Two 2025 Flagships, Two Very Different Philosophies
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and OnePlus 13s/13R are two of the most talked-about smartphones this year. But do you really need to spend $1,299+ for Samsung’s Ultra, or does OnePlus’s new mid-premium duo deliver nearly the same experience for half the price? The answer may surprise you.
Design & Display
| Feature | Galaxy S25 Ultra | OnePlus 13s | OnePlus 13R |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | Titanium frame, Gorilla Armor 2 | Glass/aluminum, Crystal Shield | Glass/aluminum, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| Display | 6.9″ AMOLED, 3120×1440, 120Hz, 2600 nits | 6.32″ AMOLED, 1216×2640, 120Hz, 1600 nits | 6.78″ AMOLED, 1264×2780, 120Hz, 4500 nits |
| Weight | 218g | 185g | 206g |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP65 | IP65 |
Expert take:
Samsung’s display is larger, brighter, and feels more premium, but OnePlus offers surprisingly good screens for the price—especially the 13R’s ultra-bright panel.
Performance & Software
| Feature | Galaxy S25 Ultra | OnePlus 13s | OnePlus 13R |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite (custom) | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| RAM/Storage | 12/16GB, up to 1TB UFS 4.0 | 12/16GB, up to 1TB UFS 4.0 | 12/16GB, up to 512GB UFS 4.0 |
| Battery | 5000mAh, 45W wired, Qi2 wireless | 6260mAh, 80W wired | 6000mAh, 100W wired |
| OS/Updates | One UI 7 (Android 15, 7 yrs updates) | ColorOS/OxygenOS (Android 15) | ColorOS/OxygenOS (Android 15) |
Expert take:
Samsung leads with long-term updates and wireless charging, but OnePlus dominates battery size and charging speed. In real-world use, all three are extremely fast.
Camera Comparison
| Feature | Galaxy S25 Ultra | OnePlus 13s | OnePlus 13R |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 200MP, OIS | 50MP Sony IMX906, OIS | 50MP Sony IMX906, OIS |
| Ultra-wide | 50MP | 50MP | 8MP |
| Telephoto | 10MP 3x + 50MP 5x | 50MP 3x | 50MP 3x |
| Selfie | 12MP | 16MP | 16MP |
| Video | 8K/4K120fps | 4K/60fps | 4K/60fps |
Expert take:
Samsung’s camera system is more versatile, especially for zoom and video. However, the OnePlus 13s/13R main and telephoto cameras are excellent for the price. The S25 Ultra is better for serious photographers, but most users will be happy with OnePlus.
Real-World Experience & Value
Battery life: OnePlus 13s/13R outlast Samsung, often giving 1.5–2 days per charge.
Build: Samsung feels more premium, but OnePlus is lighter and easier to handle.
Software: Samsung’s 7 years of updates is unmatched; OnePlus is improving but not at that level.
Price:
S25 Ultra: $1,299+
OnePlus 13s: ~$700
OnePlus 13R: ~$520
Expert Verdict: Who Should Buy Which?
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is a true flagship—top-tier display, camera, and long-term support. But for most users, the OnePlus 13R (and to a lesser extent the 13s) delivers 80–90% of the experience for less than half the price. The S25 Ultra is best for power users, mobile photographers, and those who want the absolute best (and can afford it). For everyone else, the OnePlus 13R is the real surprise: it’s the best value flagship alternative of 2025.
Would you pay double for Samsung’s Ultra, or does OnePlus’s value win you over? Let us know in the comments!
5 Comments
Absolutely loving my experience with the Galaxy S25 Ultra everything is super fast, the display is stunning, and the camera quality is top-notch. The S Pen is a great bonus for quick notes and sketches, and the battery comfortably lasts me all day. The only real downside is the price: it’s a fantastic phone, but the cost is definitely high compared to other flagships. If you want the best Samsung experience and don’t mind the premium price, it’s hard to beat!!
My husband has the S25 Ultra and I use the OnePlus 13R ,both work perfectly for us! Honestly, the OnePlus is much more affordable and still delivers great performance. It’s a really good choice if you want quality without spending too much.
Absolutely loyal to Samsung been using their phones for years and, for me, nothing beats them on Android. The quality, features, and reliability always keep me coming back. Simply the best in the Android world!
Totally agree !! OnePlus 13s is excellent value for money. Great performance and features at this price point, I highly recommend it!
Absolutely love my OnePlus 13s!! Super smooth, great battery, and no issues at all. I don’t recommend Samsung at all after my experience with OnePlus