The 2025 flagship race in India has become more interesting with the arrival of two powerful smartphones: the iQOO 15 and the OnePlus 15. Both come with the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, strong cameras, premium design, and big batteries. Naturally, many buyers are asking the same question: which one is better?
This detailed comparison explains every major difference in design, display, camera, performance, battery life, and software, in a simple Indian English tone with a slight Marathi touch that feels natural and familiar.
Performance and Hardware
Both phones run on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor built on a 3 nm process. This is currently one of the fastest chipsets available, and the real-world experience on both devices is excellent. Whether it is gaming, heavy multitasking, photo editing, or switching between multiple apps, both phones deliver flagship-level smoothness.
RAM and storage options are also similar, offering up to 16 GB LPDDR5X RAM and up to 512 GB UFS 4.1 storage. For most users, there is hardly any difference in day-to-day performance. Even for power users, the behaviour is identical, although iQOO’s thermal system is slightly more aggressive and manages heat better during long gaming sessions.
If performance is your top priority, both devices offer the same level of capability.
Display and Visual Experience
The iQOO 15 features a 6.85-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a sharp 2K resolution and around 508 ppi. It also supports 144 Hz refresh rate. The highlight is its peak brightness of nearly 6000 nits, making it easily visible outdoors even under harsh sunlight. For users who watch a lot of content, enjoy HDR videos, or prefer a larger and sharper visual experience, iQOO clearly stands out.
The OnePlus 15 uses a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED panel with a slightly lower 1.5K resolution and around 450 ppi. However, it offers a higher refresh rate of up to 165 Hz, making it one of the smoothest displays available. Scrolling, animations, and gaming all feel extremely fluid. Indoors, the display looks excellent, but outdoors, iQOO’s brightness advantage is noticeable.
In simple words, iQOO is better for movie lovers and outdoor use, while OnePlus is better for users who prioritise smoothness and responsiveness.
Cameras and Photography
Both smartphones come with a triple-camera setup: a 50 MP main sensor, a 50 MP ultra-wide, and a 50 MP telephoto. The front camera is 32 MP on both.
However, the tuning and character of the cameras differ. iQOO focuses mainly on a strong main sensor and low-light performance. Its photos have natural colours, good details, and strong night photography due to its sensor size and image processing. Telephoto and portraits also come out well.
OnePlus leans more towards a balanced system. It offers versatile performance across wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses. Daylight images are sharp and colour processing is slightly more refined. Video recording is also stable and reliable. In real-world conditions, OnePlus tends to handle mixed lighting better.
For users who want an all-round camera suitable for travel, portraits, video and family photography, the OnePlus 15 feels slightly more dependable. Those who want strong low-light capability and crisp main-sensor shots may prefer the iQOO 15.
Battery and Charging
The OnePlus 15 includes a 7300 mAh silicon-carbon battery with 120 W wired charging, 50 W wireless charging, and reverse wireless support. This combination makes the phone a strong performer in endurance and flexibility. For users who travel or stay outdoors for long durations, this setup is very convenient.
The iQOO 15 has a 7000 mAh battery with 100 W wired charging and limited wireless charging support depending on the variant. Battery life is solid, easily lasting a full day. However, OnePlus does hold a small advantage with a bigger battery and faster wireless options.
If long backup and wireless charging are priorities, OnePlus 15 is ahead.
Software and User Experience
Both phones run Android 16, but with different skins. OnePlus uses OxygenOS 16, known for its clean, smooth, and stable experience. Users who prefer a simple and reliable interface often favour OnePlus.
iQOO uses OriginOS, which is feature-rich and customisable. It offers many tools for performance, gaming, and multitasking. Some users appreciate its depth, while others may find it slightly heavy compared to OxygenOS.
In daily use, OxygenOS feels more refined, while OriginOS feels more powerful.
Build, Design and Practical Feel
OnePlus has a more premium feel with polished materials, slimmer bezels, and a well-balanced weight. It feels modern and elegant in the hand. The alert slider, a signature feature, is still present.
iQOO focuses more on practicality and grip. The design is solid, and the larger display makes it a bit bulkier. For users who prefer a big-screen phone, this is not an issue.
OnePlus feels more premium. iQOO feels more performance-oriented.
Which Phone Should You Buy?
Here is a clear and simple decision guide:
Choose iQOO 15 if:
- You watch a lot of videos or read extensively.
- Outdoor visibility and extra brightness matter.
- You prefer a larger, sharper 2K display.
- You play long gaming sessions and want strong cooling.
- You want strong low-light camera performance.
Choose OnePlus 15 if:
- You want the smoothest UI and gaming experience.
- Battery life and wireless charging are important.
- You prefer a premium build and cleaner software.
- You want stable and balanced all-round cameras.
- Long-term reliability and polished user experience matter.
Final Thoughts
Both the iQOO 15 and OnePlus 15 bring flagship power, strong cameras, and large batteries to the Indian market. The difference mainly lies in the display style, software feel, camera tuning, and battery flexibility. In a typical Maharashtrian way of putting it, both phones are strong contenders, but each carries its own speciality. OnePlus feels more refined and balanced, while iQOO feels more powerful and visually impressive.
Choosing between them depends on what you value more: smoothness and polish, or display and performance intensity.