Photo credit: www.gsmarena.com
The Galaxy S25 Ultra stands as one of the most advanced Android smartphones currently available, showcasing impressive camera capabilities, strong performance, enduring battery life, and a vibrant display, complemented by the inclusion of the S Pen. However, not every user requires all these features. For those who are prepared to forgo certain functionalities, the OnePlus 13 could present a more practical, and in some respects preferable, alternative. In this article, we’ll conduct a thorough comparison between these two flagship devices.
Table of Contents:
To start, you can dive into the detailed specifications or jump straight into our analysis below.
Size comparison
OnePlus
13
210 g
162.9 x 76.5 x 8.5 mm
(6.41 x 3.01 x 0.33 in)
Samsung has refined the design of the S25 Ultra, making it slightly narrower and thinner than its predecessor, improving its usability. The OnePlus 13, although slightly shorter and thinner than the previous model, is marginally wider. Both models share a similar height; however, the OnePlus 13’s dimensions and rounder design lend it a notably more compact feel than the angular Galaxy. Each phone caters to different preferences, but the OnePlus 13 is the choice for those seeking a more compact device.
The S25 Ultra features a Gorilla Armor 2 display with a sturdy Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back and a titanium frame, offering a premium feel. The OnePlus 13 has a Ceramic Guard display cover and an aluminum frame, with options for leather or glass finishes on the back.
In terms of durability, the Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts an IP68 rating, indicating resilience against dust and water immersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. The OnePlus 13 exceeds this with an IP69 rating, ensuring protection against high-pressure water jets, thus offering superior durability.
Colorwise, the Galaxy sports subdued, elegant options while the OnePlus 13 features a bolder selection, including a standout leatherette option in Midnight Blue alongside distinctive glass colors.
Display comparison
6.82″
LTPO OLED
120Hz
1440×3168
pixels
510
ppi
1204
nits
Both smartphones house impressive OLED displays with their own unique characteristics. The Galaxy S25 Ultra has a 6.9-inch screen, while the OnePlus 13’s display measures 6.82 inches, each offering a resolution of 1440p and pixel density around 500ppi, with a refresh rate adjustable between 1Hz and 120Hz.
Despite lacking Dolby Vision support, the Galaxy provides a little extra brightness compared to the OnePlus, which is particularly evident under full brightness conditions. Furthermore, the lower reflectivity of the Galaxy’s front glass enhances its visibility in bright settings. Additionally, the S25 Ultra incorporates specialized layers for S Pen functionality, making this display particularly versatile.
Battery life
The Galaxy S25 Ultra maintains a robust 5,000mAh battery, while the OnePlus 13 features a larger 6,000mAh SiC battery, an advantage for users prioritizing longevity. Testing shows that while the Galaxy excels during gaming sessions, the OnePlus delivers superior performance in web browsing and video playback.
Charging speed
Charging capabilities favor the OnePlus 13, which can utilize a 100W adapter, allowing it to reach 95% charge in just half an hour from empty. In contrast, the Galaxy may only attain slightly over 70% in the same timeframe with its faster-than-average 45W turbo charging.
Furthermore, while both models support wireless charging, the Galaxy exceeds with Qi 2.1 compliance, which facilitates enhanced accessory compatibility and alignment technology. The OnePlus can utilize an older version of Qi but supports magnetic charging options through specialized accessories.
Speaker test
Both devices feature stereo speaker setups with subtle variations in sound channel distribution. They received commendable ratings across our loudness tests, though the Galaxy takes a slight edge in sound quality.
Performance
Snapdragon 8 Elite
3 nm
256GB 12GB RAM
base config
Utilizing the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, both smartphones promise top-notch performance. Despite Samsung branding its variant as “for Galaxy,” their performance is relatively comparable with each model starting at a reasonable 12GB/256GB memory configuration. The OnePlus does offer up to 16GB RAM and adaptably larger storage options, whereas the Galaxy rolls out 16GB/1TB configurations in select regions.
Benchmark performance
AnTuTu 10
2,690,491
Geekbench 6
9,278
3D Mark Wild Life
6,615
The benchmarks reveal that the Galaxy does not consistently outperform the OnePlus, despite its specialized chipset. While it shows slight advantages in multi-core scenarios, single-core performance is equal, and the graphical capability occasionally favors the OnePlus.
Samsung assures 7 years of software support, encompassing major upgrades and security updates, whereas OnePlus offers a somewhat shorter duration, likely 4 OS upgrades and 6 years of security updates. Although this may seem like a disadvantage, it could represent a more realistic support window for users. From a software perspective, Samsung’s One UI is widely regarded as the most feature-rich Android experience, especially with its integration of advanced AI functionalities.
Camera comparison
The camera strategies differ significantly—the Galaxy boasts dual telephoto setups providing more versatility, while the OnePlus relies on a single, well-constructed 3x lens. Notably, the OnePlus’s camera excels in terms of specification, potentially offering a superior experience for users who favor the focal length it provides.
The Galaxy holds slight advantages in sensor size on its main and ultrawide cameras, but the real test is whether that translates into tangible benefits. It also benefits from a versatile 5x telephoto lens, enhancing close-focus options that the OnePlus notably lacks.
The superior front-facing camera on the Galaxy, with a 12MP and autfocus compared to the OnePlus’s fixed-focus 32MP camera, further underscores its camera prowess.
Image quality
In daylight conditions at 1x zoom, the S25 Ultra demonstrates consistent sharpness, while the OnePlus leans towards vibrancy. However, the differences are subtle enough not to significantly sway users’ choices.
Daylight photo samples, 1x: Galaxy S25 Ultra • OnePlus 13
At a 2x zoom level, the Galaxy’s advantage in detail becomes even more prominent.
Daylight photo samples, 2x: Galaxy S25 Ultra • OnePlus 13
When zoomed to 3x, the OnePlus holds a tangible advantage in clarity, showcasing superior image quality.
Daylight photo samples, 3x: Galaxy S25 Ultra • OnePlus 13
As for further zoom levels, the S25 Ultra showcases superior quality in its 5x images compared to the OnePlus’s 6x shots, which still hold decent clarity at a one-to-one magnification.
Daylight photo samples: Galaxy S25 Ultra (5x) • OnePlus 13 (6x)
In comparing ultrawide shots, both devices appear comparable, offering convincing results.
Daylight photo samples, 0.6x: Galaxy S25 Ultra • OnePlus 13
In terms of selfies, the Galaxy’s front camera captures greater detail, further enhanced by its autofocus feature, allowing for close-up shots.
Selfie samples: Galaxy S25 Ultra • OnePlus 13
In low-light contexts, the OnePlus 13’s main camera outperforms the Galaxy, producing clearer images with less noise and better dynamic range.
Low-light photo samples, 1x: Galaxy S25 Ultra • OnePlus 13
At a 2x zoom level, the Galaxy’s sharpness does come through, but the OnePlus presents solid performance as well.
Low-light photo samples, 2x: Galaxy S25 Ultra • OnePlus 13
At 3x, while both cameras have limitations, the Galaxy’s results are sharper albeit noisier, while the OnePlus yields cleaner, softer images.
Low-light photo samples, 3x: Galaxy S25 Ultra • OnePlus 13
For zoom levels beyond this, the Galaxy’s 5x shots, while not optimal, showcase noticeably better detail than the OnePlus’s 6x images.
Low-light photo samples: Galaxy S25 Ultra (5x) • OnePlus 13 (6x)
When reviewing the ultrawide shots at night, the results are fairly even, with the Galaxy exhibiting slight sharpness edges.
Low-light photo samples, 0.6x: Galaxy S25 Ultra • OnePlus 13
Video quality
A comparison of video production from both handsets reveals that while the OnePlus 13 excels in ultrawide footage clarity, the Galaxy performs reliably across all levels, particularly standing out at the 2x zoom level. Both cameras offer comparable results at 3x, with the Galaxy leading at greater zoom levels.
Daylight video samples, 0.6x: Galaxy S25 Ultra • OnePlus 13
Daylight video samples, 1x: Galaxy S25 Ultra • OnePlus 13
Daylight video samples, 2x: Galaxy S25 Ultra • OnePlus 13
Daylight video samples, 3x: Galaxy S25 Ultra • OnePlus 13
Daylight video samples: Galaxy S25 Ultra (5x) • OnePlus 13 (6x)
During low-light video capture, the Galaxy maintains higher quality across all zoom levels, displaying better detail, even at 3x zoom, compared to the OnePlus’s clips, which, while clean, lack the depth of the Galaxy’s footage.
Low-light video samples, 0.6x: Galaxy S25 Ultra • OnePlus 13
Low-light video samples, 1x: Galaxy S25 Ultra • OnePlus 13
Low-light video samples, 2x: Galaxy S25 Ultra • OnePlus 13
Low-light video samples, 3x: Galaxy S25 Ultra • OnePlus 13
Low-light video samples: Galaxy S25 Ultra (5x) • OnePlus 13 (6x)
Verdict
The Galaxy S25 Ultra continues its legacy as a highly-featured Android smartphone. While Samsung’s innovation pace may be slowing, it remains an ideal choice for power users seeking comprehensive functionality.
Despite not being the absolute best in photography or battery longevity, the Galaxy excels in most aspects and offers S Pen functionality, which many users appreciate.
Conversely, the OnePlus 13, while not as extensive in features, presents good value across the board. It boasts longer battery life, faster charging capabilities, and a compact design—making it a strong contender for users seeking a balance between affordability and performance. Its camera system holds significant potential as well, albeit not matching the versatility of the Galaxy’s setup.
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra for:
The S Pen.
One UI advantages.
Higher-quality video recording.
Enhanced telephoto capabilities.
Choose the OnePlus 13 for:
Superior battery life with prolonged use.
Rapid charging feature.
Better performance at 3x zoom during the day.
More compact and IP69 rated design.
Source
www.gsmarena.com