Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs OnePlus 15: 2025’s Closest Android Flagship Battle

Prakhar Khanna/ZDNET
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In a move that caught many enthusiasts off guard, OnePlus has unveiled its next-generation flagship smartphone earlier than anticipated. The new **OnePlus 15** has officially arrived, and it ambitiously targets the most formidable competitors in the Android market—particularly Samsung’s premium **Galaxy S25 Ultra**—while managing to stay hundreds of dollars below the typical thousand-dollar threshold, unless buyers opt for configurations with increased RAM or internal storage. This device brings with it an impressive ensemble of features: an expansive, ultra-bright display, Qualcomm’s newest top-tier processor, an exceptionally large battery, and a host of other refinements that reflect OnePlus’s continued evolution as a serious contender in the high-end smartphone market.

Yet, the major question lingers — does Samsung’s long-standing flagship still hold its ground amid this new competition? Surprisingly, the answer is yes. Despite the OnePlus 15’s innovative flair, several compelling reasons exist to choose the **Galaxy S25 Ultra** over it, reaffirming Samsung’s enduring reputation for refinement and reliability in premium devices.

Also Read: Thousands of readers purchased these top phones of 2025 — the number one pick shocked everyone.

If you’re torn between the OnePlus 15 and the Galaxy S25 Ultra, or simply want a comprehensive look at how the latest OnePlus flagship stacks up against Samsung’s best, you are in the right place. After conducting an in-depth comparison between the two, I’ve detailed below which smartphone better aligns with different user priorities and practical needs.

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### You should buy the OnePlus 15 if…

#### 1. You value superior durability and resilience
The **OnePlus 15** demonstrates outstanding durability credentials, boasting both IP68 and IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance. By contrast, the **Galaxy S25 Ultra** only carries the IP68 rating. For those unfamiliar with the classification, IP68 guarantees full protection against continuous submersion in water, while IP69 provides an extra level of defense — it ensures that the device can withstand high-pressure water jets at temperatures as high as 80°C. This means the OnePlus 15 remains operational even under strenuous environmental conditions where other phones might falter. These traits play a surprisingly vital role during daily usage, especially when combined with its exceptional screen technology designed to resist interference from moisture or droplets.

Additionally, everyday smartphone use often exposes devices to situations where water can cause usability issues: light drizzle, poolside texting, or workouts involving sweat exposure. On Samsung or Apple devices, water droplets often lead to false touch detections, forcing users to repeatedly wipe the screen to continue operating the device. With **OnePlus’s enhanced touch technology**, you can interact with the display reliably even when it’s wet — that means switching songs in the shower or replying to a message near a swimming pool becomes genuinely convenient, without worrying about water interfering with touch recognition.

The **Sand Storm** edition offers an added layer of protection thanks to its MAO-treated middle frame, which, according to OnePlus, significantly improves material strength and scratch resistance. This engineered combination of ruggedness and aesthetics ensures that the OnePlus 15 is not only more versatile for demanding environments but also more durable in day-to-day usage compared to the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

#### 2. You need exceptional battery endurance
Equipped with a **7,300mAh** battery, the OnePlus 15 features a cell with 15% silicon content in the anode, a material optimization that enhances energy density and longevity compared to today’s industry-standard 10%. Meanwhile, Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra retains a smaller **5,000mAh** capacity — respectable, yet noticeably less abundant. In extensive real-world testing, both phones surpassed expectations, but the OnePlus 15 consistently went further, sustaining heavy activity throughout the entire day and beyond.

During a typical day starting at 8 a.m. — filled with photo capture, navigation via Maps, continuous chatting on WhatsApp and Instagram, plus hours of Spotify streaming — the OnePlus 15 retained roughly 40% battery by dinner time. Under identical conditions, the Galaxy S25 Ultra often struggled to make it into the evening, necessitating midday or late-afternoon top-ups.

From my continuous use, the OnePlus 15 easily delivers **nine hours of screen-on time**, leaving sufficient charge for evening entertainment before bed. For those prioritizing longevity, this translates to well over a day on a single charge, with moderate users possibly achieving nearly two days of operation. And when you finally reach a low battery state, the OnePlus 15’s **80W wired charging** replenishes power significantly faster than Samsung’s 45W system — a practical advantage for users constantly on the move.

#### 3. You appreciate cost efficiency without compromise
Internally, the OnePlus 15 runs on the **Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor**, a successor to the chipset that powers Samsung’s S25 Ultra. This newer, more efficient SoC delivers enhanced computational speed, improved thermal regulation, and significant gains in graphics performance. OnePlus complements this raw power with a **1.5K-resolution**, **165Hz** refresh-rate display and a sizable vapor-cooling chamber designed for sustained performance under gaming or multitasking loads. When compared to Samsung’s offering, the OnePlus 15 matches or even exceeds performance expectations while maintaining a substantially lower entry price.

Gamers and power users will particularly appreciate how the phone delivers best-in-class specifications at a price of **$899** for the base variant, while Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra begins at **$1,299**. Those seeking flagship performance without crossing the four-digit threshold will find that the OnePlus 15 provides immense value — effectively saving approximately $200 or more without major sacrifices in capability.

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### You should buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra if…

#### 1. Display quality is your top priority
Samsung continues to dominate the smartphone display market, and the **Galaxy S25 Ultra** serves as further proof of that legacy. Building on an already exceptional panel from its predecessor, the S24 Ultra, the new model introduces a refined **anti-reflective coating**, improving visibility in bright sunlight and ensuring more color-accurate, contrast-rich visuals in any lighting environment. Whether reading long articles, watching HDR content, or browsing the web, the display feels more immersive and lifelike than virtually anything else available today.

When compared directly, the **OnePlus 15**’s panel — though bright and vibrant with impressively slim bezels — operates at a slightly lower resolution and lacks Samsung’s advanced anti-reflective treatment. While the OnePlus display excels in responsiveness and clarity, it doesn’t provide that same ultra-premium look-and-feel associated with Samsung’s flagship displays. For users who prioritize multimedia experiences or high-fidelity content consumption, the S25 Ultra offers an irreplaceably polished experience that remains unequaled in the Android sphere.

#### 2. You appreciate the productivity of the S Pen stylus
The **S Pen** continues to distinguish Samsung’s Ultra lineup from virtually every other Android flagship. Initially an iconic part of the Note series, it has matured into a versatile productivity tool fully integrated into the Galaxy S series. Although the S25 Ultra’s iteration removes certain Bluetooth-specific features—such as remote control for the camera shutter—it remains superb for jotting down quick notes, sketching diagrams, or marking up screenshots during meetings.

If handwritten creativity or on-the-go annotation is part of your workflow, Samsung’s S Pen option provides a natural writing experience that digital notes alone cannot emulate. No competing flagship, including the OnePlus 15, replicates this tactile convenience; therefore, users who enjoy hands-on interaction with their devices for productivity tasks will find the **S25 Ultra** unmatched in this regard.

#### 3. Long-term software and security support matter to you
While the OnePlus 15 ships with Android 16 and guarantees **four years of major OS updates** alongside five years of security patches, Samsung extends its commitment even further. The **Galaxy S25 Ultra**, launched with Android 15-based One UI 7, will receive **seven years of both OS and security updates**, offering unmatched futureproofing. This long-term reliability ensures that the device remains current in features, safety, and performance optimization for years longer than nearly any other Android phone available.

Although battery efficiency will naturally decline with prolonged use, Samsung’s extended upgrade policy secures the Galaxy S25 Ultra a longer lifespan — a critical factor for users seeking sustained value from a premium investment.

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In conclusion, both smartphones epitomize excellence within their respective categories: the **OnePlus 15** stands out for its endurance, affordability, and practicality, while the **Galaxy S25 Ultra** delivers a refined, feature-rich experience centered around display mastery, productivity enhancements, and exceptional long-term support. The right choice ultimately depends on what you value most—raw efficiency and power at a compelling price point, or luxurious polish and longevity supported by Samsung’s industry-leading ecosystem.

Sourse: https://www.zdnet.com/article/i-compared-the-two-best-android-flagship-phones-of-2025-and-it-was-pretty-darn-close/

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