OnePlus has once again refreshed its smartphone lineup with two compelling options: the OnePlus 13S and OnePlus 13T. While these models share the same design language and many core features, several key differences might make one a better choice for you than the other.
This guide cuts through the marketing jargon to highlight what actually matters, helping you decide which OnePlus is worth your money in 2025.
| Feature | OnePlus 13S | OnePlus 13T |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 | Dimensity 9400 |
| Display | 6.82″ LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz | 6.78″ LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz |
| Main Camera | 50MP Sony LYT-808 | 50MP Sony LYT-700 |
| Battery | 5,500 mAh | 5,400 mAh |
| Charging | 100W wired, 50W wireless | 80W wired, 50W wireless |
| Starting Price | $899 | $749 |
Design & Build Quality
OnePlus 13S
The OnePlus 13S features the premium build quality OnePlus is known for, with an aluminum frame sandwiched between Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back. The rounded edges make it comfortable to hold despite its size, and the Alert Slider remains a fan-favorite feature. It’s available in Obsidian Black, Arctic Silver, and Verdant Green colorways.
OnePlus 13T
The 13T shares nearly identical design language with subtle differences. It uses slightly less premium materials, with Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and back (not Victus 2), but most users won’t notice the difference. The 13T comes in Midnight Black, Lunar Silver, and Nebula Blue color options.
Key Difference: While both phones look and feel premium, the 13S uses slightly higher-grade materials and has a marginally more refined finish.
Display
OnePlus 13S
The 13S boasts a 6.82-inch LTPO 4.0 AMOLED display with 2K resolution (3168 x 1440), 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and peak brightness of 4,500 nits. This display showcases perfect color accuracy with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support.
OnePlus 13T
The 13T features a slightly smaller 6.78-inch LTPO 3.0 AMOLED display with 1.5K resolution (2780 x 1264), the same 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 4,000 nits. It also supports HDR10+ but lacks Dolby Vision.
Key Difference: While both displays are excellent, the 13S offers higher resolution, slightly better brightness, and Dolby Vision support—though most users will be perfectly happy with the 13T’s screen in daily use.
Performance
OnePlus 13S
Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 processor, the 13S delivers best-in-class performance for demanding tasks like gaming and multitasking. This is paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage options ranging from 256GB to 1TB.
OnePlus 13T
The 13T uses MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400 chipset, which delivers excellent performance that’s very close to the Snapdragon in most everyday scenarios, though it falls slightly behind in sustained gaming performance. It offers the same RAM options but tops out at 512GB of storage.
Key Difference: The 13S has a slight edge in raw performance, particularly for intensive gaming, but the 13T offers performance that’s more than sufficient for most users.
Camera System
OnePlus 13S
- Main: 50MP Sony LYT-808 sensor with OIS (f/1.6)
- Ultrawide: 48MP (f/2.2) with 114° field of view
- Telephoto: 64MP periscope (f/2.8) with 3x optical zoom, up to 120x digital zoom
- Front: 32MP (f/2.2)
OnePlus 13T
- Main: 50MP Sony LYT-700 sensor with OIS (f/1.7)
- Ultrawide: 48MP (f/2.2) with 114° field of view
- Telephoto: 32MP (f/2.4) with 2x optical zoom, up to 30x digital zoom
- Front: 32MP (f/2.2)
Key Difference: The 13S has a notably better camera system, particularly the main sensor and telephoto capabilities. The difference is most apparent in low light and when using zoom.
Battery Life & Charging
OnePlus 13S
The 13S houses a 5,500 mAh battery with 100W SUPERVOOC wired charging (0-100% in 25 minutes) and 50W wireless charging. Most users report comfortably getting through a full day, even with heavy use.
OnePlus 13T
The 13T comes with a slightly smaller 5,400 mAh battery, 80W SUPERVOOC wired charging (0-100% in about 32 minutes), and the same 50W wireless charging capabilities.
Key Difference: Both phones offer excellent battery life, but the 13S charges slightly faster and has a marginally larger battery.
Software Experience
Both phones run OxygenOS 15 based on Android 15, featuring the clean, fast interface OnePlus is known for. Both are promised 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security patches.
The software experience is virtually identical between the two models, with no noteworthy exclusive features for either device.
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Price & Value
OnePlus 13S
- 8GB/256GB: $899
- 12GB/512GB: $999
- 16GB/1TB: $1,099
OnePlus 13T
- 8GB/128GB: $749
- 12GB/256GB: $829
- 16GB/512GB: $899
Which Should You Choose?
Choose the OnePlus 13S if:
- You want the absolute best camera system, particularly for zoom photography
- You’re a heavy mobile gamer who needs the most powerful processor
- You consume lots of high-resolution content and want the best display
- You’re willing to pay a premium for the best OnePlus has to offer
Choose the OnePlus 13T if:
- You want excellent performance at a more reasonable price
- You take good photos but don’t need professional-level camera capabilities
- You’re looking for the best value in a flagship phone
- You prefer slightly more compact dimensions
The OnePlus 13T offers better value for most users, delivering 90% of the 13S experience at a significantly lower price point. The 13S justifies its premium for photography enthusiasts, power users who push their phones to the limit, and those who simply want the best regardless of price.
For most everyday users, however, the OnePlus 13T hits the sweet spot of performance, features, and value.
Looking for more affordable options? If these flagship prices are beyond your budget, check out our comprehensive guide: Budget Phones Under ₹15,000: Top 10 Picks in India (April 2025). There, we explore excellent options that deliver impressive value at more accessible price points.
Is the OnePlus 13S worth the extra money over the 13T?
It depends on your needs. If you’re a photography enthusiast, serious mobile gamer, or want the absolute best display, the extra cost may be justified. Most users will be perfectly happy with the 13T’s performance and features.
Do both phones support wireless charging?
Yes, both the OnePlus 13S and 13T support 50W wireless charging with compatible OnePlus wireless chargers.
How does the battery life compare between the two models?
Both phones offer excellent battery life that will get most users through a full day of use. The 13S has a slightly larger battery (5,500 mAh vs 5,400 mAh) and charges a bit faster with its 100W charging compared to the 13T’s 80W.
Are there any exclusive features on either phone?
No significant exclusive features exist between the models. Both run identical OxygenOS 15 software with the same feature set.
Which phone has better camera performance?
The OnePlus 13S has a notably better camera system, particularly its main sensor and telephoto capabilities. The difference is most apparent in challenging lighting conditions and when using zoom.
How long will these phones receive software updates?
Both the OnePlus 13S and 13T are promised 4 years of OS updates (through Android 19) and 5 years of security patches.
Is the OnePlus 13T's processor good enough for gaming?
Yes, the Dimensity 9400 in the 13T handles all current games with ease. Only the most demanding titles at highest settings might show a small performance advantage on the 13S’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 4.
Are there more budget-friendly options from OnePlus?
While OnePlus has historically offered “flagship killer” phones, their current flagship models are premium-priced. For more affordable options, consider the OnePlus Nord series or check our Budget Phones Under ₹15,000 guide for alternatives from various brands.
