OnePlus 13 vs. iPhone 17 Pro Max: A Deep Dive into Flagship Performance and Battery Life

The OnePlus 13 and Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max represent the pinnacle of Android and iOS smartphone engineering, respectively. This comparison isn't simply about specs; it's about understanding how Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8 Elite and Apple's A19 Pro translate into real-world benefits, particularly concerning battery endurance and charging speeds, areas where these devices diverge significantly.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the power user prioritizing rapid charging and raw performance, the OnePlus 13 emerges as the winner. Its 100W charging and Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset offer a compelling package. However, the iPhone 17 Pro Max delivers superior active use battery life and the polished iOS ecosystem, making it ideal for users deeply invested in Apple's ecosystem.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus 13 Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - InternationalHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 - International1, 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 - A3526
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 75, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3526
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, October 312025, September 09
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, November 01Available. Released 2025, September 19
Body
BuildGlass front (Ceramic Guard), glass back or silicone polymer back (eco leather), aluminum frameGlass front (Ceramic Shield 2), aluminum alloy frame, aluminum alloy back/ glass back (Ceramic Shield)
Dimensions162.9 x 76.5 x 8.5 mm or 8.9 mm163.4 x 78 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + Nano-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)
Weight210 g or 213 g (7.41 oz)233 g (8.22 oz)
Display
ProtectionCeramic Guard glass, Mohs level 4Ceramic Shield 2, Mohs level 5
Resolution1440 x 3168 pixels (~510 ppi density)1320 x 2868 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Size6.82 inches, 113.0 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.9 inches, 115.6 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO 4.1 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR Vivid, 800 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 4500 nits (peak)LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M)Hexa-core (2x4.26 GHz + 4xX.X GHz)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)Apple A19 Pro (3 nm)
GPUAdreno 830Apple GPU (6-core graphics)
OSAndroid 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15 (International), ColorOS 15 (China)iOS 26, upgradable to iOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM, 2TB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser focus, Hasselblad Color Calibration, color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)
Triple50 MP, f/1.6, 23mm (wide), 1/1.43", 1.12µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.6, 73mm (periscope telephoto), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, 3x optical zoom, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.0, 15mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.75", 0.64µm, PDAF48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 48 MP, f/2.8, 100mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF, 3D sensor‑shift OIS, 4x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth)
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240/480fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS, Dolby Vision4K@24/25/30/60/100/120fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 120fps), ProRes, ProRes RAW (up to 120fps), Apple Log 2, 3D (spatial) video/audio, stereo sound rec.
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR, Dolby Vision HDR, 3D (spatial) audio, stereo sound rec., ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2
Single32 MP, f/2.4, 21mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm18 MP multi-aspect, f/1.9, 20mm (ultrawide), PDAF SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 56.0, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual or tri-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, hotspot
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging100W wired, PD, QC, 50% in 13 min, 100% in 36 min 50W wireless 10W reverse wireless 5W reverse wiredWired, PD3.2, AVS, 50% in 20 min 25W wireless MagSafe/Qi2, 50% in 30 min (15W - China) 4.5W reverse wired
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 6000 mAhMarket-dependent versions:· Li-Ion 4823 mAh - Nano SIM model· Li-Ion 5088 mAh - eSIM only model
Misc
ColorsBlack Eclipse, Arctic Dawn, Midnight OceanSilver, Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue
ModelsCPH2655, CPH2653, PJZ110, CPH2649iPhone18,2, A3526, A3257, A3527, A3525
Price€ 779.00 / $ 669.99 / £ 669.99 / ₹ 65,999€ 1,344.19 / $ 1,419.00 / £ 1,199.00 / ₹ 149,900
SAR1.13 W/kg (head)     1.15 W/kg (body)1.19 W/kg (head)     1.19 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.49 W/kg (head)     1.49 W/kg (body)
EU LABEL
Battery61:36h endurance, 1000 cycles53:00h endurance, 1000 cycles
EnergyClass AClass A
Free fallClass D (45 falls)Class B (180 falls)
RepairabilityClass BClass C

OnePlus 13

  • Blazing-fast 100W wired charging
  • Potentially higher CPU performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite
  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility

  • Shorter active use battery life compared to iPhone
  • Android ecosystem fragmentation

Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max

  • Longer active use battery life
  • Optimized iOS ecosystem and software
  • Superior video recording capabilities (expected)

  • Slower charging speeds
  • Less flexible charging options

Display Comparison

The OnePlus 13 boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 1204 nits compared to the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s 1000 nits. This translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. Both utilize a 3nm process, suggesting similar efficiency, but the OnePlus 13’s higher peak brightness is a tangible advantage. While both likely employ LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, the OnePlus 13’s larger screen size (assumed, based on previous models) could impact pixel density, potentially making the iPhone 17 Pro Max sharper. The iPhone’s display is known for its color accuracy, a key consideration for content creators.

Camera Comparison

Without specific camera specs, analysis relies on brand tendencies. Apple typically prioritizes computational photography and video recording, delivering consistent results across all lenses. The OnePlus 13, while improving, often focuses on hardware specifications. We can expect the iPhone 17 Pro Max to excel in video stabilization and dynamic range. The OnePlus 13 may offer more flexibility with manual controls and potentially larger sensor sizes for low-light photography. The absence of detailed camera specs makes a definitive comparison impossible, but Apple’s image processing pipeline is generally considered more refined.

Performance

The core battleground is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite versus the Apple A19 Pro. The Snapdragon 8 Elite features an octa-core configuration with Oryon V2 Phoenix cores (2x4.32 GHz + 6x3.53 GHz), while the A19 Pro utilizes a hexa-core setup (2x4.26 GHz + 4xX.X GHz). While core count isn’t everything, the Snapdragon’s Oryon cores are designed for high single-core performance, potentially giving it an edge in responsiveness. However, Apple’s A-series chips are renowned for their efficiency and optimized software integration. The iPhone 17 Pro Max likely benefits from Apple’s Neural Engine for AI tasks. Both chips are built on a 3nm process, promising improved power efficiency and thermal performance. The Snapdragon 8 Elite’s LPDDR5x RAM (assumed) will contribute to faster data transfer speeds.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 13 delivers a remarkable 61:36h endurance score, but the iPhone 17 Pro Max counters with a strong 53:00h score and a superior 17:58h active use score compared to the OnePlus 13’s 15:28h. This suggests Apple’s chip and software optimization are more effective at conserving power during typical usage. However, the OnePlus 13’s charging speed is a game-changer: 100W wired charging replenishes the battery to 50% in just 13 minutes and fully charges it in 36 minutes. The iPhone 17 Pro Max’s wired charging, while utilizing PD3.2 and AVS, takes 20 minutes to reach 50%. The OnePlus 13 also offers 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless, significantly outpacing the iPhone’s 25W MagSafe/Qi2 and 4.5W reverse wired.

Buying Guide

Buy the OnePlus 13 if you need the fastest possible charging, prioritize raw CPU performance for demanding tasks, and prefer the flexibility of Android. Buy the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max if you value optimized software, longer active use battery life, and seamless integration with other Apple devices. The iPhone is also the better choice for users who prioritize camera consistency and video recording quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the OnePlus 13 generate excessive heat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Elite’s 3nm process and improved thermal design should mitigate overheating. However, sustained high loads will inevitably generate heat. OnePlus’s cooling solutions (likely vapor chamber) will be crucial in managing temperatures and preventing throttling. The iPhone 17 Pro Max’s A19 Pro is also expected to be thermally efficient, but real-world testing will determine which device handles prolonged gaming better.
❓ How does the 25W MagSafe charging on the iPhone 17 Pro Max compare to the OnePlus 13’s 50W wireless charging in terms of real-world charging time?
The OnePlus 13’s 50W wireless charging is significantly faster than the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s 25W MagSafe/Qi2. While the iPhone claims 50% charge in 30 minutes (15W in China), the OnePlus 13 will likely achieve a similar result in considerably less time. This makes the OnePlus 13 a more convenient option for users who frequently rely on wireless charging.
❓ Will the iPhone 17 Pro Max support 8K video recording at 60fps?
Given Apple’s history of pushing video recording capabilities, it’s highly probable the iPhone 17 Pro Max will support 8K video recording at 60fps. Apple’s ProRes codec and advanced image stabilization will likely remain key features, offering professional-grade video quality.
❓ What type of RAM does the OnePlus 13 use, and how does it impact performance?
The OnePlus 13 is expected to utilize LPDDR5x RAM, which offers faster data transfer speeds compared to previous generations. This translates to quicker app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved overall system responsiveness. The iPhone 17 Pro Max will also likely employ a similarly advanced RAM technology, optimized for Apple’s ecosystem.