With the OnePlus 13 lastly reaching worldwide markets in early 2025 and Asus’ ROG Cellphone 9 Professional making waves within the gaming group, customers have a tricky resolution to make.
Whereas each gadgets sport the newest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, the similarities finish there, as they’re constructed for very totally different audiences.
Let’s examine each flagships in key areas and decide which flagship telephone 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 rankings, making it extra water- and dust-resistant than even its greatest opponents like Apple and Samsung.
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
However, the ROG Cellphone 9 Professional takes a extra refined method (for a gaming telephone particularly), with a fingerprint-resistant again and toned-down branding.
Nonetheless, the AniMe Imaginative and prescient LED matrix stays, giving avid gamers the power to show customized animations.
The telephone additionally options touch-sensitive AirTriggers, making it a formidable gaming gadget.
Joshua Brown
The OnePlus 13 provides 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 outfitted 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, guaranteeing 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 powerful 185Hz refresh price, designed particularly for gaming.
The 960Hz contact sampling price ensures ultra-responsive interactions, making it an excellent alternative 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 alternative.
Battery Life & Charging
The OnePlus 13 contains a huge 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 check in comparison with the Asus’s 14 hours and 40 minutes.
With 100W wired and 50W wi-fi charging, it outpaces most opponents in recharge speeds as nicely (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 provides 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 telephone additionally provides 15W wi-fi charging, which is practical however slower than its rival. There’s a charger within the field as nicely.
Joshua Brown
The OnePlus 13’s battery life is really excellent, making it the higher alternative for basic 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 provides a extra refined digicam setup with three 50Mp sensors, together with a brand new folded telephoto lens. The ROG Cellphone 9 Professional additionally features a 50Mp primary sensor however prioritises its telephoto and ultrawide cameras much less, focusing as an alternative 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 provides 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.
Value & 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 obtainable with any service companions for the time being, that means it’s greatest paired with a SIM-only deal for those who’re in search of a whole switch-up.
You may as well take a look at our checklist of the most effective telephones to see what the OnePlus 13 and ROG Cellphone 9 Professional are competing towards throughout the market.
Verdict
Each telephones are wonderful choices, scoring 9/10 and Editor’s Selection awards. Nonetheless, they attraction in numerous methods.
The OnePlus 13 is your best option for basic customers in search of wonderful battery life, show high quality, and digicam efficiency at a aggressive worth. Nonetheless with some stable gaming prowess.
In the meantime, the ROG Cellphone 9 Professional is the clear alternative 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 worth, it could be tougher to justify the Asus so the OnePlus makes for higher worth general.