OnePlus 13 vs iPhone 16 Plus: A Head-to-Head Look at the Hottest Flagship Phones of 2025

In the ever-evolving landscape of flagship smartphones, the OnePlus 13 and iPhone 16 Plus stand tall as two premium contenders, each with its unique strengths and features. While one embodies the sleek refinement of Apple’s iconic design, the other represents the bold innovation that has become synonymous with OnePlus. Let’s dive deep into the battle between these two titans to help you decide which one deserves your pocket space.

Design and Build: Minimal Elegance vs. Bold Sophistication

The first thing you’ll notice about the iPhone 16 Plus and OnePlus 13 is how starkly different their design philosophies are. Apple’s iPhone 16 Plus opts for subtle sophistication with a frosted glass back and a slim aluminium frame with gentle curves, making it supremely comfortable to hold and easy to slide into your pocket.

On the other hand, the OnePlus 13 dares to be different with its faux vegan leather finish (a bold choice for those craving a more textured grip). For minimalists, there are also black and white glass-back options. If you prefer a premium feel with a bit of flair, the OnePlus 13 might win your heart.

Display: Smooth Moves or Stunning Stillness?

When it comes to screen real estate, the OnePlus 13 takes a slight lead with a 6.82-inch AMOLED display compared to the iPhone 16 Plus’s 6.7-inch OLED screen. However, the real game-changer lies in the refresh rates.

While the iPhone sticks to a 60Hz panel, OnePlus raises the bar with a 120Hz display, ensuring buttery-smooth scrolling and a more immersive experience when gaming or browsing. For anyone who values a fluid visual experience, the OnePlus 13’s display is an undeniable edge.

Durability and Features: A Matter of Water Resistance

Both devices come with IP water and dust resistance, but the OnePlus 13 boasts an IP69 rating, making it resilient to high-pressure water jets. If you’re clumsy around water or adventurous enough to test your phone’s limits, this could be a significant advantage.

Curiously, despite featuring OLED screens, Apple has yet to introduce Always-On Display functionality to the iPhone 16 Plus, a feature standard on the OnePlus 13.

Software Experience: iOS 18 vs. OxygenOS 15

Apple’s Intelligence vs. Android’s Customization

The iPhone 16 Plus runs iOS 18, which Apple touts as its most feature-packed update in years. With Apple Intelligence, a suite of advanced AI capabilities, the iPhone edges ahead in regions where these features are fully supported. However, some of these functions may be region-locked, particularly in India, and come with subscription costs after a year.

Meanwhile, the OnePlus 13, powered by OxygenOS 15, delivers a clean, customizable Android experience with its own AI enhancements. The Google Play Store’s flexibility, coupled with sideloading options, gives it a versatility that the iPhone can’t match—except for users in the EU, where Apple now allows sideloading.

Updates and Longevity

Apple takes the crown here, offering 5+ years of OS updates and indefinite security patches, while OnePlus offers 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of security patches. If you’re investing for the long haul, the iPhone 16 Plus might be the safer bet.

Camera: Capturing Moments

Photography enthusiasts will find plenty to love on both devices. The OnePlus 13 boasts a triple-camera setup with 50MP primary, ultrawide, and periscope telephoto lenses. The 3x optical zoom and ultrawide versatility make it a powerhouse for photographers who demand variety and precision.

The iPhone 16 Plus, by contrast, offers a more straightforward dual-camera system with a 48MP primary and 12MP ultrawide shooter, but it shines in video recording, where Apple remains the undisputed champion. Whether you’re shooting cinematic clips or quick Instagram Stories, the iPhone delivers unparalleled quality.

Performance and Battery: Power Meets Longevity

Chipset Showdown

Under the hood, the iPhone 16 Plus packs Apple’s in-house A18 chipset, offering seamless performance for games and multitasking. However, the OnePlus 13 counters with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite, which, on paper, outpaces Apple’s offering.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 13 easily outlasts the iPhone 16 Plus, thanks to its 6,000mAh Silicon Carbon battery, ensuring more than a day of heavy use. Moreover, its fast-charging capabilities leave the iPhone’s slower charging speed in the dust. For users who often forget to charge their devices overnight, this could be a game-changer.

Verdict: Which Flagship Deserves Your Attention?

At the end of the day, choosing between the OnePlus 13 and iPhone 16 Plus boils down to your preferences:

If you’re looking for top-notch hardware, a 120Hz display, superior battery life, and camera versatility, the OnePlus 13 is a no-brainer.If you’re already invested in the Apple ecosystem, value software longevity, and prefer a simpler camera setup with industry-leading video quality, the iPhone 16 Plus will feel like home.

Both smartphones are powerhouses in their own right, but the decision ultimately hinges on your priorities. Android enthusiasts will likely lean toward the OnePlus 13, while iOS loyalists will find plenty to love in the iPhone 16 Plus.