The OnePlus 13s is currently all over the news. Pitched as OnePlus’ foray into the compact yet premium smartphone space, the 13s is all about high-end power without sacrificing on the dimensions. The industry also touts it as the true rival to the iPhone 16 and the Samsung Galaxy S25 – two phones that offer top performance while staying handy.
On the other hand, we have the Nothing Phone (3). Considered as the long-awaited successor to the Nothing Phone (2) from 2023, the Phone (3) is touted to be a proper flagship, with CEO and Founder Carl Pei already hinting at a higher price tag. The Phone (3) is also going to ditch some iconic Nothing design traits and possibly introduce a new design language. Also, don’t discount the specifications upgrade yet.
What’s even more surprising is that these two phones may be direct competitors! Carl Pei’s previous company and his new startup are at the same crossroads, which means that consumers are going to be in for a treat!
OnePlus 13s vs Nothing Phone (3): How these two differ
Note that this comparison is based on the leaked and teased information and is not to be mistaken for one that confirms the features. Both brands are yet to reveal the actual specs and features of these handsets.
Design
The OnePlus 13s has been shown in teaser images and it seems it tries to imitate the iPhone 16 Pro and the Xiaomi 15. Boxy aesthetics complemented by flat sides is what seems to OnePlus’ new design direction for the future. The phone is coming in black, white and dull green colourways. Sadly, we haven’t seen the front fascia of the device yet.
As for the Nothing Phone (3), a short teaser reaffirmed the presence of a transparent rear glass showing an quirky take on the innards of a phone. Nothing has also confirmed that the Glyph interface won’t re-appear on the Phone (3), thus marking the end of the signature LED light patterns. RIP Glyph.
Specifications
There are not a lot of specifications and features available for either of these phones. Since the OnePlus 13s is closer to its launch date, we know a couple of things about the internal specifications of the phone.
The OnePlus 13s will rely on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and will be accompanied by a custom Wi-Fi chip. The phone will also support 5.5G network connectivity, a strengthened cooling solution, an all-day battery and a 6.3-inch display. OnePlus is ditching the iconic Alert Slider in favour of a Plus key to switch between ringer profiles, trigger device shortcuts and be the gateway to OnePlus’ Mind Space. A lot of AI features are built into the handset and OnePlus is betting big on them in a bid to stand up to the Samsung and Apple rivals.
As for the Nothing Phone (3), the device is expected to go big on power courtesy of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. Sadly, the rest of the features related to the display, battery, charging and cameras are yet to be unveiled.
Expected prices
Based on industry rumours, it seems that the OnePlus 13s could be offered at a starting price of Rs 55,999 for the regular model. This will let it sit between the OnePlus 13R and the OnePlus 13, thus offering a well-balanced lineup.
On the other hand, the Nothing Phone (3) is expected to cost approximately GBP 800 (approximately Rs 90,000) in the UK. The Indian price, however, could be a lot lower owing to local market adjustment.