I used the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and OnePlus 13 side-by-side; here’s why this year is different – Android Police

For the past several years, my routine has remained the same. I’ll enjoy using the latest OnePlus flagship. I love the performance and value for money the company is known for, and the OnePlus 11 and 12 have been legitimately good smartphones. Still, a part of me is always glad to get back to the warm embrace of the Samsung Galaxy series once the review period is over.I’m an old-school Galaxy Note fan, and even though we’re a long way from that era, the Galaxy Ultra phones do enough to keep me hooked. Samsung offers excellent devices with great software and powerful hardware to match. However, 2025 is turning out differently than in previous years, and OnePlus has stepped up its game with the OnePlus 13. Let’s find out if it did enough to make me forget about the Galaxy S25 Ultra and keep my SIM exactly where it is.A true daily driver candidate The OnePlus mission statement always sounded good. The company offered the latest flagship processor and premium materials for less than the competition, allowing US customers to experience something different with a device featuring impressive power without the Samsung price tag. But something would always hold me back from thoroughly enjoying the phones.That’s not the case this year, as OnePlus did a fantastic job making the OnePlus 13 a complete flagship experience. I’ll start with the design. When you pick up the OnePlus 13, you can immediately tell the engineers put time and effort into the device’s feel. Despite the larger camera array, it’s balanced, and I love the thin aluminum band around the edge. It’s actually a thicker phone than the Galaxy S25 Ultra but feels thinner because of the design — it’s a fantastic device to hold. I also love that OnePlus gives us a 16GB RAM variant. You’ll pay an additional $100, but it’s still significantly cheaper than a base Galaxy S25 Ultra. It gives added peace of mind that my OnePlus 13 will be snappy for years, even with whatever AI advancements are in store. With the Snapdragon 8 Elite, my OnePlus 13 is a performance monster with a fantastic gaming experience. The Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset delivers as advertised, and I’m excited to see what powerful applications will eventually take full advantage of it.OnePlus already had an advantage over Samsung regarding charging speeds, but the company took things further with the battery for 2025. You should believe everything you’ve heard about the OnePlus 13’s 6,000mAh silicon-carbide battery — it’s fantastic. I get a full two days of battery life, whereas, with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, I’m searching for a charger after lunchtime on the second day. You might not think that’s a big deal, as you always remember to plug your phone in overnight. However, it’s an excellent safety blanket when you don’t, and whenever I forget, I don’t worry about getting through my day. Even if you forget, faster charging speeds ensure you can top off quickly. The OnePlus 13 supports 80 and 100W wired recharging with the proper adapters. Those are massive figures, considering Samsung is stuck at 45W again. OnePlus uses a dual-cell design to help with long-term battery health, which is a concern people have with faster charging speeds. All told, the OnePlus 13 comes out ahead on battery.The hardware on OnePlus devices has always been fantastic, but the software has prevented me from truly enjoying them. I don’t think OxygenOS 15 is better than One UI 7. However, OxygenOS 15 is in a much-improved position compared to previous years, and it’s no longer a negative for OnePlus phones. It may not be a reason I’d buy a OnePlus 13, but it’s not a reason I’d avoid picking one up.OnePlus 13 camera samplesCamera performance is another reason I’ve previously avoided OnePlus phones. Photos appear a step below those of Samsung, Google, and Apple, and while I’m not a shutterbug, I want to know that my flagship phone will take a decent point-and-shoot image when needed. Whatever OnePlus and Hasselblad did for the OnePlus 13 is working, as the photos are excellent. Nighttime photography is improved, and while it’s all a personal preference, there are instances when I prefer the output from my OnePlus 13 over the Galaxy S25 Ultra — something I wouldn’t have been able to say in previous years.Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra photo samples I’m not going to rehash my misgivings about the Galaxy S25 Ultra. It didn’t include the innovations I hoped for on the hardware side, as Samsung seems content appealing to previous Galaxy owners trading in older phones. If you’re coming from a Galaxy S21 Ultra, you’ll notice meaningful upgrades, and it’s hard to say anything bad about the phone. It’s an excellent performer in a sleek (albeit non-descript) package. If you’re a long-time Samsung fan, and the newest battery and camera hardware don’t excite you, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is fantastic.However, I’d be fooling myself if I said Samsung still didn’t hold significant advantages over OnePlus. One UI 7 is a phenomenal piece of software, and it’s silky smooth on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. It’s vital to differentiate One UI 7 from Galaxy AI, as the latter is in an awkward spot. Samsung touted AI as a reason you’d buy a Galaxy S25 Ultra, but the features aren’t ready for primetime. It’s not the transformative experience the company hoped for, but it doesn’t mean all is lost. One UI 7 is solid, and Samsung offers 7 One UI version upgrades and 7 years of software support. There are plenty of reasons you’d choose a Galaxy S25 Ultra over a OnePlus 13; its software is at the top of the list. Another reason you’d buy a Galaxy S25 Ultra is the display. I understand it’s not the newest display technology, but it’s a gorgeous panel — the best I’ve seen on a smartphone in a long time. I don’t know how many phone screens I stare at yearly, but the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s display dazzles me every time I pick it up. I’m glad Samsung moved away from the natural color tones on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, returning to the vibrant hues it’s known for. You can still dial back the saturation if needed, but I love having the option. We stare at our smartphone displays for hours a day, so a good panel is essential. I understand some users will struggle with PWM dimming on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but it’s an incredible smartphone display that will please most of us. I’m disappointed that Samsung removed some S pen functions, but I’m glad it’s there. I use it to scroll through social media and scribble notes on documents. It’s fantastic for cropping GIFs to send to friends and write down a number quickly. I hate to see the S pen’s role diminished, and I hope it’s not a sign that Samsung plans to remove it entirely.I prefer the OnePlus 13 over the Galaxy S25 Ultra this year, but I understand it’s difficult for most people to switch. There aren’t OnePlus stores in the US you can walk into when something goes wrong, and you can’t finance one through your carrier. A smartphone is a lifeline for people, and the thought of going without when something goes wrong frightens many consumers.In most years, I wouldn’t mention carrier store financing, but Samsung targeted upgrade cycles to sell new flagships, banking on users coming from an older Galaxy model. If you’re an enthusiast like myself, pick up a OnePlus 13. If you’ve never removed a SIM card from a phone, buy the Galaxy S25 Ultra.The OnePlus 13 is a beast of a phone. With a refreshed design, a mostly curveless display, and a massive 6,000mAh battery capable of getting you through a day without breaking a sweat, this could be the Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered smartphone to beat in 2025. And hey, it’s got a pretty great camera system, too.Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra leaves the Note-like design behind for the very first time. With flat edges, curved corners, and a massive 6.9-inch display, this is a modern flagship through and through — and yes, that S Pen is still here too.We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.Your comment has not been savedOnePlus 13 for the win easily not even closeExcept for it missing a lot of bands for Verizon making it not a viable phone to use in the states.I almost went with the Oneplus 13 but the Samsung pre order deals were too good to pass on. Oneplus needs to offer better deals and a way to finance their phones. OnePlus is the best…I never think to own Samsung what ever ppl say about it.Not one+13 nor S25 ultraThe S24 Ultra is the big bang for the bucks as of now.Around 750-800 dollars pricedat astonishing discount offers,The S24 Ultra is more than a beast to buy for most of the smart phone users.It’s the most value-for-money phone with a fantastic premium look, stylish and polished, and under the hood, it’s not less than the OnePlus 13 or S25 Ultra in most of the aspects.Especially in photography, AI orS pen functionality it excels even the other two phones.It’s a rare buy that once in a blue moon only that happens.A bigger battery, IP69, and so much moreOnePlus 13 gets a lot of things rightA 180-day replacement policy in India should helpOnePlus 13 may fall short without these key featuresNot much mystery leftGoogle found playing dirty

Source: https://www.androidpolice.com/galaxy-s25-ultra-oneplus-13-personal-experience/