The OnePlus 15 has just launched in India, and it already looks like one of the most powerful phones from the company. It comes with the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip and a massive 7,300 mAh battery, which are both major upgrades. But when you look closely at the specifications, a few things seem to have taken a step back compared to the OnePlus 13. This feels disappointing, especially since OnePlus has increased the price by around ₹3,000 for the successor.
Before I continue, I want to make it clear that I am highlighting these points based only on the official specifications. I have not yet tested the OnePlus 15 in real-world conditions, so these are early observations from a spec comparison point of view.
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Downgrades in the OnePlus 15
Display Resolution Drops Slightly
The OnePlus 13 had a 6.82-inch QHD+ display with a sharp 3168 × 1440 resolution. It looked extremely crisp and clear. The new OnePlus 15, however, comes with a slightly smaller 6.78-inch display that uses a 1.5K resolution (2772 × 1272).
While the refresh rate has increased from 120 Hz to 165 Hz, which makes the phone smoother to use, the drop in resolution means that it will not look quite as sharp as the previous model. For most users, it will still look great, but those who love top-tier display clarity might notice the difference.
Top Variant Offers Less RAM and Storage
While the OnePlus 15 introduces impressive upgrades in performance and battery life, its top variant does not go as high in configuration as before. The OnePlus 13’s top model offered 24 GB RAM and 1 TB storage, while the OnePlus 15 reportedly maxes out at 16 GB RAM and 512 GB storage.
For a flagship that has seen a price increase, this feels like a downgrade, especially for users who love having the absolute best specs. While 16 GB RAM is still more than enough for most users, heavy multitaskers or gamers who prefer the highest configuration might see this as a step back.
Camera Sensor Size Gets Smaller
Another area that appears slightly downgraded is the camera hardware. The OnePlus 13 had a large 1/1.43-inch main sensor, which helped it capture more light and detail. The OnePlus 15 reportedly uses a smaller 1/1.56-inch sensor. This difference may affect low-light photos and overall image quality, even though software processing might improve things.
The telephoto lens has also changed. While the zoom range is a bit better, the actual sensor size and aperture are smaller in some regions. That could make photos slightly less detailed in challenging lighting conditions.
Hasselblad Branding Is Gone
OnePlus worked with Hasselblad for colour tuning on several of its earlier phones, including the OnePlus 13. This partnership helped the cameras deliver more natural and consistent colours. The OnePlus 15, however, no longer carries the Hasselblad branding.
Instead, it uses OnePlus’s own image processing engine, called “Lumo.” While this may allow better software control, some users might miss the trusted Hasselblad name and its colour science.
Smaller Details That Feel Different
Some early impressions suggest that the vibration motor and haptic feedback on the OnePlus 15 are not as strong or premium as those on the OnePlus 13. This is a small thing, but it adds to the overall experience. The materials and feel of the phone are slightly different, too, though this may vary depending on the variant.
Performance and Battery Are Major Upgrades
Not everything has been downgraded. In fact, performance and battery life have received big upgrades. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip promises much faster performance and improved efficiency. The 7,300 mAh battery is a massive jump from the 6,000 mAh battery in the previous model. Charging is also faster, with 120W wired as compared to 100W wired charging in the OnePlus 13.
Wrap Up
Based on specifications, the OnePlus 15 shows both progress and compromise OnePlus 15 is a good phone for people who prioritise performance, gaming, long battery life, charging speed, and durability. OnePlus 15 makes sense because those upgrades are meaningful and likely to deliver value.. However, if you care more about display sharpness, the camera, or you already own the OnePlus 13, you won’t find much value in this upgrade. It will be interesting to see how the camera performs after OnePlus has downgraded the camera hardware and also dropped Hasselblad branding.
Although the downgrades do not outweigh the upgrades, they do reduce the perceived value.
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