In 2026, there are few brands in the Android space that can boast a portfolio quite like OnePlus. Sure, Samsung is a great option for long-term software support while the likes of Xiaomi and Oppo have camera tech on lock, but OnePlus is best known for putting out great all-rounders that leave you wanting for very little, whether it be in battery life or display tech, and if you’re interested in picking one up then this guide is for you.
Even though it’s rare to come across a bad OnePlus phone, it can be tricky to know exactly which one is worth buying for your needs. After all, you don’t want to overspend if a mid-range OnePlus phone can do the job perfectly well and save you a decent chunk of cash in the process.
For every OnePlus phone that comes across our desks, one of our tech experts will use the device for at least a week, charting its performance and battery drain on a daily basis, whilst using industry-standard benchmarks so you can see exactly how the phone compares to its key competitors. Simply put, you can know all about what it’s like to use the latest phones before you ever part with your hard-earned cash.
As much as we enjoy using OnePlus handsets, anyone who wants to pick their next upgrade based on a very specific feature will have a better time rifling through our guides to the best camera phones, best battery phones and the best dual-SIM phones. Alternatively, if you’re curious to see where OnePlus fares against the likes of Apple and other big brands, our overall ranking of the best phones has you covered.
Best OnePlus phone reviews
1. OnePlus 15 – Best Overall
Pros
- Best-in-class performance
- Great user experience with nice AI additions
- Outlandish battery life
- Super-fast charging
Cons
- Software borrows heavily from iOS
- Software support could be longer
- Magnetic accessories only work with case
Given just how much we loved the OnePlus 13 when that came to town, we were left wondering how on earth the brand might look to raise the bar even further in a successor. Well, with no Hasselblad partnership this time around, the OnePlus 15 charts a new course but one that is no less exceptional, making for one of the best Android phones around right now.
As one of the first phones to come to market with the super-powered Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, the OnePlus 15 boasts next-level performance that leaves pretty much every other flagship in the dust. In Geekbench multi-core tests, the OnePlus 15 outdid the Oppo Find X9 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra by quite a decent margin.
That performance is now complemented by a lush 6.78-inch 165Hz display which is perfect for fast-paced games like Call of Duty Mobile. If you are the type of person to enjoy a bit of gaming or entertainment on the go then the 7,300mAh battery onboard can keep up without issue. We have no doubt that some users can get the OnePlus 15 to run for up to two days between charges.
Speaking of charging, there are now mindblowing speeds of 120W over a wired connection, although you’ll need to buy a compatible adapter separately. With one in tow, you can get back to a full battery in roughly 45 minutes; it’s just a shame that there’s no magnetic Qi2 charging built-in like with the Pixel 10 range. To connect to MagSafe and Pixelsnap compatible devices, you’ll have to use a bespoke case.
Who should buy the OnePlus 15?
Gamers who want a top-shelf chipset, display and battery working in tandem.
OnePlus 15: Further consideration
Four years of software support for a phone of this price feels absurd in 2026.
Read our full OnePlus 15 review
2. OnePlus 15R – Best Upper Mid-range
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Great user experience with nice AI additions
- Monster battery life
- Super-fast charging
Cons
- Inflexible camera experience
- Still USB 2.0
- Software support could be longer
- No wireless charging
Even though the full-fat OnePlus 15 is well worth buying if you can stretch your budget just a little bit further, anyone who’s shopping firmly within the camp of mid-range phones will find a similarly excellent experience in the OnePlus 15R. It’s not quite enough to outdo the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE for most people, but there is sure to be some who will prefer what OnePlus has put together here.
The obvious allure of the OnePlus 15R is that it boasts the brilliantly powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset, putting it far beyond the capabilities of most other phones in its price range. For instance, during our Geekbench multi-core test, the OnePlus 15R was able to outperform far more expensive handsets like the Oppo Find X9 Pro and the Pixel 10 Pro XL.
The 7,400mAh battery feels like a dream come true as it’s perfectly possible to get up to three days of use on a single charge, which is such a rarity but a wonderful thing for doing away with battery anxiety. You won’t have to wait long for it to be topped up either as there’s 80W fast charging onboard which can reach full capacity in about an hour. If you’re in a rush then you can claim back 50% in just 25 minutes.
As with the OnePlus 15, the long-term software support isn’t as consumer-friendly as we would like it to be. With just four years of OS updates from the time of launch, the 15R is leagues behind the seven years of support provided by Samsung and Google for their comparative phones, so you may want to bear this in mind before deciding on an upgrade.
Who should buy the OnePlus 15R?
Upper mid-range buyers who want top-shelf performance for their money.
OnePlus 15R: Further considerations
You get better long-term software support from Samsung and Google.
Read our full OnePlus 15R review
3. OnePlus 13 – Best Previous-gen Flagship
Pros
- Best-in-class performance
- Great user experience with nice AI additions
- Outlandish battery life
- Super fast charging
Cons
- Some camera niggles
- Magnetic accessories only work with case
If you don’t fancy spending the big bucks to pick up the OnePlus 15, you can now find a far more wallet-friendly alternative in last year’s OnePlus 13.
The performance is best-in-class for its generation thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, which allows it to go toe-to-toe with some dedicated gaming phones and handle some very heavy-duty apps.
The monster 6000mAh battery means you can get around two days of typical usage – higher than many rivals of a similar price. There’s no scrimping on charging either, with 100W wired support that can juice it from flat to full in just over half an hour.
The 50Mp camera array features a main Sony LYT-808 sensor and a 3x telephoto, similar to what is found on Oppo’s Find X8 Pro. The results are incredible true-to-life shots, with accurate shadows and dynamic range – though there are some niggles with the digital zoom.
The OnePlus 13 also boasts rare IP69 and IP68 certifications, meaning it’s incredibly durable and able to withstand dust ingress, submersion in water and pressurized jets (at up to 80°C) of water. No flagship at the time from Samsung, Google or Apple could compete with this durability.
The vegan leather back may be a bit more polarising than the flowy design of the OnePlus 12, but it still looks and feels premium – as does the bold and bright 6.82-inch display, which is also tough thanks to the Ceramic Guard cover.
Who should buy the OnePlus 13?
Anyone after a flagship Android phone that doesn’t cost a fortune.
OnePlus 13: Further considerations
The ability to work with MagSafe products requires the included case to be attached at all times.
Read our full OnePlus 13 review
4. OnePlus Nord 5 – Best Mid-Range
Pros
- Attractive design
- Rich, elegant user experience
- Big screen with fast refresh rate
- Fast charging
Cons
- Some downgrades vs predecessor
- Rivals offer better value performance
- Lost stand-out metal chassis
The OnePlus Nord 4 was easily one of the best mid-range handsets upon its release and was always going to be a tough act to follow, but the OnePlus Nord 5 does a respectable job by bringing in some handy new features into the mix. Unfortunately, the eye-catching aesthetic of the Nord 4 is gone, but it’s been replaced by something far more confident instead.
It won’t be turning any heads (unless you have Marble Sands colourway) but the Nord 5 has a sleek uniform backing that feels very comfortable in the hand and looks not at all dissimilar to flagship phones from Samsung and Apple. There’s also IP65 water and dust resistance to ensure that the phone doesn’t fall foul of any mishaps during your time with it.
There’s now a slightly larger 6.83-inch AMOLED display for users to enjoy, which makes the phone better suited for streaming a bit of Netflix or Disney Plus. The 144Hz refresh rate also goes hand in hand with a spot of gaming, although we don’t advise playing high-end 3D titles as the phone’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset can struggle to keep up under demanding circumstances.
The cameras have also been given an uplift, the most prominent of which is the move to having a 50Mp selfie camera. It’s easily one of the best front-facing sensors you’ll find on a mid-range phone so if you are someone who enjoys taking regular group selfies, you’ll appreciate the amount of detail and colour that this camera can capture.
Who should buy the OnePlus Nord 5?
Mid-range buyers after a smart looking phone with a great selfie-camera
OnePlus Nord 5: Further considerations
It’s not quite as eye-catching as the OnePlus Nord 4.
Read our full OnePlus Nord 5 review
5. OnePlus Nord CE 5 – Best Budget
Pros
- Nice design and build quality
- Rich, elegant user experience
- Fast charging
Cons
- Disappointing loudspeaker and haptics
- Rivals offer better value performance
- Cameras struggle in low light
The OnePlus Nord CE 5 is one of those rare budget phones that looks like anything but. The sleek panel follows in the footsteps of the regular Nord 5, with a uniform colour that extends into a border surrounding the camera bump, alongside a polycarbonate frame that’s comfortable to hold. Throw in IP65 dust and water resistance and it’s hard to argue with the build quality on offer.
Compared to a lot of budget phones where the software experience can feel a bit cluttered and downgraded against pricier phones, the Nord CE 5 has no such issues thanks to the effortlessly clean OxygenOS overlay. It’s wonderfully free of bloatware and very easy to get to grips with.
We only wish that there was a slightly better-performing chipset inside to really elevate the benefits of OnePlus’ software, as the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Apex can struggle under more demanding tasks. You can get by just fine with most games but more intensive 3D titles like Zenless Zone Zero see immediate drops in frame rate.
Still, for day to day tasks the CE 5 more than gets the job done, and it’s propped up by a sizeable 5200mAh battery. We had no issues with getting the phone to the end of more demanding days, and when you do need to top it up, the super-fast 80W wired charging can get you back a full battery from 0% in under 50 minutes.
Who should buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5?
Budget buyers who want a smartphone that looks like a flagship.
OnePlus Nord CE 5: Further considerations
The performance can fall apart with more demanding 3D games.
Read our full OnePlus Nord CE 5 review
6. OnePlus 13R – Best Value
Pros
- Much faster storage compared to predecessor
- Great user experience with nice AI additions
- Solid battery life
- Super-fast charging
Cons
- Camera needs fine tuning
- Lesser water resistance than some high-end phones
- No wireless charging
- Magnetic accessories only work with case
Although the OnePlus 15R has hit the scene, the OnePlus 13R now offers even better value for money as you can find it for less.
The best qualities about this phone are its display and battery life. The 6.78-inch 120Hz LTPO 4.1 OLED ProXDR panel benefits from the same upgrades seen on the flagship OnePlus 13, with a faster and more dynamic refresh rate and improved auto-brightness responsiveness to surroundings.
Meanwhile, the phone is packed with the same 6000mAh battery as its big brother, making it an excellent choice for power users. The 80W wired charging isn’t as fast as what you’ll find on the 13, but 55 minutes from flat to full with a battery this size is nothing to be sniffed at.
While the camera doesn’t measure up to the 13, it’s still a marked improvement over what we saw on 2024’s 12R. The underwhelming secondary snappers have been ditched for a new 50Mp 2x optical zoom telephoto and an 8Mp ultrawide, which result in more versatile photos and better colours.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 – the processor also seen on the OnePlus 12 – remains plenty capable, with this phone being snappy to use and out-performing others with the same chipset.
If durability is a concern for you, the IP65 rating may come as a disappointment – especially when you consider that many other cheaper rivals offer IP68. Nonetheless, that doesn’t take away from the fact that the OnePlus 13R is a decently priced phone if you’re happy to compromise in some areas.
Who should buy the OnePlus 13R?
Anyone after a collection of flagship features but at a price that undercuts the sector.
OnePlus 13R: Further considerations
No wireless charging is a big setback compared to the competition.
Read our full OnePlus 13R review
7. OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite – Best Budget Alternative
Pros
- Vibrant OLED display
- Rapid 80W charging support
- Decent battery life
- Keenly priced
Cons
- Poor performance from ageing chip
- Hit-and-miss camera
- No ultra-wide camera
- No charger in box
The Nord CE 4 Lite is one of the most affordable OnePlus devices you can buy in the UK – though it faces stiff competition in the sub-£300 market.
This is a solidly built yet affordable phone, with an impressively bold 6.67-inch FHD+ OLED display, with a 120Hz refresh rate. The battery can last up to two days with moderate usage, and the phone supports up to 80W fast charging – though no brick is included in the box.
However, the processor doesn’t offer the best performance, and the cameras are very much a mixed bag. Plus, Samsung and Google both offer models with better specs for similar prices.
Nonetheless, this is still a competent OnePlus phone in the UK.
Who should buy the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite?
Anyone who appreciates a budget phone with an eye-catching design.
OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite: Further considerations
The lack of an ultra-wide camera does hold it back.
Read our full OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite 5G review
Other OnePlus phones tested
Given that we’ve been reviewing OnePlus phones for years now, there are plenty of other devices within the company’s wares that don’t currently feature within the list above, either because they’ve been discontinued and are no longer available for sale, or that they’ve been supplanted by something better that we currently recommend instead.
One such example is the OnePlus Open which, despite being one of the best foldable phones we’ve ever had the pleasure of testing, can now only be found second-hand. Still, if you are able to find a pre-loved model that isn’t too worn down, then it will still make for a decent book-style foldable phone.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Despite leaps that have been made by the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Honor Magic V5, the OnePlus Open still stands out for having some of the best software, as OnePlus’ Open Canvas allows for seamless multitasking that makes using the device for productivity feel like a breeze.
On the other end of the scale, the OnePlus Nord 4 is a tricky phone to track down these days, and even though it’s since been supplanted by the equally excellent OnePlus Nord 5, it’s still worth keeping an eye out for it if you can find it at a bargain price.
Not only does it have a more eye-catching design than its successor, but the Nord 4 still provides a great main camera and has years of software updates headed its way.
The same philosophy goes for the OnePlus 12 which is no longer sold via the official OnePlus store but is still being supported with a few more software updates yet to come. The main 50Mp, Hasselblad-infused sensor is capable of putting out the type of shots that’ll immediately grab someone’s attention on social media, so for flagship camera tech on the cheap, this is a great option to go out in search for.
OnePlus phone news that could affect your buying decision
During these earlier months of the year, there isn’t much in the way of OnePlus news that’ll give you pause before upgrading, so now is as good a time as any to pick up one of the company’s latest phones.
The only upcoming release that is starting to appear in the rumour mill is the OnePlus Nord 6, as there’s word about that phone potentially having a 9,000mAh battery in some territories. Although we’re still a while away from the phone having official confirmation from OnePlus, the most recent rumours suggest that the Nord 6 could make an appearance as soon as April.
If you are tempted to see what the new mid-ranger could have in store then you may want to hold off until then – at the very least, the OnePlus Nord 5 should be a fair bit cheaper at that point.
Recently there was news that OnePlus wa “being dismantled” but went to tell publications, including Tech Advisor, that it was actually business “as normal”.
@TechKard
Can I get a better OnePlus phone deal?
OnePlus is one of the few companies that’s well known for offering fairly generous pre-order incentives which oftentimes continue into the launch period of a given phone. This can involve money off, as well as additional OnePlus devices (such as a OnePlus Watch) thrown in at no extra cost. With that in mind, it’s always worth keeping an eye on OnePlus’ own-brand store whenever a new device is announced.
At all other times of year, you can rest assured that this very page will give you the most up to date prices thanks to our intelligent deals widgets. These digital personal shoppers do the hard work for you by scanning the web and presenting you with the best price that’s currently available, so once you decide on the phone that’s right for you, you can make use of a price cut right away.
There’s always a chance that OnePlus phones see additional price cuts during big sales events like Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday. In either case, those cuts will also be reflected here, so you won’t have to spend time chasing after them.
Alternatively, you can check out our breakdown of the best refurbished phone deals to see if any additional savings can be had with second-hand OnePlus devices.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
How we test phones
Just like with every other type of smartphone that we test, OnePlus phones are used by one of our experts for at least a week to better understand how they perform in everyday scenarios. The testing period also involves subjecting the phones to a series of benchmarking apps including Geekbench 6 and PCMark, giving us concrete data on how their chipsets and batteries perform against the competition.
Read more about how we test smartphones.
Why you should trust Tech Advisor for phone reviews and buying advice
Tech Advisor has been covering smartphones ever since the first iPhone hit the scene, and that means we’ve also witnessed the trajectory of OnePlus from a budding brand into one of the world’s big smartphone players. That context, paired with our goal to help consumers make the right choice when buying any type of gadget, is why our coverage stands out.
Who curated this article?
As Tech Advisor’s Mobile Editor, Anyron Copeman can let you know at the drop of a hat whether the latest OnePlus software updates outdo recent developments in iOS, and so on. His understanding of the smartphone market is unparalleled, which is exactly why he gets final say on which OnePlus phones are included in this list.
How to choose the best OnePlus phone
Much like with Xiaomi, OnePlus has a phone to suit every type of budget, which makes the process of buying one feel just that bit easier, as you can get a great experience across the board regardless of how much you have available to spend.
What this boils down to is that budget buyers should only seek out phones that carry the CE or CE Lite branding, whilst mid-range hopefuls can opt for the standard OnePlus Nord phone, or a numbered device that carries an ‘R’ at the end of its name, like the OnePlus 13R.
Those with more cash to splash can go all in on the numbered entries like the OnePlus 15 and the OnePlus 13, as these are the phones designed to compete with the likes of Apple and Samsung at the high-end.
OnePlus phone FAQ
What are the different OnePlus ranges?
The OnePlus phone range is relatively simple. At the top end you get its numbered flagship series – currently the OnePlus 13 line, which for now includes the regular 13 and the 13R.
Below that you find the Nord series. These are cheaper, covering the gamut from budget phones up to the heart of the mid-range. The only complication here is that different markets get different Nord phones – models like the Nord 5 and Nord CE 5 launch in Europe and Asia, while the US gets different phones with names like Nord N300 and N20.
Note that Ace models typically come out in China but often arrive elsewhere with different names.
Is OnePlus the same as Oppo?
Sort of. OnePlus originally spun off from Chinese phone giant Oppo several years ago, but was mostly run as an independent company.
That’s now changed, and Oppo has brought OnePlus back into the fold. That means that OnePlus now uses Oppo R&D and software, meaning its products are more similar to Oppo’s than they used to be, and occasionally one company will essentially re-release one of the other’s phones with new branding.
What software do OnePlus phones run?
OnePlus phones all run Android, with the company’s OxygenOS skin on top.
As mentioned above, the company now uses Oppo software, so OxygenOS now shares a code base with that brand’s ColorOS. That means the software from both companies is quite similar, though each retains one or two unique features and a slightly different aesthetic.
Author: Anyron Copeman, Mobile Editor, Tech Advisor
Anyron is Mobile Editor at Tech Advisor, where he’s been a mainstay of the editorial team since 2019. In his current role, Anyron is responsible for all smartphone, tablet and mobile network coverage on the site. A BA Journalism graduate, he has experience with a wide range of consumer tech products and services, including smartphones, tablets, foldables, wearables and more.