OnePlus 13 vs Galaxy S25 Plus – Which One Should You Buy?

Usually, when people compare two phones, they try to match phones from the same category. Entry-level phones are compared with other entry-level ones. Flagships go against flagships. But today, we’re doing something different—comparing the OnePlus 13 with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus. These phones don’t exactly sit in the same class, but this comparison still makes sense—and here’s why.

The OnePlus 13 isn’t just another smartphone. It offers top-level performance and features, but at a lower price. That’s what makes it so interesting. Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Plus, on the other hand, is part of a long-standing premium series known for being reliable and refined. Still, the OnePlus 13 competes directly with it, even beating the more expensive Galaxy S25 Ultra in some areas—and that phone costs $100 more.

So, even though it may seem like an unfair matchup, it’s actually very fair for one simple reason: you, the buyer, deserve to know where your money gets the best value.

Let’s start with design. Both phones are beautiful and feel premium in hand. Some phones in this price range have huge, awkward camera bumps—but not these. The OnePlus 13 does have a slightly raised camera in the middle, but it actually helps keep the phone stable on flat surfaces. It’s also a little larger and heavier than the Galaxy S25 Plus. That means a bigger screen and battery, which is great for daily use.

Both phones use strong aluminum frames, but the OnePlus 13 has tougher Ceramic Guard glass, making it more durable. OnePlus even offers a vegan leather back, which feels soft and reduces the chance of breaking since there’s no glass on the back. It adds a more premium feel without a huge price increase.

Now let’s talk about the screen. Samsung phones are known for their amazing displays, but this time, OnePlus is giving serious competition. The OnePlus 13 has a super bright AMOLED screen with up to 4500 nits of brightness—almost twice as bright as the Galaxy S25 Plus. This makes it much easier to see your screen outdoors. It also supports Dolby Vision and shows more colors. Samsung’s display is still sharp and smooth, but OnePlus clearly steps up this time.

Both phones use the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. Samsung’s version has slightly faster performance, but you probably won’t notice much difference in daily use. They both offer the same base RAM and storage, but OnePlus gives you more options if you need extra power. It also comes with better water resistance, a much bigger battery, and faster charging. Plus, the OnePlus 13 includes the charger in the box—something Samsung no longer does.

When it comes to software, Samsung is pushing hard with AI features in One UI 7, such as smart summaries and translation tools. OnePlus doesn’t make a big deal about AI, but its OxygenOS still feels smooth, fast, and easy to use. Both phones are based on Android 15 and offer years of updates. It really comes down to personal preference—some people love OnePlus’ clean experience, while others enjoy Samsung’s advanced features.

Now let’s look at battery life. This is where the OnePlus 13 really shines. Its large 5400mAh battery lasts easily for two full days, even with heavy use. The Galaxy S25 Plus is good for one full day, but it doesn’t go beyond that. OnePlus also charges faster, both with a wire and wirelessly. That makes a big difference when you’re in a hurry.

Call quality and internet performance are strong on both phones. In tests on T-Mobile and Google Fi in cities like New York and Los Angeles, both stayed connected with no issues.

Now, let’s get into the cameras. This used to be Samsung’s strength, but OnePlus has made huge improvements. Thanks to its partnership with camera brand Hasselblad, the OnePlus 13 takes warm, bright, and colorful photos. Samsung’s photos are more neutral and accurate, but sometimes they lack that wow factor. When zooming in or switching lenses, OnePlus keeps its quality consistent, while Samsung falls behind a bit.

In low-light or night photos, OnePlus again takes the lead. It handles darkness better and keeps images clear and less noisy. Samsung sometimes adds too much grain or softens the image too much. In good lighting, both take excellent pictures, but OnePlus often captures more detail and better highlights.

For portraits and selfies, the OnePlus 13 usually does better with background blur and skin tones. Samsung can struggle a bit with separating the subject from the background. But for selfie videos, Samsung still leads. Its front camera video looks brighter and clearer, especially in tricky lighting situations.

So, what’s the conclusion?

The Galaxy S25 Plus is still a great phone. It looks nice, feels premium, and does everything well. But the OnePlus 13 gives you more—more battery life, better charging, a brighter screen, stronger glass, and improved cameras. And it does all this for less money.

In the past, Samsung easily won these comparisons. But things are changing. OnePlus is no longer just the “affordable alternative.” It’s now a serious contender, offering top-tier phones at better prices. If you want the best value for your money without giving up quality, the OnePlus 13 is the better choice in 2025.