iPhone 16 vs OnePlus 13
Two brands, one target. The iPhone 16 from Apple and the OnePlus 13 from OnePlus compete head to head for flagship smartphone shoppers. Of the 5 areas we compared, the OnePlus 13 wins 4. If one area explains the result, it’s display.
At a glance
- Display OnePlus 13 wins
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage OnePlus 13 wins
- Camera OnePlus 13 wins
- Battery & Charging OnePlus 13 wins
- Price iPhone 16 wins
- Display2.6
- Memory & Storage1.8
- Camera1.7
- Display8.2
- Memory & Storage3.6
- Camera5.3
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
-
The OnePlus 13 has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz
For refresh rate, the OnePlus 13 leads by a wide margin: 120 Hz versus 60 Hz. You notice refresh rate every time you scroll a feed or a web page, which is why the OnePlus 13 feels more fluid in everyday use.
-
The iPhone 16 has a 1.41 oz lighter build
This is a headline difference. With 6 oz to the OnePlus 13’s 7.41 oz, the iPhone 16 has a lead that’s easy to see on paper and in practice. The iPhone 16 is easier on your wrist during long reading or gaming sessions.
-
The OnePlus 13 has 125% higher peak brightness
Put simply, the OnePlus 13 is far ahead here: 4,500 nits compared with 2,000 nits. Peak figures are usually reached only in short bursts or small areas of the screen, but a higher ceiling still helps outdoor visibility.
-
The OnePlus 13 has 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB
The OnePlus 13’s 256 GB leaves the iPhone 16’s 128 GB well behind, so if this spec matters to you, the choice is easy. 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 an extra rear camera
Not a close call. The OnePlus 13 lists 3 and the iPhone 16 lists 2. That’s a substantial gap. More cameras help most when each covers a different view, so check the table to see what the OnePlus 13’s extra lens adds.
Design & Size
- iPhone 16 5.81 in × 2.82 in × 0.31 in
- OnePlus 13 6.41 in × 3.01 in × 0.33 in
Size is a trade-off, not a score: the OnePlus 13 is larger, the iPhone 16 more compact. The OnePlus 13 weighs in 1.41 oz above the iPhone 16. Thickness goes to the iPhone 16, with an advantage of 0.03 in.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 16 | OnePlus 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.81 in | 6.41 in |
| Width | 2.82 in | 3.01 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in (winner) | 0.33 in |
| Weight | 6 oz (winner) | 7.41 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68/IP69 (winner) |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Display
OnePlus 13 leads
For display, the verdict is easy: the OnePlus 13 leads, and not by a little. The OnePlus 13 scores with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. Smoother motion is one of the most visible display upgrades, and adaptive high-refresh panels can slow down on static content to save power. Bottom line for display: the OnePlus 13 has the edge.
Refresh rate
iPhone 16: 60 Hz OnePlus 13: 120 Hz A higher refresh rate makes scrolling, animations and games look smoother. Once you’re used to it, a lower-rate screen can feel sluggish by comparison.
Peak brightness
iPhone 16: 2,000 nits OnePlus 13: 4,500 nits If you use your phone outdoors a lot, the OnePlus 13’s brighter panel is the one that holds up better at midday.
Performance
Too close to call
Swap one for the other and you’d lose nothing on performance. The takeaway: performance is not where these two differ.
CPU cores
iPhone 16: 6 OnePlus 13: 8 Core count on its own says little about speed; how the chip is designed and how fast each core runs matter more.
Memory & Storage
OnePlus 13 leads
The memory & storage numbers point firmly in one direction: toward the OnePlus 13. The OnePlus 13 pulls ahead with 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 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. Weighing only memory & storage, the OnePlus 13 comes out ahead.
Base storage
iPhone 16: 128 GB OnePlus 13: 256 GB The OnePlus 13 starts with more room, which means fewer “storage full” warnings and less time deleting old videos.
Camera
OnePlus 13 leads
This section belongs to the OnePlus 13. In camera, it leads the iPhone 16 by a margin that’s hard to ignore. The OnePlus 13 wins here with an extra rear camera. An extra rear camera usually means another focal length (ultra-wide, telephoto or macro) and more freedom in framing. That makes the OnePlus 13 the natural choice for buyers focused on camera.
Rear cameras
iPhone 16: 2 OnePlus 13: 3 The count alone doesn’t guarantee quality, but the OnePlus 13 gives you more lenses to choose from.
Ultra-wide camera
iPhone 16: 12 MP OnePlus 13: 50 MP A sharper ultra-wide keeps more detail at the edges of landscape, architecture and group shots.
Battery & Charging
OnePlus 13 leads
Call it a small but real win for the OnePlus 13 in this area. The OnePlus 13 brings faster 50 W wireless charging. Wireless charging is usually slower than a cable, so this edge matters mainly to people who value the convenience. On battery & charging alone, the OnePlus 13 gets the nod.
Wireless charging
iPhone 16: 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
Nothing to tally in the software & updates section, but plenty to read. The table lists what the iPhone 16 and the OnePlus 13 each use.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 16 | OnePlus 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1 in | 6.8 in |
| Panel type | OLED (Super Retina XDR) | LTPO AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2556 x 1179 | 3168 x 1440 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi | 510 ppi (winner) |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz (winner) |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits | 4,500 nits (winner) |
| Always-on display | No | Yes (winner) |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 16 | OnePlus 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A18 | 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 | OnePlus 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 256 GB (winner) |
| Max storage | 512 GB | 512 GB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 16 | OnePlus 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 50 MP (winner) |
| Telephoto camera | N/A (not specified) | 50 MP |
| Optical zoom | N/A (not specified) | 3× |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 3 (winner) |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 32 MP (winner) |
| Max video | 4K60 Dolby Vision | 8K30 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 16 | OnePlus 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | N/A (not specified) | 6,000 mAh |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 22 h | N/A (not specified) |
| Wired charging | N/A (not specified) | 80 W |
| Wireless charging | 25 W | 50 W (winner) |
| Port | USB-C (USB 2) | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 1) |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 16 | 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 | OnePlus 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.81 in | 6.41 in |
| Width | 2.82 in | 3.01 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in (winner) | 0.33 in |
| Weight | 6 oz (winner) | 7.41 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68/IP69 (winner) |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 16 | OnePlus 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $799 (winner) | $900 |
“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
At launch, the difference was a modest $101, with the iPhone 16 slightly more affordable. Is the OnePlus 13 worth $101 extra? What you get for the money is a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 125% higher peak brightness.
Based on US launch pricing as of January 2025. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 16 if…
- you want the lighter phone (6 oz vs 7.41 oz)
- you care about a thin profile in your pocket (0.31 in vs 0.33 in)
- you want more value for your money ($101 less at launch)
Choose the OnePlus 13 if…
- you want smoother scrolling (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you want the screen that stays readable on sunny days (4,500 nits vs 2,000 nits)
- you want more storage without paying for an upgrade (256 GB vs 128 GB)
- you like switching between focal lengths (3 vs 2 cameras)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPhone 16 or the OnePlus 13?
The OnePlus 13 makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if you specifically want a 1.41 oz lighter build, where the iPhone 16 has the edge.
Which is larger, the iPhone 16 or the OnePlus 13?
It’s the OnePlus 13 that is larger: 6.41 × 3.01 × 0.33 in, versus 5.81 × 2.82 × 0.31 in for the iPhone 16.
Does the iPhone 16 have a stronger camera setup than the OnePlus 13?
Going by the hardware, the OnePlus 13 comes out ahead: an extra rear camera and a sharper 50 MP ultra-wide.
Is the iPhone 16’s display better than the OnePlus 13’s?
On display specs, the OnePlus 13 leads thanks to a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 125% higher peak brightness.
Is the iPhone 16 cheaper than the OnePlus 13?
At launch, the iPhone 16 undercut the OnePlus 13 by $101. These figures are as of January 2025, and street prices can change.
Which weighs less, the iPhone 16 or the OnePlus 13?
The OnePlus 13 is the heavier of the two; the iPhone 16 saves 1.41 oz.
Executive Summary
Here’s the short version of how I’d choose between the iPhone 16 and the OnePlus 13. What tips it for me is that the OnePlus 13 has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. Nor should you ignore that the OnePlus 13 has 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB. Still, if you care most about a 1.41 oz lighter build, the iPhone 16 deserves a look.
If portability is your thing, the iPhone 16 fits. If display matters more, the OnePlus 13 makes more sense.
My pick: the OnePlus 13, unless you know that a 1.41 oz lighter build would make a real difference in your routine, in which case the iPhone 16 earns its place.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.