Smartphones: OnePlus 13 vs. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Quick Verdict
Both the OnePlus 13 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are shaping up to be flagship contenders, each with its own strengths in battery, display, and camera technology.
- Both phones offer high-end specs with potential advancements in display and camera technology.
- OnePlus 13 boasts a larger battery and potentially faster charging, while Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra focuses on AI integration and display innovation.
- Both devices are expected to run on the latest Android versions with their respective custom UIs.
Key features – Side-by-Side
| Attribute | OnePlus 13 | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display Size (inches) | 6.82 | 6.8 to 6.89 |
| Display Technology | LTPO AMOLED (potentially Oriental X2 8T LTPO AMOLED from BOE) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, OLED, with potential AI-integrated Flex Magic Pixel technology, Color Filter on Encapsulation (CoE) technology |
| Screen Resolution (pixels) | 1440 x 3168 | 1800 x 3440 |
| Processor (Chipset Model) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or Snapdragon 8 Elite 3, or Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 |
| RAM (GB) | 12, 16, or 24 | 12GB or up to 16GB, or even 24GB |
| Internal Storage (GB) | 256, 512, or 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB |
| Main Camera Resolution (MP) | 50 (Sony LYT-808 sensor) | Quad camera setup, potentially with four 50MP sensors, or a 200MP primary lens accompanied by 50MP, 48MP, and 10MP lenses. Another source indicates 200MP main, 16MP, 12MP, and 5MP |
| Front Camera Resolution (MP) | 32 (Sony IMX615 sensor) | 50MP or 64 MP, or 12 MP |
| Battery Capacity (mAh) | 6000 (silicon carbon battery) | 5000 mAh or 5500 mAh |
| Operating System | Android 15 with OxygenOS 15 (or ColorOS 15 based on Android 15) | Android 15 or Android 16 with Samsung's One UI 8 |
| Water Resistance Rating | IP68 and IP69 | IP68 |
| Wireless Charging Support | Yes (50W AIRVOOC) | Yes |
Overall Comparison
Display: Both AMOLED, Samsung potentially more innovative; Battery: OnePlus larger; Camera: Samsung potentially more versatile
Pros and Cons
OnePlus 13
Pros:
- Excellent display color accuracy in Natural mode
- Fast processor performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite
- Smooth gaming experience with Adreno GPU
- Fast charging with 100W SUPERVOOC
- Enhanced low-light photography with AI
- User-friendly OxygenOS 15
- High-quality video recording capabilities (up to 8K30)
- Durable Ceramic Guard screen protection
- IP68 and IP69 water and dust resistance
- Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor
- OReality Audio support
Cons:
- Unnatural color reproduction with HBM brightness enabled outdoors
- Cooling system may be overtaxed under high load
- Charging speed may be limited to 80W in the US
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Pros:
- Clear visuals and rich colors for an immersive viewing experience (expected)
- AI-powered features to protect screen content from prying eyes (potential)
- Smooth handling of heavy gaming and multitasking (expected)
- Improved thermal management with increased vapor cooling chamber (potential)
- Fast charging support (45W, potentially 65W)
- AI-powered battery optimization features (potential)
- Excellent low-light photography (expected)
- Night mode and AI features for enhanced image quality (likely)
- Smooth, highly customizable, and user-friendly interface (expected)
- 8K video recording support (expected)
- Upgraded Gorilla Glass protection (potential)
Cons:
- No major disadvantages reported.
User Experiences and Feedback
OnePlus 13
What Users Love
- Users are increasingly liking OxygenOS 15, even stock Android fans
Common Complaints
- No major complaints reported.
Value Perception
- No value feedback reported.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
What Users Love
- No highlights reported.
Common Complaints
- No major complaints reported.
Value Perception
- No value feedback reported.