be Android's response to Apple's finely tuned iPhone 17—paving the way for one of 2026's most anticipated smartphone showdowns.