Choosing a smartphone under ₹70,000 in India is no easy task, especially when you’re torn between a flagship Android like the OnePlus 13 and Apple’s base model, the iPhone 16. Both phones offer premium features, but they cater to different preferences. If you’re wondering whether to go for the powerful OnePlus 13 or the sleek iPhone 16, this detailed comparison will help you decide. We’ll cover design, display, performance, battery, cameras, software, and more to answer the big question: Which one is worth your money?
Design and Build: Premium Feel with Practical Differences
When it comes to design, both the OnePlus 13 and iPhone 16 feel premium, but they have distinct vibes. The iPhone 16 is compact, with a flat brushed aluminum frame and a glass back. Its smaller size (146.7 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm) makes it super comfortable to hold, especially for those who prefer one-handed use. The Ceramic Shield on the front and back offers decent drop protection, but it’s prone to scratches, which can be annoying if you don’t use a case.
The OnePlus 13, on the other hand, is larger (162.9 x 76.5 x 8.5 mm) but impressively thin and light for its size. It uses a silicon carbide battery, which allows it to pack a massive 6,000mAh capacity while staying slimmer than its predecessor. You can choose from a vegan leather or glass back, but the leather variant feels slippery compared to the grippy iPhone 16. The OnePlus 13 also has an edge with its Ceramic Guard, which resists scratches better than the iPhone’s Ceramic Shield.
Another key difference is durability. The OnePlus 13 boasts IP68 and IP69 ratings, meaning it’s highly resistant to dust and water, even under high-pressure conditions. The iPhone 16 sticks with an IP68 rating, which is solid but not as advanced. If you’re clumsy or live in a dusty area, the OnePlus 13 might be the safer bet.
Functionally, the OnePlus 13 includes an IR blaster for controlling appliances, a feature absent on the iPhone. It also has a USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 port for faster data transfer, while the iPhone 16 is limited to USB-C 2.0. The OnePlus 13 supports dual nano-SIMs with eSIM, whereas the iPhone 16 offers one physical SIM plus eSIM.
The iPhone 16 has a customizable Action Button and a Camera Control button, which some users find gimmicky. The OnePlus 13’s Alert Slider is simpler, letting you toggle between ring, silent, and vibrate modes. If you love buttons with multiple functions, the iPhone 16 has more to offer, but the Alert Slider is more straightforward.
Verdict: The iPhone 16 wins for compactness and grip, while the OnePlus 13 is better for durability and practical features like the IR blaster and faster USB-C port.
Display: OnePlus Takes the Lead
The display is where the OnePlus 13 shines. It features a 6.82-inch QHD+ OLED display with a 3168 x 1440 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 4,500 nits. This means sharper visuals, smoother scrolling, and excellent visibility even in bright sunlight. The quad-curved design adds a premium touch, though some might prefer a flat screen.
In contrast, the iPhone 16 has a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a 2556 x 1179 resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. Its peak brightness is around 2,000 nits, which is good but not as dazzling as the OnePlus 13. The 60Hz refresh rate feels dated compared to the OnePlus 13’s 120Hz, especially when scrolling or gaming.
For media consumption, the OnePlus 13’s larger, brighter, and smoother display is a clear winner. However, the iPhone 16’s display is still vibrant and color-accurate, making it great for everyday use.
Verdict: The OnePlus 13’s display is superior in size, resolution, refresh rate, and brightness, making it ideal for gamers and media enthusiasts.
Audio and Haptics: A Close Call
Surprisingly, the iPhone 16 holds its own in audio despite its smaller size. Its stereo speakers deliver loud, clear sound with decent depth, making it great for music and videos. The OnePlus 13’s speakers are equally loud but lack the same richness in bass and clarity.
When it comes to haptics, both phones are excellent. The iPhone 16’s Taptic Engine provides precise vibrations, but the OnePlus 13’s haptics are deeply integrated into OxygenOS. For example, you feel subtle feedback when scrolling through apps or adjusting the volume, which enhances the user experience.
Verdict: The iPhone 16 edges out slightly in audio quality, but the OnePlus 13’s haptics feel more immersive in daily use.
Performance: Power vs. Optimization
Performance is a key factor when choosing a flagship. The OnePlus 13 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, a 3nm chip with up to 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage in its top variant. The base model (12GB RAM + 256GB storage) already offers more than the iPhone 16’s base variant (8GB RAM + 128GB storage).
The iPhone 16 runs on the Apple A18 chip, also a 3nm processor, known for its efficiency and optimization. In benchmarks like Geekbench, the A18 excels in single-core performance, but the Snapdragon 8 Elite takes the lead in multi-core tasks and GPU performance. In 3DMark Wildlife Stress Test, the OnePlus 13 delivers higher frame rates, making it a beast for gaming.
In real-world use, both phones are buttery smooth. The OnePlus 13’s 120Hz display and OxygenOS 15 animations make it feel snappier, while the iPhone 16’s iOS 18 ensures seamless performance despite the 60Hz display. However, iOS 18 has faced some bugs, whereas OxygenOS 15 feels more stable.
OnePlus 13’s higher RAM and storage options give it an edge for multitasking and future-proofing. However, the iPhone 16 stands out for gaming with exclusive AAA titles like Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Resident Evil Village, which aren’t available on Android.
Verdict: The OnePlus 13 is more powerful and versatile, but the iPhone 16’s optimization and exclusive games make it a strong contender.
Battery and Charging: OnePlus Dominates
Battery life is a dealbreaker for many, and the OnePlus 13 takes a massive lead here. Its 6,000mAh silicon carbide battery lasts 2-3 hours longer than the iPhone 16’s 3,561mAh battery in screen-on time. Whether you’re streaming, gaming, or browsing, the OnePlus 13 easily lasts a full day and beyond.
Charging speeds are another win for OnePlus. The OnePlus 13 supports 100W wired charging, fully charging in about 37 minutes, and 50W wireless charging. The iPhone 16, with 25W wired and 15W MagSafe wireless charging, takes around 80 minutes to charge fully. Plus, the OnePlus 13 includes a 100W charger in the box, while Apple makes you buy one separately.
Verdict: The OnePlus 13 is the clear winner for battery life and charging speed, making it ideal for heavy users.
Software: iOS vs. OxygenOS
Software is often a personal choice. The iPhone 16 runs iOS 18, which is user-friendly, secure, and known for long-term updates (5-6 years). Features like Apple Intelligence (writing tools, image generation) add value, but iOS 18 has been buggier than expected.
The OnePlus 13 runs OxygenOS 15, based on Android 15, with 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security patches. OxygenOS 15 is smooth, customizable, and packed with AI features like Note Assist, AI Summary, and Reflection Eraser. Its animations are snappy, and features like stacked live activities and Flux themes enhance the experience.
If you value longevity and simplicity, iOS is better. For customization and a smoother current experience, OxygenOS 15 is hard to beat.
Verdict: The iPhone 16 offers longer software support, but OxygenOS 15 feels more polished and feature-rich right now.
Cameras: Consistency vs. Versatility
Cameras are crucial for flagship buyers. The iPhone 16 has a dual-camera setup: a 48MP primary (f/1.6) and a 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2). The OnePlus 13 sports a triple-camera system: a 50MP primary (f/1.6), a 50MP ultrawide (f/2.0), and a 50MP 3x periscope telephoto (f/2.6).
Primary Camera
The iPhone 16’s 48MP sensor produces 24MP images by default, delivering sharp details and natural colors. It excels in harsh lighting with accurate dynamic range and industry-leading skin tones. The OnePlus 13’s 50MP sensor lifts shadows aggressively, creating punchy but sometimes unnatural images.
Zoom
The iPhone 16 offers decent 2x zoom using sensor cropping, but it struggles beyond that. The OnePlus 13’s 3x periscope lens shines at 3x and higher (up to 6x or 10x), making it more versatile for distant shots.
Ultrawide
The OnePlus 13’s 50MP ultrawide captures sharper details in both daylight and low light compared to the iPhone 16’s 12MP ultrawide. However, the iPhone maintains better color consistency across lenses.
Low Light
The iPhone 16’s Night Mode preserves more details despite some noise, while the OnePlus 13 cleans up noise but softens images slightly.
Portraits and Selfies
The iPhone 16 nails 1x and 2x portraits with natural skin tones, while the OnePlus 13’s edge detection is slightly better. At 3x, the OnePlus 13’s telephoto lens produces superior portraits. For selfies, the iPhone 16’s 12MP front camera outperforms the OnePlus 13’s 32MP sensor in all conditions.
Video
The iPhone 16 is a video champ, with better stabilization, HDR, and Dolby Vision support. The OnePlus 13 holds its own with detailed 4K 60fps footage and smoother lens switching, but the iPhone’s overall video quality is more consistent.
Macros
The iPhone 16’s ultrawide doubles as a macro lens, capturing impressive close-ups. The OnePlus 13’s periscope lens has a limited focusing range, making its macros less impressive.
Verdict: The iPhone 16 is more consistent for photos and videos, but the OnePlus 13’s telephoto lens adds versatility for zoom and portraits.
Specification Comparison Table
| Feature | OnePlus 13 | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.82″ QHD+ OLED, 120Hz, 4,500 nits | 6.1″ Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz, 2,000 nits |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) | Apple A18 (3nm) |
| RAM/Storage (Base) | 12GB/256GB | 8GB/128GB |
| Battery | 6,000mAh | 3,561mAh |
| Charging | 100W wired, 50W wireless | 25W wired, 15W wireless |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP main, 50MP ultrawide, 50MP 3x telephoto | 48MP main, 12MP ultrawide |
| Front Camera | 32MP | 12MP |
| IP Rating | IP68 + IP69 | IP68 |
| Software | OxygenOS 15 (Android 15) | iOS 18 |
| Price (Base) | ₹69,998 | ₹74,900 |
Which One Should You Buy?
So, should you buy the OnePlus 13 or the iPhone 16 under ₹70,000? It depends on your priorities:
Choose the OnePlus 13 if:
- You want a larger, brighter, and smoother display for gaming and media.
- Battery life and fast charging are non-negotiable.
- You need more RAM, storage, and raw performance.
- A telephoto lens for zoom and versatile photography matters.
- You prefer Android’s customization and OxygenOS’s smooth animations.
Choose the iPhone 16 if:
- You love iOS’s simplicity, long-term updates, and exclusive games.
- Compact size and grippy design are important.
- You prioritize consistent camera performance, especially for videos and selfies.
- You’re already in the Apple ecosystem (AirPods, Mac, iPad).
Is It Worth It?
At ₹64,998, the OnePlus 13 offers incredible value with flagship specs that rival phones costing much more. Its display, battery, and performance make it a no-brainer for power users. The iPhone 16, often discounted to ~₹70,000, is worth it if you value iOS and a reliable camera. However, its 60Hz display and slower charging feel outdated for the price.
Final Verdict: The OnePlus 13 is the better all-rounder for most Indian buyers under ₹70,000, thanks to its superior display, battery, and versatility. However, if you’re an iOS fan or need a compact phone with top-notch video recording, the iPhone 16 is still a solid choice. Let us know in the comments which one you’d pick!
