OnePlus 15 Review: 5 Things to Do and Not to Do

The OnePlus 15 is more than just another flagship phone, and we can prove it!

In this OnePlus 15 review, we’re skipping the endless spec lists and synthetic benchmarks. Instead, we’ll focus on real-world use.

This phone is fast, sleek, and packed with A LOT of features - but it’s not perfect. While some choices can make your experience better, others can cause headaches.

In this guide, we’ll cover 5 things you should do to get the most out of your OnePlus 15 and 5 things you should avoid to protect your investment (and enjoy the phone as it was meant to be used).

Whether you’re a new buyer or already holding the phone in your hand, this review will help you use the OnePlus 15 smarter and more efficiently.

The OnePlus 15 is sleek, slim, and tough for its size (it even survived JerryRigEverything's test). The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset makes everyday use smooth, and the 165Hz display makes scrolling and gaming feel effortless.

With a 7,300mAh battery, most users get a full two days of seamless use. Fast charging is also super quick and provides you with a full charge in just a few minutes.

The camera takes great shots in good light, but some reports say it can struggle in low-light or challenging conditions. Still, it’s reliable for social media and casual photography.

Software is clean and easy to navigate. Features like Plus Key and Circle to Search make a big difference in daily use.

Overall, the OnePlus 15 balances performance, battery, and usability. Yes, it’s not flawless, but with a few smart tweaks, it can feel like a flagship that was built with real people in mind.

Now that you understand what the OnePlus 15 does well, it’s time to put that knowledge into action. 

These five tips focus on real-world use - how to protect your phone, unlock its best features, and get the most value from it every day.

The OnePlus 15 is a beautiful, thin device - so the last thing you want to do is put it inside a bulky case. However, because it’s so sleek and thin, it can be a bit slippery.

To get the best of both worlds, you should get a thin phone case with MagSafe compatibility. A high-quality aramid fiber case like Thinborne keeps the phone’s slim profile while adding some grip. 

Also, adding a MagSafe feature to your OnePlus 15 opens up a whole world of accessories - from wireless chargers to snap-on wallets, car mounts, and more. Using a thin MagSafe case simply makes the phone much more functional without ruining the design.

The Plus Key is one of the most useful features on the OnePlus 15.

Since the physical Alert Slider is gone, you should take a few minutes to set up the new Plus Key. You can customize it to open apps, toggle modes, or create shortcuts - it can be programmed to do almost anything.

For starters, we recommend setting it to open the camera with a double-tap. You can also make it turn on the flashlight with a long press. 

The above customizations are one of the easiest upgrades you can make to your OnePlus 15 - and these small changes can save you time every day.

This is a feature many users ignore - but don’t!

Bypass charging powers the phone directly when gaming instead of charging the battery. This feature helps reduce heat, and it also protects your battery’s health.

If you game while plugged in, turn this on. You’ll see that your phone stays cooler while the performance remains more consistent.

The OnePlus 15 supports an ultra-smooth 165Hz refresh rate, but it’s not always enabled by default. Many phones start in “Auto” mode to save battery. But with a battery this big, you have the option of maximizing its full potential.

You’ll see that turning on the full refresh rate makes a noticeable difference in all aspects of using your cell phone. Scrolling feels faster, and animations look cleaner - everything just flows smoothly.

Yes, it uses more battery (which is why it’s optional), but the upgrade in experience is worth it for most users. You bought a high-performance phone - you have every right to enjoy it to the fullest (and you can always switch it back to Auto mode if you want to).

The OnePlus 15 has a massive 7,300mAh battery. For most users, that means two full days of use without charging. In fact, light users can even stretch it up to three days.

So, for days when you want to extend the battery’s life, keep the refresh rate on Auto mode (this saves power). Also, use Dark Mode whenever possible and make sure to close apps that you don’t need (allowing them to run in the background consumes energy).

Another tip is to use the phone’s Bypass Charging feature, which powers the phone directly during gaming or heavy use (and therefore doesn’t affect battery life).

With the above strategies, your OnePlus 15 becomes a true all-day (maybe up to 3 days) companion - no power bank required.

OK, you’ve got the basics covered on what you should do… now let’s talk about a few things you’ll want to avoid. 

These small mistakes are easy to make, but skipping them can keep your OnePlus 15 running smoothly.

According to Android Police, the device features a triple 50 MP setup, comprised of wide, ultrawide, and telephoto lenses. But then, despite the solid hardware, real-world image quality can be inconsistent.

Android Central also reports that some shots can look over-processed or a bit washed out, especially in more challenging lighting conditions.

There’s also some feedback online from users who feel the camera isn’t as strong as previous OnePlus models. Some Reddit users (long‑time OnePlus fans) have even said that it’s not worth upgrading to the OnePlus 15 if camera quality is a priority.

Now, this doesn’t mean that the OnePlus 15 camera is bad, as it’s good enough for everyday photos. However, if you’re into serious photography, don’t assume that the phone will keep pace with the top camera phones on the market.

The OnePlus 15 uses SUPERVOOC technology to charge extremely fast. Using a cheap (or old) charger can slow down charging and even damage the battery over time.

Remember, cheap cables and power bricks can generate excess heat and charge inconsistently.

The solution is simple: stick to the charger and accessories that came with the phone, or choose high-quality, certified replacements (this applies to chargers, cables, cases, etc.).

With its IP69K rating, the OnePlus 15 can handle everyday exposure to elements without issue. Light rain, moisture, or even an accidental spill won’t hurt it.

That said, keep in mind that it’s water‑resistant - not waterproof. So don’t intentionally submerge it in water.

The good news is that you don’t need to panic for normal, real‑world accidents, and you don’t need to baby the phone like it’s super sensitive to moisture.

The OnePlus 15 is powerful, but power also means heat - and this phone isn’t immune to it.

Numerous tech reviewers and users have reported that the OnePlus 15 can get very hot under prolonged, demanding use. In stress tests designed to push the phone’s CPU and GPU to the limit, it sometimes overheats and slows down to cool itself. 

These issues seem tied mainly to the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. While great for peak performance, it generates a lot of heat when pushed hard - especially in extended gaming sessions.

So don’t just ignore heat. Let your phone cool down during heavy workloads. Also, avoid covering it with thick, insulating cases. 

Here’s something to keep in mind: the phone may slow down under heavy use because of heat, not the hardware itself.

The OnePlus 15 hasn’t launched everywhere at once. Some regions, like the U.S., experienced delays due to certification processes like FCC approval. 

Other markets, such as Europe and India, received stock earlier.

So… if your region hasn’t received official sales yet, don’t panic. The phone is likely coming soon, but global release doesn’t always mean day-one availability in every country.

As you can see in this OnePlus 15 review, the phone is built for real-world use, and with a bit of care, it can deliver an exceptional daily experience.

This phone combines speed, a massive battery, and software features like Plus Key and Circle to Search. The 165Hz display and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset make it a joy to use for gaming and everyday tasks.

However, it’s not 100% perfect (sigh). The camera isn’t the best, the phone can heat up and slow down during heavy use, and availability varies by region.

By following the 5 Dos and avoiding the 5 Don’ts we mentioned above, you can get the most out of your OnePlus 15. Small tweaks such as customizing the Plus Key, using a thin MagSafe case like Thinborne, and managing battery settings can make your experience smoother and more enjoyable.

Here’s a quick look at Thinborne’s ultra-thin phone case for the OnePlus 15: