Introduction: The smartphone market keeps evolving every year, but 2025 feels different because brands are pushing the limits like never before. And the upcoming iQOO 15 vs OnePlus 15 are perfect examples of how far Android phones can go. Both arrive with the ultra-powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, futuristic displays, huge batteries, and extreme camera setups. What makes this comparison exciting is that both phones target the same ₹72,999 segment, yet they try to offer value in completely different ways. If you’re trying to decide which one is actually worth buying, this comparison-style article will help you understand the real differences in simple, human language.
Performance Comparison
The first thing you notice is how aggressively both brands are pushing performance. iQOO 15 comes with Android 16 and the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 paired with a very fast CPU structure: dual cores hitting up to 4.6GHz and six high-efficiency cores running at 3.62GHz. The 12GB RAM keeps it super smooth even during app switching. OnePlus uses the same chipset but offers a 12GB and even a 16GB RAM variant, so the multitasking headroom increases slightly. Both phones feel extremely responsive, but OnePlus might hold the edge in long-term performance because of the extra RAM configuration.
Display Quality & Experience
When it comes to display experience, both brands take different approaches. iQOO 15 features a large 6.85-inch LTPO OLED curved panel with QHD+ resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. The visuals feel sharp, detailed, and very premium, especially while watching high-quality content or playing HDR games. OnePlus 15 keeps the size slightly smaller with a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display, but it pushes the refresh rate to 165Hz. That gives you a more fluid feel while scrolling or gaming. OnePlus also includes Gorilla Glass protection and a clean punch-hole look, while iQOO sticks to a curved display without bezels. If you prefer a more immersive, curved premium feel, iQOO stands out. But for raw smoothness and toughness, OnePlus wins.
Camera Comparison
Cameras are becoming a major deciding factor in flagship phones, and both models go heavy with triple 50-megapixel lenses. iQOO offers a 50MP main camera, a 50MP ultra-wide, and a 50MP periscope camera capable of up to 100x digital zoom and 3x optical. It focuses more on natural details and balanced tones. OnePlus tries to push boundaries even further with a 50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide, and a 50MP periscope offering up to 120x digital zoom and 3.5x optical zoom. This extra zoom range could give OnePlus an advantage in long-distance shots. Both support 8K video recording at 30fps, and both deliver crisp 32MP selfie videos at 4K/60. OnePlus includes a screen flash for low-light selfies, giving it a slight edge for content creators who vlog indoors or at night.
Battery Life & Charging
Battery life is another area where users care about real-world experience more than numbers, and this is where both phones become absolute beasts. iQOO packs a massive 7000mAh battery with 100W fast charging, which ensures all-day usage even with heavy gaming or camera use. OnePlus, however, goes bigger with a 7300mAh battery and faster 120W SuperVOOC charging, making it even more long-lasting and quicker to recharge. If battery and charging speed matter to you more than anything else, OnePlus clearly pulls ahead.
Build Quality & Water Resistance
Durability and build also matter, especially with these premium price tags. iQOO 15 weighs around 220g and comes with IP68 and IP69 water resistance, making it safe from accidental splashes or underwater situations for up to 30 minutes at 1.5 meters. OnePlus includes an even wider set of certifications: IP68, IP66, IP69, IP69K, making it more resistant to dust, high-pressure water, and harsh conditions. The build quality also feels slightly more premium with Crystal Shield Glass and Glass Fiber materials. If you want something more rugged and long-lasting, OnePlus stands stronger.
User Experience & Daily Usage
In day-to-day usage, both these phones feel incredibly premium and extremely fast. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 keeps everything buttery smooth, the high refresh rate panels make every movement look clean, and the cameras handle real-life photography without effort. While iQOO focuses more on display size, balanced camera performance, and smooth curved visuals, OnePlus brings extra battery, slightly better zoom, stronger build, and a higher refresh rate. The experience difference will depend on what you value personally—an immersive curved display and lighter feel from iQOO, or a more rugged, long-lasting performance-oriented approach from OnePlus.
Read Also: Realme P4x Full Review: A 7000mAh Beast With Dimensity 7400 Ultra & 144Hz Display — Launching Soon!
Which One Should You Buy?
With both priced at ₹72,999, the competition becomes tighter. If you want a larger display, premium curves, and a photography style that feels natural, iQOO 15 will make you happy. If you want more battery, better durability, and higher zoom, OnePlus 15 stands out as the more complete package. Both are powerful, both are future-ready, and both visually feel like true 2025 flagships, so the choice really depends on your preference
