With the OnePlus 13 lastly reaching worldwide markets in early 2025 and Asus’ ROG Cellphone 9 Professional making waves within the gaming neighborhood, customers have a troublesome choice to make.
Whereas each units sport the most recent Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, the similarities finish there, as they’re constructed for very totally different audiences.
Let’s evaluate each flagships in key areas and decide which flagship cellphone is the most effective so that you can purchase.
Design & Construct
The OnePlus 13 presents a premium but considerably eclectic design. Its world-first microfibre vegan leather-based variant (Midnight Ocean) stands out, whereas its Arctic Daybreak mannequin brings a textured wood-grain end.
It’s additionally among the many most sturdy telephones with each IP68 and IP69 scores, making it extra water- and dust-resistant than even its greatest rivals like Apple and Samsung.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
However, the ROG Cellphone 9 Professional takes a extra refined method (for a gaming cellphone particularly), with a fingerprint-resistant again and toned-down branding.
Nonetheless, the AniMe Imaginative and prescient LED matrix stays, giving avid gamers the flexibility to show customized animations.
The cellphone additionally options touch-sensitive AirTriggers, making it a formidable gaming system.
Joshua Brown
The OnePlus 13 presents a extra refined and sensible flagship expertise, whereas the ROG Cellphone 9 Professional stays true to its gaming roots with added practical options.
Display screen Tech
OnePlus has geared up the 13 with a 6.82-inch LTPO 4.1 OLED show, boasting a 2K decision and a peak brightness of 4500 nits.
It’s additionally the primary smartphone to obtain a DisplayMate A++ ranking, making certain wonderful distinction, color accuracy, and viewing angles.
Moreover, it consists of an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner for improved safety.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
The ROG Cellphone 9 Professional, in distinction, opts for a 6.78-inch AMOLED show with a decrease 1080p decision however a formidable 185Hz refresh price, designed particularly for gaming.
The 960Hz contact sampling price ensures ultra-responsive interactions, making it a perfect selection for aggressive cellular avid gamers.
Joshua Brown
Should you prioritise a pointy, high-quality show for media consumption and on a regular basis use, the OnePlus 13 is the higher choice.
Nonetheless, for gaming efficiency, the ROG Cellphone 9 Professional’s ultra-high refresh price and contact response make it the superior selection.
Battery Life & Charging
The OnePlus 13 includes a large 6000mAh ‘Silicon NanoStack’ battery, providing unprecedented battery life that rivals even devoted gaming telephones.
It lasted 15 hours and 27 minutes in our PCMark battery take a look at in comparison with the Asus’s 14 hours and 40 minutes.
With 100W wired and 50W wi-fi charging, it outpaces most rivals in recharge speeds as effectively (hitting 50% cost after 34 minutes).
Nonetheless, OnePlus doesn’t embrace a charger within the field.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
The ROG Cellphone 9 Professional comes with a barely smaller 5800mAh battery however nonetheless presents distinctive endurance.
Whereas its 65W wired charging is slower than the OnePlus 13, it’s giving higher outcomes – a 15-minute increase nets round 41% from empty, with a 30-minute cost managing as much as round 70%.
The cellphone additionally presents 15W wi-fi charging, which is practical however slower than its rival. There’s a charger within the field as effectively.
Joshua Brown
The OnePlus 13’s battery life is really excellent, making it the higher selection for normal customers who need long-lasting endurance.
Nonetheless, the ROG Cellphone 9 Professional’s balanced battery, quick charging and environment friendly cooling system guarantee steady efficiency throughout lengthy gaming classes.
Different Key Variations
The OnePlus 13 presents a extra refined digital camera setup with three 50Mp sensors, together with a brand new folded telephoto lens. The ROG Cellphone 9 Professional additionally features a 50Mp fundamental sensor however prioritises its telephoto and ultrawide cameras much less, focusing as a substitute on efficiency.
Each telephones run Android 15. Nonetheless, the OnePlus 13 guarantees 4 years of OS updates and 6 years of safety patches, whereas the ROG Cellphone 9 Professional presents solely two years of OS updates and 5 years of safety updates.
Elsewhere, the ROG Cellphone 9 Professional has a side-mounted USB-C port for simpler charging whereas gaming, touch-sensitive AirTriggers, and an exterior fan cooling accent. It’s arduous to search for such extras within the OnePlus 13.
Worth & Availability
The OnePlus 13 begins at £899/$899 for the 256GB variant and £999/$999 for the 512GB mannequin.
Regional availability comes courtesy of OnePlus UK and OnePlus US instantly, in addition to choose retailers like Amazon UK.
However, the ROG Cellphone 9 Professional begins at £1,099.99/$1,199.99, with the Professional Version costing £1,299/$1,499.99.
You should buy it instantly from Asus UK and Asus US.
Each telephones aren’t out there with any provider companions for the time being, which means it’s greatest paired with a SIM-only deal if you happen to’re on the lookout for a whole switch-up.
You can too try our listing of the most effective telephones to see what the OnePlus 13 and ROG Cellphone 9 Professional are competing in opposition to throughout the market.
Verdict
Each telephones are wonderful choices, scoring 9/10 and Editor’s Selection awards. Nonetheless, they attraction in several methods.
The OnePlus 13 is the only option for normal customers on the lookout for wonderful battery life, show high quality, and digital camera efficiency at a aggressive value. Nonetheless with some strong gaming prowess.
In the meantime, the ROG Cellphone 9 Professional is the clear selection for full-on avid gamers who demand excessive refresh charges, cooling options, and game-centric options like AirTriggers and the AniMe Imaginative and prescient LED matrix.
At a better value, it is perhaps tougher to justify the Asus so the OnePlus makes for higher worth general.