Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs OnePlus 13: does the price gap mean something?

At the turn of 2024 and 2025, we witnessed launches of two flagship smartphones: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and OnePlus 13. Both are fast, well-built and aimed at people who want something high end.

But they take very different routes to get there, and the price difference makes it impossible to ignore.

What each phone is trying to be

Galaxy S24 Ultra is Samsung at its most expansive. A large display, a very flexible camera system, the S Pen and a long list of features layered into the software. It’s built for users who want options and like having tools available, even if they don’t use all of them every day.

OnePlus 13 takes a more focused approach. It’s still a top-tier phone but it concentrates on the things that affect daily use the most. Smooth performance, a good screen, strong battery life and extremely fast charging. There’s less going on in the background and fewer extras competing for attention.

Performance and everyday use

Both phones feel fast. Apps open instantly, multitasking is effortless and there’s plenty of headroom for the future. For most people, there won’t be a moment where one suddenly feels slow compared to the other. The difference is more about how the software behaves.

Samsung offers a lot of customisation and features, but that also comes with more menus, prompts and things to manage. Some people enjoy that level of control. Others find it unnecessary.

OnePlus keeps things lighter. The system feels clean and responsive and largely stays out of the way. It’s for someone who prefers your phone to get on with the job without constantly reminding you what else it can do.

What about the cameras?

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra’s camera setup is one of the most versatile you can get on a phone. The zoom range is impressive, the options are extensive and it performs very well in difficult conditions. It suits people who like experimenting with different shooting situations.

OnePlus 13’s cameras are very capable for everyday photography, colours are natural and video is smooth and reliable. It doesn’t offer the same level of flexibility as Samsung, but it also doesn’t try to turn photography into a project. For many users, that balance is enough.

Battery and charging

OnePlus 13 stands out with a large battery and extremely fast charging that can genuinely get you through the rest of the day.

Samsung’s battery performance is solid and dependable, but charging is noticeably slower. It works well, it just doesn’t offer the same convenience if you’re often topping up in a hurry.

The part that matters most

At £910.51, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra delivers a very complete experience with a strong focus on features and camera flexibility. It makes sense if you want everything Samsung offers and price isn’t your main concern.

OnePlus 13 gives you most of what people use day-to-day, while costing over £300 less (£554.33 currently). You lose the S Pen and some of the camera flexibility but you gain speed, charging convenience and a far more forgiving price tag.

Comparison table

So, does the price gap mean something?

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and OnePlus 13 are both excellent phones but they’re built with different priorities. Samsung offers the most feature-rich experience. OnePlus focuses on performance, simplicity and value. But! In the end, it comes down to what you want from your phone and what you are happy to pay extra for.