iPhone 16 Pro vs OnePlus 13
In the flagship smartphone class, the iPhone 16 Pro and the OnePlus 13 are natural rivals. Of the 5 areas we compared, the OnePlus 13 wins 3. If one area explains the result, it’s display.
At a glance
- Display OnePlus 13 wins
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage OnePlus 13 wins
- Camera Trade-off
- Battery & Charging OnePlus 13 wins
- Price OnePlus 13 wins
- Display6.0
- Memory & Storage2.8
- Camera3.1
- Display8.2
- Memory & Storage3.6
- Camera3.3
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The iPhone 16 Pro has 5× optical zoom versus 3×
On optical zoom, the iPhone 16 Pro posts 5× against 3× for the OnePlus 13, a gap big enough to feel in everyday use. Higher optical zoom lets you frame distant subjects tightly without losing detail to digital cropping.
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The OnePlus 13 has 125% higher peak brightness
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 4,500 nits for the OnePlus 13 versus 2,000 nits for the iPhone 16 Pro. If you use your phone outdoors a lot, the OnePlus 13’s brighter panel is the one that holds up better at midday.
-
The OnePlus 13 has 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB
The iPhone 16 Pro lists 128 GB; the OnePlus 13 comes in at 256 GB. That’s not a rounding error. Base storage is what you get without paying extra. Photos, videos and apps add up quickly, so more space at the entry price is real value.
-
The OnePlus 13 has a dedicated 50 MP telephoto camera
At 50 MP versus 12 MP, this is a decisive lead for the OnePlus 13, the kind of difference you notice without looking for it. A higher-resolution telephoto keeps more detail when you zoom, and gives the OnePlus 13 a stronger tool for portraits and distant subjects.
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The iPhone 16 Pro has a 0.39 oz lighter build
A modest but measurable lead goes to the iPhone 16 Pro: 7.02 oz compared with 7.41 oz. A few grams won’t matter, but bigger gaps add up in a pocket or a small bag over a full day.
Design & Size
- iPhone 16 Pro 5.89 in × 2.81 in × 0.32 in
- OnePlus 13 6.41 in × 3.01 in × 0.33 in
The OnePlus 13 is the larger phone of the two, while the iPhone 16 Pro is the more compact choice. In the weight column, the iPhone 16 Pro leads by 0.39 oz.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro | OnePlus 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.89 in | 6.41 in |
| Width | 2.81 in | 3.01 in |
| Thickness | 0.32 in | 0.33 in |
| Weight | 7.02 oz (winner) | 7.41 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68/IP69 (winner) |
| Frame | Titanium | Aluminum |
Display
OnePlus 13 leads
This is one of the OnePlus 13’s strongest areas. On display, the iPhone 16 Pro falls well short. The OnePlus 13 scores with 125% higher peak brightness. Peak brightness decides how readable the screen stays in direct sunlight and how punchy HDR content looks. Anyone shopping mainly on display should start with the OnePlus 13.
Peak brightness
iPhone 16 Pro: 2,000 nits OnePlus 13: 4,500 nits Peak figures are usually reached only in short bursts or small areas of the screen, but a higher ceiling still helps outdoor visibility.
Screen size
iPhone 16 Pro: 6.3 in OnePlus 13: 6.8 in A bigger screen makes reading, video and maps more comfortable, while a smaller one is easier to use with one hand and slips into more pockets.
Performance
Too close to call
Side by side, the performance figures for the iPhone 16 Pro and the OnePlus 13 barely differ. Either phone will serve you equally well on performance.
CPU cores
iPhone 16 Pro: 6 OnePlus 13: 8 Phone chips mix large and small cores, so a different count mostly reflects a different design rather than a clear speed gap.
Memory & Storage
OnePlus 13 leads
The OnePlus 13 is the clear pick if memory & storage is what you care about most. The OnePlus 13 makes its case with 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB. The OnePlus 13 starts with more room, which means fewer “storage full” warnings and less time deleting old videos. The iPhone 16 Pro delivers a bigger top storage option. That makes the OnePlus 13 the natural choice for buyers focused on memory & storage.
Base storage
iPhone 16 Pro: 128 GB OnePlus 13: 256 GB If you shoot a lot of video or keep music and maps offline, base storage is one of the specs you’ll feel most over the years.
Max storage
iPhone 16 Pro: 1 TB OnePlus 13: 512 GB The top storage option only matters if you plan to buy a high-capacity version, but it caps how much you can ever keep on the phone.
Camera
Trade-off
Give the iPhone 16 Pro credit for 5× optical zoom versus 3×, and the OnePlus 13 credit for a dedicated 50 MP telephoto camera. Weigh both advantages honestly; the one you’d miss more is your answer on camera.
Optical zoom
iPhone 16 Pro: 5× OnePlus 13: 3× The iPhone 16 Pro reaches further with real optics, which pays off for wildlife, stages and sports from the stands.
Telephoto camera
iPhone 16 Pro: 12 MP OnePlus 13: 50 MP A dedicated telephoto camera captures distant subjects and portraits without heavy cropping, which keeps detail intact.
Battery & Charging
OnePlus 13 leads
Slight edge to the OnePlus 13 on battery & charging. Most buyers could live happily with either. The OnePlus 13 comes with faster 50 W wireless charging. Wireless charging is usually slower than a cable, so this edge matters mainly to people who value the convenience. If this section decides it for you, choose the OnePlus 13.
Wireless charging
iPhone 16 Pro: 25 W OnePlus 13: 50 W Faster wireless charging makes a pad or stand more practical as your main way to top up.
Software & Updates
Names, not numbers: the software & updates rows below show what each one is built with, and it’s worth reading them side by side.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro | OnePlus 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.3 in | 6.8 in |
| Panel type | OLED, ProMotion 120 Hz (Super Retina XDR) | LTPO AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2622 x 1206 | 3168 x 1440 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 510 ppi (winner) |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits | 4,500 nits (winner) |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro | OnePlus 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A18 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| CPU cores | 6 | 8 |
| Process node | 3 nm | 3 nm |
| RAM | N/A (not specified) | 12 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro | OnePlus 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 256 GB (winner) |
| Max storage | 1 TB (winner) | 512 GB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro | OnePlus 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 48 MP | 50 MP |
| Telephoto camera | 12 MP | 50 MP (winner) |
| Optical zoom | 5× (winner) | 3× |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 3 |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 32 MP (winner) |
| Max video | 4K120 Dolby Vision | 8K30 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro | OnePlus 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | N/A (not specified) | 6,000 mAh |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 27 h | N/A (not specified) |
| Wired charging | N/A (not specified) | 80 W |
| Wireless charging | 25 W | 50 W (winner) |
| Port | USB-C (USB 3, 10 Gb/s) | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 1) |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro | OnePlus 13 |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 18 | OxygenOS 15 (Android 15) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | N/A (not specified) | 4 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro | OnePlus 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.89 in | 6.41 in |
| Width | 2.81 in | 3.01 in |
| Thickness | 0.32 in | 0.33 in |
| Weight | 7.02 oz (winner) | 7.41 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68/IP69 (winner) |
| Frame | Titanium | Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 16 Pro | OnePlus 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $999 | $900 (winner) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Launch prices sit $99 apart, so budget is unlikely to be the deciding factor. On value, the OnePlus 13 is the easy call: $99 less and ahead on balance.
Prices shown are US launch prices as of January 2025. Retail prices change often, so it’s worth checking current offers.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 16 Pro if…
- you shoot concerts, sports or wildlife from a distance (5× vs 3× optical zoom)
- you notice every gram in your pocket (7.02 oz vs 7.41 oz)
- you need as much on-device space as you can get (1 TB vs 512 GB top option)
Choose the OnePlus 13 if…
- you use your phone outdoors a lot (4,500 nits vs 2,000 nits peak brightness)
- you want more storage without paying for an upgrade (256 GB vs 128 GB)
- you take lots of portraits and zoomed shots (50 MP vs 12 MP telephoto)
- you want the sharper selfie camera (32 MP vs 12 MP)
- you’re working to a firm budget and $99 matters
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the iPhone 16 Pro or the OnePlus 13?
We’d point most buyers to the OnePlus 13. The main exception is if you’d rather have 5× optical zoom versus 3× on the iPhone 16 Pro.
Is the iPhone 16 Pro bigger than the OnePlus 13?
Going by the official dimensions, the OnePlus 13 is the larger one: 6.41 × 3.01 × 0.33 in against the iPhone 16 Pro’s 5.89 × 2.81 × 0.32 in.
Which has the better screen, the iPhone 16 Pro or the OnePlus 13?
The OnePlus 13 has the stronger display on paper, with 125% higher peak brightness and 11% sharper pixel density.
Which costs less, the iPhone 16 Pro or the OnePlus 13?
The iPhone 16 Pro launched at $99 more than the OnePlus 13, based on prices as of January 2025.
Is the iPhone 16 Pro lighter than the OnePlus 13?
On the scale, the iPhone 16 Pro comes out ahead at 0.39 oz lighter than the OnePlus 13.
Which has more storage, the iPhone 16 Pro or the OnePlus 13?
The OnePlus 13 offers more, with 256 GB against 128 GB.
Executive Summary
The iPhone 16 Pro from Apple and the OnePlus 13 from OnePlus go after the same buyer. Here’s how I see them. If I had to name one reason, it’s that the OnePlus 13 brings 125% higher peak brightness. Secondary, but worth mentioning: the OnePlus 13 has 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB. That said, the iPhone 16 Pro answers with 5× optical zoom versus 3×, which some people will value more.
A quick self-test: do you care more about zoom photography or display? The first answer means the iPhone 16 Pro, the second means the OnePlus 13.
My pick: the OnePlus 13, unless you value 5× optical zoom versus 3× above everything else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.