Comparing power, performance, and price in 2025’s best budget flagships

The OnePlus 15 and Poco F6 Pro represent two very different takes on the modern flagship formula. While the OnePlus 15 aims to deliver premium features at a slightly lower price than ultra-high-end rivals, the Poco F6 Pro is focused squarely on value — offering near-flagship hardware for much less. For UK buyers, this showdown comes down to one question: do you want refined power or raw value?

The OnePlus 15 comes equipped with Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, a 6.78-inch 1.5K LTPO AMOLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate, and a massive 7,300 mAh battery with 120W wired and 50W wireless charging. It’s a full-blown flagship in every sense. The Poco F6 Pro, meanwhile, runs on last year’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and features a 6.67-inch AMOLED panel at 120Hz, a 5,000 mAh battery, and 120W wired charging. On paper, it’s slightly behind, but its pricing makes that difference easier to overlook.

Performance-wise, the OnePlus 15 clearly leads. Its newer chipset is more efficient, offering around 15 percent higher CPU and GPU scores in early benchmarks. It handles gaming, multitasking, and AI-driven tasks faster while running cooler thanks to its larger vapor cooling system. The Poco F6 Pro still performs admirably, easily handling demanding games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile, but the OnePlus maintains steadier frame rates under heavy load.

Battery life and charging form another big point of comparison. The OnePlus 15’s 7,300 mAh silicon-carbon dual-cell battery is a major standout. It can last nearly two days with moderate use and up to 10 hours of screen-on time. The Poco F6 Pro, with its 5,000 mAh cell, still performs well, giving roughly a day and a half per charge. Both support ultra-fast wired charging, but only the OnePlus 15 offers wireless and reverse charging options — giving it an edge in convenience and versatility.

In design, the difference is clear. The OnePlus 15’s “Sand Storm” edition uses an aerospace-grade Micro-Arc Oxidation coating and fibreglass back panel, delivering a sleek and durable premium finish. The Poco F6 Pro sticks to a glossy glass back and aluminium frame, looking good but not quite matching the same high-end feel. At 211 grams, the OnePlus is heavier, but it feels more solid, while the Poco wins on lightness and comfort during one-handed use.

Cameras are another area where OnePlus takes the lead. The OnePlus 15 sports a triple 50MP setup co-engineered with Hasselblad, including a new ultra-wide and telephoto lens combination. Image quality is consistently strong, with excellent colour accuracy and improved low-light performance. The Poco F6 Pro’s triple camera system — 50MP main, 8MP ultra-wide, and 2MP macro — is serviceable but more mid-range. It performs well in daylight but struggles slightly in darker settings and with finer detail.

Software is an area where preference matters. The OnePlus 15 ships with OxygenOS 16, based on Android 15, offering a clean, fast, and highly customisable experience with guaranteed updates for five years. Poco’s HyperOS, derived from MIUI, has improved stability but still includes preinstalled apps and more aggressive background management. For users who prefer a lighter, smoother interface, OnePlus offers a more polished experience.

Price is the biggest dividing factor. The OnePlus 15 is expected to start around £750 to £800 in the UK, while the Poco F6 Pro will likely retail for about £500. That’s a substantial gap, but so are the differences in build quality, battery life, and long-term software support. For those planning to keep their phone for several years, the OnePlus’s extra cost may be worthwhile.

For UK users seeking balance, the choice depends on priorities. The OnePlus 15 is the powerhouse — refined, future-proof, and packed with premium touches. The Poco F6 Pro, on the other hand, is unbeatable for sheer value, delivering near-flagship performance at a fraction of the cost.

In conclusion, if you want the best Android experience in terms of endurance, design, and reliability, the OnePlus 15 is the smarter long-term buy. But if you want flagship-level speed and battery performance without spending premium money, the Poco F6 Pro is the clear winner for value. Either way, both prove that 2025’s mid-range market has never looked this competitive.