If you are looking to buy a powerful Android smartphone in 2025 without stretching your budget beyond Rs. 80,000, the Nothing Phone (3) and OnePlus 13s stand out as two of the best mid-premium contenders in India. Both phones offer a near-flagship experience—with top-end performance, advanced cameras, premium build quality and long-term software support.
But while they may look evenly matched on paper, each takes a different approach in design, features, and value. This in-depth comparison breaks down everything you need to know before making your next upgrade.
Nothing Phone (3) vs OnePlus 13s: Design & Build
The Nothing Phone (3) embraces a bold and distinctive design with its transparent rear, off-centre camera housing and Glyph Matrix LED interface. It's IP68-rated for water and dust resistance, giving it the kind of ruggedness usually reserved for premium flagships.
On the other hand, the OnePlus 13s keeps things sleek and minimal. Its aluminium frame and matte finish feel solid in hand, offering a refined experience without the flash. It has an IP65 rating, offering basic protection, but not quite as robust as the Phone (3).
Nothing Phone (3) vs OnePlus 13s: Display
The Nothing Phone (3) sports a 6.67-inch flexible 1.5K AMOLED display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate (down to 30Hz), ultra-slim 1.87mm bezels, and an eye-searing peak brightness of 4,500 nits.
The OnePlus 13s features a 6.32-inch LTPO AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate that dynamically drops to 1Hz, improving power efficiency. Colours are well-tuned and the viewing experience is vibrant.
Nothing has the edge on brightness and immersion, while OnePlus delivers superior efficiency thanks to its LTPO tech.
Nothing Phone (3) vs OnePlus 13s: Performance & Software
Powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, the Nothing Phone (3) is fast and efficient for most tasks, and runs on Nothing OS 3.5 based on Android 15. It promises five years of Android updates and seven years of security support, a rare commitment in this price range.
The OnePlus 13s uses the more powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite, making it better suited for intensive gaming, multitasking, and AI-powered features. It ships with OxygenOS 15, offering customisation, fluidity, and smart enhancements like live transcriptions and contextual AI.
Nothing Phone (3) vs OnePlus 13s: Cameras
The Nothing Phone (3) brings flagship-level optics with a triple 50MP setup—including a periscope lens with 3x optical zoom—and a 50MP selfie camera with autofocus. It supports 4K 60fps video across all lenses.
The OnePlus 13s includes a 50MP main sensor with OIS, a 50MP telephoto with 2x optical zoom, and an 8MP ultra-wide camera. On the front is a 32MP selfie camera. Colour science and low-light optimisation are top-tier, but the hardware isn’t as expansive.
Nothing Phone (3) vs OnePlus 13s: Battery & Charging
The Nothing Phone (3) is backed by a 5,500mAh silicon-carbon battery, offering 65W wired, 15W wireless, and 5W reverse wireless charging.
The OnePlus 13s includes a larger 5,850mAh battery with ultra-fast 80W wired charging, but it does not support wireless charging.
Verdict: OnePlus leads in battery size and wired charging speed. Nothing offers more charging flexibility, including wireless and reverse charging.
Nothing Phone (3) vs OnePlus 13s: Pricing in India
Nothing Phone (3): Rs. 79,999 (12GB + 256GB), Rs. 89,999 (16GB + 512GB)
Effective pricing with offers: Rs. 62,999 and Rs. 72,999
OnePlus 13s: Rs. 54,999 (12GB + 256GB), Rs. 59,999 (12GB + 512GB)
OnePlus 13s offers great value for money. Nothing Phone (3) offers premium design, wireless features, and better optics.
Nothing Phone (3) vs OnePlus 13s: Verdict
If performance, battery life, and value-for-money are your top priorities, the OnePlus 13s is an easy recommendation. It combines top-tier hardware with smart software and reliable updates at a price that undercuts most flagships.
If you're after a smartphone that stands out visually, shoots better photos, and offers long-term peace of mind with software updates and charging flexibility, the Nothing Phone (3) is the more expressive and future-ready pick.
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