Xiaomi 15 vs Oneplus 13: Is Oneplus 13 Worth the Extra Cost?

The smartphone market in 2025 has already witnessed some significant leaps in just a few months. From next-gen AI features to professional-grade camera setups, flagship phones are evolving faster than ever. Among the standout launches so far, the Xiaomi 15 vs the OnePlus 13 have grabbed a lot of attention for packing top-tier hardware and refined designs. Both devices cater to users looking for a balance between performance and photography, making them strong contenders in the premium category. But when it comes down to everyday use, future-proofing, and overall value—does the OnePlus 13 justify its higher price over the Xiaomi 15? Let’s find out.

OnePlus 13 vs Xiaomi 15: Design and Build Quality

When it comes to design, both the OnePlus 13 and Xiaomi 15 bring a premium feel but with slightly different approaches. The OnePlus 13 gives users two rear panel options—glass and faux leather—allowing for a touch of personalization based on taste and grip preference. It’s a bit bulkier at 8.9mm thickness and weighs around 213 grams, which might feel hefty for some users. In contrast, the Xiaomi 15 opts for a sleeker(8.5mm) and lighter glass build, offering better comfort during extended use.

Both phones are built to endure, with the OnePlus 13 boasting IP68 and IP69 ratings, making it more water and dust-resistant than the Xiaomi 15, which carries just the IP68 certification. While the OnePlus 13 leans toward a bold and rugged look, the Xiaomi 15 feels more refined and minimalist. In the end, it really comes down to whether you prefer a chunkier, more durable phone or a lighter, more elegant design.

Display Comparison: Size, Quality, and Features

When it comes to the display, both the OnePlus 13 and Xiaomi 15 offer impressive visuals, but they cater to slightly different user preferences. The OnePlus 13 features a large 6.82-inch ProXDR AMOLED panel with LTPO 1.4 technology, offering smoother adaptive refresh rates and improved power efficiency. Meanwhile, the Xiaomi 15 sticks with a more compact 6.36-inch CrystalRes AMOLED display, making it more pocket-friendly and easier to handle in one-handed.

In terms of peak brightness, the OnePlus 13 stands out with an impressive 4,500 nits, according to specifications from OnePlus. The Xiaomi 15 follows with a peak brightness of 3,200 nits. However, during HDR video playback, the display of the Xiaomi 15 demonstrates superior brightness compared to that of the OnePlus 13. Additionally, the Xiaomi 15 offers better brightness for outdoor viewing, resulting in a more favorable display experience overall.

Both devices support a 120Hz refresh rate and come equipped with HDR format support, such as Dolby Vision and HDR10+. The OnePlus 13 utilizes an LTPO 1.4 panel, which provides better efficiency, while the Xiaomi 15 employs a standard LTPO panel which is less energy efficient than LTPO 1.4 panel. Furthermore, the OnePlus 13 incorporates the Android Ultra HDR standard, which enhances HDR photos by boosting the brightness of highlights.

The Xiaomi 15 features wet touch technology, which enhances screen responsiveness even in rainy conditions or when your fingers are damp. Overall, while the OnePlus 13 display is more energy-efficient and provides sharper visuals, the Xiaomi 15 boasts a brighter and more vibrant display in a more compact design for Xiaomi 15 vs Oneplus 13.

Camera Comparison: Lenses, Zoom, and Selfies

Cameras are a big talking point in 2025, and both the OnePlus 13 and Xiaomi 15 bring some serious hardware to the table. The OnePlus 13 features a triple 50MP setup, with Sony sensors taking center stage. You get the LYT-808 as the main sensor, a LYT-600 for telephoto shots, and Samsung’s ISOCELL JN5 for ultra-wide shots. This combination delivers sharp, color-accurate images and supports up to 120x digital zoom—ideal for distant subjects, though clarity dips beyond moderate zoom levels.

On the flip side, Xiaomi partners with Leica to bring a distinctive photography experience. The Xiaomi 15 also sports a triple 50MP setup, featuring the Light Fusion 900 sensor as the main shooter, backed by a 50MP Samsung’s ISOCELL JN5 telephoto lens and a 50MP Samsung JN1 sensor for ultra-wide camera. The collaboration with Leica adds a unique tone to portraits and street shots, with richer contrasts and a more cinematic feel.

Both phones come equipped with a 32MP front camera for selfies. The OnePlus 13 uses a Sony sensor and supports Dolby Vision for video recording, while the Xiaomi 15 features the Omnivision OV32B sensor and includes HDR and HDR10+ capabilities to enhance dynamic range.

In practical use, the OnePlus 13 excels in sharpness and consistency across all lenses, along with low-light conditions, although its selfie camera is not as strong as that of the Xiaomi 15. On the other hand, the Xiaomi 15 performs well with its main, telephoto, and selfie cameras, but its ultrawide camera falls short when compared to the OnePlus 13’s ultrawide camera performance.

Performance Showdown: Processor, RAM, and Storage

Under the hood, both the OnePlus 13 and Xiaomi 15 are powered by the same flagship chipset— Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite, ensuring top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps. However, where the OnePlus 13 pulls ahead is in the RAM and storage department. It offers configurations up to a whopping 24GB of RAM and 1TB of internal storage, making it ideal for power users and mobile gamers who need that extra headroom.

The Xiaomi 15 is available in a single variant: 12GB of RAM with 512GB of storage. While this is sufficient for most users, those who engage in heavy multitasking might find a difference during intensive workloads. In everyday use, both phones perform well, handling app launches, animations, and transitions smoothly. However, the OnePlus 13 has slightly better benchmark scores and quicker app switching under load, giving it an edge for performance enthusiasts. On the other hand, the Xiaomi 15 experiences less thermal throttling due to its superior heat management.

In conclusion, when comparing the prices of the 512GB versions of both phones, the Xiaomi 15 is nearly ₹12,000 less expensive than the OnePlus 13. Despite having 4GB less RAM and a less impressive ultra-wide camera, the Xiaomi 15 offers significantly better value for money.

Software Experience: OxygenOS vs. HyperOS

Both devices run on Android 15 at their core, but the software experience feels quite different, thanks to their custom skins. The OnePlus 13 runs OxygenOS 15, which is known for its clean interface, minimal bloat, and smooth animations. It’s responsive, fluid, and leans closer to color OS.

Xiaomi 15 runs on HyperOS 2.0, which is a more feature-packed, visually rich experience. While it adds a ton of tools and settings for power users, it may feel slightly heavier and come with more pre-installed apps compared to OxygenOS. That said, both brands promise 4 years of major Android updates, ensuring long-term value.

If you prefer a lightweight, clutter-free experience, OxygenOS might be more up your alley. But if you enjoy deep customization and additional features out of the box, HyperOS won’t disappoint.

Battery Life and Charging

While both the OnePlus 13 and Xiaomi 15 deliver strong performance, battery life is where they continue to impress. The OnePlus 13 houses a 6000mAh battery, offering extended screen-on time even during heavy use. Xiaomi 15 comes with a slightly smaller 5240mAh battery, which still performs well but may need a top-up sooner with intense usage.

When it comes to Xiaomi 15 vs Oneplus 13 concerning charging, OnePlus clearly takes the lead with its blazing-fast 100W wired charging while also supporting wireless charging. The Xiaomi 15 supports 90W wired charging, which is still very fast but just a notch below. Both brands also include smart charging and battery health management features that help maintain battery longevity over time. In real-world use, the OnePlus 13 tends to last longer on a single charge, and tops up quicker—perfect for users always on the go.

Audio, Connectivity, and Extra Features

In the audio department, both smartphones feature stereo speakers, delivering loud and clear sound that’s great for media use and gaming. However, only the Xiaomi 15 offers Dolby Atmos support, which adds a more immersive and spatial audio experience. The OnePlus 13, while lacking Dolby Atmos, still produces high-quality sound with good clarity and decent bass.

Connectivity-wise, both phones are future-ready, featuring 5G support, Wi-Fi 7, and the latest Bluetooth versions, ensuring fast data transfer, smooth streaming, and low-latency performance.

As for haptics, the Xiaomi 15 offers a more refined vibration motor, providing tight and accurate feedback—especially noticeable while typing or navigating. OnePlus’s haptics are excellent but not as polished as Xiaomi’s Haptics. Both phones also come with in-display fingerprint scanners and face unlock, which are fast and reliable, along with all the usual sensors you’d expect from a premium flagship.

Overall, the OnePlus 13 has a slight edge in audio quality, while the Xiaomi 15 provides a more sophisticated haptic experience.

Pricing and Value for Money

When comparing pricing, the OnePlus 13 starts at ₹69,999 for the 12GB + 256GB variant, while the Xiaomi 15 is priced slightly lower at ₹64,999—but with double the storage at 512GB. On paper, Xiaomi clearly delivers more internal storage for less money, making it an attractive option for users who store a lot of media or rely on offline files.

The OnePlus 13 features an advanced LTPO 1.4 display, quicker charging, more RAM options, and improved water resistance. However, we still believe the Xiaomi 15 offers much better value at ₹64,999. If you don’t care much about the ultra-wide camera or the slightly better speakers of the OnePlus 13 and want a smaller phone with a brighter display, we recommend the Xiaomi 15.

For camera enthusiasts, the Leica-tuned setup on the Xiaomi 15 may offer a more appealing artistic output. In contrast, gamers and multitaskers might prefer the OnePlus 13 due to its higher RAM. However, it’s important to note that the OnePlus 13 has poorer thermal performance than the Xiaomi 15. If thermal throttling concerns you, the Xiaomi 15 is again a better choice.

Conclusion: Which Flagship Is Worth the Hype?

The OnePlus 13 and Xiaomi 15 both offer impressive features, but they cater to different priorities. The OnePlus 13 is notable for its larger battery, faster charging, superior ultra-wide camera, slightly better speakers, and smoother user interface. It’s designed for users who prefer a larger phone. However, its selfie camera and haptic feedback are not as good as those found on the Xiaomi 15. Additionally, the Xiaomi 15 boasts a brighter and more vibrant display.

The Xiaomi 15 is slimmer and lighter, boasting impressive camera capabilities backed by Leica, all while offering a more competitive price—particularly for its generous 512GB of storage. Additionally, it features a superior selfie camera and is more convenient to handle due to its smaller size. However, its speakers are somewhat inferior compared to those of the OnePlus 13, and its ultra-wide camera does not match the quality of the OnePlus 13.

So, Xiaomi 15 vs Oneplus 13: is the OnePlus 13 worth the extra ₹5,000? If you prioritize a bigger battery, slightly better speakers, a larger phone, and a better ultra-wide camera, then yes, it justifies the premium. However, if you prefer a smaller flagship with strong photography capabilities with Leica modes and more storage for a lower price, and if ultra-wide camera performance isn’t a concern for you, then the Xiaomi 15 might be the smarter choice. Ultimately, it all comes down to what features you value most in a smartphone.