iPhone 16 vs OnePlus 13s: A Head-to-Head Flagship Showdown

Apple’s iPhone 16 represents a refinement of its established formula, prioritizing long-term endurance and ecosystem integration. The OnePlus 13s, however, aggressively targets performance enthusiasts with Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. This comparison dissects the core differences between these two flagship contenders, focusing on where each excels and who will benefit most from their respective strengths.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity and a seamless ecosystem, the iPhone 16’s 37-hour battery endurance and 1000 charge cycles are compelling. However, the OnePlus 13s takes the lead for power users demanding peak performance, thanks to its octa-core Oryon CPU and 80W charging, making it the winner for those prioritizing speed.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPhone 16 OnePlus 13s
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66 - A32871, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A32871, 3, 5, 8, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, September 092025, June 05
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, September 20Available. Released 2025, June 12
Body
BuildGlass front (Ceramic Shield), glass back, aluminum frameGlass front, aluminum alloy frame
Dimensions147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm (5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 in)150.8 x 71.7 x 8.2 mm (5.94 x 2.82 x 0.32 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International)· eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China)Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight170 g (6.00 oz)185 g (6.53 oz)
Display
ProtectionCeramic Shield glass (2024 gen), Mohs level 4Crystal Shield Glass
Resolution1179 x 2556 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)1216 x 2640 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Size6.1 inches, 91.7 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.32 inches, 97.9 cm2 (~90.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR Vivid, 1600 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUHexa-core (2x4.04 GHz + 4x2.20 GHz)Octa-core (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M)
ChipsetApple A18 (3 nm)Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
GPUApple GPU (5-core graphics)Adreno 830
OSiOS 18, upgradable to iOS 26.1Android 15, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual48 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.0, (telephoto), 1/2.75", 0.64µm, 2x optical zoom, PDAF
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Video4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), stereo sound rec.4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS, Dolby Vision HDR
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, Dolby Vision HDR, 3D (spatial) audio, stereo sound rec.HDR, panorama
Single12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)32 MP, f/2.0, 21mm (wide), 1/3.1", 0.7µm, AF
Video4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE6.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1C+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5), GLONASS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, DisplayPortUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, tri-band, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
ChargingWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 25W wireless (MagSafe), 15W wireless (China only) 15W wireless (Qi2) 4.5W reverse wired80W wired, 33W PPS, 18W PD, 18W QC 5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Ion 3561 mAh5850 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Pink, Teal, UltramarineGreen Silk, Black Velvet, Pink Satin
ModelsA3287, A3081, A3286, A3288, iPhone17,3CPH2723
Price$ 494.93 / C$ 945.75 / £ 569.99 / € 678.57 / ₹ 66,900₹ 52,999
SAR1.08 W/kg (head)     1.17 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU1.24 W/kg (head)     1.41 W/kg (body)-
EU LABEL
Battery37:00h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass B-
Free fallClass C (90 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Apple iPhone 16

  • Exceptional 37-hour battery endurance
  • 1000 charge cycle longevity
  • Seamless Apple ecosystem integration

  • Slower charging speeds compared to OnePlus 13s
  • Less customizable software experience

OnePlus 13s

  • Faster 80W wired charging
  • Potentially higher peak performance with Oryon CPU
  • More customizable Android experience

  • Battery endurance likely lower than iPhone 16
  • Software support may not match Apple’s longevity

Display Comparison

The iPhone 16 boasts a measured peak brightness of 1708 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While OnePlus doesn’t provide brightness data, their displays typically prioritize color accuracy. Both devices likely utilize LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, conserving battery. The iPhone’s display benefits from Apple’s color calibration, while OnePlus often offers more customizable color profiles. The iPhone 16’s display is geared towards consistent, accurate viewing, while the OnePlus 13s likely offers more user control.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is limited. However, both manufacturers prioritize image quality. The iPhone 16 likely leverages computational photography and Apple’s image processing pipeline for natural-looking photos. The OnePlus 13s, benefiting from the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s ISP, will likely excel in low-light performance and video recording. The absence of detailed sensor information makes it difficult to assess dynamic range or detail capture. We can assume both phones will offer excellent image stabilization, but the OnePlus 13s’s ISP may provide more advanced features.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: Apple’s A18 (3nm) is a hexa-core processor, while the OnePlus 13s features the Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) with an octa-core Oryon V2 Phoenix configuration. The Snapdragon 8 Elite’s Oryon cores, with their 4.32 GHz clock speeds, offer a potential advantage in multi-threaded workloads compared to the A18’s 4.04 GHz cores. The A18’s strength lies in Apple’s optimized software integration and Neural Engine. While both are 3nm chips, the Oryon architecture is designed for sustained performance, potentially leading to better gaming frame rates on the OnePlus 13s. The iPhone 16’s advantage is in its efficient power management, contributing to its superior battery endurance.

Battery Life

The iPhone 16’s standout feature is its 37-hour endurance and 1000 charge cycles, indicating exceptional long-term battery health. While the OnePlus 13s’s battery capacity is unknown, its 80W wired charging (with PPS, PD, and QC support) significantly outperforms the iPhone 16’s 50% charge in 30 minutes via PD2.0. The OnePlus 13s’s charging speed is a clear advantage for users who need a quick power boost. The iPhone 16 prioritizes longevity and consistent performance over rapid charging, while the OnePlus 13s focuses on minimizing downtime.

Buying Guide

Buy the Apple iPhone 16 if you need a phone that reliably lasts all day and integrates seamlessly with other Apple devices, valuing software support and a mature ecosystem. Buy the OnePlus 13s if you prioritize raw processing power for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, and prefer faster charging speeds and a more customizable Android experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the OnePlus 13s tend to throttle under sustained load?
The Snapdragon 8 Elite, with its Oryon architecture, is designed for improved thermal efficiency compared to previous generations. While throttling is always a possibility under extreme conditions, the 3nm process and optimized cooling solutions in the OnePlus 13s should mitigate this, allowing for longer periods of peak performance.
❓ How does MagSafe charging on the iPhone 16 compare to the OnePlus 13s's wireless charging options?
The iPhone 16 offers 25W MagSafe wireless charging, providing a convenient and secure connection. The OnePlus 13s supports 18W PD and 18W QC wireless charging, as well as 15W Qi2. While MagSafe offers a unique ecosystem of accessories, the OnePlus 13s’s broader compatibility with wireless charging standards provides more flexibility.
❓ What is the real-world difference between 80W charging on the OnePlus 13s and the iPhone 16's charging speed?
The OnePlus 13s’s 80W charging will significantly reduce charging times compared to the iPhone 16’s PD2.0 charging (50% in 30 minutes). While exact 0-100% times are unavailable, the OnePlus 13s is expected to fully charge much faster, potentially in under 40 minutes, while the iPhone 16 will take considerably longer.