Testing the Top Android Flagships of 2025: An Unexpected Winner

As 2025 draws to a close, OnePlus has made quite an entrance. Their latest smartphone challenges major competitors yet remains affordable, delivering impressive features like a vivid display, the newest Qualcomm processor, and an extensive battery life.

Considering purchasing Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra in today's crowded smartphone market? Despite OnePlus' bold advances, Samsung's flagship holds its own with compelling reasons to invest.

If you find yourself torn between these two leading smartphones or are simply curious about how the OnePlus 15 stacks up against the Galaxy S25 Ultra, your search ends here. Below, I break down which device might better cater to your specific needs.

Opt for OnePlus 15 If You're Looking For…

A Durable Piece of Tech

Boasting IP68 and IP69 certifications for dust and water resistance, the OnePlus 15 exceeds the Galaxy S25 Ultra's IP68 rating. While the IP68 rating protects against water immersion, IP69 endures water jets at higher temperatures, perfect for harsher situations.

Samsung and Apple phones struggle with screen functionality under drizzles or near water, leading to unintended screen responses. In contrast, the OnePlus 15's display stays responsive even with water exposure, allowing seamless usage by the poolside or during showers without water interference.

The Sand Storm version adds durability with its specialized frame, offering increased resilience in everyday scenarios, placing OnePlus 15 ahead in terms of robustness compared to the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Long-lasting Battery Performance

Featuring a 7,300mAh battery with enhanced silicon content, the OnePlus 15 provides stronger energy retention than batteries using less silicon. In contrast, the Galaxy S25 Ultra relies on a less powerful 5,000mAh battery.

During my week-long trial, the OnePlus 15 delivered exceptional battery life, maintaining up to 40% power after a full day's use with apps, navigation, and media. The Samsung model would struggle to meet the demands of a heavily scheduled day without a charge.

For users needing a device capable of enduring two days with moderate activity, the OnePlus 15 is optimal, featuring rapid charging at 80W, against Samsung's slower 45W.

Value Savings

Harnessing the latest chipset, the OnePlus 15 integrates a high-resolution, high-refresh screen and cooling enhancements, delivering performance comparable to pricier models like the Galaxy S25 Ultra, yet starting at $899 instead of $1,300.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Best Suited For…

Premium Display Quality

With upgrades from its predecessor, the Galaxy S25 Ultra features an exceptional display, incorporating superior anti-reflective properties for improved clarity indoors and in sunlight.

While the OnePlus 15 showcases a vivid display, it doesn't match the flawless viewing experience of Samsung's offering, particularly for media consumption. Borrowing OnePlus' AquaTouch technology could boost usability for Samsung, but the Galaxy screen remains my top choice.

Stylus Enthusiasts

The S Pen distinguishes the Galaxy S25 Ultra by offering remarkable note-taking capabilities absent in other top-tier devices. Although features like a remote shutter are omitted, its utility in professional settings cannot be overstated.

Extended Software Longevity

With seven years of OS enhancements and security patches, Samsung offers superior software longevity compared to OnePlus' five years. This advantage ensures the Galaxy remains functional beyond the lifespan typically expected from contemporary devices.