iQOO 15 vs OnePlus 15: The Flagship Battle of 2025
Date: October 27, 2025 | By: Prince
As 2025 continues to push smartphone technology to new limits, two major flagship launches have captured everyone's attention — the iQOO 15 and the OnePlus 15. Both powered by the same next-gen Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, these smartphones promise unmatched speed, performance, and camera innovation. But when choosing between these two giants, which one gives better value, power, and features for your money?
In this article, we’ll dive deep into a detailed comparison of iQOO 15 vs OnePlus 15 across all aspects — design, display, performance, camera, battery, software, and pricing — to help you decide which flagship is right for you.
⚙️ Core Specifications at a Glance
Before jumping into detailed analysis, here’s a quick overview of both phones:
| Feature | iQOO 15 | OnePlus 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) |
| Display | 6.85″ AMOLED 2K, 144 Hz | 6.78″ AMOLED 1.5K, 165 Hz |
| Battery | 7000 mAh, 120 W wired + 50 W wireless | 7300 mAh, 120 W wired + 50 W wireless |
| Rear Camera | 50 MP + 50 MP + 64 MP | Triple 50 MP setup (Hasselblad tuned) |
| Front Camera | 32 MP 4K | 32 MP 4K |
| Operating System | OriginOS 6 (based on Android 16) | OxygenOS 16 (based on Android 16) |
| Storage Options | 12 GB + 256 GB / 16 GB + 1 TB | 12 GB + 256 GB / 16 GB + 512 GB |
| Expected Price (India) | ₹49,999 – ₹59,999 | ₹54,999 – ₹64,999 |
📱 Design & Build Quality
Both iQOO 15 and OnePlus 15 showcase futuristic flagship designs, but their design philosophies differ.
iQOO 15 features a bold camera island with a circular module inspired by DSLR lenses and a matte glass back finish. Its design focuses on a sporty and performance-driven aesthetic, appealing to gamers and power users. The build feels solid with an aluminum frame and IP68 certification.
OnePlus 15, on the other hand, embraces a minimalistic luxury vibe. Its seamless curved edges and frosted glass back look premium and elegant. OnePlus continues its design legacy with soft haptics and refined button placement. It feels lighter and thinner compared to iQOO 15, making it more comfortable for long-term usage.
Verdict:
Design Winner – OnePlus 15 (for refined premium aesthetics)
💡 Display Comparison
Display quality is one of the most important aspects of a flagship phone. Here’s where both models excel.
- iQOO 15: 6.85-inch AMOLED panel, 2K resolution (3200 × 1440 pixels), 144 Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, peak brightness 1800 nits.
- OnePlus 15: 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED panel, 1.5K resolution (2780 × 1264 pixels), 165 Hz adaptive refresh rate, HDR10+ support, brightness up to 2500 nits.
While iQOO’s display delivers sharper visuals due to its higher 2K resolution, the OnePlus 15 outshines it in brightness and smoothness with 165 Hz adaptive LTPO technology. The OnePlus 15 also offers slightly thinner bezels and better outdoor visibility.
Verdict:
Display Winner – OnePlus 15 (for higher brightness and adaptive 165 Hz refresh rate)
⚡ Performance & Gaming Power
Both devices share the same Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, based on 3 nm technology. This makes both incredibly powerful for gaming and multitasking.
- iQOO 15 focuses heavily on gaming optimization with its SuperCool 2.0 vapor chamber cooling system, 4D game vibration, and Game Mode X features.
- OnePlus 15 offers balanced thermal management through Oxygen Performance Optimizer, providing stability over longer sessions without excessive heating.
Benchmark leaks show almost identical raw performance scores, but iQOO 15 edges ahead slightly in sustained performance during gaming, thanks to its enhanced cooling system.
Verdict:
Performance Winner – iQOO 15 (better thermal management and gaming mode)
📸 Camera Comparison
Both brands have stepped up their photography game this year. The OnePlus 15 features a Hasselblad-tuned triple-camera setup with three 50 MP sensors for wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto shots. Its image processing focuses on natural colors and cinematic tones.
iQOO 15 also packs an impressive 50 MP + 50 MP + 64 MP setup, but it’s tuned more for vibrant, AI-enhanced photos and zoom capability (up to 60× digital). Low-light performance is superb, and its 32 MP front camera offers 4K recording support.
In daylight, the OnePlus 15 captures more balanced color tones, while iQOO 15 delivers sharper details and slightly better zoom range.
Verdict:
Camera Winner – OnePlus 15 (for Hasselblad color science and cinematic tone)
🔋 Battery & Charging Speed
When it comes to power backup, both phones are monsters. The OnePlus 15 packs a slightly larger 7300 mAh battery compared to iQOO 15’s 7000 mAh. Both support 120 W wired fast charging and 50 W wireless charging.
Real-world tests (from early Chinese reviews) show that iQOO 15 charges from 0 to 100% in 22 minutes, while OnePlus 15 takes around 24 minutes. In battery endurance, the difference is negligible — both can easily last two days of moderate usage.
Verdict:
Battery Winner – Tie (similar capacity and charging speeds)
🧠 Software Experience
Both smartphones launch with Android 16 but with different skins:
- iQOO 15: OriginOS 6 with Dynamic Glow UI — customization-rich, vibrant animations, AI optimizations for battery and apps.
- OnePlus 15: OxygenOS 16 — known for clean, stock-like experience with a focus on fluidity and efficiency.
While iQOO’s software offers a visually dynamic interface, OnePlus still feels more refined and less bloated. However, iQOO has added AI features like Smart Assistant Glow and App Prediction which make the experience modern and intuitive.
Verdict:
Software Winner – OnePlus 15 (cleaner and smoother OS experience)
💰 Pricing & Value for Money
- iQOO 15: Expected ₹49,999 – ₹59,999
- OnePlus 15: Expected ₹54,999 – ₹64,999
Price plays a crucial role in the decision. If iQOO manages to launch at ₹49,999, it will undercut OnePlus by a significant margin while offering comparable or even better performance in certain areas.
Verdict:
Value Winner – iQOO 15 (for lower price and gaming advantages)
🏁 Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
Both iQOO 15 and OnePlus 15 represent the best of Android flagships in 2025. The choice depends on your priority:
- Choose iQOO 15 if you want a gaming-centric device with superior performance, cooling, and value for money.
- Choose OnePlus 15 if you prefer premium design, better software experience, and a refined camera system.
Ultimately, both phones are flagship-killers in their own ways, but the iQOO 15 emerges as the more affordable performance champion, while the OnePlus 15 wins the premium experience crown.
📊 Summary Comparison Table
| Category | Winner | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Design | OnePlus 15 | Elegant and premium look with lighter build |
| Display | OnePlus 15 | Brighter LTPO panel with 165 Hz refresh rate |
| Performance | iQOO 15 | Better cooling and gaming optimization |
| Camera | OnePlus 15 | Hasselblad color tuning and cinematic tones |
| Battery | Tie | Similar charging speeds and capacity |
| Software | OnePlus 15 | Cleaner and faster OxygenOS experience |
| Value for Money | iQOO 15 | Lower price and strong performance |
| Overall Winner | Depends on User Preference | OnePlus for premium feel, iQOO for power users |
In summary: The OnePlus 15 offers refined premium experience while the iQOO 15 delivers raw power and value. Either way, 2025’s flagship battle is closer than ever!