When it comes to upgrading your smartphone, the newest model often seems like the obvious choice. However, the latest releases don’t always outshine their predecessors in every aspect. This Black Friday, we've taken a close look at two compelling phone lineups: the OnePlus 15 versus the OnePlus 13, and the Google Pixel 10 Pro against the Pixel 9 Pro. With attractive discounts available, is it worth stepping up to the latest generation, or do older models still hold their ground? Let’s dive into the specs, performance, and value of these devices to help you make an informed decision.
The OnePlus 15 is currently priced at £880 for the 16GB RAM and 512GB storage variant on Amazon UK, which is just £30 more than the 12GB/256GB option. Given the minimal difference in price for significantly more memory and storage, the 16/512GB model is an excellent pick. Despite OnePlus UK already selling the phone, Amazon UK's listing as a pre-order seems to be an error.
But comparing the OnePlus 15 with its predecessor, the OnePlus 13, isn’t entirely straightforward. The OnePlus 15 impresses with its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset and a huge 7,300mAh battery — currently topping our battery life charts with an outstanding 23:07 hours of active use, far surpassing the OnePlus 13’s already respectable 15:28 hours. However, the OnePlus 13 enjoys faster charging speeds; it reaches 55% in just 15 minutes, whereas the 15 achieves 44%, with the full charge completing in 35 minutes versus 41 minutes on the newer model.
We’ve also tested the cameras on both phones – check out the OnePlus 15 vs. OnePlus 13 shootout. The results were mixed: the OnePlus 13’s images benefit from manual tweaks, while the 15 excels with more polished, out-of-the-box image processing. With a £100 discount on the OnePlus 15, it’s tempting to pick the latest model, but the OnePlus 13 remains £190 cheaper for the same memory and storage capacity, making it a strong contender.
Turning to Google’s latest flagships, the Pixel 10 Pro marked a transition to the TSMC-made Tensor G5 chip. While it offers some performance improvements over the Pixel 9 Pro’s G4, the gains are modest. In fact, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite and MediaTek Dimensity 9400 outpace the Tensor G5 by a wider margin.
Google places a premium on smooth user experience, and the Pixel phones deliver just that. However, battery life on the Pixel 10 Pro saw a decline compared to the Pixel 9 Pro — 12:06 hours of active use versus 13:11 hours, despite the newer phone using a slightly larger 4,870mAh battery compared to 4,700mAh previously. Both models charge at similar speeds, though the Pixel 10 Pro’s introduction of proper magnetic Qi2 wireless charging is a welcome upgrade.
One important note: the base 128GB variants on both Pixel models utilize slower UFS 3.1 storage. To get the best performance, alongside better future-proofing, we recommend opting for at least 256GB storage, which uses the faster UFS 4.0 technology. When weighing up the Pixel 9 Pro vs. the Pixel 10 Pro, the £250 price difference is significant and certainly factors into the decision.
Ultimately, whether you prioritize battery life, camera quality, or value for money, these Black Friday deals make flagship smartphones more accessible than ever. Consider what features matter most before choosing your ideal upgrade.
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