Discover the ultimate showdown: OnePlus 13 vs iPhone 16 Pro. Compare design, performance, cameras, battery life, and value to find the perfect smartphone for your needs.
A while ago, I compared the iPhone 16 Pro with the Pixel 9 Pro, and the iPhone emerged victorious. But now, we have the OnePlus 13, a phone that genuinely has a shot at claiming the crown. This comparison might surprise you, so let’s dive in!
Design and Build Quality
When it comes to design, neither phone looks particularly stunning to me, but the build quality on both is flawless. Both feature high-quality matte glass finishes. The iPhone boasts a matte titanium frame, making it more resistant to scratches and fingerprints, while the OnePlus offers either matte or glossy aluminum, depending on the color.
Although the OnePlus feels thinner thanks to its softer, curved shape, it’s actually slightly thicker but 17g lighter than the iPhone. Both phones are water-resistant, with the iPhone rated IP68 and the OnePlus taking it further with IP69. While you might never need the OnePlus’s ability to withstand high-pressure jets, it’s there if you do.
The iPhone has an action button you can freely assign, while the OnePlus sticks with its classic slider to switch between silent, vibration, and loud modes. In terms of hardware, these two phones are neck-and-neck, each excelling in different areas.
Display
Both devices feature large displays with thin, symmetrical bezels. The iPhone measures 6.9 inches, slightly larger than the OnePlus, but the OnePlus has softer, rounded edges, making swiping more comfortable. Its smaller selfie camera hole also gives it a cleaner look compared to Apple’s Face ID system.
The OnePlus offers a sharper display at 510 PPI (50 more than the iPhone), though the difference is only noticeable in direct comparison. The iPhone can get a bit brighter in sunlight, but OnePlus introduces an amazing feature: Aqua Touch 2.0, allowing you to use the screen even when wet. This makes it perfect for rainy days, bathroom use, or beach vacations.
Performance
The iPhone 16 Pro is powered by the A18 Pro chip with 8GB of RAM, Apple’s best yet. However, the OnePlus 13 features the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor with 12GB or 16GB of RAM, making it 10% faster in CPU performance and 40% better in GPU performance.
While these differences aren’t noticeable in everyday tasks, they could matter when playing intensive games or as the years go by. In my month of testing both phones, the OnePlus consistently felt faster, smoother, and more stable thanks to features like parallel rendering.
Software and Ecosystem
Choosing between iOS and Android often boils down to personal preference. The iPhone excels with its seamless ecosystem, integrating perfectly with the iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac. The OnePlus, on the other hand, stands out with better notifications, multitasking, and integration with Google services.
OnePlus also incorporates AI features like Gemini and tools such as circle-to-search and a picture eraser, which can even remove reflections from glass. By contrast, Apple’s AI capabilities are still limited, especially outside the U.S.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery technology is where OnePlus leaps ahead. While the iPhone uses older chemistry that degrades to 80% capacity after 500 charge cycles, the OnePlus 13 can withstand 1,600 cycles before hitting the same mark. It also features a larger 6,000mAh battery, offering about 15% better battery life in day-to-day use.
Charging is another win for OnePlus. It charges nearly twice as fast as the iPhone, and even its wireless charging outpaces Apple’s wired charging.
Camera
Both phones deliver top-tier camera performance. In daylight and low-light conditions, their main cameras are almost identical in sharpness and dynamic range. However, the OnePlus excels in white balance, capturing colors more accurately, especially during sunsets and nighttime shots.
The ultra-wide-angle camera on the OnePlus is sharper with less noise, while the iPhone’s telephoto lens performs better at extreme zoom levels. When it comes to selfies, the OnePlus 13 is the clear winner, producing sharper and more natural images.
For video, the iPhone pulls ahead with features like ProRes and 4K at 120fps. Still, the OnePlus’s ultra-wide-angle video quality is slightly better due to its superior sensor.
Price and Value
Here’s where the OnePlus 13 truly shines. In Europe, it’s €350 cheaper than the iPhone 16 Pro, or €550 less if you compare the 512GB versions. That’s an incredible value for a phone that matches—or even outperforms—the iPhone in many areas.
Final Verdict
Both phones are excellent, but the OnePlus 13 edges out the iPhone 16 Pro in overall value. It’s faster, has better battery longevity, and offers innovative features like Aqua Touch 2.0—all while being significantly more affordable.
If you’re looking for a flagship phone that delivers top-tier performance without breaking the bank, the OnePlus 13 is the clear winner.
