Best daily deals

Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more.

OnePlus 9 vs iPhone 13 series: Which one should you buy?

It's not quite as simple as iOS vs Android anymore.
By
April 7, 2022
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max vs OnePlus 9 Pro
Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Apple and OnePlus are two of the biggest names in smartphones, regardless of the operating system. Both OEMs have pushed their latest lines further than ever, but you can only add one to your pocket. Let’s compare the two series to see which one comes out on top in the OnePlus 9 vs iPhone 13 battle.

How is it holding up? iPhone 13 revisit | OnePlus 9 revisit

The difference in Android vs iOS might be obvious, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg. We’ll dig through the displays, cameras, and more to give you a better idea of which phone is best for you.


OnePlus 9 vs iPhone 13


Design and display

iPhone 13 Pro in hand with search and keyboard
Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority

Apple’s latest iPhone 13 and the OnePlus 9 series have precious little in common. For starters, Apple is sticking with its flat displays and notched design for another year — though it did finally give its notch a trim. You’ll also see that Apple kept the flat-sided design that many people loved from the iPhone 12 series. In fact, it’s a challenge to find too many things that Apple changed this year.

The iPhone 13 family still numbers four devices, starting with the iPhone 13 Mini. Its display measures a pocket-friendly 5.4-inches and carries nearly the same specs as you’d find on the 6.1-inch iPhone 13. Both devices offer Super Retina XDR OLED panels, complete with HDR and True Tone technologies.

The iPhone 13 Mini is the baby of the bunch, while the OnePlus 9 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max tie with 6.7-inch displays.

Apple’s high-end iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max offer the same displays as last year, coming in at 6.1-inches and 6.7-inches, respectively. The two don’t add a ton to the overall mix, though they’re the first iPhones to offer a 120Hz refresh rate. You’ll also find an IP68 rating standard across the entire range, as well as Apple’s famed Face ID security.

Over on the OnePlus 9 series, the design choices are unmistakably Android. The OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro pack corner-mounted punch-hole cameras, which are the only interruptions to the crips AMOLED panels. The standard OnePlus 9 is the smaller of the pair at 6.55-inches, and it carries a Full HD+ resolution. You get a larger 6.7-inch curved AMOLED on the OnePlus 9 Pro, which comes with a jump to QHD+.

Read our reviews: OnePlus 9 | OnePlus 9 Pro

As for IP ratings, the OnePlus 9 Pro is IP68 waterproof across the board. The OnePlus 9 also has an IP68 rating, though only on the T-Mobile version. This most likely means that all versions are waterproof, T-Mobile just splashed the cash for the certification. OnePlus offers its take on face unlock for its latest flagships, but it’s best to stick with the in-display fingerprint scanner since the tech is not as secure as Apple’s Face ID.


Hardware and cameras

OnePlus 9 Pro vs iPhone 12 Pro Max on windowsill
Luke Pollack / Android Authority

It’s not just the outsides of the OnePlus 9 and iPhone 13 series that differ, the insides are different as can be as well. One of the more obvious points is that Apple uses its A15 Bionic chip across the entire range. Then there’s the operating system, with the new iPhone series running Apple’s latest iOS 15 with an available upgrade to iOS 15.1.

OnePlus, on the other hand, tapped the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 to keep the lights on in its latest flagships. Both the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro are currently running on Android 11 with Oxygen OS 11 on top, but the Android 12 rollout is underway. A few users could update to the latest software before bugs emerged, and OnePlus had to put the process on pause. The maker of Android’s so-called flagship killer is also happy to boast about its onboard RAM — you can take your pick between 8GB and 12GB. You can get either phone with up to 256GB of storage.

OnePlus is more forthcoming about its battery sizes and holds a considerable edge on charging speeds. Its 2021 duo offers a 4,500mAh battery on both models with 65W Warp Charge right out of the box. You can also try 50W wireless charging on the OnePlus 9 Pro or 15W speeds on the standard OnePlus 9.

Read next: OnePlus Warp Charge 65 review

Apple is just as happy not to tell you how much RAM the iPhone 13 family carries, and you won’t find a clear battery capacity, either. However, iOS is perfectly optimized to squeeze every last minute of juice from its smaller cells. You can give 15W MagSafe wireless charging a try or stick with standard Qi wireless charging at 7.5W speeds. The Pro models come with as much as 1TB of storage, while the iPhone 13 and 13 Mini can be had with up to 512GB of space.

Both families offer 5G support as well as Wi-Fi 6 when you’re connected to a home network. OnePlus went for the newer Bluetooth 5.2, while the iPhone series is rolling with Bluetooth 5.0.

As if the OnePlus 9 and iPhone 13 needed more ways to differ, it’s time to take a look at the cameras. Apple is doubling and tripling down on its 12MP lenses with great results. The iPhone 13 and 13 Mini pack a pair of lenses on the back, though they’ve moved to a diagonal configuration for the first time. You can push them to 2x optical zoom or 5x digital zoom, and both phones offer Deep Fusion and Night Mode.

Apple has perfected its 12MP shooters over the years, while OnePlus is hoping to maximize its megapixels.

The iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max bring a 12MP telephoto sensor into the mix, and they’ve always been the way to go for photography enthusiasts. You can achieve slightly better optical and digital zooms, and you’ll have to go for the Pro models if you want Apple ProRAW. Apple is also making a big deal about its latest video capacity, with HDR video powered by Dolby Vision at up to 60fps.

OnePlus wants nothing to do with 12MP lenses, instead partnering with Hasselblad to push the megapixels to their limits. The OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro feature a 48MP Sony sensor as their primary lens with a 50MP ultra-wide option for backup. The OnePlus 9 rounds out with a 2MP monochrome option, while the OnePlus 9 Pro puts an 8MP telephoto lens on top of it all. You can shoot up to 8K video at 30fps on both phones or try 4K at up to 60fps.


Price and colors

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Series 5
Luke Pollack / Android Authority
  • OnePlus 9: $729 / €719 / £629
  • OnePlus 9 Pro: $969 / €919 / £829
  • iPhone 13 Mini: $699 / €829 / £679
  • iPhone 13: $799 / €929 / £779
  • iPhone 13 Pro: $999 / €1,179 / £949
  • iPhone 13 Pro Max: $1,099 / €1,279 / £1,049

If you’re hoping to save yourself a little bit of money, it’s tough to top the iPhone 13 Mini. It starts at just $699, though you’ll get the smallest display and the smallest battery to match.

Apple’s other models keep the same pricing structure as last year, but there are a few new colors to choose from. If you want either of the smaller, more affordable devices, your options include pink, blue, Midnight, Starlight, and Product Red. The iPhone 13 Pro siblings come in gold, silver, Graphite, and Sierra Blue.

Save some money: The best iPhone deals

Either one of Apple’s premium devices is a sure-fire way to spend over $1,000 when all is said and done. The iPhone 13 Pro kicks off at $999, while the Pro Max adds another $100 to that price for the base model. If you need extra storage, you can bet that the price will skyrocket.

OnePlus also abandoned its flagship killer prices for the OnePlus 9 series. While the OnePlus 9 starts at $70 less than its iPhone rival, the OnePlus 9 Pro shatters the $1,000 barrier for the 256GB version. On the bright side, it’s still $30 more affordable than the 128GB iPhone 13 Pro Max.

As for color options, the OnePlus 9 comes in Morning Mist, Pine Green, and Stellar Black. The OnePlus 9 Pro switches things up with Winter Mist, Arctic Sky, and Astral Black options instead.

Apple iPhone 13 screen profile in hand
Apple iPhone 13
The vanilla model with all the basics.
The standard iPhone 13 features a similar camera array as last year's iPhone 12 but has some new design elements, such as a reduced notch.

Specs

OnePlus 9OnePlus 9 Pro
Display
OnePlus 9
6.55-inch flat AMOLED
20:9 aspect ratio
2,400 x 1,080 at 402ppi
120Hz refresh rate (static)
OnePlus 9 Pro
6.7-inch curved LTPO AMOLED
20.1:9 aspect ratio
3,216 x 1,440 at 525ppi
120Hz refresh rate (adaptive)
Processor
OnePlus 9
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
OnePlus 9 Pro
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
RAM
OnePlus 9
Min: 8GB LPDDR5
Max: 12GB LPDDR5
OnePlus 9 Pro
Min: 8GB LPDDR5
Max: 12GB LPDDR5
Storage
OnePlus 9
Min: 128GB UFS 3.1
Max: 256GB UFS 3.1
No external storage support
OnePlus 9 Pro
Min: 128GB UFS 3.1
Max: 256GB UFS 3.1
No external storage support
Power
OnePlus 9
4,500mAh battery

Warp Charge 65T
65W charger in box

15W Qi-compatible wireless charging
(Wireless only in NA/Europe)
OnePlus 9 Pro
4,500mAh battery

Warp Charge 65T
65W charger in box

Warp Charge 50 Wireless
10V/6.5A, 20V/3.25A
Output: 50W (with prop. charging stand)
Ports
OnePlus 9
USB-C 3.1 Gen 1
No 3.5mm headphone jack
No microSD card slot
OnePlus 9 Pro
USB-C 3.1 Gen 1
No 3.5mm headphone jack
No microSD card slot
Connectivity
OnePlus 9
5G support
Wi-Fi 6 support
2x2 MIMO
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax
NFC support
Bluetooth 5.2
OnePlus 9 Pro
5G support
Wi-Fi 6 support
2x2 MIMO
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax
NFC support
Bluetooth 5.2
Cameras
OnePlus 9
Rear:
1) 48MP main (Sony IMX689)
1/1.43-inch sensor
1.12μm/46MP or 2.24μm/12MP
ƒ/1.8, EIS

2) 50MP ultra-wide (Sony IMX766)
1/1.56-inch sensor
ƒ/2.2

3) 2MP monochrome

Front:
- 16MP single (Sony IMX471)
1.0μm with EIS
ƒ/2.4, fixed focus
OnePlus 9 Pro
Rear:
1) 48MP main (Sony IMX789)
1/1.43-inch sensor
1.12μm/46MP or 2.24μm/12MP
ƒ/1.8, EIS, OIS

2) 50MP ultra-wide (Sony IMX766)
1/1.56-inch sensor
ƒ/2.2

3) 8MP telephoto
1.0μm, ƒ/2.4

4) 2MP monochrome

Front:
- 16MP single (Sony IMX471)
1.0μm with EIS
ƒ/2.4, fixed focus
Video
OnePlus 9
8K at 30fps
4K at 30 or 60fps
Super slo-mo at 720p/480fps or 1080p/240fps
Time lapse at 1080p/30fps or 4k/30fps

OnePlus 9 Pro
8K at 30fps
4K at 30, 60, or 120fps
Super slo-mo at 720p/480fps or 1080p/240fps
Time lapse at 1080p/30fps or 4k/30fps
Audio
OnePlus 9
Bluetooth 5.2
aptX, aptX HD, LDAC, AAC
Dual stereo speakers
Dolby Atmos
OnePlus 9 Pro
Bluetooth 5.2
aptX, aptX HD, LDAC, AAC
Dual stereo speakers
Dolby Atmos
Security
OnePlus 9
No IP rating against water/dust
In-display fingerprint sensor
Face unlock (insecure)
OnePlus 9 Pro
IP68-rated
In-display fingerprint sensor
Face unlock (insecure)
Software
OnePlus 9
Android 11
Oxygen OS 11
OnePlus 9 Pro
Android 11
Oxygen OS 11
Dimensions and weight
OnePlus 9
NA/Europe:
160 x 74.2 x 8.7mm
192g

India/China:
160 x 73.9 x 8.1mm
183g
OnePlus 9 Pro
Global:
163.2 x 73.6 x 8.7mm
197g
Colors
OnePlus 9
Winter Mist, Arctic Sky, Astral
Black
OnePlus 9 Pro
Morning Mist, Pine Green, Stellar
Black
iPhone 13 MiniiPhone 13
Display
iPhone 13 Mini
5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED
2,340 x 1,080 resolution
HDR, True Tone
Wide color (P3)
2,000,000:1 contrast ratio
800 nits max brightness (typical); 1,200 nits max brightness (HDR)
Ceramic Shield front
iPhone 13
6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED
2,532 x 1,170 resolution
HDR, True Tone
Wide color (P3)
2,000,000:1 contrast ratio
800 nits max brightness (typical); 1,200 nits max brightness (HDR)
Ceramic Shield front
Processor
iPhone 13 Mini
Apple A15 Bionic
iPhone 13
Apple A15 Bionic
Storage
iPhone 13 Mini
128 / 256 / 512GB
iPhone 13
128 / 256 / 512GB
Battery
iPhone 13 Mini
Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W
Up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher (sold separately)

MagSafe:
Wireless charging up to 15W
Magnet array
Alignment magnet
Accessory Identification NFC
Magnetometer
iPhone 13
Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W
Up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher (sold separately)

MagSafe:
Wireless charging up to 15W
Magnet array
Alignment magnet
Accessory Identification NFC
Magnetometer
Cameras
iPhone 13 Mini
Rear:
-Wide-angle 12MP, ƒ/1.6, OIS, 7-element lens
-Ultra-wide 12MP, ƒ/2.4, 120° field of view, 5-element lens, lens correction

2x optical zoom out, digital zoom up to 5x, Night Mode, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3

Video:
HDR video with Dolby Vision up to 30fps
4K video at 24fps, 30fps, or 60fps
1080p HD video at 30fps or 60fps
720p HD video at 30fps
OIS for video (Wide)
2x optical zoom out, digital zoom up to 3x

Front:
-TrueDepth 12MP, ƒ/2.2

Night Mode, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3
iPhone 13
Rear:
-Wide-angle 12MP, ƒ/1.6, OIS, 7-element lens
-Ultra-wide 12MP, ƒ/2.4, 120° field of view, 5-element lens, lens correction

2x optical zoom out, digital zoom up to 5x, Night Mode, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3

Video:
HDR video with Dolby Vision up to 30fps
4K video at 24fps, 30fps, or 60fps
1080p HD video at 30fps or 60fps
720p HD video at 30fps
OIS for video (Wide)
2x optical zoom out, digital zoom up to 3x

Front:
-TrueDepth 12MP, ƒ/2.2

Night Mode, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3
Connectivity
iPhone 13 Mini
5G (sub‑6GHz and mmWave)
Gigabit LTE with 4x4 MIMO and LAA
Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO
Bluetooth 5
Ultra Wideband chip for spatial awareness
NFC
Express Cards with power reserve
GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou
Digital compass
Wi‑Fi
Cellular
iBeacon microlocation
iPhone 13
5G (sub‑6GHz and mmWave)
Gigabit LTE with 4x4 MIMO and LAA
Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO
Bluetooth 5
Ultra Wideband chip for spatial awareness
NFC
Express Cards with power reserve
GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou
Digital compass
Wi‑Fi
Cellular
iBeacon microlocation
Sensors
iPhone 13 Mini
Face ID
Barometer
Three‑axis gyro
Accelerometer
Proximity sensor
Ambient light sensor
iPhone 13
Face ID
Barometer
Three‑axis gyro
Accelerometer
Proximity sensor
Ambient light sensor
Software
iPhone 13 Mini
iOS 15
iPhone 13
iOS 15
Durability
iPhone 13 Mini
IP68
iPhone 13
IP68
Dimensions and weight
iPhone 13 Mini
131.5 x 64.2 x 7.65mm
141g
iPhone 13
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65mm
174g
Colors
iPhone 13 Mini
Pink, Blue, Midnight, Starlight, and Product Red
iPhone 13
Pink, Blue, Midnight, Starlight, and Product Red
In the box
iPhone 13 Mini
iPhone
USB‑C to Lightning cable
Documentation
iPhone 13
iPhone
USB‑C to Lightning cable
Documentation
iPhone 13 ProiPhone 13 Pro Max
Display
iPhone 13 Pro
6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED
2,532 x 1,170 resolution
ProMotion 120Hz
HDR, True Tone
Wide color (P3)
2,000,000:1 contrast ratio
1,000 nits max brightness (typical); 1200 nits max brightness (HDR)
Ceramic Shield front
iPhone 13 Pro Max
6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED
2,778 x 1,284 resolution
ProMotion 120Hz
HDR, True Tone
Wide color (P3)
2,000,000:1 contrast ratio
1,000 nits max brightness (typical); 1200 nits max brightness (HDR)
Ceramic Shield front
Processor
iPhone 13 Pro
Apple A15 Bionic
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Apple A15 Bionic
Storage
iPhone 13 Pro
128 / 256 / 512GB and 1TB
iPhone 13 Pro Max
128 / 256 / 512GB and 1TB
Battery
iPhone 13 Pro
Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W
Up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher (sold separately)

MagSafe:
Wireless charging up to 15W
Magnet array
Alignment magnet
Accessory Identification NFC
Magnetometer
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W
Up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher (sold separately)

MagSafe:
Wireless charging up to 15W
Magnet array
Alignment magnet
Accessory Identification NFC
Magnetometer
Cameras
iPhone 13 Pro
Rear:
-Wide-angle 12MP, ƒ/1.5, dual OIS, 7-element lens, 100% Focus Pixels, Night Mode
-Ultra-wide 12MP, ƒ/1.8, 120° field of view, 5-element lens, lens correction, Night Mode
-Telephoto 12MP, ƒ/2.8, dual OIS, 6-element lens

3x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out, 6x optical zoom range, digital zoom up to 15x, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3, Apple ProRAW

Video:
HDR video with Dolby Vision up to 60fps
4K video at 24fps, 30fps, or 60fps
1080p HD video at 30fps or 60fps
720p HD video at 30fps
OIS for video (Wide)
3x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 6x optical zoom range, digital zoom up to 9x

Front:
-TrueDepth 12MP, ƒ/2.2

Night Mode, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Rear:
-Wide-angle 12MP, ƒ/1.5, dual OIS, 7-element lens, 100% Focus Pixels, Night Mode
-Ultra-wide 12MP, ƒ/1.8, 120° field of view, 5-element lens, lens correction, Night Mode
-Telephoto 12MP, ƒ/2.8, dual OIS, 6-element lens

3x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out, 6x optical zoom range, digital zoom up to 15x, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3, Apple ProRAW

Video:
HDR video with Dolby Vision up to 60fps
4K video at 24fps, 30fps, or 60fps
1080p HD video at 30fps or 60fps
720p HD video at 30fps
OIS for video (Wide)
3x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 6x optical zoom range, digital zoom up to 9x

Front:
-TrueDepth 12MP, ƒ/2.2

Night Mode, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3
Connectivity
iPhone 13 Pro
5G (sub‑6GHz and mmWave)
Gigabit LTE with 4x4 MIMO and LAA
Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO
Bluetooth 5
Ultra Wideband chip for spatial awareness
NFC
Express Cards with power reserve
GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou
Digital compass
Wi‑Fi
Cellular
iBeacon microlocation
iPhone 13 Pro Max
5G (sub‑6GHz and mmWave)
Gigabit LTE with 4x4 MIMO and LAA
Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO
Bluetooth 5
Ultra Wideband chip for spatial awareness
NFC
Express Cards with power reserve
GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou
Digital compass
Wi‑Fi
Cellular
iBeacon microlocation
Sensors
iPhone 13 Pro
Face ID
LiDAR Scanner
Barometer
Three‑axis gyro
Accelerometer
Proximity sensor
Ambient light sensor
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Face ID
LiDAR Scanner
Barometer
Three‑axis gyro
Accelerometer
Proximity sensor
Ambient light sensor
Software
iPhone 13 Pro
iOS 15
iPhone 13 Pro Max
iOS 15
Durability
iPhone 13 Pro
IP68
iPhone 13 Pro Max
IP68
Dimensions and weight
iPhone 13 Pro
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65mm
204g
iPhone 13 Pro Max
160.8 x 78.1 x 7.65mm
240g
Colors
iPhone 13 Pro
Graphite, Gold, Silver, and Sierra Blue
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Graphite, Gold, Silver, and Sierra Blue
In the box
iPhone 13 Pro
iPhone
USB‑C to Lightning cable
Documentation
iPhone 13 Pro Max
iPhone
USB‑C to Lightning cable
Documentation

OnePlus 9 vs iPhone 13: Which should you buy?

OnePlus 9 Pro Rear
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

For many people, which brand to go with will come down to the operating system. However, that’s only a part of the story since there are other differences between the phones. Even though features and performance between the two series are generally similar, each one offers its own twists.

You get Face ID with the new iPhones, and the Pro models come with as much as 1TB of storage for those who need it. Then there’s the size, with Apple offering the smallest device with the iPhone 13 Mini, which is the best option for those looking for a compact device. And let’s not forget that Apple is known for offering software updates for years longer than most Android OEMs, so that could swing your vote.

See also: Which OnePlus 9 phone is right for you?

On the other hand, you get faster charging with OnePlus devices, and the Pro model comes with a curved display that adds a bit of character to the handset. The design of the phones feels a bit more modern due to the smaller display cutout. You also get a camera system with more megapixels, a higher resolution display on the Pro model, and more.

If you’re leaning towards OnePlus, you can also check out the newly released OnePlus 10 Pro. It packs an updated Hasselblad camera system as well as the same large, sharp display you’ve come to expect.

Pricing is almost identical in the US, depending on your storage preference, although the OnePlus 9 series is more affordable throughout Europe.

So, to sum up, which phone to go with comes down to the operating system as well as the bells and whistles you value more. We prefer the OnePlus 9 series here at Android Authority for obvious reasons, although no one can deny the fact that Apple makes great phones as well.


That’s it for our OnePlus 9 vs iPhone 13 comparison! Which one are you considering?

Are you considering the iPhone 13 or the OnePlus 9 for your next device?

582 votes