Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. OnePlus 13: I tested both, and the winner surprised me

January hasn’t even ended yet and it feels like we’ve already seen the best Android phones of 2025. With the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and OnePlus 13, you’re looking at two of the most complete handsets on the market right now, with both devices featuring the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, enough RAM to power various AI tools, and other key advances that we’ll likely see and hear more of later this year.

Also: I replaced my iPhone 16 Pro with the Galaxy S25 Ultra – and there’s a clear winner

Even so, the latest from Samsung and OnePlus aren’t perfect, and the most notable shortcomings are the reason why this comparison exists in the first place. To help you decide between which of the two devices to upgrade to, you’ll want to consider factors like software experience, battery and charging, and the features that make each one unique. I break down the list of key buying reasons below.

Specifications

You should buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra if…

1. You want the more capable camera system

While the S25 Ultra doesn’t necessarily push the envelope this year with its upgraded camera system, it’s still one of, if not the most versatile options on the market. You’re getting a 200-megapixel wide lens that pulls in more detail than most phones, the same 50MP and 10MP telephoto lenses from last year’s S24 Ultra, and a new 50MP ultrawide that, from our testing, can capture crisp and sharp-looking landscape and macro photos. (With close-up shots, you just have to be extra patient as the phone adjusts its focus.)

Also: 4 useful Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra features that power users will drool over

The larger camera enhancements with the S25 Ultra come in the form of software, from computing photo details to editing subjects with generative AI tools. For example, there’s a new Audio Eraser feature that lets you adjust the volume of various sound profiles in videos (both newly and previously recorded ones). The ability to capture footage in Galaxy Log mode also means that creatives and video professionals have better control of lighting, contrast levels, and overall colors when editing.

2. You want the best of AI experiences right now

If you told me years ago that Google Pixel users are considering switching to Samsung because of software, I would’ve thought you were crazy. But here we are, with the S25 Ultra taking the lead this year in AI capabilities and updates, and Google is helping to add fuel to the tank. The newest Galaxy phones feature a swath of AI features, but the standout for me is cross-app integrations with Gemini.

By linking services from Samsung, Google, and other third-party applications, users can now ask Gemini to fulfill a chain of tasks with a single command. For example, you can long-press the power button, which can be configured to activate Gemini instead of Bixby now and ask the assistant to search for a local Mexican restaurant that’s pet-friendly and send the address to a contact. Such a feature is currently exclusive to the Samsung Galaxy S25 series and Google Pixel 9 series.

3. The Samsung-exclusive benefits entice you

Buying a flagship Samsung phone entitles you to several benefits, including a longer-than-average software update policy — with the S25 Ultra supporting up to seven years of OS and security patches, wider access to repair services and parts, and more options for cases, screen protectors, and other third-party accessories.

Also: I’ve used every Samsung Galaxy S25 model – and the one I love most isn’t the Ultra

With the Galaxy S Ultra model in particular, there’s the benefit of having a built-in S Pen stylus, which gives you precision inputs for notetaking, sketching, and other creative tasks. Just know that this year’s S Pen no longer has a rechargeable battery and, therefore, loses the ability to control the phone wirelessly.

You should buy the OnePlus 13 if…

1. You want the best phone for the money

Flagship phones can cost a pretty penny, so if bang for your buck is what you’re after, the $799 OnePlus 13 is a far better deal than the $1,299 Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. In ways, you’re getting more and better specs on the OnePlus than the Samsung, even though the former costs $500 less. For example, while the OnePlus 13 features a non-overclocked variant of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, tests have shown that the difference in performance is negligible.

Review: OnePlus 13: This flagship costs hundreds less than S25 Ultra – but wins in key ways

At the time of writing, the OnePlus 13 also comes with a free storage upgrade, which nets you a 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage configuration for the same price as the base tier. That’s compared to the S25 Ultra, which starts at 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage (if you take advantage of Samsung’s free upgrade offer.)

2. You’d rather not have to sit by the outlet

One of the key reasons to buy a OnePlus phone is its fast charging speeds. This year’s model features the same 80W wired charging and 50W wireless charging as its predecessor, but even then, those numbers outpace what Samsung is offering with the S25 Ultra. With 80W wired charging (via the SuperVooc charger that’s included in the box), the OnePlus 13 can charge from 0% to 100% in less than 40 minutes. To put things into perspective, even the 50W wireless charging is faster than the S25 Ultra’s wired charging, which caps out at 45W.

Also: The best Android phones to buy in 2025

The OnePlus 13 also features a larger 6,000mAh silicon-based battery, compared to the S25 Ultra’s 5,000mAh lithium-ion battery. Choosing this material choice over the traditional lithium-ion allows the phone maker to embed a denser battery capacity without adding bulk. From our tests, there’s a noticeable difference in battery life that favors the OnePlus.

3. Water damage traumatizes you

To protect the tech within, the OnePlus 13 is one of the first phones in the US market to feature an IP69 rating. Compared to the IP68 rating typically found on flagship phones like the S25 Ultra, the higher water resistance allows the OnePlus 13 to withstand high-pressure, high-temperature water jets and steam cleaning. So, if you happen to leave the handset in your pants as they’re in the washer, or the device slips through your fingers and falls into a pot of boiling water or soup, it should be able to still function properly after a wipe.

Alternatives to consider