OnePlus 13 vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: which one to buy?

The high-end cell phone market in 2024 will be more competitive than ever, and the two main protagonists will be OnePlus 13 And Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Both promise to redefine what a premium cell phone can offer, but which option is best for you? Here we will help you decide with a detailed comparison.

Design and screen

The OnePlus 13 features an updated design with flat edges, an aluminum frame, and a rear finish that varies by color: vegan leather on the blue model, wood grain on the black model, and sleek glass on the white model. It’s also lighter and thinner than its predecessor, weighing up to 213g and measuring 8.5mm thick.

On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra retains its signature angular design with completely flat edges. Although it weighs more (232g) and is larger due to the use of the S Pen, the design remains sleek and functional and is available in more colors than the OnePlus 13.

Both devices have a 6.82-inch AMOLED display with an adaptive refresh rate of 1Hz to 120Hz. However, Samsung is making a statement with its new anti-glare coating, ideal for outdoor use. At maximum brightness, the OnePlus 13 reaches 4,500 nits, beating the Galaxy’s 2,600 nits, which can make a difference in bright rooms.

Another detail to pay attention to is its resistance to water and dust. While the Galaxy is IP68 certified, OnePlus goes even further with IP69, offering added protection against high-pressure water jets.

Winner: tie, depending on your priorities in design and functionality.

Performance and Hardware

The OnePlus 13 is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, promising improvements in power efficiency, performance and AI processing. In certain scenarios, this chip can outperform the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy S24 Ultra, although both offer excellent performance for demanding tasks and games.

In terms of storage and memory, OnePlus offers options of up to 24GB RAM and 1TB, although this configuration is likely to be exclusive to China. Global models will come with up to 16GB of RAM. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S24 Ultra offers up to 1TB and 12GB of RAM with excellent support for 5G networks in the US.

In terms of battery, OnePlus features a 6,000mAh capacity compared to Samsung’s 5,000mAh. It also offers much more efficient fast charging, with 100W wired and 50W wireless compared to the Galaxy’s modest 45W and 15W.

Winner: OnePlus 13 for its performance and fast charging.

Cameras

In photography, both devices are impressive, but focus on different priorities. The OnePlus 13 retains the 50MP main sensor and upgrades its telephoto and wide-angle sensors with 50MP sensors each, ideal for detail and macro photography. Additionally, a shutter speed of 1/10,000 second ensures clear moving images.

For its part, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is known for its impressive optical and digital zoom, reaching up to 100x. Its 200MP main camera also delivers consistent results in a variety of lighting conditions, while the 12MP front camera with autofocus is especially good for portraits.

If you need telephoto capabilities or quality selfies, the S24 Ultra may be more suitable. But if you prefer speed and balanced performance across all cameras, the OnePlus 13 is a winner.

Winner: tie, it depends on your photography needs.

Software and updates

OnePlus 13 debuts with OxygenOS 15 based on Android 15 and includes AI-powered tools like “AI Unblur” and “Reflection Eraser” useful for enhancing photos. However, OnePlus only guarantees four years of updates, which falls short of the seven years of support offered by Samsung with One UI 6.1.1 (also based on Android 14, but soon to become Android 15).

Samsung’s interface may seem more complex for new users, but the number of features and long-term optimization make it a great option for those who plan to keep the cell phone for several years.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra for long-term commitment.

Price and availability

The OnePlus 13 is available in China for around $630 (12GB/256GB), while the global version is expected to cost around $750 when it launches in the coming months (possibly January 2025). This makes it a more affordable option than the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which has a starting price of $1,299, although you can find it on sale for much less.

If budget is a key factor for you, the OnePlus 13 offers excellent value for money, especially if you take advantage of its introductory offers.

Winner: OnePlus 13 at the lowest price.

OnePlus 13 vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: which one to buy?

The choice between OnePlus 13 and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra will depend on your specific needs:

• Buy OnePlus 13 if you value performance, fast charging, increased water resistance, and fast, versatile photography at a lower price.
• Buy Galaxy S24 Ultra if you want better long-term support, exclusive features like the S Pen, and impressive camera capabilities, especially for zooming and selfies.

Both are excellent high-end options, but their different approaches mean the final choice depends on your priorities. Which one do you stay with?