Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs OnePlus 13
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (#3) vs OnePlus 13 (#4): in our Camera Phones scoring the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra totals 9.2/10 and the OnePlus 13 8.7/10, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leading on Zoom Range and AI Features. At $1,030 versus $775, the OnePlus 13 costs $255 less.
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TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | OnePlus 13 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1030 | $775 |
| Display | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3120x1440, 120Hz | 6.82" LTPO AMOLED, 3168x1440, 120Hz, 4500 nits |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| RAM | 12GB/16GB | 12GB/16GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 256GB-1TB | 256GB/512GB UFS 4.0 |
| Battery | 5,000mAh, 60W wired, 25W wireless | 6,000mAh, 80W wired, 50W wireless |
| Camera | 200MP f/1.4 main + 50MP ultrawide + 50MP 5x + 10MP 3x telephoto | 50MP Sony LYT-808 main + 50MP ultrawide + 50MP 3x triprism telephoto |
How they differ in real use
Built from our best camera phones scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the OnePlus 13 made our Top 5 Camera Phones, at #3 and #4. The S26 Ultra's 200MP main sensor gains a wider f/1.4 aperture that gathers 47% more light, and Tom's Guide found low-light photos and video noticeably improved over the S25 Ultra. Dual telephotos (5x + 3x), 100x Space Zoom, 8K video, and new Horizon Lock stabilization make it the most versatile kit here — only the Pixel's stills processing keeps it from second. Hasselblad-tuned triple 50MP system with Sony LYT-808 1/1.4" main sensor delivers natural colors and excellent low-light performance, plus 4K Dolby Vision video on all cameras. It stays in this list over the newer OnePlus 15, which dropped Hasselblad tuning and moved to smaller sensors — reviewers found no generational camera improvement.
We score camera phones on Photo Quality (30%), Video Quality (25%), Zoom Range (20%), Low Light (15%) and AI Features (10%). On that basis the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra totals 9.2 out of 10 and the OnePlus 13 8.7. The widest gap is Zoom Range, where the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 10 against 8 for the OnePlus 13 — telephoto. AI Features also separates them: 9 for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra versus 8 for the OnePlus 13.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Display — 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3120x1440, 120Hz on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra versus 6.82" LTPO AMOLED, 3168x1440, 120Hz, 4500 nits on the OnePlus 13; Processor — Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra versus Snapdragon 8 Elite on the OnePlus 13; RAM — 12GB/16GB on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra versus 12GB/16GB LPDDR5X on the OnePlus 13; Storage — 256GB-1TB on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra versus 256GB/512GB UFS 4.0 on the OnePlus 13; Battery — 5,000mAh, 60W wired, 25W wireless on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra versus 6,000mAh, 80W wired, 50W wireless on the OnePlus 13; Camera — 200MP f/1.4 main + 50MP ultrawide + 50MP 5x + 10MP 3x telephoto on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra versus 50MP Sony LYT-808 main + 50MP ultrawide + 50MP 3x triprism telephoto on the OnePlus 13.
Pricing as of July 18, 2026: $1,030 for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and $775 for the OnePlus 13, a $255 difference in the OnePlus 13's favor. Owners praise the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra for 200MP main camera now f/1.4 — 47% more light for low-light shots and privacy Display blocks side-angle viewing, first on any phone; the most common complaint is $1,299 list price with pricier storage upgrades. Owners praise the OnePlus 13 for hasselblad color science on all cameras and sony LYT-808 1/1.4" main sensor; the most common complaint is 3x zoom modest vs 5x competitors.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 200MP main camera now f/1.4 — 47% more light for low-light shots
- Privacy Display blocks side-angle viewing, first on any phone
- Built-in S Pen and DeX desktop mode
- 60W wired charging up from 45W
- $1,299 list price with pricier storage upgrades
- Still 5,000mAh — no silicon-carbon battery like OnePlus and OPPO
- Large camera bump
OnePlus 13
- Hasselblad color science on all cameras
- Sony LYT-808 1/1.4" main sensor
- 4K Dolby Vision video on all cameras
- 6,000mAh battery with 80W charging
- 3x zoom modest vs 5x competitors
- Color saturation inconsistency in low light
- Large 6.82" size not for everyone
Which should you buy?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the better fit for content creators and zoom photography — it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Zoom Range and AI Features. The OnePlus 13 is the better fit for hasselblad color enthusiasts and all-around photography. If the $255 saving matters more than Zoom Range, the OnePlus 13 is the better value. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a poor fit for compact phone seekers; the OnePlus 13 is a poor fit for extreme zoom needs (5x+ optical).
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra if
- Content creators
- Zoom photography
- S Pen note-takers
Skip it if
- Compact phone seekers
- Clean Android preference
Choose the OnePlus 13 if
- Hasselblad color enthusiasts
- All-around photography
- 4K Dolby Vision video creators
Skip it if
- Extreme zoom needs (5x+ optical)
- Compact phone preference
Common questions
Is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better than the OnePlus 13?
In our Camera Phones ranking the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores higher overall, 9.2 to 8.7, with the biggest advantage in Zoom Range. The OnePlus 13 does not out-score it on any criterion we weigh.
How much more does the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra cost than the OnePlus 13?
$255 more as of July 18, 2026: $1,030 for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra against $775 for the OnePlus 13. Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure. What the extra buys is mostly Zoom Range — 10 versus 8 in our scoring.
What is the main difference between the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the OnePlus 13?
The headline spec difference is Display: 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3120x1440, 120Hz on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra versus 6.82" LTPO AMOLED, 3168x1440, 120Hz, 4500 nits on the OnePlus 13. In use, the gap that matters most is Zoom Range (10 vs 8 in our scoring): telephoto.