OnePlus 15 vs iPhone 17: Which one should you pick?

The premium smartphone race has always been equal parts technology showcase and personal identity. This year’s duel between the freshly minted OnePlus 15 and Apple’s iPhone 17 captures that contrast beautifully. OnePlus is doubling down on sheer performance with bigger batteries, faster displays and gamer-friendly tuning, while Apple continues to refine its timeless recipe of design restraint, imaging precision and tightly woven software, now adding long-requested extras like a 120Hz refresh rate.

They aren’t just two devices. They are two interpretations of what a flagship phone should feel like. So, which one should be your pick? Let’s dive into our OnePlus 15 vs iPhone 17 comparison to get a better idea.

OnePlus 15 vs iPhone 17: Design and displays

The OnePlus 15 is 8.1mm thick and weighs 215g. It feels substantial, almost tablet-adjacent. The redesigned camera module brings a touch of sophistication, while the textured glass back looks genuinely stunning. This phone is great for content, less great for smaller hands or shallower pockets. The iPhone 17 weighs a mere 177g and is far friendlier for everyday use. You feel the difference within minutes. The design is also premium, with quirkiness added through the varied colour options.

As for the display, the OnePlus 15 is the more assertive piece of hardware. Its 6.78-inch QHD+ LTPO AMOLED display and 165Hz refresh rate look engineered for people who treat their phone like a portable entertainment system. Peak brightness hits 1,800 nits, which is not chart-topping, but dependable outdoors.

ALSO READ: OnePlus 15 launched in India with 165Hz display, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and 7,300mAh battery

Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 goes the opposite way. It’s compact and intentional. Its 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel with Ceramic Shield 2 prioritises colour accuracy and everyday usability. Plus, it gets LTPO support up to 120Hz. In simple terms, OnePlus gives you a cinema. Apple gives you a studio monitor.

OnePlus 15 vs iPhone 17: Performance and software

The OnePlus 15 ships with the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a 3nm chip tuned for high-intensity workloads. Gaming, heavy apps, multitasking; everything pops with immediacy. Thermal management is noticeably improved, meaning fewer frame drops mid-session.

Apple’s A19 Bionic is cut from a different cloth. Think of it less like a sprinter and more like a marathon runner. Apple prioritises sustained performance, stability and efficiency across the entire OS. The result is a UI that feels as if it’s anticipating your next move.

If gaming is your north star, OnePlus wins. If consistency and long-term performance matter, Apple remains the benchmark.

As for software, OxygenOS 16 on the OnePlus 15 combines Google Gemini’s smarts with OnePlus’s own Plus Mind features. It’s fast, open and endlessly customisable; a playground for people who like tuning their devices.

iOS 26 is woven tightly with Apple Intelligence. It focuses on privacy, natural language interactions, and subtle conveniences; however, OnePlus has a tad more AI prowess, all things considered.

OnePlus 15 vs iPhone 17: Cameras and battery

In the optics department, OnePlus opts for brute force with a triple-50MP system headlined by Sony’s IMX906, a 3.5x telephoto and a wide 116-degree ultrawide. Daylight performance should be crisp, and the telephoto gives it real flexibility.

Apple does what Apple always does. Its 48MP primary, 48MP ultrawide and 18MP front sensor are backed by Apple’s colour science, skin-tone accuracy, and unmatched video stabilisation. But it loses out on versatility since it lacks a telephoto.

As for endurance, here’s where OnePlus takes a victory lap. The 7,300mAh silicon-carbon battery is enormous by flagship standards; almost comically so. Paired with 120W SuperVOOC wired and 50W AirVIIC wireless charging, it’s the kind of setup that practically eliminates battery anxiety.

Apple keeps its numbers discreet, as usual. The promise is up to 30 hours of video playback and 27 hours of streaming with its 3,692mAh cell. MagSafe wireless charging is, of course, present, and the fast charging is fine, but the 20–40W ceiling feels modest in 2025.

OnePlus 15 vs iPhone 17: Price and storage variants

OnePlus continues to play its strongest card; performance without the premium tax. The 12GB+256GB variant starts at Rs 72,999, with the 16GB+512GB model priced at Rs 79,999. Its colourways include Ultra Violet, Sand Storm and Infinite Black; all simple yet elegant.

ALSO READ: Apple iPhone 17 first impressions

Apple remains, well, Apple. The iPhone 17 begins at Rs 82,900 for 256GB and climbs to Rs 1,02,900 for 512GB. Its colour palette, including White, Black, Sage, Mist Blue, and Lavender, looks playful yet premium. If you’re trying to stay under the Rs 80K line without compromise, OnePlus gives you breathing room. But for anyone who already lives inside Apple’s ecosystem of Macs, Watches and AirPods, the higher price feels less like a hurdle and more like membership dues.

So, which one should you pick?

This showdown boils down to personality and priorities. The OnePlus 15 is the enthusiast’s machine. Loud in capability, generous in size, built for people who want it all at once. Gamers, binge-watchers, and anyone allergic to charging cables will love it.

The iPhone 17 is the refined all-rounder that’s quieter in ambition but richer in consistency. If you value polish, long-term reliability and the comfort of Apple’s ecosystem, it’s the safer, smoother choice.

Both are true flagships. They just define premium differently. If you want raw capability, pick the OnePlus 15. If you want effortless everyday grace, pick the iPhone 17.