Nothing Phone 3 vs OnePlus 15
In the flagship smartphone class, the Nothing Phone 3 and the OnePlus 15 are natural rivals. Taken area by area, the OnePlus 15 wins 3 of 6. That doesn’t make the Nothing Phone 3 a bad choice, but it does set the baseline.
At a glance
- Display OnePlus 15 wins
- Performance OnePlus 15 wins
- Memory & Storage Tie
- Camera Trade-off
- Battery & Charging OnePlus 15 wins
- Software & Updates Nothing Phone 3 wins
- Price Nothing Phone 3 wins
- Performance5.6
- Memory & Storage3.6
- Camera3.7
- Battery & Charging3.7
- Performance5.9
- Memory & Storage3.6
- Camera3.5
- Battery & Charging9.3
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The OnePlus 15 has 42% more battery capacity
The Nothing Phone 3 is clearly behind on battery capacity (5,150 mAh against 7,300 mAh), and that’s one of its biggest weak spots in this matchup. Capacity isn’t everything, but when two phones are otherwise close, more milliamp-hours is the simplest endurance advantage there is.
-
The OnePlus 15 has a 165 Hz display instead of 120 Hz
On this line of the spec sheet, the OnePlus 15 is in a different league: 165 Hz, next to 120 Hz for the Nothing Phone 3. Smoother motion is one of the most visible display upgrades, and adaptive high-refresh panels can slow down on static content to save power.
-
The OnePlus 15 has faster 120 W wired charging
For wired charging, the OnePlus 15 leads by a wide margin: 120 W versus 65 W. Peak charging speeds depend on a compatible charger, which may not come in the box.
-
The Nothing Phone 3 has 1 year of extra promised updates
It’s a fine margin, and it favors the Nothing Phone 3 (5 years versus 4 years). A longer update promise keeps the phone secure and current for longer, which matters if you keep devices for several years.
-
The OnePlus 15 has 3.5× optical zoom versus 3×
The OnePlus 15 gets a small bonus on optical zoom, with 3.5× against the Nothing Phone 3’s 3×. Higher optical zoom lets you frame distant subjects tightly without losing detail to digital cropping.
Design & Size
- Nothing Phone 3 6.32 in × 2.98 in × 0.35 in
- OnePlus 15 6.35 in × 3.02 in × 0.32 in
If you already know the size you like, the Nothing Phone 3 and the OnePlus 15 should suit you equally. Their weights are close enough to treat as identical in daily use. If a thin profile matters to you, the OnePlus 15 is 0.04 in slimmer.
Design & Build
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3 | OnePlus 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.32 in | 6.35 in |
| Width | 2.98 in | 3.02 in |
| Thickness | 0.35 in | 0.32 in (winner) |
| Weight | 7.69 oz | 7.44 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68/IP69 (winner) |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Display
OnePlus 15 leads
In the display category, the OnePlus 15 isn’t just ahead; it’s clearly ahead. The OnePlus 15 gives you a 165 Hz display instead of 120 Hz. A higher refresh rate makes scrolling, animations and games look smoother. Once you’re used to it, a lower-rate screen can feel sluggish by comparison. The display verdict goes to the OnePlus 15.
Refresh rate
Nothing Phone 3: 120 Hz OnePlus 15: 165 Hz You notice refresh rate every time you scroll a feed or a web page, which is why the OnePlus 15 feels more fluid in everyday use.
Performance
OnePlus 15 leads
On balance, the OnePlus 15 leads the performance section, just not by much. The OnePlus 15 has the edge with a newer 3 nm chip process. A finer process node generally lets a chip do the same work with less power, which can mean cooler running and better battery life. For anyone who cares most about performance, the OnePlus 15 is the safer choice.
Process node
Nothing Phone 3: 4 nm OnePlus 15: 3 nm The OnePlus 15’s chip is built on a more advanced process. That usually points to efficiency gains, though chip design matters just as much.
Memory & Storage
Too close to call
Neither pulls ahead on memory & storage; the numbers are close throughout. Both cover memory & storage well enough that other priorities should break the tie.
Camera
Trade-off
On camera, it’s give and take: the Nothing Phone 3 brings a sharper 50 MP selfie camera, and the OnePlus 15 brings 3.5× optical zoom versus 3×. Neither gets an outright win on camera; your habits break the tie.
Optical zoom
Nothing Phone 3: 3× OnePlus 15: 3.5× The OnePlus 15 reaches further with real optics, which pays off for wildlife, stages and sports from the stands.
Front camera
Nothing Phone 3: 50 MP OnePlus 15: 32 MP Front cameras are often an afterthought, so a higher-resolution sensor is a small but welcome edge for the Nothing Phone 3.
Battery & Charging
OnePlus 15 leads
The battery & charging comparison is one-sided. The OnePlus 15 leads where it counts. The OnePlus 15 takes this one with 42% more battery capacity. Extra capacity also ages better: after a few years of charge cycles, the OnePlus 15 has more headroom left. Bottom line for battery & charging: the OnePlus 15 has the edge.
Battery capacity
Nothing Phone 3: 5,150 mAh OnePlus 15: 7,300 mAh A bigger battery usually means longer days between charges, although chip efficiency and screen size also shape real endurance.
Wired charging
Nothing Phone 3: 65 W OnePlus 15: 120 W Faster wired charging means a short top-up before you head out goes further.
Software & Updates
Nothing Phone 3 leads
A modest lead on software & updates belongs to the Nothing Phone 3. The Nothing Phone 3 delivers 1 year of extra promised updates. The Nothing Phone 3’s longer software support can also help its resale value later on. In short, the Nothing Phone 3 is the better-equipped phone for software & updates.
Promised OS updates
Nothing Phone 3: 5 years OnePlus 15: 4 years Software support is what separates a phone that ages gracefully from one that doesn’t, making it one of the most practical lines on the spec sheet.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3 | OnePlus 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.7 in | 6.8 in |
| Panel type | AMOLED | LTPO AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2800 x 1260 | 2772 x 1272 |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 165 Hz (winner) Smoothest display in class |
| Peak brightness | 4,500 nits | N/A (not specified) |
| Always-on display | N/A (not specified) | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3 | OnePlus 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| CPU cores | 8 | 8 |
| Process node | 4 nm | 3 nm (winner) |
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3 | OnePlus 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Max storage | 512 GB | 512 GB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3 | OnePlus 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Telephoto camera | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Optical zoom | 3× | 3.5× (winner) |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 3 |
| Front camera | 50 MP (winner) | 32 MP |
| Max video | 4K60 | N/A (not specified) |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3 | OnePlus 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 5,150 mAh | 7,300 mAh (winner) Biggest battery in class |
| Wired charging | 65 W | 120 W (winner) Fastest wired charging |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 50 W (winner) |
| Port | USB-C (USB 2) | USB-C (USB 3.2) |
Software & Updates
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3 | OnePlus 15 |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | Nothing OS 3.5 (Android 15) | OxygenOS 16 (Android 16) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | 5 years (winner) | 4 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3 | OnePlus 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.32 in | 6.35 in |
| Width | 2.98 in | 3.02 in |
| Thickness | 0.35 in | 0.32 in (winner) |
| Weight | 7.69 oz | 7.44 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68/IP69 (winner) |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3 | OnePlus 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $799 (winner) | $900 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The launch prices are close, with the Nothing Phone 3 just $101 below the OnePlus 15. The OnePlus 15’s premium of $101 isn’t just for the name; it brings 42% more battery capacity and a 165 Hz display instead of 120 Hz.
Launch prices (US) as of November 2025. Discounts and bundles come and go, so compare current prices before buying.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Nothing Phone 3 if…
- you plan to keep your phone for years (5 years vs 4 years of promised updates)
- you take a lot of selfies or video calls (50 MP vs 32 MP front camera)
- you’d put the $101 saving toward something else
Choose the OnePlus 15 if…
- you often spend long days away from a charger (7,300 mAh vs 5,150 mAh)
- you want smoother scrolling (165 Hz vs 120 Hz)
- you want the faster cable charging (120 W vs 65 W)
- you shoot concerts, sports or wildlife from a distance (3.5× vs 3× optical zoom)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Nothing Phone 3 or the OnePlus 15?
The OnePlus 15 wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you value 1 year of extra promised updates above everything else.
Does the Nothing Phone 3 last longer on a charge than the OnePlus 15?
The OnePlus 15 does better here. It lists 7,300 mAh for battery capacity, while the Nothing Phone 3 lists 5,150 mAh.
Is the Nothing Phone 3 bigger than the OnePlus 15?
Neither by much. The Nothing Phone 3 and the OnePlus 15 have nearly identical dimensions.
Does the Nothing Phone 3 perform better than the OnePlus 15?
On paper, the OnePlus 15 is the stronger performer, with a newer 3 nm chip process.
Which has the better screen, the Nothing Phone 3 or the OnePlus 15?
The OnePlus 15 has the edge here, offering a 165 Hz display instead of 120 Hz.
Which costs less, the Nothing Phone 3 or the OnePlus 15?
Going by launch prices, the Nothing Phone 3 costs $101 less than the OnePlus 15. Prices as of November 2025; current offers may differ.
Executive Summary
The Nothing Phone 3 from Nothing and the OnePlus 15 from OnePlus go after the same buyer. Here’s how I see them. I keep coming back to one thing: the OnePlus 15 gets 42% more battery capacity. There’s a bonus as well: the OnePlus 15 has a 165 Hz display instead of 120 Hz. Credit where it’s due: the Nothing Phone 3 offers 1 year of extra promised updates.
Choose by what you’d use most: software & updates leads to the Nothing Phone 3, display leads to the OnePlus 15.
My pick: the OnePlus 15, and I’d only look at the Nothing Phone 3 if your top priority is 1 year of extra promised updates.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.