Nothing Phone 3 vs OnePlus 13: A Flagship Comparison

Nothing Phone 3 has been introduced by Carl Pei and his team, being touted as the ‘first true flagship’ from the UK-based smartphone brand. Priced at ₹79,999 in India, it marks the first time a Nothing smartphone directly competes with premium devices in the country. The question remains, can it hold its own against the original flagship killer in the Indian smartphone arena, the OnePlus 13?

Carl Pei previously played a key role in establishing the OnePlus brand identity. So, it is intriguing to see how the Nothing Phone 3 stacks up against the OnePlus 13. Let’s delve into the comparison.

Nothing Phone 3 vs OnePlus 13: Design

Design has always been a focal point for Nothing, and the Phone 3 continues this trend. The conventional Glyph LEDs on the back have been replaced with a Glyph Matrix, featuring 489 LEDs and a new Glyph Button. This button enables app shortcuts, visual alerts, and fun “Glyph Toys” such as Rock-Paper-Scissors and Magic 8 Ball.

Conversely, the OnePlus 13 maintains a traditional flagship look. While it offers a vegan leather option, it lacks the playful elements found in the Nothing Phone 3. The OnePlus 13 is equipped with a circular camera module adorned with a Hasselblad logo and the OnePlus emblem situated centrally.

Ultimately, for those seeking a show-stopping design, the Nothing Phone 3 is the clear winner.

Nothing Phone 3 vs OnePlus 13: Display

The Nothing Phone 3 features a 6.67-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a refresh rate ranging from 30-120Hz. It is HDR10+ certified, boasting a peak brightness of up to 4500 nits, and includes Corning Gorilla Glass 7i for protection.

In comparison, the OnePlus 13 sports a larger 6.82-inch 2K+ LTPO AMOLED display. Its refresh rate varies from 1-120Hz, with peak brightness also reaching 4500 nits. This screen is Dolby Vision certified and is protected by Crystal Shield super ceramic glass.

The OnePlus 13 clearly emerges as the superior choice in terms of display quality.

Nothing Phone 3 vs OnePlus 13: Performance

Even though Nothing describes the Phone 3 as a true flagship, it does not feature the typical flagship specifications. The device runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset, also found in more affordable devices like the iQOO Neo 10 and Poco F7, which are significantly cheaper at ₹31,999. Additionally, the Nothing Phone 3 is available in 12GB and 16GB LPDDR5X RAM options.

On the other hand, OnePlus 13 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, the latest flagship SoC from Qualcomm, aligning more closely with other high-end Android devices from brands like Samsung and iQOO. It also supports up to 24GB LPDDR5X RAM.

Clearly, when it comes to performance, the OnePlus 13 has the advantage.

Nothing Phone 3 vs OnePlus 13: Battery

The Nothing Phone 3 is equipped with a 5500mAh silicon-carbon battery that supports 65W fast wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and also includes 5W reverse wireless charging.

In contrast, the OnePlus 13 features a larger 6000mAh battery, which supports faster charging at 100W and offers 50W wireless charging as well.

Once again, the OnePlus 13 takes the lead with its larger battery and superior charging capabilities.

Nothing Phone 3 vs OnePlus 13: Camera

The Nothing Phone 3 presents an unusual triple camera setup featuring a 50MP main camera with a 1/1.3″ OV50H sensor, complemented by a 50MP 114-degree ultra-wide camera with a 1/2.76″ JN1 sensor, and a third 50MP 1/2.75″ JN5 3x periscope telephoto camera. For selfies, it houses a 50MP front camera capable of capturing videos at 4K 60fps.

The OnePlus 13 also includes a triple rear camera array, designed in a more conventional layout. It has a 50MP main camera with a 1/1.4″ Sony LYT-808 sensor, a second 50MP 114-degree ultra-wide camera with a 1/1.27″ Samsung JN1 sensor, and a 50MP 1/1.95″ LYT600 periscope telephoto camera. The front camera, however, features a 32MP Sony IMX615 sensor.

While Nothing Phone 3 boasts a larger primary sensor, OnePlus has utilised a proven Sony LYT-808 sensor that is highly capable. Furthermore, the Hasselblad tuning in the OnePlus 13 provides it with an extra advantage on paper compared to the Nothing Phone 3.

Nothing Phone 3 vs OnePlus 13: Price

The Nothing Phone 3 is priced at ₹79,999 for the 12GB + 256GB model, while the 16GB + 512GB model retails for ₹89,999. However, promotional bank and exchange offers can lower these starting prices to ₹62,999 and ₹72,999 respectively.

In comparison, the OnePlus 13 is priced at ₹69,999 for the 12GB + 256GB variant, ₹76,999 for the 16GB + 512GB model, and a top-tier 24GB + 1TB (Black Eclipse only) version costs ₹89,999.

Since its launch, the Nothing Phone 3 has faced criticism for its pricing, particularly in a market like India that is sensitive to cost. Even with discounts, it fails to evoke a sense of value that many Indian consumers seek. Based purely on specifications, the OnePlus 13 stands out as a more appealing option, particularly given its lower price point.