Samsung Galaxy S25 vs OnePlus 13: Which one should you buy?

Both Samsung and OnePlus unveiled their latest flagship phones in the global markets last month. The Galaxy S25 arrives with incremental upgrades compared to the S24 whereas the OnePlus 13 is a significant upgrade in many departments from last year’s model. Both phones come with cutting-edge features, sleek designs, and powerful performance. However, there is a significant gap when it comes to the prices of both smartphones. 

Additionally, the Samsung Galaxy S25 and OnePlus 13 face competition from phones like the iPhone 16, Realme GT 7 Pro, Vivo X200, and OPPO Find X8. However, we will stick to Samsung and OnePlus’ offerings here. Both are two of the best Android phones currently available in the market. 

ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy S25 review

Whether you’re a Samsung or OnePlus loyalist, it’s common to find yourself wondering if it’s time for a switch. To help you reach an informed buying decision, we examine key differences across various aspects between the Samsung Galaxy S25 and the OnePlus 13. 

Samsung Galaxy S25 vs OnePlus 13: design

Samsung retains the same design as its predecessor for the Galaxy S25 although it is slightly refined with a focus on durability and sustainability. The phone features armour aluminium and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

Meanwhile, the OnePlus 13 comes with an overhauled design compared to the OnePlus 12. The brand has ditched the slimmer profile for a flat frame. It retains the iconic alert slider. The back panel has only a circular module instead of a pill-shaped design. OnePlus’ flagship also features robust protection against water, dust, and high-pressure water jets with its IP68 and IP69 certifications. 

The OnePlus 13 looks more premium when pitted against the Samsung Galaxy S25. However, it is also slightly bulkier, weighing 213 grams compared to 162 grams. 

Samsung Galaxy S25 vs OnePlus 13: display

The Samsung Galaxy S25 has a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x screen with an FHD+ resolution with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and up to 2,600 nits peak brightness. It is shielded by Gorilla Glass Victus 2. 

Display is where the OnePlus 13 has an upper hand against the Samsung Galaxy S25. It packs a 6.82-inch AMOLED screen bearing a 2K+ resolution and a 120Hz LTPO refresh rate. Although the Galaxy S25’s brightness should suffice in outdoor environments, the 4,500 nits peak brightness on the OnePlus 13 means that you don’t have to find a shade or cover the phone’s screen with your hands for visibility in harsh sunlight. The Crystal Shield ceramic glass protection is also said to be more durable than Gorilla Glass Victus 2. 

ALSO READ: OnePlus 13 vs OnePlus 13R: What’s different

Both the OnePlus 13 and Samsung Galaxy S25 are equipped with an ultrasonic in-screen fingerprint scanner and support for HDR10+ and Dolby Vision. The former’s display is also responsive to wet and oily fingers. 

Samsung Galaxy S25 vs OnePlus 13: hardware

Underneath the hood, the Samsung Galaxy S25 and OnePlus 13 are powered by Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. Thus, the performance on both phones is similar and ideal for demanding tasks. This is even better for Samsung fans as the South Korean chaebol has switched to the Snapdragon chip from Exynos on last year’s S24. 

The S25 comes with 12GB RAM coupled with either 256GB or 512GB storage. Similarly, alongside the base variant, the OnePlus 13 also gets 16GB + 512GB and 24GB + 1TB RAM and storage configurations for power-hungry users. Both phones are equipped with a heat dissipation system onboard.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 is backed by a 4,000mAh battery with support for 25W wired and 15W Qi2 wireless charging. Meanwhile, the OnePlus 13 has a 6,000mAh cutting-edge lithium-silicon battery. It supports a faster 100W wired and 50W wireless charging speed for quick top-ups when needed. Also, the icing on the cake is that the smartphone ships with a bundled 80W charger whereas the Galaxy S25 does not. 

Samsung Galaxy S25 vs OnePlus 13: software

Samsung’s Galaxy S25 will be receiving seven years of software updates. This means that it will be eligible to receive up to Android 22. The phone will last as long as the hardware holds up. You could also get a great resale or trade-in value. The OnePlus 13 is confirmed to get four years of OS updates till Android 19 which is a few years less than Samsung’s flagship. 

Both smartphones are compatible with the Google Gemini Nano model. The phones also come with the brand’s proprietary AI features onboard. 

Samsung Galaxy S25 vs OnePlus 13: cameras

Cameras are where the OnePlus 13 excels compared to the Samsung Galaxy S25. It sports a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 50MP periscope telephoto unit with a 30x zoom. The phone is also capable of recording up to 8K videos and 4K Dolby Vision footage from all camera sensors. There is a 32MP front-facing selfie snapper.

As for the Samsung Galaxy S25, the triple camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 10MP telephoto unit with 3x optical zoom. On the front, the device has a 12MP camera. 

Samsung Galaxy S25 vs OnePlus 13: pricing

The Samsung Galaxy S25 starts at Rs 81,999 for the base variant. The OnePlus 13 carries a starting price tag of Rs 69,999 for the same configuration. This is the significant gap in pricing that we were talking about earlier. At the price of the S25’s 12GB + 512GB option which is Rs 92,999, you would be getting the OnePlus 13’s 16GB + 512GB at an even lesser price of Rs 76,999. 

Samsung Galaxy S25 vs OnePlus 13: verdict

The OnePlus 13 is a hands-down recommendation as it is a value-for-money all-rounder. However, there is still a reason to choose the Galaxy S25 if you’re in the Samsung ecosystem and want to use your phone beyond 5 years. But honestly, the OnePlus 13 offers everything that you can ask for.