Do you really need the latest flagship, or can you get top-tier performance without breaking the bank? OnePlus 13R vs Galaxy S24 FE—two powerful smartphones that promise flagship-level specs at a more affordable price. But which one delivers the best value?
Both devices boast premium designs, high-refresh-rate displays, powerful chipsets, and capable cameras. Whether you’re a gamer, a photography enthusiast, or just looking for a reliable daily driver, picking the right one can be tricky. That’s why we’re putting them head-to-head, analyzing their design, display, performance, cameras, and battery life to help you decide.
Stay tuned as we break down every detail in this OnePlus 13R vs Galaxy S24 FE comparison and find out which smartphone gives you the ultimate flagship experience without the premium price tag.
Design And Build Quality:
The OnePlus 13R and the Galaxy S24 FE follow a similar approach with flat matte aluminum frames and glass backs, exuding a premium feel. However, OnePlus hasn’t specified the exact type of matte glass used on the 13R, whereas Samsung equips the S24 FE with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus Plus, offering an added layer of durability.
The camera module design is another key difference. Both devices mimic their flagship counterparts, but their execution varies. The Galaxy S24 FE’s camera array is more discreet, blending seamlessly into the back panel. On the other hand, the OnePlus 13R features a more pronounced camera bump, which adds some character but also makes the phone less stable when placed on a flat surface. This difference sparked some debate in our office—while some preferred the sleek, minimal look of the Galaxy S24 FE, others liked the bolder design of the OnePlus 13R.
In terms of dimensions and weight, the OnePlus 13R is slightly lighter at 206g, while the Galaxy S24 FE comes in at 214g. The difference isn’t huge, but the extra weight on Samsung’s device does add a sense of sturdiness.
Both phones carry an IP65 certification, meaning they are dust-tight and water-resistant, though not fully waterproof. This is an important factor for users who want a phone that can withstand everyday splashes or exposure to dust and dirt.
As for color options, the OnePlus 13R is available in Nebula Noir and Astral Trail, offering a more understated yet elegant look. The Galaxy S24 FE provides more variety, with Gray, Graphite, Blue, Mint, and Yellow—though some of these are market-dependent.
Ultimately, the Galaxy S24 FE wins in design for its sleeker, more balanced aesthetic, while the OnePlus 13R’s bold styling and camera bump might appeal to those who want a more distinctive look. Either way, both phones offer premium builds that feel great in hand.
Display Specs And Features:
When it comes to display quality, both the OnePlus 13R and the Galaxy S24 FE deliver AMOLED panels that promise vivid colors, deep blacks, and smooth animations. However, there are a few notable differences that set them apart.
The OnePlus 13R features a slightly larger 6.78-inch AMOLED display, while the Galaxy S24 FE comes with a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen. Both displays are flat, avoiding the potential issues of curved panels, such as accidental touches or glare.
Brightness levels are one of the biggest talking points. OnePlus claims a peak brightness of 4,500 nits with a high brightness mode reaching 1,600 nits, whereas Samsung states a peak brightness of 1,900 nits. To put these numbers to the test, we simulated full direct sunlight exposure at over 100,000 lux using a screen luminance meter. The OnePlus 13R actually exceeded its official claim, reaching 1,662 nits in our tests. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S24 FE managed 1,351 nits, which is still impressive but falls behind OnePlus in direct sunlight visibility.
Both phones feature under-display fingerprint scanners for secure and seamless unlocking. However, screen resolution and HDR support also play a major role in the viewing experience. The OnePlus 13R offers a higher resolution and supports better HDR formats, making it ideal for watching high-quality content.
Another key difference is the bezel design. The OnePlus 13R has super slim and even bezels, creating a more immersive look. In contrast, the Galaxy S24 FE has thicker and uneven bezels, which some may find distracting.
When it comes to refresh rates, both phones deliver smooth 120Hz displays, ensuring fluid animations and scrolling. The touch responsiveness on both is excellent, making them great for gaming and everyday navigation.
For screen protection, the OnePlus 13R doesn’t specify the type of glass used, while Samsung equips the S24 FE with Gorilla Glass Victus Plus, providing an extra layer of durability against drops and scratches.
Overall, the OnePlus 13R wins this round, thanks to a brighter screen, better HDR support, and slimmer bezels. However, the Galaxy S24 FE still provides an enjoyable display experience, especially with its durable screen protection.
Performance and Chipsets
When it comes to performance, the OnePlus 13R and Galaxy S24 FE take very different approaches. The OnePlus 13R is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with 12GB of RAM, while the Galaxy S24 FE runs on the Exynos 2400E and packs 8GB of RAM. While both phones offer multiple RAM and storage configurations, they vary depending on the market.
We put both devices through real-world gaming and video editing tests, starting with Grid Autosport. Both phones averaged 59 FPS, but the OnePlus 13R could also run Grid Legends, a more demanding game that the Galaxy S24 FE couldn’t handle. In Withering Waves, the OnePlus delivered a stable 58 FPS, though it hit 50°C, while the Galaxy fluctuated between 37-45 FPS, staying cooler at 45°C.
For video editing, the OnePlus consistently outperformed the Galaxy. In InShot, it completed a 4K 30 FPS render 44 seconds faster than the S24 FE. In CapCut, it was still ahead, though by only 7 seconds.
Benchmark tests confirmed OnePlus’ lead in Geekbench single-core performance, though Samsung held its own in multi-core scores. In 3DMark Wild Life Extreme, the OnePlus showed superior stability (68%), while the Galaxy struggled at 54%. The OnePlus also dominated AnTuTu, scoring much higher than its competitor.
The OnePlus 13R also brings some extra hardware features, such as an IR blaster for controlling TVs and ACs and a physical proximity sensor. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S24 FE relies on a virtual proximity sensor, which can sometimes cause issues like the screen not turning off during calls.
Overall, the OnePlus 13R is the clear winner in performance, excelling in gaming, rendering, and benchmark scores. The Galaxy S24 FE, while decent, falls short for power users.
Software & Updates
On the software side, the OnePlus 13R runs OxygenOS 15 based on Android 15, while the Galaxy S24 FE runs One UI 6.1 based on Android 14. OnePlus promises 4 years of OS updates and 6 years of security patches, whereas Samsung outshines it with 7 years of OS and security updates.
OxygenOS 15 delivers smooth animations, deep personalization options, and AI-powered tools. It includes an AI Editor in the gallery, which lets users remove objects, enhance details, or erase reflections from photos. Another cool feature is O+ Connect, which enables file sharing between OnePlus devices and even iPhones.
Meanwhile, Samsung’s One UI 6.1 already packs powerful AI tools like Sketch to Image, which transforms drawings into realistic images, and Instant Slow-Mo, which turns standard videos into slow-motion clips with a long press.
The Galaxy S24 FE also supports Samsung DeX, letting users connect their phone to a monitor for a desktop-like experience. While One UI 7 is expected to bring more refinements, it’s not here yet.
Samsung wins this round with its longer update cycle and more polished software experience, but OnePlus’ AI-powered editing tools are great for creatives.
AI Features
Both OnePlus and Samsung are pushing AI features in their latest smartphones, but each brand takes a different approach to integration.
The OnePlus 13R introduces an AI-powered gallery editor, which allows users to remove unwanted objects, enhance photo details, and erase reflections with just a few taps. This feature is useful for photography enthusiasts looking to clean up their shots without needing third-party apps.
Another standout AI feature on OnePlus is O+ Connect, which offers seamless file sharing across OnePlus devices and even with iPhones—a rare feature among Android manufacturers.
Samsung, on the other hand, leverages AI across multiple applications. The Sketch to Image feature transforms simple doodles into highly detailed AI-generated images, making it great for creatives.
Another impressive Samsung AI tool is Instant Slow-Mo, which converts regular videos into smooth slow-motion clips with just a long press. This is a fun and useful feature for social media content creators.
Samsung’s Galaxy AI suite is expected to expand with One UI 7, bringing more enhancements, but for now, One UI 6.1 already includes several advanced AI tools.
On the hardware side, both phones use AI to optimize performance, battery life, and camera settings. OnePlus’ AI helps improve gaming stability and efficiency, while Samsung’s AI-driven software enhances multi-tasking and system-wide optimizations.
For multitaskers, Samsung DeX is a game-changer, allowing the S24 FE to function as a full-fledged PC when connected to a monitor. This feature, combined with AI improvements, gives Samsung an edge in productivity.
That said, OnePlus’ AI-driven gallery tools and seamless file-sharing capabilities are great for content creators.
Both brands offer practical AI tools, but Samsung’s AI suite feels more polished and widespread, making it a better choice for users looking for a more comprehensive AI experience.
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Cameras Comparison
Now, let’s check out how these cameras compare. Both the OnePlus 13R and the Galaxy S24 FE come with 50MP main cameras, but the way they process images is quite different.
Main Camera
The OnePlus 13R tends to favor warmer tones, while the Galaxy S24 FE leans towards cooler, more precise colors. Outdoors, both cameras capture sharp and detailed images, but the OnePlus enhances contrast and saturation, giving photos a more dramatic look. The Galaxy, on the other hand, retains a more natural color balance, making it a better choice for those who prefer true-to-life colors.
Indoors, the Galaxy takes the win for color accuracy, as the OnePlus over-boosts colors and contrast. This means the OnePlus images can look punchier but less realistic, while the Galaxy S24 FE maintains a more balanced, natural tone.
Ultrawide Camera
For ultrawide shots, the OnePlus 13R has an 8MP sensor, while the Galaxy S24 FE packs a larger 12MP sensor. This difference is quite noticeable in real-world usage.
Just like with the main camera, the OnePlus over-saturates colors and increases contrast, while the Galaxy offers a more balanced and realistic image. Indoors, the OnePlus struggles with dynamic range, often making darker areas too crushed, while the Galaxy maintains better detail across the entire scene.
In terms of overall quality, the Galaxy’s ultrawide camera is the better choice, especially for preserving dynamic range and true-to-life colors.
Portrait Mode
In 1x portrait mode, the OnePlus does a better job with edge detection, accurately separating the subject from the background. The Galaxy’s bokeh effect can look slightly artificial, making portraits feel a bit less natural.
However, when using the telephoto lens for portraits, the Galaxy delivers a more natural-looking shot, with better subject separation and background blur. It’s not perfect, but it handles depth more realistically compared to the OnePlus.
Video Recording
For main camera video, the Galaxy S24 FE supports up to 8K 30FPS, while the OnePlus 13R is limited to 4K 60FPS. This alone gives the Galaxy a clear advantage in video resolution.
The OnePlus struggles with exposure adjustments and focus hunting, making videos feel jittery. The **Galaxy, in contrast, maintains a more stable exposure and focus, leading to smoother, more professional-looking footage.
For ultrawide video, the OnePlus is capped at 1080p 60FPS, while the Galaxy shoots up to 4K 30FPS. This results in crisper, more detailed ultrawide footage on the Galaxy, while the OnePlus suffers from overexposed highlights and a loss of detail.
Portrait Mode Video
When it comes to portrait mode video, the Galaxy is the clear winner. The OnePlus struggles with edge detection, making the blurred background look unnatural, whereas the Galaxy produces a much cleaner depth effect.
Selfie Camera
The OnePlus 13R has a 16MP front camera, while the Galaxy S24 FE uses a 10MP sensor. In terms of sharpness, the OnePlus has the upper hand, producing crisp details.
However, for color accuracy, neither phone is perfect—the OnePlus adds too much warmth, while the Galaxy can sometimes appear a little too cool. A middle ground between the two would be ideal.
In low-light selfies, the OnePlus has a better dynamic range, preserving more details in shadows and highlights. However, the Galaxy does a better job at keeping facial details sharp, making it the better option for nighttime selfies.
Selfie Video
For selfie video, the OnePlus 13R is surprisingly limited to just 1080p 30FPS, while the Galaxy S24 FE can record at up to 4K 60FPS.
Neither phone has autofocus on the front camera, meaning that if you move too far away, the image will blur. However, the Galaxy provides more accurate colors, making it the stronger choice for video recording.
Audio Recording
Now, let’s test the audio recording on both devices.
- Starting with the OnePlus 13R, the sound quality is clear, but background noise reduction isn’t the best.
- Switching to the Galaxy S24 FE, the audio is slightly louder with better noise reduction, making it the stronger choice for vlogging and voice recordings.
Zoom Capabilities
The Galaxy S24 FE comes with an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, while the OnePlus 13R has a larger 50MP telephoto lens with 2x zoom.
At 10x and 20x zoom, the OnePlus captures more detail, thanks to its higher-resolution sensor. The Galaxy, despite having a longer zoom range (up to 30x), produces images that lack detail at higher magnifications.
For low-light zoom photography, the OnePlus does a great job preserving details in shadows, while the Galaxy handles highlights better.
Low-Light Photography
In low-light conditions, the OnePlus 13R provides the best dynamic range, capturing well-balanced shots with less noise. However, its color balance leans too warm, making some scenes look unnatural.
With the ultrawide lens, neither phone stands out. The OnePlus oversaturates colors, while the Galaxy loses fine details.
For low-light video, both phones struggle with noise, but the Galaxy produces brighter footage overall. However, for ultrawide low-light video, the OnePlus is barely usable, whereas the Galaxy at least retains some visibility.
Final Verdict
The OnePlus 13R prioritizes contrast-heavy, vibrant shots, making it great for punchy and dramatic photography. The Galaxy S24 FE, on the other hand, sticks to a more natural color profile and provides stronger ultrawide shots and better video performance.
For telephoto zoom, the OnePlus is the better choice, but for video recording and ultrawide photography, the Galaxy takes the lead. Ultimately, which phone is better depends on what you prioritize more in a camera.
Battery Life & Charging Speed
When it comes to battery life, the OnePlus 13R clearly takes the lead with its massive 6,000mAh battery, significantly larger than the 4,700mAh battery inside the Galaxy S24 FE. In our real-world tests, the OnePlus lasted noticeably longer, making it the better choice for heavy users who rely on their phones all day.
For charging, the OnePlus 13R supports blazing-fast 80W wired charging, allowing it to charge from 0 to 100% in under 40 minutes. In contrast, the Galaxy S24 FE is limited to just 25W, meaning it takes significantly longer to fully recharge. However, Samsung does have the advantage of wireless charging, rated at 15W, which is completely absent on the OnePlus. If wireless charging is a must-have for you, the Galaxy might be the better option despite its slower speeds.
Overall, the OnePlus 13R wins in both battery capacity and wired charging speed, making it the more reliable choice for users who prioritize long-lasting battery life and fast charging over wireless convenience.
- Read also:
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Pricing
Pricing plays a huge role when picking between these two phones. The OnePlus 13R retails for $599, making it the more affordable option compared to the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, which comes in at $649. That’s a $50 difference, which might not seem like much at first, but considering the extra power, larger battery, and faster charging on the OnePlus, it does offer better value for money.
That said, Samsung’s software support is unrivaled, meaning that even if the S24 FE costs more upfront, it will last longer in terms of updates, potentially saving you money in the long run.
At full price, the OnePlus 13R is the better deal, but for users who prefer a longer update cycle and premium Samsung features, the Galaxy S24 FE may still be worth the extra cost.
Pros of the OnePlus 13R vs Galaxy S24 FE
Pros:
- Superior Performance – The OnePlus 13R’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset outperforms the Galaxy S24 FE’s Exynos 2400, offering smoother gaming, faster app loading, and better overall efficiency.
- Larger Battery – With a 6,000mAh battery, the OnePlus 13R lasts significantly longer than the 4,700mAh battery in the S24 FE, making it ideal for power users.
Faster Charging – The 80W wired charging on the OnePlus 13R is much faster than the 25W charging on the Galaxy S24 FE, ensuring you get back to 100% in under 40 minutes. - Higher Peak Brightness – The OnePlus 13R boasts 4,500 nits peak brightness, significantly higher than the 1,900 nits on the Galaxy S24 FE, making it easier to use outdoors in bright sunlight.
- Better Telephoto Camera – While Samsung excels in ultrawide and video, the OnePlus 13R’s 50MP telephoto camera with 2x zoom delivers more detail and better zoom quality than Samsung’s 8MP 3x telephoto lens.
- Lower Price – At $599, the OnePlus 13R is $50 cheaper than the $649 Galaxy S24 FE, providing better value for money in terms of raw power and battery life.
Cons:
- No Wireless Charging – Unlike the Galaxy S24 FE, which supports 15W wireless charging, the OnePlus 13R completely lacks wireless charging, making it less convenient for users who prefer wireless setups.
- Shorter Software Support – OnePlus only provides 4 years of OS updates and 6 years of security patches, while Samsung offers 7 years of both, meaning the S24 FE will last longer in terms of updates.
- Less Optimized Video Quality – The Galaxy S24 FE has better video recording, with 4K 60FPS on all lenses and superior stabilization, whereas the OnePlus struggles with exposure and focus hunting in video mode.
Verdict
At the end of the day, both the OnePlus 13R and Galaxy S24 FE offer competitive specs at their respective price points, but they cater to different users.
If performance is your top priority, the OnePlus 13R is the clear winner. It outperforms the Galaxy in gaming, benchmarks, battery life, and charging speeds, all while being $50 cheaper. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and higher RAM capacity make it the ideal choice for power users, gamers, and anyone who needs a phone that can handle demanding tasks.
On the other hand, if you care more about software longevity, wireless charging, and Samsung’s ecosystem, the Galaxy S24 FE is a solid pick. With 7 years of software updates, it will stay relevant longer than the OnePlus 13R, making it a better long-term investment. It also offers a more balanced camera experience and better video recording capabilities, which may appeal to content creators or casual photographers.
At the end of the day, your choice comes down to what you prioritize most—raw performance and battery life? Go for the OnePlus 13R. Software updates, wireless charging, and better cameras? The Galaxy S24 FE is your pick.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which phone is better for gaming: OnePlus 13R vs Galaxy S24 FE?
The OnePlus 13R is the better choice for gaming, thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, higher RAM capacity, and better GPU performance. It also maintains a higher and more stable frame rate in demanding games compared to the Galaxy S24 FE.
Does the OnePlus 13R support wireless charging?
No, the OnePlus 13R does not support wireless charging, while the Galaxy S24 FE does with 15W wireless charging. If wireless charging is important to you, the Galaxy S24 FE is the better option.
Which phone has a better camera: OnePlus 13R or Galaxy S24 FE?
It depends. The Galaxy S24 FE has a better ultrawide camera and stronger video capabilities, while the OnePlus 13R offers better telephoto zoom and detail preservation. If you shoot a lot of videos, go with the Galaxy; if you prefer zoom photography, choose the OnePlus.
How long will the OnePlus 13R and Galaxy S24 FE receive software updates?
The OnePlus 13R will get 4 years of Android updates and 6 years of security patches, while the Galaxy S24 FE will receive 7 years of both OS and security updates, making the Samsung the better choice for long-term use.
Which phone has a better display: OnePlus 13R vs Galaxy S24 FE?
The OnePlus 13R has a better display with 4,500 nits peak brightness compared to the 1,900 nits on the Galaxy S24 FE, making it brighter and easier to use outdoors. The OnePlus also has slimmer bezels, giving it a more modern look.
Which phone charges faster, the OnePlus 13R or Galaxy S24 FE?
The OnePlus 13R charges significantly faster, with 80W wired charging that goes from 0 to 100% in under 40 minutes, while the Galaxy S24 FE only supports 25W wired charging, taking much longer to fully charge.
