Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more

On the U.S. manufacturer pages checked in 2026, the OnePlus 13 starts at $899.99 and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra at $1,299.99 before trade-in—a displayed starting-price gap of $400. Those are listed base prices, not a guarantee of matching storage or the price you will pay after promotions, trade-ins, or carrier offers. The choice comes down to priorities: OnePlus lists a larger battery and faster charging, while Samsung offers a built-in S Pen, a slightly larger display, storage up to 1 TB, and a published seven-year update commitment.

OnePlus 13 vs S25 Ultra: quick comparison

Specification OnePlus 13 Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
U.S. listed starting price From $899.99 From $1,299.99 before trade-in
Display 6.82-inch QHD+ (3168 × 1440), LTPO 4.1, adaptive 1–120 Hz 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, up to 120 Hz
Chipset Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
U.S. listed memory and storage 12 GB/256 GB or 16 GB/512 GB 12 GB; 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB
Rear cameras 50 MP wide with OIS; 50 MP 3× optical telephoto with OIS; 50 MP ultra-wide 200 MP wide; 50 MP ultra-wide; 50 MP 5× telephoto; 10 MP 3× telephoto
Front camera 32 MP, fixed focus 12 MP, autofocus
Battery and charging 6,000 mAh typical; 80W wired in U.S. specifications and 50W wireless 5,000 mAh typical in Samsung’s Philippines launch specifications
Distinctive hardware Alert Slider; dual nano-SIM slot; Wi-Fi 7 Built-in S Pen
Software information OxygenOS 15 based on Android 15 Android 15 / One UI 7.0; Samsung states seven years of OS and security updates for the S25 series

Specifications are manufacturer-published figures, not standardized head-to-head results. Screen brightness claims, battery capacity, camera resolution, and chipset names do not by themselves establish which phone is brighter, lasts longer, takes better photos, or performs faster. OnePlus’s U.S. pages describe the listed configurations and may be revised; check them again before buying.

How much cheaper is the OnePlus 13?

OnePlus’s U.S. product page lists the OnePlus 13 from $899.99. Samsung’s U.S. comparison page lists the Galaxy S25 Ultra from $1,299.99 before trade-in. Subtracting those displayed starting prices gives a $400 gap.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

That arithmetic is not a same-storage price comparison: the pages state starting prices, and the figures may reflect different configurations. Prices and promotions can change. Before deciding, compare the live price for the storage tier you want, then account for any trade-in, carrier or retailer offer, and sales tax. The listed starting-price gap alone does not show which phone is the better value.

#1 Best Overall
OnePlus 15R, 12GB RAM + 512GB Storage, Dual-SIM, Unlocked Android Smartphone, Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, 7400mAh Battery, Charcoal Black
  • World's First Snapdragon 8 Gen 5: Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, plus a custom Wi-Fi chip and dedicated Touch Response chip, you get lightning-fast speeds, stable connections, and ultra-responsive touch control.
  • Impossibly Smooth 165Hz Display: Experience extreme smoothness on a 165Hz, 1.5K flagship display powered by our 3200Hz Touch Response Chip for lightning-fast interactions.
  • Our largest-ever 7,400mAh battery:Power up your day with 80W SUPERVOOC charging for power that last all day and beyond.
  • Industry's Most Complete IP Ratings:Backed by the industry's most complete IP ratings, the OnePlus 15R doesn't even blink at dust storms, and shrugs off powerful water blasts.
  • OxygenOS 16 delivers a faster, smoother, and more intuitive experience, with refined design, smarter features, and enhanced performance that keeps up with your day.

Display: a small size difference, not a brightness verdict

OnePlus lists a 6.82-inch QHD+ display with a 3168 × 1440 resolution, LTPO 4.1 technology, and an adaptive 1–120 Hz refresh rate. Samsung lists a 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with refresh rates up to 120 Hz. Samsung has the larger listed diagonal, but the difference is modest.

Do not treat the manufacturers’ brightness figures as a standardized comparison: measurement conditions and rounded-corner conventions differ. A meaningful assessment of outdoor readability would require the same measurement method and conditions for both phones, as well as consideration of reflections and color accuracy.

Battery and charging: published capacity is not tested endurance

OnePlus lists a 6,000 mAh typical-capacity battery for the U.S. OnePlus 13 and 80W wired and 50W wireless charging. Its U.S. specifications say charging can reach up to 100W with the named OnePlus adapter; that is a manufacturer-stated maximum, not a charge-time comparison. Check the product listing for the charger included in your market and configuration.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Samsung’s 5,000 mAh typical-capacity figure comes from its Philippines launch specifications, so it should not be presented as a U.S.-specific measurement. Samsung’s U.S. comparison page separately claims up to 31 hours of video playback for the S25 Ultra; that manufacturer playback claim is not directly comparable to battery capacity in mAh. Neither figure establishes how long either phone will last under your mix of apps, signal conditions, screen brightness, and settings.

For a real-world battery verdict, look for endurance tests that use the same protocol for both models. For charging, compare measured charge times under stated conditions rather than relying on wattage alone.

Cameras: the megapixel counts do not pick a winner

The OnePlus 13’s listed rear system has three 50 MP cameras: a wide camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 3× optical telephoto camera with OIS, and an ultra-wide camera. Its front camera is 32 MP with fixed focus.

Samsung lists a 200 MP wide camera, a 50 MP ultra-wide camera, 50 MP 5× and 10 MP 3× telephoto cameras, and a 12 MP autofocus front camera. These specifications describe resolution and camera roles, not image quality. Sensor resolution alone cannot establish which phone handles night scenes, moving subjects, skin tones, portraits, or video better. Compare controlled photo and video samples across daylight, low light, zoom, portrait, selfie, and video use before choosing on camera performance.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Software support and distinctive features

Samsung’s published update commitment

Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series specification sheet states seven years of OS and security updates. That is a stated support commitment; it does not, by itself, establish how quickly each update will arrive in a particular region or on a particular carrier.

OnePlus’s published software details

The OnePlus U.S. specification page identifies OxygenOS 15 based on Android 15 but does not provide a comparable update-duration commitment. Do not infer a support period from that page. If long-term software support is a deciding factor, compare OnePlus’s current policy for the exact model and market with Samsung’s published commitment.

Pen, controls, and storage

The S25 Ultra has a built-in S Pen, which may matter for handwriting, annotations, or other pen-based tasks. OnePlus lists an Alert Slider, dual nano-SIM slot, and Wi-Fi 7. Support for SIM features and wireless standards can vary by market or carrier, so confirm the local model if those details are essential. Samsung’s U.S. specification sheet lists storage options up to 1 TB; the cited OnePlus U.S. configurations go up to 512 GB.

Which phone should you choose?

  • Consider the OnePlus 13 if its lower listed U.S. starting price, 6,000 mAh typical battery, 80W wired charging specification, or Alert Slider best match your priorities. The figures are specifications, not proof of better real-world value or endurance.
  • Consider the Galaxy S25 Ultra if you want a built-in S Pen, the larger listed display, a 1 TB storage option, or Samsung’s stated seven-year OS and security update commitment.
  • Choose based on camera results only after comparing samples. The phones have different camera configurations, but megapixel counts and zoom labels do not settle image quality.
  • Check your local configuration. Price, storage, SIM support, charger availability, and other specifications may vary by region. The battery capacity cited for Samsung here is from its Philippines launch material, not a U.S. battery measurement.

Neither specification sheet establishes a winner for gaming performance, outdoor readability, comfort in hand, or actual battery life. Those depend on testing or personal use beyond the published figures.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Sources and regional qualifications

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.