OnePlus appears to have another hit with the OnePlus 13. Launched in China in late October, the latest flagship from the enthusiast brand officially arrives in North America on January 7, 2025. As one of the first mainstream phones powered by Qualcomm’s cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, it promises significant advancements in performance, battery life, and camera capabilities compared to its predecessor.
This positioning also places the OnePlus 13 as a direct challenger to Apple’s 2024 flagship, the iPhone 16 Pro. The iPhone 16 Pro boasts Apple’s powerful A18 Pro chip, enabling new Apple Intelligence features and transforming the device into a mobile gaming powerhouse. It also introduces an innovative Camera Control button and studio-quality cinematography capabilities. Can Qualcomm’s latest silicon give the OnePlus 13 a competitive edge, and has OnePlus effectively utilized its potential? Let’s compare these two titans to see how they stack up.
OnePlus 13 vs. iPhone 16 Pro: Specifications
| Feature | OnePlus 13 | iPhone 16 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 162.9 x 76.5 x 8.5 mm (6.41 x 3.01 x 0.33 inches) | 149.6 x 71.5 x 8.25 mm (5.89 x 2.81 x 0.32 inches) |
| Weight | 210g (7.41 oz) | 199g (7.03 oz) |
| Display | 6.8-inch 1440p OLED, 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate | 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate |
| Resolution | 3168 x 1440 (510 ppi) | 2622 x 1206 (460 ppi) |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| MicroSD Slot | No | No |
| Tap-to-Pay | Google Wallet | Apple Pay |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite | Apple A18 Pro |
| RAM | 12GB, 16GB, 24GB | 8GB |
| Software | Android 15 with OxygenOS 15 | iOS 18 |
| Front Camera | 32MP | 12MP |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP primary, 50MP ultrawide, 50MP 2x telephoto | 48MP primary, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP 5x telephoto |
| Video | Up to 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@480fps (slow-motion), Dolby Vision | Up to 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps (slow-motion), Dolby Vision |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Ports | USB-C | USB-C |
| Biometrics | Ultrasonic under-display fingerprint sensor | Face ID |
| Water Resistance | IP69 | IP68 |
| Battery | 6,000mAh, 100W fast charging (TBA in the U.S.), 50W wireless charging, 15W Qi charging, 10W reverse wireless charging | 3,582mAh, 27W fast charging, 25W MagSafe, 15W Qi2 wireless charging |
| App Store | Google Play | Apple App Store |
| Network | 5G, Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) | 5G, Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) |
| Colors | Midnight Ocean, Black Eclipse, Arctic Dawn | Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, Desert Titanium |
| Price | To be announced | Starting at $999 |
OnePlus 13 vs. iPhone 16 Pro: Design
While retaining the signature OnePlus design language, the OnePlus 13 modernizes its aesthetic with flat sides, a trend now prevalent among flagship smartphones. This departure from the rounded curves of previous models doesn’t compromise its distinct OnePlus identity. The elegant circular camera bump remains a key feature, further refined with a more subtle outer ring and integrated LED flash. The Hasselblad branding, now a stylized “H,” is positioned above a horizontal line bisecting the camera array. These subtle yet impactful changes elevate the already sleek design of the OnePlus 12 to a new level of sophistication.
OnePlus 13 launch event teaser image.
OnePlus introduces new color options, moving away from the greens of previous years. “Midnight Ocean” (formerly “Blue Moments” in China) is a striking blue, while “Black Eclipse” provides a classic neutral option. The China-exclusive “White Dew Morning Dawn” arrives internationally as “Arctic Dawn.” Beyond color, these finishes offer unique textures: Black Eclipse features the traditional OnePlus finish, Midnight Ocean boasts a micro-fiber vegan leather, and Arctic Dawn utilizes a special coating for a silky smooth feel.
Official OnePlus 13 renders showcasing rear panel colors.
In contrast, the iPhone 16 Pro’s design appears more iterative. While still visually appealing, it hasn’t seen significant changes in recent years. Apple’s switch to titanium in the iPhone 15 Pro reduced weight and smoothed the edges, but lacks the bold design choices OnePlus has made. The color palette remains muted with Natural Titanium, White Titanium, Black Titanium, and Desert Titanium.
The OnePlus 13 retains the alert slider on the left side, while the iPhone 16 Pro sticks with the Action button and introduces a dedicated Camera Control button. The OnePlus 13 boasts IP68 and IP69 ratings, a significant upgrade from its predecessor, allowing it to withstand high-pressure water jets, surpassing the iPhone 16 Pro’s IP68 rating.
OnePlus 13 in water.
With its stylish design, unique finishes, and robust IP69 rating, the OnePlus 13 wins this round.
Winner: OnePlus 13
OnePlus 13 vs. iPhone 16 Pro: Display
The OnePlus 13 maintains the 6.8-inch LTPO OLED display of its predecessor, with a 3168 x 1440 resolution and a 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate. The key improvement is increased brightness at 800 nits typical, up from 600 nits. The flat edges provide a more expansive viewing area.
OnePlus 13 front and back renders.
The iPhone 16 Pro sports a slightly larger 6.3-inch display compared to its predecessor, but smaller than the OnePlus 13. It offers a lower 2622 x 1206 resolution. While less sharp, it boasts a higher typical brightness of 1,000 nits and can drop to a single nit for comfortable low-light viewing. Its peak brightness is 2,000 nits, lower than the OnePlus 13, but still adequate for outdoor use.
iPhone 16 Pro homescreen.
Both phones deliver excellent displays with vivid colors, HDR and Dolby Vision support, and smooth 120Hz refresh rates. The differences in peak brightness and pixel density are negligible for most users. While the OnePlus 13 is larger, some may prefer the iPhone’s more compact size. Therefore, we declare this round a tie.
Winner: Tie
OnePlus 13 vs. iPhone 16 Pro: Performance
Both phones offer performance that exceeds the needs of most users. The OnePlus 13 features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, while the iPhone 16 Pro boasts Apple’s A18 Pro chip.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chiplet render.
A key differentiator is software and developer support. Apple has attracted AAA game developers to the App Store, resulting in a wider selection of high-quality mobile games optimized for the A18 Pro’s capabilities. While the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s Adreno GPU is technically competitive, the lack of comparable games on the Google Play Store gives the iPhone 16 Pro an edge for hardcore mobile gamers.
Resident Evil 4 on iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Winner: iPhone 16 Pro
OnePlus 13 vs. iPhone 16 Pro: Battery
The 3nm manufacturing process used in both chips improves power efficiency. While the iPhone 16 Pro’s battery life was slightly disappointing, the OnePlus 13’s larger 6,000mAh battery is expected to offer significantly longer usage time.
OnePlus 13 battery fast charging.
OnePlus continues to excel in charging speeds. The OnePlus 13 supports 100W wired charging and 50W wireless charging, significantly faster than the iPhone 16 Pro’s 27W wired and 25W MagSafe wireless charging. While North American models may be limited to 80W wired charging, it’s still considerably faster than the iPhone 16 Pro.
iPhone 16 with screen on.
The OnePlus 13 also supports 15W Qi wireless charging and 50W with its AirVOOC charger. The iPhone 16 Pro offers 15W Qi2 wireless charging and 7.5W with standard Qi chargers. While the absence of Qi2 on the OnePlus 13 is a minor drawback, its overall charging superiority secures it the win.
Winner: OnePlus 13
OnePlus 13 vs. iPhone 16 Pro: Cameras
OnePlus, through its partnership with Hasselblad, has established a reputation for excellent camera systems. The OnePlus 13 is expected to continue this trend, leveraging the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s AI-powered ISP and Hasselblad’s color science. It features three 50MP cameras, with the telephoto offering 3x optical zoom and the ultrawide lens providing a 120-degree field of view.
White OnePlus 13.
The iPhone 16 Pro features a 48MP ultrawide camera and a 5x telephoto lens. The enhanced ultrawide sensor provides more data for Apple’s computational photography engine. The iPhone 16 Pro also offers Photographic Styles, ProRAW format, lidar-powered night mode portraits, 4K Dolby Vision recording at 120fps, and ProRes, Log, and ACES format support for professional workflows. A four-mic array powers a new AI-driven Audio Mix feature.
Close-up of iPhone 16 Pro camera.
Winner: iPhone 16 Pro
OnePlus 13 vs. iPhone 16 Pro: Software and Updates
The OnePlus 13 runs on Android 15 with OxygenOS 15, which has seen steady improvements, while the iPhone 16 Pro features iOS 18, offering refinements and new Apple Intelligence features like AI writing tools, image generation, and ChatGPT integration with Siri.
OxygenOS 15 on OnePlus 12.
OnePlus now commits to four major Android updates and five years of security updates, ensuring the OnePlus 13’s longevity. Apple’s track record suggests the iPhone 16 Pro will likely receive updates for a similar duration.
Siri demonstration at WWDC 2024.
Winner: Tie
OnePlus 13 vs. iPhone 16 Pro: Special Features
Both phones embrace AI features. OxygenOS 15 on the OnePlus 13 includes AI photo-editing tools, Google Gemini support, and Intelligence Search.
Using the AI Eraser tool in OxygenOS 15 on OnePlus 12.
Apple Intelligence on the iPhone 16 Pro offers a broader range of AI capabilities, including text composition, image generation, and ChatGPT integration for enhanced Siri functionality. The iPhone 16 Pro also introduces the innovative Camera Control button, enabling quick camera access and precise control over settings like zoom and exposure. Its Visual Intelligence feature allows for quick information retrieval on real-world objects using Google Lens-like searches.
Screenshots of Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18.
Using the Camera Control on the iPhone 16 Plus.
Winner: iPhone 16 Pro
OnePlus 13 vs. iPhone 16 Pro: Price and Availability
The OnePlus 13 launches globally on January 7, 2025. Pricing and storage configurations are yet to be confirmed, but are expected to be similar to the OnePlus 12.
Renders of the OnePlus 13 in three colors.
The iPhone 16 Pro is currently available, starting at $999.
OnePlus 13 vs. iPhone 16 Pro: Verdict
Choosing between these two flagships depends largely on platform preference and individual needs. The iPhone 16 Pro excels in mobile gaming, camera features, and its broader AI capabilities. The OnePlus 13 offers a compelling alternative with its refined design, unique finishes, fast charging, and competitive performance.
Someone holding iPhone 16 Pro with display on.
