Bengaluru – Chinese smartphone maker OnePlus on Thursday announced that its latest flagship handset, the OnePlus 15, will be one of the first devices globally to use Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 mobile platform.
The company said the device would deliver faster performance, improved gaming and enhanced imaging, positioning it among the earliest smartphones to integrate Qualcomm’s most powerful chip to date.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 features upgraded central and graphics processors and an advanced neural processing unit designed to handle intensive computing tasks, including artificial intelligence-driven photography and real-time gaming.
OnePlus founder Pete Lau said the launch continued the company’s decade-long partnership with Qualcomm. “With Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 at its core, OnePlus 15 carries that legacy forward—delivering the speed, intelligence and efficiency our users demand today and into the future,” Lau said in a statement.
Qualcomm, the leading supplier of premium Android smartphone processors, said its latest platform provided “breakthrough speed, sustained gaming power, intelligent photography and all-day efficiency.” Chris Patrick, senior vice president and general manager of mobile handsets at Qualcomm, said the system-on-chip had been optimised for performance across a range of high-end applications.
The company said the OnePlus 15 would debut with its self-developed DetailMax image engine, an in-house software platform that uses algorithms and processing power to produce clearer and more realistic photos. The handset will also run on OnePlus’s customised operating system OxygenOS.
For gaming, the new model is designed to maintain performance under heavy load, with cooling enhancements to reduce overheating during extended use. OnePlus said the device was optimised to deliver seamless gameplay across popular high-performance titles.
Pricing and availability details have not yet been disclosed. The company said more information on specifications would be announced in the coming weeks.
India has become a critical market for smartphone makers as sales in China slow. According to Counterpoint Research, India’s premium smartphone segment — devices priced above ₹30,000 ($360) — grew 64% year-on-year in 2023, driven by demand for 5G-enabled and flagship models.
Apple led the premium category with its iPhone line, while Samsung held the second position. OnePlus was among the leading Android brands in the segment, competing with Xiaomi, Vivo and Oppo.
Analysts have said the company has maintained a loyal consumer base in India by positioning its devices as high-performance yet relatively affordable compared to Apple’s flagship models.
The introduction of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 puts the OnePlus 15 in direct competition with premium Android handsets expected from Samsung and Xiaomi, which are also likely to use Qualcomm’s latest processors in their upcoming devices.
Qualcomm, headquartered in San Diego, California, supplies most of the processors used in high-end Android smartphones. Its Snapdragon line powers devices across brands such as OnePlus, Xiaomi and Samsung’s Galaxy S series in select regions.
In India, Qualcomm has partnered with local telecom operators
The company faces competition from Taiwan’s MediaTek, which has gained market share in the mid-range segment, and from custom chips developed by Apple and Google.
In India, Qualcomm has partnered with local telecom operators and device manufacturers to expand 5G adoption since commercial rollout began in 2022. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is expected to feature widely in premium Android devices launching ahead of the 2025 festive season.
OnePlus, founded in 2013 and now part of China’s BBK Electronics group, has built its reputation on performance-oriented smartphones targeting tech-savvy users. Its earlier models gained popularity through online-only sales and community-driven marketing.
In recent years, the company has expanded its product line to include mid-range devices, smart TVs and wearables, while continuing to launch a flagship series annually. The OnePlus 15 is positioned as the successor to the OnePlus 14, launched in early 2024.
The company said the new model would combine advanced hardware from Qualcomm with its own software innovations to meet rising consumer expectations in photography, gaming and multitasking.
