Intro
Galaxy S25 Ultra vs OnePlus 13 differences:
| Galaxy S25 Ultra | OnePlus 13 |
|---|---|
| Premium pricing at $1,299 for the 256GB/12GB RAM base model | Cheaper ($899) for the same 256GB/12GB RAM configuration |
| Features industry-standard UFS 4.0 storage for fast app loading and file transfers | Matches with UFS 4.0 storage for seamless performance |
| Customized Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) chipset, slightly overclocked for higher performance | Standard Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) chipset for top-tier speed |
| Built with lightweight titanium for enhanced strength and durability | Constructed with aluminum, less durable but still lightweight |
| Gorilla Glass Armor 2, offering superior anti-reflective coating for outdoor visibility | Crystal Shield ceramic glass, durable but lacks anti-reflective properties |
| Dual telephoto lenses: 3x and 5x optical zoom for versatile photography | Single 3x telephoto lens, limiting zoom flexibility |
| Upgraded 50MP ultra-wide camera for improved image clarity and low-light performance | 50MP ultra-wide lens with a broader 120° field of view |
| Supports 45W wired and 25W wireless charging, sufficient for most users | Excels with 80W wired and 50W wireless charging for quicker power-ups |
| Integrated S-Pen for productivity tasks like note-taking and drawing | No stylus support |
| 5,000 mAh battery | Larger, next-gen 6,000 mAh battery |
| Rated IP68 for water and dust resistance, suitable for everyday environments | IP68 and IP69 ratings, offering better protection against high-pressure water |
| Packed with advanced tools like ProVisual Engine, Virtual Aperture, and cross-app AI actions | Includes AI Notes, AI Reply, and features like Parallel Processing |
Design and Size
Samsung is going thin
On the other hand, the OnePlus 13 sticks to its core values: clean, modern design. Some might not be big fans of the large circular camera module at the back, but a nice saving grace is the phone’s unique Arctic Dawn finish that does not attract fingerprints or scratches and is less slippery.
Dimensions are 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm, which is slightly more compact than the competition. And, of course, Samsung’s signature S-Pen is still integrated into the phone, adding a layer of productivity for note-takers and creatives. But maybe it is in particular the S-Pen that makes the S25 Ultra around 9 grams heavier than the OnePlus 13.
As a side-note, we noticed that Samsung has removed Bluetooth connectivity from this new version, which could be seen as an indication that the company is thinking of ditching this feature in future products.
The OnePlus 13 measures 162.9 x 76.5 x 8.5mm, which makes it just a touch taller and thicker than the S25 Ultra. What stands out, though, is its extreme durability. With IP68 and IP69 ratings, this phone is built to handle water and dust like a champ.
In other words, you should be able to throw the OnePlus 13 in a washing machine without any worries of it breaking.
Keep in mind, these ratings are based on tests in controlled environments. Real-world factors like saltwater, soap, or hard drops can still cause damage, so always check the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Display Differences
Samsung continues to set the standard in display technology. The Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts a 6.9-inch LTPO OLED screen with a dynamic refresh rate of 1–120Hz. It’s protected by Gorilla Glass Armor 2, which great anti-reflective coating for better visibility in bright conditions. Samsung’s displays are known for their vibrant colors, deep contrast, and industry-leading HDR10+ visuals, and the S25 Ultra is no exception.
The OnePlus 13, on the other hand, features a slightly larger 6.8-inch QHD OLED display. While it matches Samsung in refresh rate and resolution, its Crystal Shield ceramic glass lacks the anti-reflective properties of Gorilla Glass Armor. However, OnePlus introduces Eye Care 4.0 certification, which reduces blue light for more comfortable viewing during extended use. What’s more, there’s also the Aqua Touch 2.0, which makes the OnePlus 13 even more responsive than its predecessor when operated with wet fingers or gloves.
Display Measurements:
Performance and Software
This is where the battle of innovations is happening
Performance Benchmarks:
With this new Galaxy phone generation, you get new AI features including:
- AI Select: A smarter way to interact with on-screen content. For instance, it can identify objects, create GIFs, or suggest edits with Generative AI.
- Circle to Search: Enhanced multimodal capabilities let you search for text, audio, or visuals on your device with contextual results.
- Cross-App Actions: Perform multi-step tasks across apps with a single command, like saving a recipe directly to Notes or scheduling events in Calendar.
- Now Brief and Now Bar: Summarize your day with actionable updates, from weather forecasts to event reminders, right on your lock screen.
As for AI, some of the notable OnePlus 13 features include:
- Global Search & Circle to Search: Allows you to find content across apps using natural language processing for more intuitive navigation.
- AI Notes: Organizes and categorizes notes automatically, making it easier to manage and retrieve information.
- Pass Scan: Lets you store boarding passes directly in Google Wallet for quick and convenient access.
- AI Reply: Suggests contextually relevant replies in messaging apps to streamline communication.
Camera
New image sensors on both sides
Virtual Aperture is another standout feature, giving users greater creative control over depth of field, while Galaxy Log introduces professional-grade video recording capabilities with richer color grading potential.
On the other end of the ring we have the OnePlus 13, which comes equipped with a Hasselblad-tuned triple-camera system. You get a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide camera with a 120° field of view, and a 50MP telephoto lens offering 3X optical zoom.
While the OnePlus 13 camera upgrades bring sharper images and better low-light performance compared to previous years, we found the photos to be overly processed. Colors tend to be too vivid, and HDR effects can feel exaggerated, which might not appeal to everyone. The phone also features 120x digital zoom, but the results rely heavily on AI upscaling and don’t quite match the quality of true periscope-style zoom lenses like on the Galaxy Ultra. The 32MP front camera is serviceable but doesn’t stand out compared to competitors.
In our testing, the OnePlus 13 earned a score of 144.9—an improvement over the OnePlus 12 but still trailing behind heavyweights like the Galaxy S24 Ultra. So, we do expect the S25 Ultra to be noticeably better when it comes to camera quality, at least in some areas.
Battery Life and Charging
OnePlus 13 has much faster charging
Something OnePlus has going for it though, is a new Silicon NanoStack tech, said to be much better at preserving the long-term battery health.
Another area where the OnePlus 13 beats the S25 Ultra is charging, with 80W wired charging and 50W wireless charging vs the 45W wired and 15W wireless on the S25 Ultra.
PhoneArena Battery and Charging Test Results:
Specs Comparison
Summary
Comparing the OnePlus 13 and the Galaxy S25 Ultra is an interesting exercise, especially since they each bring something unique to the table. The OnePlus 13 seems like a fantastic option for those who care about getting good value without compromising on key features. The world-class charging capabilities, awesome display technology, and the new cameras are nothing to scoff at, especially when you factor in the competitive price and solid build quality.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra on the other hand comes with better support and the S-Pen. More importantly, its camera system is still better in many cases. There’s that Gorilla Glass Armor 2 that we love here at the office.
But if we are strictly speaking bang for your buck here, the OnePlus 13 is the more clear choice, at least for most users. Unless you are in need of the extra benefits that come with the S25 Ultra, than it’s hard to justify the price difference between these two phones.
