OnePlus 15 vs iQOO 15 vs Realme GT 8 Pro: Which is the Best Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Smartphone?

The OnePlus 15 is making its debut in India next week, November 13, as the first smartphone in the country to feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. However, it won’t be the only phone debuting with the chip this month.

The Realme GT 8 Pro and iQOO 15 also use Qualcomm’s flagship chip and are arriving on November 20 and November 26, respectively. But considering their specifications are nearly similar, we’ve decided to put them to the test to find out which one is best suited for you.

OnePlus 15 vs Realme GT 8 Pro vs iQOO 15: Comparison

OnePlus 15 vs iQOO 15 vs Realme GT 8 Pro: What’s Different?

Design & Build

The iQOO 15 retains the same design language as its predecessor, with the squarish-camera island, although it does get a stunning new Red Blade “Lingyun” finish. However, the same can’t be said of the Realme GT 8 Pro and OnePlus 15, both of which feature unique designs.

The Realme GT 8 Pro has interchangeable camera modules on the back. Realme will offer different designs for this swappable camera deco, while also giving users the chance to 3D print their own designs. On the other hand, the OnePlus 15 opts for a more minimalist back panel, similar to the OnePlus 13s (Review).

Up front, the flat display is similar on all three devices. The OnePlus 15 has smooth matte body with the back panel using a combination of Gorilla Glass 7i and fibre glass. Both the Realme GT 8 Pro and iQOO 15 use glass protection on the front and back, although we aren’t sure about the version. All three phones offer flagship-grade resistance to dust and water and feature a metal frame.

Overall, while all three smartphones deliver a premium in-hand feel and robust build quality, the Realme GT 8 Pro clearly stands out for its innovative, customizable design approach that adds a touch of personalization to flagship aesthetics.

Display

The Realme GT 8 Pro and iQOO 15 make no compromises when it comes to display quality, featuring stunning 2K LTPO OLED panels with an adaptive 144Hz refresh rate for smooth and immersive visuals. In comparison, the OnePlus 15 uses a 1.5K LTPO OLED display with a slightly higher 165Hz refresh rate. While the refresh rate difference is hardly noticeable in everyday use, the sharper 2K resolution on the GT 8 Pro and iQOO 15 gives them a clear edge in visual clarity and detail.

Since we haven’t tested these phones yet, it will be possible to tell which offers the better experience. The one advantage for the iQOO 15’s display is its HDR10+ and HDR Vivid support as opposed to HDR10+ and Dolby Vision on the Realme GT 8 Pro and OnePlus 15. Additionally, the display on the iQOO 15 can achieve a slightly higher level of brightness than its competitors.

Performance

In terms of performance, all three phones leave no stone unturned with the incorporation of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 SoC, the fastest Android chip to date. The iQOO 15, Realme GT 8 Pro, and OnePlus 15 are also equipped with large cooling systems for excellent sustained performance. Although the iQOO 15 and Realme GT 8 Pro feature dedicated gaming chips to ensure smooth gameplay at higher resolutions without compromising frame rates.

Battery

All three phones use silicon carbon batteries, although the cell on the OnePlus 15 is slightly larger than that on the iQOO 15 and Realme GT 8 Pro. They also offer super-fast wired and wireless charging support.

Realme GT 8 Pro vs OnePlus 15 vs iQOO 15: Cameras

The OnePlus 15 sports a versatile triple-camera setup, led by a 50MP Sony sensor (1/1.56″) with an f/1.8 aperture and OIS for steady, detailed shots. It’s paired with a 50MP ultrawide lens and a 50MP periscope telephoto camera offering 3.5x optical zoom and OIS. On the front, the device houses a 32MP selfie shooter with an f/2.4 aperture.

The Realme GT 8 Pro takes things up a notch with a 50MP Ricoh GR anti-glare primary sensor (1/1.56″) featuring OIS, a 50MP ultrawide lens with an f/2.0 aperture, and a massive 200MP Samsung HP5 periscope telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom, OIS, and an f/2.6 aperture. It also includes a 32MP front camera with an f/2.4 aperture for selfies.

Meanwhile, the iQOO 15 features a 50MP Sony IMX921 main sensor (1/1.56″) with OIS, complemented by a 50MP Samsung JN1 ultrawide lens and a 50MP Sony IMX882 periscope telephoto camera offering 3x optical zoom, OIS, and an f/2.7 aperture. For selfies, it packs a 32MP front-facing camera with an f/2.2 aperture.

Overall, all three smartphones feature impressive triple-camera setups, offering flagship-grade versatility across primary, ultrawide, and telephoto lenses. The OnePlus 15 continues the brand’s strong imaging legacy, with its proven tuning and consistency giving it an advantage in real-world photography.

However, on paper, the Realme GT 8 Pro appears to take the lead with its 200MP Samsung HP5 periscope telephoto lens and Ricoh GR anti-glare primary sensor – a combination promising enhanced zoom clarity, refined color accuracy, and better HDR performance.

The iQOO 15, meanwhile, holds its ground with a balanced setup and reliable Sony sensors but lacks the standout hardware of the Realme. In summary, while OnePlus remains the more dependable shooter in practice, Realme’s ambitious hardware gives it the edge in specifications, at least on paper.

OnePlus 15 vs iQOO 15 vs Realme GT 8 Pro: Conclusion

In conclusion, the OnePlus 15, Realme GT 8 Pro, and iQOO 15 represent the pinnacle of Android flagship innovation, each excelling in different areas. The OnePlus 15 continues to set the bar for refined performance, camera consistency, and software polish, making it a dependable all-rounder. The iQOO 15 caters to gamers and power users with its dedicated gaming chip and slightly brighter display.

However, the Realme GT 8 Pro stands out as the boldest of the trio, thanks to its customizable design, 2K display, and ambitious 200MP periscope camera backed by Ricoh’s tuning. While OnePlus may still deliver the most balanced real-world experience, Realme’s hardware-driven approach makes it the most exciting contender on paper – especially for those seeking cutting-edge features and fresh design innovation.