Affiliate Disclosure
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
Overview
The OnePlus 15 arrives with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, while Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S25 Ultra launched with the Snapdragon 8 Elite. Both devices target premium users, but OnePlus aims to deliver comparable power at a lower price point.
Key Specifications
- Chipset: OnePlus 15 – Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; Galaxy S25 Ultra – Snapdragon 8 Elite
- Display: OnePlus 15 – 1.5K resolution, 165 Hz refresh rate; Galaxy S25 Ultra – higher‑resolution panel (exact specs not disclosed)
- Cooling: OnePlus 15 – large vapor‑cooling system; Galaxy S25 Ultra – standard cooling solution
- OS at launch: OnePlus 15 – Android 16; Galaxy S25 Ultra – Android 15 with One UI 7
- Software updates: OnePlus 15 – 4 years OS support, 5 years security updates; Galaxy S25 Ultra – typical Samsung support cycle (usually 3‑4 years OS, 4 years security)
Software Support
OnePlus commits to four years of major Android upgrades and five years of security patches, starting with Android 16 out of the box. Samsung’s S25 Ultra launched with Android 15 and has already received its first OS upgrade, but its long‑term update roadmap is slightly shorter.
Verdict
Considering the newer chipset, high‑refresh‑rate display, advanced vapor‑cooling, and a more generous software‑support promise, the OnePlus 15 offers a compelling alternative to the Galaxy S25 Ultra—especially for users who want flagship performance without the premium price tag.