Android Authority Criticizes OnePlus 15 as Disappointing Follow‑up to OnePlus 13
Android Authority’s latest review characterises the OnePlus 15 as a weak successor to the highly praised OnePlus 13, which debuted earlier in 2025 and was lauded for its balanced performance, solid build quality and reliable software support.
The review points to several areas where the new flagship falls short. The design, while similar in silhouette, adopts a heavier chassis that many users find less comfortable to hold. Performance benchmarks show only marginal gains over the previous model, despite a newer processor that was expected to deliver a noticeable speed boost. Battery capacity has been reduced, leading to shorter real‑world endurance, and the company’s decision to remove the fast‑charging feature that set the OnePlus 13 apart has drawn criticism. Additionally, the software experience is described as less polished, with a higher incidence of bugs reported in early firmware builds.
These shortcomings arrive at a time when the premium smartphone market is increasingly competitive, with rivals such as Samsung, Apple and Google introducing devices that combine high‑end specifications with refined user experiences. OnePlus, which built its reputation on offering flagship‑level performance at a lower price point, now faces pressure to maintain that value proposition while keeping pace with rapid technological advancements.
Industry analysts note that the lukewarm reception could affect consumer confidence in the brand, especially among early adopters who expected the OnePlus 15 to continue the upward trajectory set by its predecessor. Market observers suggest that the mixed reviews may translate into slower sales in key regions, prompting the company to consider mid‑cycle software updates and potential hardware revisions.
OnePlus has not yet issued a formal response, but insiders indicate that the firm is already working on a software patch to address stability issues and may introduce an enhanced variant later in the year. The upcoming updates could mitigate some of the criticism, but the broader sentiment underscores the challenges manufacturers face in delivering incremental improvements that satisfy a demanding user base.
