OnePlus 15 vs Realme GT 8 Pro
Which flagship should you buy?
Every smartphone launch season comes with one big question: which flagship actually gives you more for your money? This month promises to be particularly exciting, with multiple high-profile launches on the horizon. At the center of the spotlight are the OnePlus 15 and Realme GT 8 Pro, debuting on November 13 and 20, respectively.
Both pack the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chip, blazing-fast charging, and premium designs, yet each takes a distinct approach to what a flagship should offer. From design and display to performance, battery, and cameras, these phones bring unique strengths to the table, and in the following sections, we break down how they compare across every key metric.
David Adubiina
/1. Design & Build
Both the Realme GT 8 Pro and the OnePlus 15 bring their own unique takes on flagship design. The Realme GT 8 Pro introduces a creative twist with interchangeable camera modules on the back. Users can customize these swappable camera decorations, and Realme even allows enthusiasts to 3D-print their own designs, adding a personal touch rarely seen in premium smartphones. The OnePlus 15, in contrast, opts for a more minimalist and refined aesthetic reminiscent of the OnePlus 13, focusing on sleekness and a premium feel rather than customization.
Up front, both devices feature flat displays that prioritize usability and one-handed comfort. The OnePlus 15 combines a smooth matte finish with a back panel crafted from Gorilla Glass 7i and fiberglass, offering a lightweight yet sturdy feel. Meanwhile, the Realme GT 8 Pro sports a matte metal frame that emphasizes rigidity and durability. Both phones offer flagship-grade resistance to dust and water and reinforce the premium feel with a solid metal frame.
/2. Display Features
When it comes to display technology, both phones have key differentiators. The OnePlus 15 boasts a 6.78-inch 1.5K LTPO display with an incredible 165Hz refresh rate and peak brightness up to 1800 nits. This combination ensures super-smooth scrolling, stunning visuals, and excellent visibility even under direct sunlight. Gamers and multimedia enthusiasts will appreciate the fluidity and brightness that the display delivers.
The Realme GT 8 Pro, on the other hand, is expected to come with a slightly larger 6.79-inch 2K+ LTPO AMOLED display featuring a 144Hz refresh rate. While the refresh rate is slightly lower than the OnePlus 15, the higher resolution offers crisper visuals and more detailed imagery, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritize resolution and color accuracy. Both displays support HDR content, providing vibrant and immersive viewing experiences.
/3. Performance
In terms of performance, both phones leave no stone unturned, thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 SoC — currently the fastest Android chip available. Both the Realme GT 8 Pro and the OnePlus 15 come with large cooling systems to maintain excellent sustained performance during heavy usage. The Realme GT 8 Pro goes a step further with dedicated gaming chips, ensuring smooth gameplay at higher resolutions without compromising frame rates.
/4. Battery & Charging
Between the two phones, the OnePlus 15 packs a slightly larger 7300mAh silicon-carbon battery, compared to the 7000mAh cell in the Realme GT 8 Pro. They each support super-fast 120W wired and 50W wireless charging, which means even heavy users can replenish a full day’s power in under 30 minutes. This combination of battery capacity and rapid charging makes the devices highly convenient for anyone who relies on their phone throughout the day.
/5. Camera Capabilities
Camera setups remain a standout feature for these flagships, with each device aiming to impress photography enthusiasts. The triple-camera system includes a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP ultrawide lens, and a 32MP autofocus front camera, providing versatility for everyday shooting.
Where they differ is in telephoto performance. OnePlus 15 features a 50MP telephoto lens with 3.5x optical zoom, delivering crisp detail for distant subjects. Realme GT 8 Pro, on the other hand, goes further with a 200MP periscope telephoto lens developed in collaboration with Ricoh, offering 3x optical zoom and exceptional clarity. This gives Realme an edge in capturing fine detail, making it a compelling choice for users who prioritize photography flexibility.
/6. Storage & RAM
While it is yet to be confirmed whether the global launch will feature the same specifications as the Chinese version, the devices are expected to come with multiple storage and RAM configurations to meet a wide range of user needs. Options are likely to include 256GB of storage paired with either 12GB or 16GB of RAM, 512GB storage with 12GB or 16GB of RAM, and even a top-tier 1TB model with 16GB of RAM.
Thanks to UFS 4.1 storage technology, users can expect lightning-fast app launches, smooth file transfers, and a lag-free experience. Whether you’re a power user managing media-heavy files or someone who wants seamless performance for everyday tasks, these configurations aim to provide flexibility and reliability for nearly any scenario.
/7. Pricing
When it comes to pricing, both devices aim to offer competitive value in the flagship segment. The Realme GT 8 Pro is expected to start at ₹49,999 (around $600) for the 12GB/256GB variant, with the 12GB/512GB model priced at ₹56,555 and the top-tier 16GB/1TB version reaching ₹64,280.
The OnePlus 15 matches the starting price of ₹49,999 for its 12GB/256GB configuration, while the 16GB/1TB variant is slightly higher at ₹67,000, reflecting its premium build and refined design. Overall, both phones provide a range of options that allow users to choose the right balance of storage, performance, and price based on their needs and budget.
Final Verdict
Both the OnePlus 15 and Realme GT 8 Pro deliver impressive flagship experiences, but they approach the market from slightly different angles. The OnePlus 15 leans toward refinement, with a sleek, minimalist design, a slightly larger battery, and an ultra-smooth 165Hz display that makes everyday use feel fluid and premium. Realme GT 8 Pro, meanwhile, emphasizes bold innovation, offering customizable design options, a higher-resolution 2K+ display, and a standout 200MP periscope telephoto camera for photography enthusiasts.
Choosing between the two ultimately depends on what you value most in a flagship device. If you prefer a polished, all-around performer with a focus on design and smooth performance, the OnePlus 15 is a strong pick. If customization, extreme camera capabilities, and a higher-resolution display are your priorities, the Realme GT 8 Pro may be the better choice.
Kelechi Edeh
