Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra vs OnePlus 16: Expected Differences

Build and design

The OnePlus is a gaming flagship at 6.78 inches, with a 165Hz interface and 185Hz in games, dedicated P4 display, G3 eSports and T3 touch chips, and bypass charging. The S27 Ultra is leaked to keep a similar 6.9-inch front design, with a raised camera island, or Camera Plateau, replacing the floating camera rings, and slimmer bezels at 1.21–1.28mm. Colours tipped are Black, Blue, Light Pink and White, plus a special Violet option.

If you want a proven gaming phone today, the OnePlus wins. If you want a new camera island and slimmer bezels, the S27 Ultra is a wait-and-see leak. For most buyers, the OnePlus is the safer choice in China until Samsung announces the S27 Ultra.

Display and benchmarks

The OnePlus offers a 6.78-inch LTPO OLED at 1272 x 2772, with 165Hz interface and 185Hz in games. The S27 Ultra is leaked to offer a 6.9-inch display at 1440 x 3120, with a next-generation M16 OLED panel and a second-generation Privacy Display, which should help brightness and power efficiency. For gaming, the OnePlus's higher refresh rate is sharper on paper, while the Samsung's larger display and Privacy Display are more versatile for everyday use. For everyday use, both displays are flagship-grade on paper, with the S27 Ultra winning on panel generation only if the leak is confirmed.

On benchmarks, the OnePlus uses Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 and the S27 Ultra is leaked to use Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro for Galaxy, also on 2nm, so no chip winner is claimed — a controlled side-by-side benchmark between these two phones does not exist, and the Pro variant is a leaked Samsung customisation, not a confirmed chip. For sustained gaming, the OnePlus's gaming chips and bypass charging should help, while the Samsung's cooling is not confirmed.

Cameras and video

The OnePlus offers a 200MP main at 1/1.4-inch f/1.6 with OIS, a 50MP 3x periscope telephoto at 1/1.95-inch f/2.6 and a 50MP ultrawide, plus a 50MP front camera. The S27 Ultra is leaked to offer a triple camera: 200MP ISOCELL HP6 main, a 50MP ultrawide and a 50MP 5x telephoto, plus a 16MP selfie camera. On paper, the Samsung wins on 5x telephoto, while the OnePlus wins on main sensor size and front camera.

No controlled side-by-side camera test between these two phones exists, so no photo winner is claimed beyond the leaked hardware gap. If you shoot zoom often, the Samsung's 5x telephoto is stronger on paper. If you shoot at 1x and want a larger main sensor, the OnePlus's 1/1.4-inch main is stronger on paper. For selfies, the OnePlus's 50MP front camera is stronger on paper.

Battery, software and price

Battery is where the OnePlus wins on paper, with 9,000mAh and 100W wired and 50W wireless charging, plus 27W reverse charging and 80% in 37 minutes claimed, versus the S27 Ultra's leaked rated 5,534mAh, typically around 5,700mAh, with 60W wired and 25W wireless charging leaked. For most users, the OnePlus will last longer on paper, while the Samsung's battery is leaked only. Charging is faster on the OnePlus on paper, though real-world charging should be checked in reviews.

Software is leaked as One UI 9.5 on Android 17 with 7 years of OS upgrades for the S27 Ultra, while the OnePlus runs ColorOS 17. In China, the OnePlus starts at CNY 5,999 for 12GB/256GB, while the S27 Ultra has no announced price — a price hike is tipped, but no figure is confirmed. In the US and Europe, neither is officially sold, so do not treat a China price or a conversion as a US or Europe price. Never quote a single estimated US or Europe price for the OnePlus.

Verdict

Buy the OnePlus 16 if you want a gaming flagship with a 9,000mAh battery and 165Hz display, in China from CNY 5,999. Wait for the Galaxy S27 Ultra if you want its leaked 5,700mAh battery, M16 display and triple-camera setup, and check Samsung's announcement in early 2027. For most US and Europe buyers, neither is officially sold today — both are wait-and-see, with the OnePlus stopping new launches in North America and Europe.