A Clash of Flagships: OnePlus 12 vs. OnePlus 13

Hardware and Design: Flat Is the New Curve

From afar, the OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 13 may seem alike. But closer inspection reveals subtle changes, including a flatter profile inspired by the Oppo Find X8 Pro.

Breaking away from the controversial side curves that plagued OnePlus flagships, the OnePlus 13 boasts a flat usable space. The display remains stunning with its QHD+ 120Hz LTPO AMOLED technology, albeit with an upgraded Crystal Shield ceramic glass for enhanced durability.

"The improved shape makes the OnePlus 13 more comfortable and lighter to hold," notes TechRadar.

Software and Performance: A Glimpse into the Future

OxygenOS 15 reigns supreme on both devices, offering a refined and intuitive user experience. The OnePlus 13, however, edges out its predecessor with its Snapdragon 8 Elite chip's superior power management, resulting in a modest 25-30% performance gain.

"Without knowing which phone it is, it's almost impossible to tell them apart when you're actually using them side-by-side," says TomsGuide.

Battery and Charging: More Juice, Less Heat

The OnePlus 13 boasts an impressive 6,000 mAh silicon-carbon battery, a 10% upgrade from the OnePlus 12. This innovative technology allows for increased capacity without compromising device size and offers better heat dissipation.

"It's a win-win," says The Verge. "In some cases, you can easily get two days at a single charge."

Both models support 100W wired charging and 50W wireless charging, but the OnePlus 13 notably omits a charger in the box.

Camera: A Tale of Ups and Downs

The OnePlus 12 surprised with its solid camera capabilities, but the OnePlus 13 brings some notable changes.

While the main and ultra-wide cameras remain comparable, the OnePlus 12's 64MP telephoto lens outperforms the OnePlus 13's 3x lens at higher zoom levels.

"HDR can kick in a little too harshly on the OnePlus 13," notes Android Central, "but we're hopeful that updates will resolve some of the quirks."

A Question of Value: Which Reigns Supreme?

Upgrade or downgrade? The answer depends on your perspective.

"As we stated right at the top, nobody who has the OnePlus 12 should be looking to ditch it in favor of the OnePlus 13," says 9to5Google.

"However, if you're using another older phone, I think the OnePlus 12 has to be a contender for the best 'bang for your buck' Android phone." Especially with its superior telephoto lens.

"The OnePlus 13 is a great handset... but it's too early to say where it stands on the 'best of 2025' totem," adds 9to5Google.

Regardless of the choice, OnePlus continues to cater to Android enthusiasts with its impressive lineup of premium devices.