Big Flagship Meets Practical Compact

The OnePlus 15 and iPhone SE 4 take two very different paths in the smartphone world. The OnePlus 15 is built as a full-on flagship with all the top specs you can find, while the iPhone SE 4 is poised to be a compact powerhouse for users who want Apple quality in a smaller form. Each addresses very different needs for UK consumers, and the choice is clearly about what you value most in your daily phone.

Design and size are major differentiators. The OnePlus 15 features a large 6.78-inch display, making it ideal for media consumption, gaming and multitasking, but it also means a bigger footprint and possibly more one-hand struggle. The iPhone SE 4, by contrast, is expected to be significantly smaller and easier to handle one-handed, making it a much better companion for everyday carry, commuting and pocket use.

On hardware and performance, the OnePlus 15 is impressive: a top-tier Snapdragon-based chipset, up to 16 GB RAM in some markets and ultra-fast storage mean it can handle anything you throw at it. The iPhone SE 4 is likely to use Apple’s next-gen chip and perform strongly, but in raw numbers it will probably not match the OnePlus for sheer spec headroom. However, Apple’s system integration may deliver excellent real-world performance even with lower specs.

In display tech, the OnePlus 15 stands out with a high-refresh AMOLED panel (up to 165Hz reported), delivering ultra-smooth animations and gaming. The iPhone SE 4’s display details are more modest in comparison — a smaller canvas, likely standard refresh rate — but for everyday tasks it will be more than capable and easier to reach across with one hand.

Battery life and charging bring further contrast. The OnePlus 15 packs a large battery (7,300 mAh in many markets) and very fast wired charging, plus wireless support in many regions. The iPhone SE 4 will be more modest by comparison in capacity and charging rate but is expected to benefit from Apple’s efficiency gains and offer a solid daily experience without needing extreme specs.

Software, ecosystem and daily experience are also part of the story. The OnePlus 15 runs the latest Android version with full customisation, suited for power users who want control, flexibility and the biggest screen. The iPhone SE 4 will tap into Apple’s ecosystem, long software support, seamless integration with other Apple devices and a cleaner, simplified workflow — perfect if you already have an iPad, Mac or AirPods.

So in making your decision: If you want maximum performance, a large screen and plenty of spec headroom for future-proofing, the OnePlus 15 is the clear winner. If you favour a compact size, ease of use with one hand, and Apple’s ecosystem advantages — and are okay with forgoing the absolute top specs — then the iPhone SE 4 is the smarter pick.

In short, it’s a choice between “big flagship power and screen” (OnePlus 15) and “compact, practical premium” (iPhone SE 4). Each phone is excellent in its own domain, so your best bet is to go with what you’ll actually use most.