OnePlus 15 Takes on iPhone 17 Pro Max and Galaxy S25 Ultra: First Impressions
The flagship battlefield has never been this fierce. In 2026, three premium devices dominate every tech conversation: OnePlus 15, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. At first glance the price gap is impossible to ignore—OnePlus 15 launches at an aggressive 60,000 ₽, while both Apple and Samsung hover well above the 80,000 ₽ mark. But is a lower price tag a sign of compromise, or has OnePlus finally delivered the perfect flagship disruptor? In this comprehensive flagship smartphone comparison we break down every metric that matters—processor speed, display technology, camera prowess, durability, and battery endurance. Whether you’re a gamer craving buttery-smooth frame rates, a content creator who lives in 4K/60 fps, or a commuter who simply needs all-day power, our objective analysis will help you decide which handset best fits your lifestyle. We’ll also point out handy internal resources—if you need a refresher on Android 15 features, see our deep-dive on the latest OS update; for iOS enthusiasts, our iOS 17 productivity guide remains a reader favorite. By the end of this article you’ll know exactly where each phone excels, where it stumbles, and why the OnePlus 15 name keeps surfacing in every discussion of the best 2026 smartphones.
Raw Power: Benchmark Scores, Chipsets and Gaming on the Go
Performance is the metric that ignites the fiercest online debates. On paper, Apple always pushes ahead in single-core tests, and the Apple A19 Pro inside the iPhone 17 Pro Max is no exception. Yet multi-core results tell a different story: the Snapdragon Elite 8 Gen 5 inside the OnePlus 15 consistently edges past both rivals in Geekbench multi-core and dominates AnTuTu with a comfortable lead in overall score. Samsung’s S25 Ultra houses the same Elite 8 architecture, but thermal throttling keeps its numbers lower than expected. For real-world proof we fired up Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Mobile at maximum graphics settings. The OnePlus 15 maintained a rock-solid 60–90 fps thanks to its reinforced vapor-chamber cooling, while frame drops on the Galaxy S25 Ultra appeared after 20 minutes of continuous play. Meanwhile the iPhone 17 Pro Max delivered superb single-core response times but averaged slightly lower sustained fps. This makes the OnePlus 15 an unexpected yet legitimate contender for the title of best 2026 smartphones for mobile gaming. If you’re curious about controller support, don’t miss our guide to pairing the PS5 DualSense with Android devices. Gamers will also appreciate OxygenOS’s Game Toolkit, which can block notifications, boost network priority, and record highlights with a single swipe.
Displays & Design: 165 Hz Brilliance Meets Ultra-Slim Bezels
Great hardware is nothing without a panel that brings it to life. OnePlus 15 wields a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED panel that refreshes at a class-leading 165 Hz. By contrast, the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra top out at 120 Hz. The benefit is instantly noticeable when you scroll through social feeds, browse Chrome, or sprint across Fortnite’s map—motion feels liquid. Peak brightness figures underline the advantage: OnePlus 15 hits a stunning 6,000 nits outdoors, eclipsing Apple’s 1,600 nits and Samsung’s 1,500 nits. Even under Moscow’s midday sun the screen stays perfectly legible. Design cues also matter. OnePlus trades last year’s curved edges for a flatter, more squared silhouette that mimics professional DSLR aesthetics. The matte fiberglass rear panel resists fingerprints while providing extra grip—something Samsung’s glossy Gorilla Glass can’t claim. Apple remains iconic in orange titanium, yet at 221 g the iPhone 17 Pro Max is unexpectedly heavier than Samsung’s 215 g Ultra and only slightly above OnePlus at 210 g. For those comparing hand feel, remember that smaller does not mean cramped. The OnePlus 15 may house a slightly shorter diagonal, but its razor-thin bezels deliver the same immersive experience. Want more design inspiration? Check our spotlight on sustainable phone materials gaining traction in European markets.
Built to Last: Durability, IP Ratings and Real-World Torture Tests
No flagship smartphone comparison is complete without a durability check. OnePlus 15 ships with an industry-leading IP69K rating, protecting the handset from high-pressure, high-temperature water jets as well as full immersion. In our pickle-jar submersion test (yes, brine was involved), all three phones survived five minutes underwater, but only OnePlus escaped with perfectly clear speakers. The iPhone 17 Pro Max emerged with a noticeable rattle in its bottom driver, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra required a quick shake-out to expel excess liquid. Scratch resistance is equally impressive on the OnePlus 15. The matte fiberglass back shrugged off a full-force key drag—superficial marks vanished after a quick wipe. By comparison, the aluminum rail on Apple’s flagship scratched instantly under the same pressure, and Samsung’s glossy rear panel kept every fingerprint and scuff. Beyond water and keys, square edges improve grip during day-to-day use, and reinforced aerospace-grade aluminum frames add torsional strength. If you’re planning to pair any of these phones with MagSafe-style mounts, remember to verify magnetic pull force; we cover compatible accessories in our car-mount roundup. Bottom line: if you work outdoors, live in a rainy climate, or simply refuse to baby your phone, the OnePlus 15’s build quality provides peace of mind that rivals can’t yet match.
Cameras & AI Tricks: 50 MP Precision vs 200 MP Marketing
Spec sheets suggest Samsung’s 200 MP sensor should destroy the competition, but practical testing tells another story. Under identical lighting OnePlus 15’s 50 MP main shooter produced sharper text on distant signage and less noise in shadow regions than the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max held its own with realistic color science, yet often lifted highlights too aggressively, washing out bright neon signs. Where OnePlus truly closes the gap is software. Smart Scene AI dynamically balances exposure across multi-zone metering, while Perfect Shot swaps blinking subjects’ eyes for open ones using a local on-device model—ideal for group photos. There’s also MindSpace, a Gemini-powered repository you trigger via the customizable side button. Snap a screenshot or whisper an audio note in Russian, English, or Mandarin, and the phone instantly creates searchable summaries. Front cameras continue the trend: the 32 MP selfie lens on OnePlus captures accurate skin texture without over-smoothing—unlike Apple’s tendency to soften pores. Samsung matches detail but sometimes adds excessive warmth. Vloggers will appreciate 4K/60 fps on all three devices; however, prolonged recording sent Samsung’s thermals soaring while OnePlus remained comfortably cool. If you’re upgrading from a mid-range handset, view our portrait-photography tutorial to maximize these new AI features—especially crucial if social media aesthetics matter to you.
Battery Life, Charging Speed and the Final Verdict
Endurance can make or break the user experience, and here the OnePlus 15 confidently claims the crown. With a massive 7,300 mAh cell it powered through 13 hours 47 minutes of continuous mixed usage—streaming 4K video, looping AnTuTu, and gaming—before finally shutting down. The iPhone 17 Pro Max’s 5,088 mAh pack lasted a respectable 12 hours 12 minutes, thanks to Apple’s famous software optimization, while Samsung’s 5,000 mAh battery bowed out after just 8 hours 43 minutes. Charging results widen the gap. OnePlus’ 120 W SuperVOOC reached 100 % in 23 minutes, outpacing Apple’s 40 W solution by over 40 minutes and Samsung’s 45 W system by nearly 90 minutes. Safety is addressed through 13 temperature sensors and independent charge pumps, ensuring neither battery health nor your desk surface is sacrificed for speed. After nearly two weeks of daily use the conclusion is crystal clear: OnePlus 15 delivers flagship-level power, display, camera versatility, and unrivaled stamina at a price that undercuts its two biggest rivals by tens of thousands of rubles. Unless you are locked into the Apple ecosystem or crave Samsung’s S-Pen, the OnePlus 15 should sit at the top of every best 2026 smartphones shortlist. Still undecided? Explore our buyer’s checklist for accessories like GaN chargers and 15 W Qi2 pads—because whichever phone you choose, the right peripherals elevate the experience.
