Review of OnePlus 13: Everything You Need to Know

OnePlus ended 2024 with big news, showing a new direction for the brand. Despite tough times in India, they’re working hard to come back strong. They’ve made changes inside and want to finish the year on a high note.

They’re focusing on fixing the green line issues in their phones. They promise better phones in the future and a lifetime warranty. Plus, they’ve started Project Starlight to improve customer service in India.

The OnePlus 13 is their latest phone, building on the success of the OnePlus 12. It has a new design, advanced AI, and great performance and battery life. It even has magnetic wireless charging, like some Oppo phones.

After testing, the OnePlus 13 is seen as one of their most exciting phones yet. It shows OnePlus is ready to take on new challenges.

Dimensions

• Height: 162.9 mm
• Width: 76.5 mm
• Thickness: 8.5 mm (Arctic Dawn/Black Eclipse) 8.9 mm (Midnight Ocean)
• Weight: 213g (Arctic Dawn/Black Eclipse) 210g (Midnight Ocean)

Extreme Performance that endures

The new Snapdragon® 8 Elite Mobile Platform is the heart that powers the mind of OnePlus AI. With a faster Neural Engine, an improved CPU and GPU, and a big jump in memory bandwidth, your gaming, entertainment, and digital life has never been faster or smoother.

OnePlus 13 Display

All-day A++ Display

Witness the all-new, record-breaking 2K ProXDR Display. Achieving an industry-first DisplayMate A++ rating and rated the Best Smartphone Display, swipe into over 20 display performance records⁷. Open your eyes to a new level of color accuracy, brightness and color depth.

Parameters

• Size: 17.32 cm (6.82 inches, measured diagonally from corner to corner)
• Resolution: 3168*1440 (QHD+), 510 ppi
• Aspect Ratio: 19.8:9
• HBM / Peak Brightness: 1600 / 4500 nits
• Refresh Rate: 1-120 Hz dynamic
• Type: 120Hz ProXDR Display with LTPO 4.1
• Support 100% Display P3, 10-bit Color Depth
• Cover Glass: Ceramic Guard

When it comes to design, build, and aesthetics, the OnePlus 13 largely meets expectations. Similar to its sister company, Oppo, its cousin Vivo, and other well-known Chinese brands like Honor and Xiaomi, it features a prominent camera island on the back that takes center stage.

However, unlike Oppo and Vivo, the camera isn’t situated right in the middle, which means it lacks the pleasing symmetry we appreciated in models like the Find X8 and Find X8 Pro.

But this device isn’t just about its appearance. It truly shines in terms of feel, especially in the Midnight Ocean vegan leather finish. The outer layer resembles soft synthetic leather, providing a pleasantly tactile experience. It feels nice in the hand, is easy to grip, and is unlikely to slip off surfaces.

The rounded edges at both the front and back enhance the overall comfort, smoothing out what could otherwise be a cumbersome shape. Simply put, this design is a refreshing change in a market filled with large, slippery glass rectangles. It stands out in a wonderfully unique way.

Features

• Nature tone display
• Eye comfort
• Bedtime mode
• Image sharpener
• Video color enhancer
• Screen color mode
• Color vision enhancement
• Auto brightness
• Manual brightness
• Screen Color Temperature
• Bright HDR video mode
• Night mode
• Multi-brightness color calibration

The display delivers vibrant colors right out of the box, providing an impressive viewing experience even in bright outdoor conditions, thanks to OnePlus’ innovative RadiantView technology that enhances visibility in sunlight. Notably, OnePlus stands out in this price range, offering a QHD+ display that ensures sharp images, even when both the display and font sizes are minimized. Additionally, the screen supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, allowing compatible content to shine as intended. During testing, the ultrasonic fingerprint reader performed exceptionally well, adding to the overall user experience.

OnePlus 13 Performance

• Operating System: OxygenOS 15.0 based on Android™ 15
• Platform: Snapdragon® 8 Elite Mobile Platform
• CPU: Qualcomm® Oryon™ CPU @4.32GHz
• GPU: Adreno™ 830
• RAM: 12GB/16GB LPDDR5X
• Storage: 256GB/512GB UFS 4.0
• Battery: 6,000 mAh (Dual-cell 3,000 mAh, non-removable)
• Vibration: Haptic motor
• Available configurations: 12GB+256GB / 16GB+512GB

The OnePlus 13 delivers strong performance in everyday use and multitasking scenarios. It keeps apps in memory for an impressive amount of time, providing a smooth and seamless software experience. The haptic feedback feels sharp and is well-optimized for OxygenOS 15.

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In terms of synthetic benchmarks, the device performs as anticipated, achieving slightly lower scores than its rivals. This is largely due to its high-resolution QHD+ display, as shown in the table below.

Charge

• 100W SUPERVOOC™
• 50W AIRVOOC

OnePlus 13 Camera

OnePlus has kept the same primary and selfie cameras from its earlier model, but there are noteworthy improvements in the telephoto and ultrawide lenses. The 64-megapixel OmniVision OV64B periscope telephoto camera has been upgraded to a more advanced Sony LYT-600. This new camera maintains the 3X optical zoom while being lighter and more compact due to its triprism design. Additionally, the ultrawide lens has been enhanced; the former 48-megapixel Sony IMX581 is now replaced by a superior S5KJN5 camera featuring a 50-megapixel sensor.

I also took some time to compare the camera performance on the OnePlus 13 with that of the OnePlus 12. Below, I’ve included some side-by-side comparisons for context.

Wide Camera

• Sensor: Sony LYT-808
• Sensor Size: 1/1.4″
• Megapixels: 50
• Pixel Size: 1.12 µm
• Lens Quantity: 7P
• ALC lens coating
• Optical Image Stabilization: Yes
• Electronic Image Stabilization: Yes
• Focal Length: 23 mm equivalent
• Aperture: ƒ/1.6
• Field of View: 85°
• Autofocus: Yes

Telephoto Camera

• Sensor: Sony LYT-600 with 3X optical zoom
• Sensor Size: 1/1.95″
• Megapixels: 50
• Pixel Size: 0.8 µm
• Lens Quantity: 1G3P
• ALC lens coating
• Optical Image Stabilization: Yes
• Electronic Image Stabilization: Yes
• Focal Length: 73 mm equivalent
• Aperture: ƒ/2.6
• Field of View: 32.8°
• Autofocus: Yes
• Ultra Res (digital) Zoom: Up to 120X

Poetic Guardian Case for OnePlus 13 5G

Built-in Screen Protector [Work with Fingerprint ID ]

• Full Body Shockproof
• Shock Absorbing
• The rear supports 8K
• Slo-mo video: 1080p

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Ultra-wide Camera

• Sensor: S5KJN5
• Sensor Size: 1/2.75″
• Megapixels: 50
• Pixel Size: 0.64 µm
• Lens Quantity: 6P
• Electronic Image Stabilization: Yes
• Focal Length: 15 mm equivalent
• Aperture: ƒ/2.0
• Field of View: 120°
• Autofocus: Yes

Flash – LED

Autofocus

• Multi Autofocus(All pixel omni-directional PDAF+CAF+LDAF)

Video

• The rear supports 8K at 30 fps, 4K at 60 fps/30fps, 1080p at 60 fps/30fps and 720p at 30 fps
• Steady video: 4K at 60 fps/30fps and 1080p at 60fps/30fps
• Video zoom shooting support: 4K at 60 fps/30 fps, 1080p at 60fps/30fps, 720p at 30fps
• Dolby Vision: 4K at 60 fps/30 fps, 1080p at 60 fps/30 fps
• Movie mode:4K at 30 fps
• Time lapse: 4K at 30 fps and 1080p at 30 fps
• Multi-scene video recording supports 1080p at 30 fps
• Slo-mo video: 1080p at 240 fps, 720p at 480 fps/240 fps

Video Features

• Photo, Video, Portrait, Nightscape, Master, High Pixel, Panorama, Movie, Slow Motion, Timelapse, Long Exposure, Multi-Scene Video, Document, Axis Shift, XPAN

Front Camera

• Sensor: Sony IMX615
• Megapixels: 32
• Sensor Size: 1/2.74″
• Lens Quantity: 5P
• Pixel Size: 0.8 µm
• Electronic Image Stabilization: Yes
• Focal Length: 21 mm equivalent
• Autofocus: Fixed Focus
• Aperture: ƒ/2.4
• Field of View: 90°

Video

• Video: 4K at 60 fps/30fps, 1080p at 60 fps/30 fps, 720p at 30 fps
• Steady video 1080p at 30 fps, 720p at 30 fps
• Dolby Vision: 4K at 60 fps/30 fps, 1080p at 60 fps/30 fps

Features

• Photo, video, portrait, night scene, panorama, time-lapse photography, multi-scene video recording

OnePlus 13 Battery Performance

• 6000mAh silicon-carbon battery
• 100W SuperVOOC charging
• No charger in the box

The OnePlus 13 follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, the OnePlus 12, showcasing impressive battery efficiency.

With the display cranked up to its highest resolution and features like auto refresh rate and auto brightness turned on, it hardly made a dent in battery life during use. For instance, after playing Mario Kart Tour for about half an hour, I only noticed a dip of about 3-4 percent in battery.

When it comes to gaming on the OnePlus 13, I found it remarkable that even on my busiest days, I struggled to fully drain the battery. Typically, I’d manage to use only about half of it with my casual day-to-day activities. This included around 2-3 hours of screen time, balancing social media browsing, catching up on sports news, watching videos on YouTube, playing casual games, and even testing the camera.

A significant factor contributing to this performance is the impressive battery size. The OnePlus 13 houses a 6000mAh battery, which is 600mAh more than the OnePlus 12 from last year. This enhancement is mainly due to the transition to Silicon Carbon technology, allowing for greater power storage in a more compact design than previous models.

And when it comes to recharging, the OnePlus 13 does so efficiently. However, in a shift from their usual practice, OnePlus has not included a power adapter in the box this year. So, if you’re aiming to take advantage of that 100W charging capability to fill up the large battery in just 36 minutes, you’ll need to purchase the adapter separately.

OnePlus 13 Connectivity

eSIM

• Feature availability may vary due to compatibility with local carriers.

LTE/LTE-A

• 4×4 MIMO, Supports up to DL Cat 20/UL Cat 18 (2000Mbps /200Mbps), depending on carrier support

Band

• 2G GSM: 850/900/1800/1900MHz
• 3G WCDMA:Bands 1/2/4/5/6/8/19
• 4G LTE FDD: Bands 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/30/32/66/71
• 4G LTE TDD: Bands 38/39/40/41/48
• 5G SA: n1/n2/n3/n5/n7/n8/n12/n20/n25/n28/n30/n38/n40/n41/n48/n66/n71/n75/n77/n78

Wi-Fi

• Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 5, WLAN Display, WLAN tethering, WLAN overlay, 160 MHz Wi-Fi channels over 5 GHz, 320 MHz Wi-Fi channels over 6 GHz, 2X2 MIMO

Bluetooth

• Bluetooth® 5.4
• SBC, AAC, aptx, aptx-HD, LDAC, LHDC5.0

NFC

• NFC enabled

Positioning

• GPS(L1+L5), GLONASS(G1), BDS(B1I+B1C+B2a), Galileo(E1+E5a), QZSS(L1+L5)

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OnePlus 13 Sensors

• Proximity sensor
• Ambient light sensor
• Color temperature sensor
• Compass
• Acceleration sensor
• Gyroscopes
• Ultrasonic fingerprint
• Hall sensor
• Laser focus sensor
• Spectral sensors
• Infrared remote control
• Barometer

OnePlus 13 Software

• Software version – Android 15
• Software – OxygenOS 15
• Software commitment – 4 years of software, 6 years of security updates

I’ve delved into many of the features that ColorOS 15 has to offer, which closely resemble those in OnePlus’ OxygenOS 15, during my review of the Oppo Find X8 and X8 Pro. Even after revisiting these features, especially concerning image manipulation, the outcomes largely mirror what I experienced with the Find X8 Pro.

It seems that OnePlus’ algorithms still need some refinement to match the capabilities of Google’s Pixel devices. Currently, the main image editing tools offered, like the AI Eraser and AI Reflection Eraser, can be hit or miss in delivering the desired results.

On the OnePlus 13, the new Intelligent Search has been introduced. However, aside from basic keyword searches, it honestly falls short in functionality. For instance, it struggles to locate files even when the exact filename is entered in both Google Files and OnePlus Files, which is perplexing.

Another standout feature is Open Canvas, which made its debut in 2023 and continues to shine as one of the best multitasking tools on the OnePlus Open. Following its introduction on the OnePlus Pad 2, it has now made its way to a standard bar-shaped smartphone.

This feature works similarly to split-screen mode, allowing you to run two apps simultaneously, but it lets you enlarge one app’s window (up to about 80%), while the second app remains visible from the top or bottom. Switching between apps is as simple as tapping the one you want to use! While it might not seem monumental, this enhancement reduces the hassle of constantly adjusting the divider in split-screen mode and allows you to see more of the app you’re engaged with compared to the standard implementation.

Ports

• USB 3.2 Gen 1
• Type-C
• Support standard Type-C earphones
• Dual nano-SIM slot

Buttons

• Gestures and on-screen navigation support
• Alert Slider

Audio

• OReality Audio
• Noise cancellation support

OnePlus 13 Multimedia

HDR Supported

• Dolby Vision®, HDR 10+, HDR Vivid

Audio Supported Formats

• MP3, AAC, AMR, APE, OGG, FLAC, WAV

Video Supported Formats

• MP4, 3GP, MKV, MOV, AVI, FLV, HEVC, AVC, VP9, VP8, AV1

Image Supported Formats

• JPEG, BMP, PNG, DNG, HEIF, AVIF, WEBP, GIF, WBMP, ICO

In The Box

• OnePlus 13 phone
• Type-A to C Cable
• Quick Start Guide
• SIM Tray Ejector
• Safety Guide

OnePlus 13 Review

The OnePlus 13 marks an exciting new chapter for the brand, showcasing impressive advancements across the board. With an array of upgrades, including AI enhancements and some innovative features, this smartphone has a lot to offer.

Starting at Rs. 69,999 for the 12GB + 256GB model, the OnePlus 13 positions itself strongly within the sub-Rs. 70,000 price range. While there are alternatives like the Realme GT 7 Pro and iQoo 13 that deliver similar performance for less, none can compete with the camera capabilities of the OnePlus 13 at this price.

For users who prefer a more compact device, the Oppo Find X8 is worth considering. It packs sufficient power but doesn’t quite match the camera performance of the OnePlus 13. On the other hand, OnePlus 12 users in search of enhanced features will be drawn to the OnePlus 13, despite the camera upgrades being more qualitative.

With Samsung showing little interest in elevating the camera features of their Galaxy S series (the Galaxy S24 still uses hardware from the S22), the OnePlus 13 stands out as an attractive option for those seeking a richer camera experience. Coupled with new design choices, magnetic accessories, fast charging, a larger battery, and OnePlus’ extended warranty program, it becomes increasingly difficult to consider other options.

Conclution

The OnePlus 13 comes with a slightly higher price tag than the OnePlus 12, but it brings several noteworthy upgrades. The camera has seen significant enhancements, the water resistance rating has improved, and the software support is extended. While battery life was already impressive on the OnePlus 12, the 13 takes it a step further, establishing itself as a leader in that aspect. Although OnePlus is positioning this phone in the flagship category, it’s the first time they’ve truly delivered a device that justifies that premium price.

On the flip side, there’s serious competition out there. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus and Pixel 9 Pro XL are priced at $999 and $1,099, respectively, and to be honest, I can’t pick a clear favorite among the three.