OnePlus 15 Launches with Snapdragon 8 Elite – India’s First AI-Powered Flagship

OnePlus has just redefined flagship performance in India with the official launch of the OnePlus 15 on November 13, 2025, marking the country’s debut of Qualcomm’s groundbreaking Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. Priced starting at Rs 72,999, this powerhouse smartphone isn’t just about raw speed—it’s the first in India to weave advanced AI seamlessly into every aspect of the user experience, from intelligent photo editing to predictive multitasking. Available in Infinite Black, Ultra Violet, and the exclusive Sand Storm edition, the OnePlus 15 promises to outpace rivals like the iQOO 15 while delivering a more accessible entry into premium tech, blending OxygenOS 16’s fluid interface with AI smarts that feel genuinely futuristic.

At the heart of the OnePlus 15 beats the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, Qualcomm’s 3nm octa-core marvel with two prime cores clocking up to 4.6GHz and six performance cores at 3.62GHz. This setup delivers a 20% performance leap and 35% better efficiency over its predecessor, powering everything from buttery-smooth 4K gaming to AI-accelerated video rendering without breaking a sweat. Paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB UFS 4.1 storage, the phone’s triple-chip architecture—including a dedicated 3200Hz instant touch sampling chip and an independent Wi-Fi processor—ensures lag-free responsiveness, even during marathon sessions of Genshin Impact or heavy Adobe Premiere rushes.

The display steals the show with a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED panel boasting 1.5K resolution and a 165Hz refresh rate for scrolling that rivals silk. Peak brightness hits 1,800 nits for glare-free outdoor viewing, while innovative Sun Display tech lets you read in direct sunlight without squinting. Dimming down to an eye-friendly 0.5 nits at night, it includes gaming-focused perks like Eye Comfort for Gaming, Motion Cues to curb motion sickness, and Reduce White Point for low-light comfort. Slim 1.15mm bezels and a flat glass design make it a joy for S Pen-like stylus use or easy screen protector application, all protected by an IP69K rating that shrugs off high-pressure water jets and dust.

Camera enthusiasts will appreciate the shift from Hasselblad branding to OnePlus’ in-house DetailMax Engine, a computational photography beast that sharpens details in real-time for pro-level shots day or night. The triple 50MP rear array includes a 1/1.56-inch Sony main sensor with OIS and f/1.8 aperture for stunning low-light portraits, a 50MP ultra-wide f/2.0 lens capturing expansive landscapes, and a 50MP 3.5x telephoto for crisp zooms up to 120x digital. AI enhancements like intelligent scene recognition and auto-editing elevate casual snaps to gallery-worthy art, while the 32MP front camera nails selfies with natural skin tones and bokeh effects. Video shooters get 8K Dolby Vision support, stabilized by advanced gyro-EIS for Hollywood-smooth footage.

Battery life gets a massive upgrade with a 7,300mAh silicon-carbon cell—the largest in OnePlus history—promising over two days of mixed use or 10 hours of intensive gaming. Refuel in under 30 minutes via 120W Super Flash Charge, or go wireless with 50W support for cable-free convenience. OxygenOS 16, built on Android 16, introduces a “Liquid Glass” UI with deeper customization, fluid animations, and a dedicated OnePlus AI hub in settings. Gemini AI integration lets you query saved notes via Mind Space, while Plus Mind acts as your personal “second brain,” learning habits to suggest reminders, optimize battery based on routines, or even auto-summarize long chats.

Priced aggressively at Rs 72,999 for the 12GB+256GB base model and Rs 82,999 for the 16GB+512GB top tier, the OnePlus 15 undercuts many Snapdragon 8 Elite rivals while throwing in perks like free Nord Buds 3 earbuds during the open sale. Available from November 20 on OnePlus.in, Amazon, and select offline stores, it comes with seven years of OS updates, ensuring longevity in a fast-evolving market. For Indian users craving AI without the premium bloat, the OnePlus 15 isn’t just a launch—it’s a statement that flagship innovation can be inclusive, efficient, and exhilarating. If you’re eyeing an upgrade, this could be the sweet spot where power meets practicality.