The battle for supremacy among flagship smartphones heated up with the recent launches of the OnePlus 13 and the Xiaomi 15. As of March 2025, both smartphones are vying for the attention of consumers looking for premium features without the premium price tag of competitors like the iPhone 16 Pro or the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
The OnePlus 13, released with a starting price of ₹69,999 for the 12GB + 256GB storage variant, offers impressive specifications that may compel potential buyers to consider it against the Xiaomi 15, which is priced at ₹64,999 for its 12GB + 512GB model. This creates a competitive market landscape where value for money becomes critical.
In terms of physical design, the OnePlus 13 sports two attractive finishes—glossy glass and a faux leather variant. It measures 8.5mm thick and weighs 213 grams, which is slightly bulkier than its competitor. On the contrary, the Xiaomi 15 provides a lightweight and slimmer profile at 8.4mm thick and weighs just 192 grams. Although both devices offer water and dust resistance ratings, the OnePlus 13 boasts a dual IP68 and IP69 rating, while the Xiaomi 15 features only an IP68 rating.
The display capabilities of both phones set them apart in the premium segment. The OnePlus 13 showcases an advanced 6.82-inch ProXDR AMOLED display, supporting an impressive peak brightness of 4500 nits and a 120Hz refresh rate. Additionally, it includes Dolby Vision and HDR 10+ capabilities. Conversely, the 6.36-inch CrytalRes AMOLED display of the Xiaomi 15, while also featuring 120Hz refresh rate, reaches a maximum peak brightness of 3200 nits, appealing to users interested in vibrant visual outputs.
Camera quality remains a pivotal factor influencing buyer choices. The OnePlus 13 is equipped with a triple rear camera arrangement comprising a 50MP Sony LYT-808 main sensor, a 50MP Sony LYT-600 telephoto sensor, and a 50MP Samsung ISOCELL JN5 ultra-wide sensor, allowing for a digital zoom of up to 120x. There’s also a capable 32MP Sony IMX615 selfie camera. On the other hand, the Xiaomi 15 features a 50MP Leica main camera with Xiaomi Light Fusion 900 technology, alongside a 50MP floating telephoto camera and a 50MP ultra-wide camera. Its selfie capabilities are characterized by a similar 32MP camera, but it additionally boasts HDR and HDR10+ support.
Performance-wise, both smartphones are formidable contenders, with each powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. The OnePlus 13 takes a lead in memory and storage, offering up to 24GB RAM and 1TB internal storage, ensuring smooth multitasking, while the Xiaomi 15’s highest variant caps at 12GB RAM and 512GB internal storage. The operating system experience is also noteworthy: OnePlus runs on OxygenOS 15 based on Android 15, while Xiaomi utilizes HyperOS 2.0, which is also Android 15-based. Both smartphones promise four years of OS upgrades, a significant draw for tech-savvy consumers.
The battery performance and charging options further influence decisions in this flagship arena. The OnePlus 13 stands out with a robust 6000mAh battery coupled with support for 100W wired charging, 50W wireless charging, and 10W reverse wireless charging. In comparison, the Xiaomi 15 packs a 5240mAh battery that supports 90W wired and 50W wireless charging, making it less powerful but still efficient.
To summarize, the OnePlus 13 comes at a starting price of ₹69,999 for the 12GB + 256GB variant, while the Xiaomi 15 is available at ₹64,999 for the 12GB + 512GB model. The decision between these two heavyweights will ultimately depend on specific user preferences, whether regarding camera quality, performance, battery life, or design features. Both devices offer compelling choices under ₹70,000, ensuring consumers have an impressive selection among flagship smartphones.
