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The OnePlus 13R is the stronger fit if you prioritize chipset tier, battery capacity, faster wired charging, or its stated IP65 rating. The Nothing Phone (4a) is the alternative if you prefer Nothing’s design and software approach or its zoom-focused camera positioning. There is no fair universal price winner in the available figures: they cover different markets and configurations.

How the OnePlus 13R and Nothing Phone (4a) differ

Category OnePlus 13R Nothing Phone (4a)
Processor Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, according to OnePlus’s launch announcement. OnePlus launch announcement Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, according to PhoneArena’s comparison. PhoneArena comparison
Battery and wired charging 6,000mAh typical capacity; 80W SUPERVOOC, or 55W in North America, according to OnePlus. OnePlus specifications 5,080mAh and 50W wired charging, according to PhoneArena. PhoneArena comparison
Rear camera details established here 50MP main camera with OIS, 50MP portrait camera with 2x optical zoom, and 8MP ultrawide, according to OnePlus’s launch announcement. OnePlus launch announcement PhoneArena lists a 50MP main camera and 8MP ultrawide. Nothing promotes three cameras and “up to 70x ultra zoom.” PhoneArena comparison Nothing UK product page
Ingress-protection rating IP65, as stated by OnePlus. OnePlus launch announcement IP64, as listed by PhoneArena. PhoneArena comparison
Software information in the cited material OxygenOS 15 at launch, according to OnePlus. OnePlus launch announcement Android 16 and up to three OS updates, according to PhoneArena’s comparison listing. PhoneArena comparison
Price figures available PhoneArena lists a $600 MSRP; the cited material does not establish a same-market, same-storage current price against the Phone (4a). PhoneArena comparison Nothing UK displayed £379 for the selected 8GB+128GB version; PhoneArena also lists euro MSRP entries of €349, €389, and €429 for Phone (4a) configurations. Nothing UK product page PhoneArena comparison

Which phone is faster?

The OnePlus 13R has the higher-tier processor on paper: OnePlus identifies it as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, while PhoneArena lists the Nothing Phone (4a) with the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4. That gives the 13R the clearer specifications-based advantage for demanding workloads and performance headroom.

OnePlus described the 13R’s platform at launch as a “flagship-level platform” built for intensive tasks. That is the manufacturer’s characterization, not an independent benchmark result. No directly comparable benchmark scores or controlled performance tests are established here, and real-world speed depends on the workload, software, and test conditions.

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Which has the bigger battery and faster charging?

The OnePlus 13R has a stated typical battery capacity of 6,000mAh, compared with the Phone (4a)’s 5,080mAh listing. OnePlus specifies 80W SUPERVOOC charging for the 13R, with 55W in North America; PhoneArena lists 50W wired charging for the Nothing phone. On the listed specifications, the 13R has both the larger capacity and faster supported wired charging.

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OnePlus 13R Dual SIM 256GB ROM + 12GB RAM (GSM ONLY | NO CDMA) Factory Unlocked 5G Smartphone (Nebula Noir) - International Version
  • For USA Buyers: This Smartphone is not compatible/will not work with any CDMA Networks including: VERIZON, SPRINT, US CELLULAR. Please check with your network provider for 3G or 4G/LTE compatibility check before you purchase.
  • Dual-SIM, Network Compatibility, SIM CARD 1 & 2 : [2G : GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 and/or 3G : WCDMA 850(B5) / 900(B8) / 1700|2100(B4) / 1900(B2) / 2100(B1) and/or 4G : LTE 600(B71) / 2100(B66) / 3500(B48) / 2500(B41) / 2300(B40) / 1900(B39) / 2600(B38) / 1500(B32) / 2300(B30) / 700(B28) / 850(B26) / 1900(B25) / 800(B20) / 850(B19) / 850(B18) / 700(B17) / 700(B13) / 700(B12) / 900(B8) / 2600(B7) / 850(B5) / 1700|2100(B4) / 1800(B3) / 1900(B2) / 2100(B1) and/or 5G : 1/2/3/5/7/8/12/20/25/26/28/30/38/40/41/48/66/71/77/78 SA/NSA]
  • 6.78 inches, LTPO 4.1 AMOLED, 1264 x 2780 pixels, Corning Gorilla Glass 7i
  • 256GB ROM Storage, 12GB RAM
  • Android 15, Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm), Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)

Capacity and charging wattage do not establish how long either phone lasts for a particular person. Screen-on time varies with display settings, signal strength, apps, and usage; the figures here are specifications, not comparable battery-life test results.

What is the camera difference?

The 13R’s specified rear setup includes a 50MP main camera with optical image stabilization, a 50MP portrait camera with 2x optical zoom, and an 8MP ultrawide. For the Phone (4a), PhoneArena lists a 50MP main camera and an 8MP ultrawide, while Nothing’s UK page promotes three cameras and “up to 70x ultra zoom.”

Those zoom descriptions are not equivalent measures: 2x optical zoom describes optical reach, while a maximum zoom claim does not by itself establish optical magnification or image quality at that range. The available information does not establish a directly comparable hands-on photo test, so it cannot support a verdict that one takes better pictures overall. Choose based on the camera features you value, and look for sample images from the exact models if photo quality is decisive.

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How do their protection ratings compare?

OnePlus states an IP65 rating for the 13R; PhoneArena lists IP64 for the Phone (4a). These are product specifications, not a promise that either phone is waterproof. Do not treat the ratings as permission to submerge a handset or expose it to water beyond the manufacturer’s stated conditions.

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Which phone is cheaper?

The available prices do not establish a reliable price difference between like-for-like phones. Nothing’s UK product page displayed £379 with the 8GB+128GB Phone (4a) option selected. PhoneArena lists MSRP entries of $600 for the OnePlus 13R and €349, €389, and €429 for Phone (4a) configurations. These figures mix currencies, markets, and configurations; subtracting or directly ranking them would be misleading.

For a useful comparison, check both phones in the same country on the same day, with matching or closest available RAM and storage, and compare the final price from sellers with stock. The Nothing figure is a UK page snapshot for the selected variant, not a universal or guaranteed current street price.

Which one should you choose?

Choose the OnePlus 13R if

  • You want the higher processor tier indicated by the published specifications.
  • You prefer its larger stated battery capacity and higher supported wired charging rate.
  • You value the 13R’s stated IP65 rating or its specified 2x optical portrait camera.

Choose the Nothing Phone (4a) if

  • You are drawn to Nothing’s software and design approach.
  • You prefer its camera positioning, including the advertised zoom feature, while recognizing that the maximum zoom claim alone does not prove better results.
  • You find it at a better same-market price for the storage configuration you need.

Before buying, verify the exact regional variant, RAM and storage, current software and update commitments, network compatibility, price, and stock. OnePlus’s listed charging rate varies by region. OnePlus lists a protective case, adapter, and cable among the 13R’s box contents, but included accessories should be confirmed for the specific market version.

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Quick Recap

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.