OnePlus 15R vs OnePlus 13s: Which one should you pick?

OnePlus has always loved a good (intentional or unintentional) internal rivalry. This year, it’s playing out between the freshly launched OnePlus 15R and the still-very-relevant OnePlus 13s. On paper, the 15R is positioned as the “lite” sibling to the OnePlus 15. In reality, at Rs 47,999, it wanders dangerously close to the territory occupied by the 13s, a phone that quietly ticks a lot of premium boxes, priced at Rs 54,999.

These two phones may share the OnePlus DNA, but they’re chasing very different users. One is built for long gaming sessions and brute endurance. The other is a compact, refined all-rounder with a flagship-grade camera trick up its sleeve. Let’s break it all down in our OnePlus 15R vs OnePlus 13s specifications comparison.

OnePlus 15R vs OnePlus 13s: Build and design

OnePlus has clearly settled on a visual design language it likes. Both phones wear the familiar boxy camera module and aluminium frame, and both look unmistakably OnePlus at first glance. As for colour options, the OnePlus 15R leans bolder with Charcoal Black, Mint Breeze, and Electric Violet. The OnePlus 13s takes a softer, more premium route with Black Velvet, Pink Satin, and Green Silk.

ALSO READ: OnePlus 15R review

The real difference is in hand feel. At 185g, the OnePlus 13s feels refreshingly light and genuinely pocketable. The 15R, at 219g, makes its presence known, but that weight buys you something tangible. With IP68, IP69, and IP69K ratings, the 15R is built like a tank. So, if durability is your primary concern, the OnePlus 15R has a leg up. If you’re looking for a compact, premium design, the 13s may be more up your alley.

OnePlus 15R vs OnePlus 13s: Display

The OnePlus 13s is built around a 6.32-inch LTPO AMOLED panel, and it’s a beauty. The 1.5K resolution, 10-bit colour, 120Hz refresh rate, and Dolby Vision support make it ideal for those who care about screen quality more than screen size. At up to 1,600 nits in high brightness mode, it’s also comfortably usable outdoors.

The OnePlus 15R goes big, literally. Its 6.83-inch AMOLED panel is designed for immersion, whether that’s gaming or binge-watching. You get 10-bit colour, HDR10+ support, and up to 1,800 nits of brightness. What you lose is LTPO tech and Dolby Vision. The result is a display that’s bold and bright, but a little less refined.

OnePlus 15R vs OnePlus 13s: Performance and software

Under the hood, this is a surprisingly nuanced matchup. The OnePlus 15R runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, sitting just below the top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. The OnePlus 13s uses last year’s Snapdragon 8 Elite, which still has serious muscle.

Both phones come with 12GB of RAM, but storage is where the 15R edges ahead, offering up to 512GB of faster UFS 4.1 storage compared to UFS 4.0 on the 13s. In everyday use, that translates to snappier app launches and faster file handling.

Software tells a similar story. The OnePlus 13s ships with OxygenOS 15 based on Android 15, while the 15R arrives with OxygenOS 16 on Android 16 straight out of the box. Neither phone feels dated or slow, but they excel in different ways. The OnePlus 13s has more raw processing grunt. The OnePlus 15R feels newer and faster when it comes to data transfers and app opening speed.

OnePlus 15R vs OnePlus 13s: Cameras

This round is much easier to call. Both phones share a 50MP primary camera with an f/1.8 aperture, and both deliver dependable results. The difference is in what comes next.

The OnePlus 13s adds a 50MP telephoto lens, which instantly makes it the more versatile camera phone. It’s sharper, more flexible, and far more useful than the 8MP ultrawide found on the 15R. For portraits, zoom shots, and everyday photography, the OnePlus 13s has the edge.

ALSO READ: OnePlus 13s review

Video shooters might lean toward the OnePlus 15R, which supports 4K at 120fps, compared to the 13s’ 4K at 60fps cap. Both phones also have capable 32MP selfie cameras with 4K recording, so there’s no compromise up front.

OnePlus 15R vs OnePlus 13s: Battery life

If the camera section belonged to the OnePlus 13s, battery life is firmly the OnePlus 15R’s domain. A massive 7,400mAh battery paired with 80W fast charging makes the 15R a stamina monster. This is a phone designed to last, even under heavy gaming or long screen-on times.

The OnePlus 13s, with its 5,850mAh battery and the same 80W charging, is no slouch, but it simply can’t match the sheer longevity of the 15R. If battery anxiety is a dealbreaker for you, the decision is already made.

OnePlus 15R vs OnePlus 13s: Which OnePlus should you buy?

Choose the OnePlus 15R if your priorities are gaming, battery life, and durability. It’s the phone for people who want to push their device hard without worrying about charging schedules. The faster storage, newer software, and massive battery make it feel future-ready in a very practical way.

Pick the OnePlus 13s if you value balance. Its compact size, lighter build, superior camera setup, and more refined display make it the better everyday flagship. It’s the phone you’ll enjoy holding, shooting with, and living with long after the novelty of raw specs fades.

In short, the 15R is a powerhouse built to endure. The 13s is a flagship designed to be enjoyed. Which one is your pick? Drop a comment to let us know.