iPhone 16e vs OnePlus 13R: Apple and OnePlus have both launched impressive devices in 2025, with the iPhone 16e and OnePlus 13R making waves in the mid-premium smartphone market. While Apple brings its signature ecosystem and optimized performance, OnePlus offers powerful hardware at a competitive price. But which one is the better choice for you? Let’s compare both smartphones and see which one stands out.
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Design and Build Quality
The iPhone 16e retains Apple’s minimalist and premium design, featuring an aluminum frame and glass back. It looks sleek, feels sturdy, and offers IP68 water and dust resistance. However, it lacks major design upgrades from previous iPhones.
OnePlus 13R sports a glass and metal build with a curved display, making it feel more premium. It also has an IP64 rating, meaning it’s resistant to dust and splashes but not fully waterproof like the iPhone 16e.
Display – OLED vs AMOLED
Apple has equipped the iPhone 16e with a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display featuring a 60Hz refresh rate. The display is bright and color-accurate, making it great for media consumption. However, the 60Hz refresh rate might feel outdated compared to modern standards.
OnePlus 13R boasts a 6.7-inch AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, providing a smoother scrolling and gaming experience. It also has HDR10+ support, making it an excellent option for streaming content.
Performance – A18 Chip vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
The iPhone 16e runs on Apple’s A18 chip, built for efficiency and speed. It delivers seamless multitasking, power-efficient battery consumption, and long-term iOS support. OnePlus 13R, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, is no slouch either. It offers flagship-level performance, excelling in gaming and high-end tasks. However, Apple’s software optimization ensures that even with lower RAM, the iPhone 16e keeps up in real-world performance.
Cameras – Which One Shoots Better?
The iPhone 16e sports a single 48MP camera, delivering excellent image processing and night photography. However, it lacks an ultra-wide or telephoto lens, which may limit photography enthusiasts.
OnePlus 13R features a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro camera, giving users more flexibility. While OnePlus offers more versatility, Apple’s computational photography and image processing give the iPhone 16e an edge in overall camera quality.
Battery and Charging – Who Lasts Longer?
- iPhone 16e packs a 3,200mAh battery with wired and MagSafe charging support. Apple’s efficiency ensures all-day usage despite the smaller battery size.
- OnePlus 13R houses a massive 5,500mAh battery with 100W fast charging, making it the better option for power users who need rapid recharges.
Software and Updates
The iPhone 16e runs iOS 18, guaranteeing five years of software updates, ensuring long-term security and optimization. OnePlus 13R ships with OxygenOS 14 based on Android 14 and promises four years of major updates, which is great but slightly behind Apple’s support.
Price and Verdict – Which One Should You Buy?
The iPhone 16e starts at ₹59,900, whereas the OnePlus 13R comes in at ₹44,999, making the OnePlus significantly cheaper. If you’re deep into Apple’s ecosystem and prioritize long-term software updates, go for the iPhone 16e. However, if you want better hardware, a high refresh rate display, and faster charging at a lower price, the OnePlus 13R is the smarter choice. Ultimately, both phones cater to different audiences. Choose the iPhone 16e for Apple’s reliability or the OnePlus 13R for top-tier specs at a more affordable price.