Last year, when I got the Galaxy S24 Ultra, I thought I had finally settled into the perfect smartphone. It was reliable, packed with AI features, and offered one of the best displays in the business. But earlier this year, I decided to give the OnePlus 13s a try, intrigued by its compact design and beefy specs.

Now, after 90 days of using the OnePlus 13s (review), I can say it has been difficult for me to go back to the S24 Ultra. This is not because the Samsung flagship is lacking, but because the OnePlus 13s offers a combination of performance, efficiency, and value that feels very hard to ignore.

Design and feel in hand

The Galaxy S24 Ultra is built like a tank, quite sturdy and premium, with a flat display that makes it easier to handle compared to previous curved models. Yet, the OnePlus 13s feels lighter, sleeker, and more modern in the hand. Its refined design lines and ergonomic build give it an edge in everyday usage.

Since I have been using the S24 Ultra with a sturdy case for several months, the total weight comes close to 250 grams. The OnePlus 13s, even after using a case, weighs around 200 grams. That 50-gram difference may not sound like much on paper, but in daily use it makes the OnePlus 13s far more comfortable to carry and hold. This is one of those subtle things that makes me feel good each time I pick it up.

Performance that pushes ahead

The Galaxy S24 Ultra is no slouch in performance – the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy is still incredibly powerful. But the OnePlus 13s brings Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite, which makes a visible difference in both speed and efficiency.

Multitasking feels instant, app switching is seamless, and gaming performance is top-tier. The thermals are also better managed, meaning I can push the device harder without worrying about heat buildup. It is not just raw performance, it is the way the phone stays consistently smooth across tasks that impressed me most.

One of the biggest reasons I found it difficult to move back to the S24 Ultra is the battery experience on the OnePlus 13s. The phone packs a 5,850mAh battery, and coupled with the new chip’s efficiency, it comfortably lasts well beyond a day of heavy use.

While the S24 Ultra offered decent endurance, I often needed to top it up by evening after long days of shooting photos or making calls. With the OnePlus 13s, I find myself charging less frequently. And when I do need a top-up, the ultra-fast wired charging makes the experience hassle-free.

AI features that feel practical

Samsung emphasized Galaxy AI when it launched the S24 series, and I did find many of those features useful. The OnePlus 13s, however, takes a slightly different approach. Its AI integration is powered by AI Mind Plus, a feature that offers context-aware assistance for everyday use.

Using the Plus Key or a three-finger swipe, anything on your screen can be instantly saved to the Mind Space app, where it’s neatly sorted, searchable in natural language, and enhanced with smart suggestions like reminders or calendar entries.

The AI features on the OnePlus 13s does not feel overwhelming or overly branded, but rather seamlessly integrated into the core OxygenOS experience.

Cameras – Strengths and limitations

The S24 Ultra has one of the best camera systems in the industry, particularly with its telephoto capabilities. I enjoyed using it for product photography and landscapes. The OnePlus 13s, on the other hand, offers a dual 50-megapixel camera setup, comprising a main sensor and a telephoto.

In most conditions, the results are sharp, colours look natural, and the shutter response is quick. For me, the dual setup is manageable and I rarely found myself missing an ultrawide sensor. However, for those who rely on ultrawide shots, its absence could feel like a limitation. This is one department that OnePlus may want to upgrade in the next generation.

Price and availability

Perhaps the most significant factor in why I switched is pricing. The Galaxy S24 Ultra launched at a premium price point above Rs 1,20,000, putting it firmly in the ultra-flagship tier. The OnePlus 13s, on the other hand, delivers flagship-level performance and design for a much lower cost.

This value proposition cannot be ignored. The fact that I am getting performance ahead of most 2024 flagships, along with a bigger battery and refined software, at a more approachable price, makes the OnePlus 13s extremely compelling.

Living with the OnePlus 13s

After 90 days, the OnePlus 13s has not only impressed me but also changed the way I think about flagships. Samsung remains excellent in many areas, but switching back feels difficult because the OnePlus device has made daily life more convenient. From lighter design to longer endurance and smarter software touches, it feels like the right fit for my routine.

It is not about one phone being better in every possible way, it is about which one makes the most sense for me day to day. Right now, that is the OnePlus 13s.

Final thoughts

The S24 Ultra still has its strengths, particularly in bigger display size quality and camera zoom, but the OnePlus 13s leads across crucial areas – performance, design, battery, AI features, and pricing.

That combination makes it tough for me to go back. At the end of the day, the OnePlus 13s feels like a flagship that not only competes with the biggest names in the industry but also challenges the way we think about value in premium smartphones.

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The post After 90 days – Why I switched to the OnePlus 13s from a Samsung appeared first on Gizmochina.