OnePlus 15: The Phone Set to Outshine Samsung's Galaxy S26?

10/24/2025 Mobile

It might seem early to predict, but buzz around the OnePlus 15 suggests it could seriously overshadow Samsung's Galaxy S26 in 2026. I know, it's still a ways off, but the recent news has me thinking OnePlus is really stepping up their game, while Samsung might be stuck in a rut.

Let's start with the exciting stuff. OnePlus has confirmed some impressive specs for the 15. We're talking a massive 7,300mAh battery with 120W wired and 50W wireless charging. It also looks like the refresh rate is getting bumped up to 165Hz. Although the resolution drops a bit, I reckon it's a worthy trade-off for smoother visuals and performance.

And get this, there's talk that the OnePlus 15 might be cheaper than its predecessor. In a world where prices are constantly rising, that's a welcome surprise! Considering all these upgrades combined with its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, it's hard not to get hyped about this phone. While I had some initial doubts about the camera without the Hasselblad partnership, early samples have eased my worries. So, it seems like the OnePlus 15 is aiming to be a really great device.

Samsung's Strategy

Then we have Samsung and their Galaxy S26 series. A while back, there were rumors that Samsung was shaking things up with a Galaxy S26 Pro and Edge. Honestly, the main Galaxy S series has felt kind of stale for a few years, and this seemed like the refresh it desperately needed. However, it seems like the company has killed plans for both the Pro and Edge versions. And because of all this back-and-forth, it now looks like the release of the S26 series is being delayed, with leaked specs of what we believed would be the Galaxy S26 Pro that doesn't seem to bring anything new to the table.

For example, rumors suggest that the standard Galaxy S26 will sport the same cameras as the S25 (which haven't changed since the S22), and just a slight battery increase. Details about the S26 Plus and Ultra are scarce, but early leaks don't suggest any big changes either. I think that we are likely looking at a trio of phones with pretty much the same cameras, batteries and charging speeds.

It is disappointing. The Galaxy S26 lineup could have been something amazing, but it looks like we're getting more of the same. If this OnePlus and Samsung situation sounds familiar, it's because something similar happened this year with the OnePlus 13 and Galaxy S25. So, all signs point to a repeat in 2026. OnePlus is pushing the envelope, while Samsung seems stuck in its old ways. Of course, these are just leaks and reports, so things could change. I'm hoping Samsung will surprise us. But right now, it looks like OnePlus is set to lead the charge in 2026.