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For a lower reported launch price, a larger stated battery and a higher gaming refresh-rate ceiling, the OnePlus 15 has the edge on paper. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers a slightly larger display, more storage choices and iOS. TechRadar’s 2025 launch-price comparison put the base 256 GB OnePlus $300 below the base iPhone; that is historical launch pricing, not a quote for today.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs OnePlus 15: key differences
| Feature | OnePlus 15 | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.78 inches; 2772 × 1272; 450 ppi; 1–120 Hz adaptive, up to 165 Hz in gaming, according to OnePlus specifications. | 6.9 inches; 1320 × 2868 OLED; 120 Hz, as reported by TechRadar. |
| Processor and memory | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; 12 GB or 16 GB RAM, according to OnePlus. | A19 Pro; 12 GB RAM, as reported by TechRadar. |
| Rear cameras | 50 MP main with optical image stabilization; 50 MP telephoto with 3.5× optical zoom and optical image stabilization. TechRadar reports a 50 MP ultrawide as well. | 48 MP rear cameras, as reported by TechRadar. |
| Battery and charging | 7,300 mAh dual-cell battery; 80 W SUPERVOOC wired and 50 W AIRVOOC wireless charging, according to OnePlus. | Capacity and charging figures not stated in the cited TechRadar comparison. |
| Storage | 256 GB or 512 GB, according to OnePlus. | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB or 2 TB, as reported by TechRadar. |
| Operating system at time reported | Android 16 with OxygenOS 16, according to TechRadar. | iOS 26, according to TechRadar. |
| US launch price reported in 2025 | $899.99 for 256 GB / 12 GB RAM; $999.99 for 512 GB / 16 GB RAM. | $1,199 for 256 GB; $1,399 for 512 GB; $1,599 for 1 TB; $1,999 for 2 TB. |
OnePlus hardware figures come from its US specifications page; iPhone specifications and the launch prices above are TechRadar’s reporting in its 2025 comparison, not official Apple specifications. OnePlus configurations and availability can differ by region.
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How much cheaper was the OnePlus 15?
At the cited 2025 US launch prices, the 256 GB OnePlus 15 cost $899.99 and the 256 GB iPhone 17 Pro Max cost $1,199—a $300 difference. The OnePlus 15 512 GB configuration was listed at $999.99, while the iPhone 512 GB model was $1,399, a $399 difference. These are launch figures reported by TechRadar, not current street prices. Check current offers in your country and compare the same storage tier before deciding; availability, taxes and promotions can change the gap.
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Display and gaming: bigger versus faster ceiling
The iPhone has the larger panel by the measurements reported: 6.9 inches against 6.78 inches. The OnePlus lists a 2772 × 1272 resolution and 450 ppi, while TechRadar reports a 1320 × 2868 OLED panel for the iPhone. Those resolutions use different aspect ratios, so pixel counts alone do not tell you which screen will look sharper in ordinary use.
#1 Best Overall
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
OnePlus specifies adaptive refresh from 1 to 120 Hz and a maximum of 165 Hz in gaming. TechRadar reports 120 Hz for the iPhone. The OnePlus maximum is a gaming ceiling, not a guarantee that every game or app runs at 165 frames per second; game support, settings and performance matter. Choose around the games and media you use rather than the highest number in isolation.
Camera comparison: hardware is not the whole result
OnePlus lists a 50 MP main camera and a 50 MP telephoto with 3.5× optical zoom; TechRadar’s comparison also reports a 50 MP ultrawide. TechRadar reports 48 MP rear cameras for the iPhone. Megapixel counts do not establish which phone takes better photographs: processing, color rendering, difficult lighting, video, zoom range and personal taste all affect the result.
Rank #2
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
In its comparison, TechRadar’s Phones Editor Axel Metz described the iPhone camera as capable of “higher highs and lower lows,” and the OnePlus as a potentially more dependable but less exciting option. That is his editorial judgment, not a universal outcome for every scene or user. If camera character matters to you, compare sample images and video in the kinds of conditions you actually shoot.
Battery and charging: a capacity advantage, not an endurance test
OnePlus specifies a 7,300 mAh dual-cell, non-removable battery, 80 W SUPERVOOC wired charging and 50 W AIRVOOC wireless charging. Those are manufacturer specifications, not independent battery-life or charging-time measurements. The cited comparison does not state the iPhone’s battery capacity or charging figures, so this evidence does not establish a like-for-like endurance or charging-speed winner.
Rank #3
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Software and storage: choose the ecosystem you want
TechRadar reported Android 16 with OxygenOS 16 on the OnePlus and iOS 26 on the iPhone at the time of its comparison. Software versions change, but the more durable decision is which ecosystem fits your existing devices, apps, cloud services and messaging habits. Switching platforms can also mean changing familiar settings and workflows.
For storage, OnePlus lists 256 GB and 512 GB options, while TechRadar reports iPhone configurations through 2 TB. If you keep large video libraries or shoot a lot of high-resolution video, capacity may matter more than a small difference in screen size. Compare the exact configuration you intend to buy, since the price gap changes by tier.
Which phone should you buy?
- Choose the OnePlus 15 if its Android/OxygenOS setup suits you and you prioritize the larger stated battery, fast charging specifications, gaming refresh ceiling, or lower reported launch price.
- Choose the iPhone 17 Pro Max if you prefer iOS, want the slightly larger display, or need a storage option above 512 GB.
- Compare before buying if your deciding factor is camera quality, all-day battery life, or current price. The cited specifications and editorial comparison do not settle those questions for every user or market.
Before ordering, verify the regional model, network bands, SIM configuration, included charger and local availability. The OnePlus specifications cited here are from its US page, which may not describe every market SKU.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
