The $1,000 smartphone segment remains a fiercely competitive battleground, even with ultra-premium flagships exceeding this price point. This price often defines the flagship market, showcasing a company’s best technology at a (relatively) accessible price. Samsung and OnePlus are key players in this segment, with the recently launched OnePlus 13 challenging Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Plus. While the OnePlus 13 boasts numerous upgrades, the S25 Plus remains strikingly similar to its predecessor. This begs the question: can the S25 Plus, with its virtually unchanged camera, compete with the impressive OnePlus 13? Let’s dive into a camera comparison to find out.
OnePlus 13 vs. Galaxy S25 Plus: Camera Specs
Before we examine real-world performance, let’s compare the camera specifications:
| Feature | Galaxy S25 Plus | OnePlus 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 24mm, 1.0µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS | 50MP, f/1.6, 23mm, 1.12µm, Multi-directional PDAF, OIS |
| Ultrawide Camera | 12MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120°, 1.4µm, Super Steady Video | 50MP, f/2.0, 15mm, 120°, 0.64µm, PDAF |
| Telephoto Camera | 10MP, f/2.4, 67mm, 3x Optical Zoom, 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS | 50MP, f/2.6, 73mm Periscope Telephoto, 3x Optical Zoom, 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2, 25mm, 1.22µm, Dual Pixel PDAF | 32MP, f/2.4, 22mm, 0.8µm, PDAF |
The key difference lies in the camera philosophy. Samsung sticks with its triple-camera setup with varying resolutions, while OnePlus employs a consistent 50MP resolution across all three rear cameras, mirroring the Oppo Find X8 Pro. This strategy contributed to the Find X8 Pro’s exceptional camera performance. Can the OnePlus 13 replicate this success?
Zoom Performance: OnePlus 13 vs. Galaxy S25 Plus
While the S25 Plus lacks the S25 Ultra’s 100x zoom, its 3x telephoto lens remains a significant selling point. The OnePlus 13 also promises excellent zoom capabilities, boasting a higher-resolution telephoto and exceeding 30x zoom, unlike the S25 Plus, which is capped at 30x. But hardware specs don’t tell the whole story. How do they perform in practice?
The OnePlus 13 significantly outperforms the S25 Plus in zoom tests. The S25 Plus’s zoom quality deteriorates quickly, while the OnePlus 13 remains usable even at high magnification. Further tests with a cruise ship as a subject reinforced the OnePlus 13’s superior zoom performance and detail retention.
Low-Light Photography
Surprisingly, the S25 Plus performed better than expected in low-light conditions, exceeding its daylight capabilities. While the OnePlus 13 still produced good results, the S25 Plus showcased impressive low-light optimizations, albeit at the expense of daylight performance.
Portrait Mode and Selfies
Both phones delivered comparable results in portrait mode, with the OnePlus 13 offering slightly brighter images, while the S25 Plus displayed better detail and background blur. Samsung’s wider range of portrait mode options provides more creative control. In selfie comparisons, the S25 Plus produced superior color and detail, while the OnePlus 13 exhibited a strange hue. Samsung also allows for the use of all portrait mode options with the front-facing camera, a definite advantage.
Video Zoom Performance
Video zoom tests, both in daylight and low light, revealed the OnePlus 13’s superior sharpness and clarity, especially at lower zoom levels. While neither phone excelled at high zoom in low light, the OnePlus 13 remained more usable before quality degraded. The embedded videos further illustrate this difference. (Note: video embeds preserved from the original article).
OnePlus 13 vs Galaxy S25 Ultra: A Quick Look
Even against Samsung’s top-tier S25 Ultra, the OnePlus 13 held its own, showcasing its impressive camera capabilities. Although the S25 Ultra features a secondary telephoto lens for 5x optical zoom, the OnePlus 13’s performance remained competitive across various zoom levels.
The Verdict
The OnePlus 13 significantly outperforms the Galaxy S25 Plus in this camera comparison. While the S25 Plus offers a decent camera experience, the OnePlus 13 raises the bar. Its superior zoom capabilities, low-light performance, and consistent hardware make it a clear winner. For those prioritizing camera quality in the $1,000 smartphone segment, the OnePlus 13 is the compelling choice. It’s worth noting that the OnePlus 13 also excels in battery life and charging, outperforming both the S25 Plus and the S25 Ultra in these areas.
