iPhone 17 vs OnePlus 13
Shopping across brands means comparing different philosophies. The iPhone 17 and the OnePlus 13 show how Apple and OnePlus each approach the flagship smartphone class. On the overall scorecard, the OnePlus 13 is ahead: 3 of 5 areas, with display doing the heavy lifting.
At a glance
- Display OnePlus 13 wins
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage Tie
- Camera OnePlus 13 wins
- Battery & Charging OnePlus 13 wins
- Price iPhone 17 wins
- Display6.6
- Memory & Storage3.6
- Camera3.8
- 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 iPhone 17 has a 1.16 oz lighter build
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 6.24 oz for the iPhone 17 versus 7.41 oz for the OnePlus 13. The iPhone 17 is easier on your wrist during long reading or gaming sessions.
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The OnePlus 13 has 50% higher peak brightness
The iPhone 17 lists 3,000 nits; the OnePlus 13 comes in at 4,500 nits. That’s not a rounding error. Peak brightness decides how readable the screen stays in direct sunlight and how punchy HDR content looks.
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The OnePlus 13 has an extra rear camera
At 3 versus 2, this is a decisive lead for the OnePlus 13, the kind of difference you notice without looking for it. More cameras help most when each covers a different view, so check the table to see what the OnePlus 13’s extra lens adds.
-
The OnePlus 13 has faster 50 W wireless charging
If wireless charging is one of your priorities, this settles it: the OnePlus 13 leads clearly with 50 W to the iPhone 17’s 25 W. If you rely on a wireless pad at your desk or bedside, the OnePlus 13 refills quicker there.
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The OnePlus 13 has a sharper 32 MP selfie camera
The numbers aren’t close. The OnePlus 13 lists 32 MP for front camera, while the iPhone 17 lists 18 MP. Front cameras are often an afterthought, so a higher-resolution sensor is a small but welcome edge for the OnePlus 13.
Design & Size
- iPhone 17 5.89 in × 2.81 in × 0.31 in
- OnePlus 13 6.41 in × 3.01 in × 0.33 in
Side by side, the OnePlus 13 is the one that fills more space; the iPhone 17 keeps things tighter. Pick the iPhone 17 and you save 1.16 oz. The iPhone 17 is 0.02 in thinner than the OnePlus 13.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 17 | OnePlus 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.89 in | 6.41 in |
| Width | 2.81 in | 3.01 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in (winner) | 0.33 in |
| Weight | 6.24 oz (winner) | 7.41 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68/IP69 (winner) |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Display
OnePlus 13 leads
Here the OnePlus 13 opens up one of its biggest leads in the comparison. The OnePlus 13 answers with 50% higher peak brightness. If you use your phone outdoors a lot, the OnePlus 13’s brighter panel is the one that holds up better at midday. Weighing only display, the OnePlus 13 comes out ahead.
Peak brightness
iPhone 17: 3,000 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 17: 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
In the performance category, the iPhone 17 and the OnePlus 13 land in almost the same place. The takeaway: performance is not where these two differ.
CPU cores
iPhone 17: 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
Too close to call
The memory & storage specs are close enough that neither gets the point. Treat memory & storage as common ground and look elsewhere for the deciding factor.
Camera
OnePlus 13 leads
This is one of the OnePlus 13’s strongest areas. On camera, the iPhone 17 falls well short. Here the OnePlus 13 offers an extra rear camera. An extra rear camera usually means another focal length (ultra-wide, telephoto or macro) and more freedom in framing. Anyone shopping mainly on camera should start with the OnePlus 13.
Rear cameras
iPhone 17: 2 OnePlus 13: 3 The count alone doesn’t guarantee quality, but the OnePlus 13 gives you more lenses to choose from.
Front camera
iPhone 17: 18 MP OnePlus 13: 32 MP A sharper selfie camera helps with video calls, vlogs and group selfies.
Battery & Charging
OnePlus 13 leads
The OnePlus 13 has the slight upper hand on battery & charging. The OnePlus 13 gives you faster 50 W wireless charging. Wireless charging is usually slower than a cable, so this edge matters mainly to people who value the convenience. For battery & charging, the OnePlus 13 is the one to beat.
Wireless charging
iPhone 17: 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
On software & updates, the useful details are the names in the table: what each one uses, not a figure we can rank.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 17 | 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 | 3,000 nits | 4,500 nits (winner) |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 17 | OnePlus 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A19 | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| CPU cores | 6 | 8 |
| Process node | 3 nm | 3 nm |
| RAM | N/A (not specified) | 12 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 17 | OnePlus 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Max storage | 512 GB | 512 GB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 17 | OnePlus 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 48 MP | 50 MP |
| Telephoto camera | N/A (not specified) | 50 MP |
| Optical zoom | N/A (not specified) | 3× |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 3 (winner) |
| Front camera | 18 MP | 32 MP (winner) |
| Max video | 4K60 Dolby Vision | 8K30 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 17 | OnePlus 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | N/A (not specified) | 6,000 mAh |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 30 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 17 | OnePlus 13 |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 26 | OxygenOS 15 (Android 15) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | N/A (not specified) | 4 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 17 | OnePlus 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.89 in | 6.41 in |
| Width | 2.81 in | 3.01 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in (winner) | 0.33 in |
| Weight | 6.24 oz (winner) | 7.41 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68/IP69 (winner) |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 17 | 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 17 slightly more affordable. Step up by $101 to the OnePlus 13 and you gain 50% higher peak brightness and an extra rear camera.
All prices are official US launch prices, last checked September 2025. Actual prices at stores may differ.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 17 if…
- you notice every gram in your pocket (6.24 oz vs 7.41 oz)
- you want the slimmer phone (0.31 in vs 0.33 in)
- you don’t need the extras that cost $101 more
Choose the OnePlus 13 if…
- you want the screen that stays readable on sunny days (4,500 nits vs 3,000 nits)
- you want more lenses to choose from (3 vs 2 rear cameras)
- you use a wireless charging pad every day (50 W vs 25 W)
- you want the sharper selfie camera (32 MP vs 18 MP)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the iPhone 17 or the OnePlus 13?
The OnePlus 13 wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you know that a 1.16 oz lighter build would make a real difference in your routine.
Which is larger, the iPhone 17 or the OnePlus 13?
The OnePlus 13 is the larger of the two. It measures 6.41 × 3.01 × 0.33 in, compared with 5.89 × 2.81 × 0.31 in for the iPhone 17.
Does the iPhone 17 have a stronger camera setup than the OnePlus 13?
The OnePlus 13 leads on camera specs thanks to an extra rear camera and a sharper 32 MP selfie camera. Processing and personal taste also play a big part in photos.
Is the iPhone 17’s display better than the OnePlus 13’s?
The OnePlus 13 has the edge here, offering 50% higher peak brightness and 11% sharper pixel density.
Is the iPhone 17 cheaper than the OnePlus 13?
Going by launch prices, the iPhone 17 costs $101 less than the OnePlus 13. Prices as of September 2025; current offers may differ.
Which weighs less, the iPhone 17 or the OnePlus 13?
The iPhone 17 is lighter, by 1.16 oz.
Executive Summary
Let me cut through the brand noise around the iPhone 17 and the OnePlus 13. I’d put 50% higher peak brightness at the top of the list, and it belongs to the OnePlus 13. Nor should you ignore that the OnePlus 13 has an extra rear camera. The iPhone 17 isn’t without merit: a 1.16 oz lighter build is a real advantage.
Choose by what you’d use most: portability leads to the iPhone 17, display leads to the OnePlus 13.
My pick: the OnePlus 13, with one exception: if you specifically want a 1.16 oz lighter build, where the iPhone 17 has the edge, go for the iPhone 17.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.