OnePlus 13 Review: A New Beginning

OnePlus ended 2024 with some actually attention-grabbing bulletins. It wasn’t one of the best yr for the BBK-owned model in India, however after getting rejected by a big group of cellular retailers, the corporate determined to show issues round by going with an inside rejig. After this, it tried to finish the yr on a great be aware by saying a contemporary new path for the model. OnePlus determined to sort out the mammoth job of recurring display-related inexperienced line points, which have plagued the model’s handsets for years. It additionally introduced that it has not solely labored on fixing the issue with upcoming units however would additionally present a lifetime alternative guarantee for all of its smartphone fashions. Additionally launched was Mission Starlight, part of OnePlus’ efforts to overtake its customer support expertise in India.

With underlying points now swept clear, OnePlus has lastly introduced its all-new OnePlus 13. It’s the successor to the OnePlus 12, which was a correct all-rounder in our evaluate. The OnePlus 13 is a brand-new system with a brand new design path, packs AI software program tips and a great deal of uncooked efficiency and battery life. Just like the Oppo Discover X8 Professional, which obtained a brand new Fast Button and magnetic instances, OnePlus additionally acquired to choose a brand new characteristic from the BBK bin, and it determined so as to add magnetic wi-fi charging. It’s just like what Oppo provides by way of the identical magnetic instances, which have been silently launched in India final yr for apparent causes. After testing out the cellphone for weeks, I need to say that the OnePlus 13 needs to be probably the most formidable smartphones from the model to this point.

OnePlus 13 Design: Slimmer and… modular?

• Dimensions – 162.9 x 76.5 x 8.5mm
• Weight – 213g
• Sturdiness – IP68 + IP69

I obtained the OnePlus 13 within the new Arctic Daybreak end, essentially the most fundamental among the many three. The black colourway referred to as Black Eclipse is reserved for essentially the most high-end storage variant and has a matte black body and wooden grain-like texture, giving it a novel really feel and look. The Midnight Ocean color is essentially the most distinctive one, providing a mirror-finish body with a microfibre vegan leather-based materials that appears and feels luxurious.

The OnePlus 13 has IP68 + IP69 certification for mud and water resistance

 

Regardless of receiving essentially the most fundamental colourway, I’m impressed as to how OnePlus has managed to make a slimmer system (in comparison with the OnePlus 12) with a better capability battery whereas enhancing its IP score and sustaining its quick wi-fi charging tech.

The OnePlus 13’s design does seem a bit acquainted to Oppo’s Discover X8 Professional however feels a bit lighter. Because of its mirror-finish aluminium body and flat sides, it provides extra grip than the latter. Whereas the body (chassis) has flat sides, the rear and entrance panels have additionally been flattened (in comparison with the rounded OnePlus 12) with curved edges that seamlessly merge with the body.

The cellphone’s water and dirt resistance has obtained a strong improve this yr and is now IP69-certified, which means that it may possibly even face up to pressured jets of scorching water (like in a automotive wash). On condition that OnePlus provides safety plans for its units at an extra value, you may confidently immerse this system in freshwater.

The brand new OnePlus AIRVOOC 50W Magnetic Charger isn’t your common wi-fi charger

 

The modular half begins with the cellphone’s case. OnePlus has launched many equipment in India, together with a few cellphone instances with a built-in magnetic ring that holds the brand new equipment in place. This brief record of magnetic equipment features a magnetic snap-on charger and a 5,000mAh magnetic energy financial institution.

The OnePlus AIRVOOC 50W Magnetic Charger could look like an Apple MagSafe charger, however in precept, it really works in a really totally different method. In contrast to Qi and Qi 2 chargers obtainable out there provided by smartphone manufacturers, OnePlus takes issues a step additional by including a thermoelectric (peltier) chip contained in the charger. This peltier impact chip goals to maintain the charging course of cool, which, in response to OnePlus, additionally reduces battery degradation generally brought on by warmth, which is a by-product of wi-fi charging.

The fan, together with the thermoelectric chip, can dissipate warmth whereas protecting the world with the magnetic flux and call surfaces cool. Nevertheless, the true functionality of the cooling chip isn’t utilised to the fullest as a result of the cooled floor of the charger doesn’t make direct contact with the cellphone however the plastic case as an alternative. And for the reason that cellphone is properly insulated from the chilly contact patch of the wi-fi charger, it can’t be used as a cooling answer whereas enjoying video games. OnePlus’ Freezing Level Cellphone Cooler is a greater accent for players because it instantly clips onto the cellphone’s rear panel.

The wi-fi charger has a robust magnetic drive, sufficient to droop the cellphone from a charging socket

 

Certainly, the charger’s magnetic grip possesses a robust ‘dying grip’, permitting the cellphone to be suspended from a wall outlet. Out of curiosity, I even snapped it onto an iPhone 15 Professional Max. The system firmly connected itself to the iPhone 15 Professional Max, securely holding the charger in place and protecting the iPhone ice-cold all through the charging course of. It is simply that the charging course of was fairly gradual in comparison with OnePlus’ AIRVOOC speeds.

The magnetic charger accent is a good concept that mixes the 2 present applied sciences in the absolute best approach. I simply want that the magnets to carry the equipment have been constructed into the rear panel as an alternative of the case.

OnePlus 13 Show: Nearly as good because it will get

• Show dimension – 6.82-inches, 1,440 x 3,168 pixels, QHD+ (510PPI)
• Show kind – AMOLED, LTPO, 1-120Hz
• Show safety – Ceramic Guard

From a design standpoint, that is the primary OnePlus system (save for the ‘R’-branded fashions) to have a flat show. Whereas its border seems slimmer when holding the cellphone entrance and centre, the curved protecting glass across the corners makes it seem thicker when considered from every other angle. Whereas the curved edge shows on the earlier fashions didn’t have any particular function aside from lending the system a premium look, the identical applies to the brand new quad-curved glass, which, aside from its look, serves no different function. Nevertheless, similar to on the Discover X8 Professional, I did discover the reflections as a consequence of its quad-curved edges fairly distracting when considered outdoor.

The quad-curved protecting glass display reveals a variety of distracting reflections outdoor

 

The show showcases pure color at default settings. The identical applies even when viewing it outdoor, due to OnePlus’ RadiantView know-how that improves readability in daylight. One of many few manufacturers to supply a QHD+ show on this value section (and above), sharpness isn’t an issue, even if you happen to decrease the show and font dimension to the bottom setting. The show additionally provides HDR10+ and Dolby Imaginative and prescient certification, with supporting content material showing as anticipated. OnePlus additionally employed an ultrasonic fingerprint reader throughout this time, and it labored flawlessly in the course of the testing interval.

OnePlus 13 Software program: Jack of all trades…

• Software program model – Android 15
• Software program – OxygenOS 15
• Software program dedication – 4 years of software program, 6 years of safety updates

I’ve already explored a lot of the options provided by ColorOS 15, that are almost the identical as OnePlus’ OxygenOS 15, in my Oppo Discover X8 and X8 Professional evaluate. Regardless of testing these options once more, a lot of the outcomes, particularly with picture manipulation, stay the identical as they have been on the Discover X8 Professional.

OnePlus’ algorithms nonetheless require some fine-tuning to be as succesful as Google’s Pixel units. For the time being, the majority of picture enhancing instruments, such because the AI Eraser and AI Reflection Eraser instruments, are succesful within the sense that they might or could not produce the specified outcomes.

OxygenOS 15 appears fairly totally different from the earlier model, however its similarities with Oppo’s ColorOS are fairly apparent

 

OnePlus’s new Clever Search is offered on the OnePlus 13. Nevertheless, fundamental search keyword-related outcomes apart, it truthfully cannot do a lot. It can’t even discover recordsdata within the paperwork apps (each Google Information and OnePlus Information), even after typing within the actual file title, which is a bit unusual.

Reside Translation guarantees to supply real-time translation throughout 20 languages, however the characteristic will arrive at a later date. So I couldn’t try it out.

The AI-based picture enhancing instruments positive want a variety of work

 

Open Canvas which debuted in 2023 and remains to be among the best multitasking options on the OnePlus Open. After the OnePlus Pad 2, it lastly arrives as a daily bar-shaped smartphone. It really works in a well-recognized method, letting you open two apps at a time, like in cut up display mode, however helps you to stretch the window of 1 app (by about 80 %), letting the second app peak from the highest or backside. If it is advisable to change, merely faucet the opposite app to start out utilizing it! Whereas it could not sound like a giant deal, it reduces the necessity to maintain adjusting the divider between two apps in split-screen mode. It additionally helps you to see extra of the app that you’re engaged on in comparison with the common split-screen implementation.

Open Canvas is a enjoyable method to multitask, letting you view extra of the first app in a split-screen association

 

Identical to on the Discover X8 Professional, I do just like the AI Abstract and AI Converse options which are obtainable by way of the Sensible Sidebar. AI Reply additionally gives well-written contextual replies, however just for choose apps.

Seeing how far OnePlus has gotten for the reason that OnePlus 12 is attention-grabbing. You additionally must remember the fact that Google’s Gemini Reside and Assistant can be found on this cellphone, which principally fills the void left behind by the shortage of OnePlus’ personal devoted digital assistant. In lots of points, I believe it is a good initiative. Nevertheless, customers must learn by way of the superb print and concentrate on the place their private information is shared, as some AI options use OnePlus’ (AKA ColorOS’) AI mannequin, whereas others use Google’s AI fashions.

OnePlus 13 Efficiency: Spectacular

• Processor – Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, 4.32GHz, 3nm
• RAM – 12/16/24GB (LPDDR5X)
• Storage – 256/512/1TB (UFS 4.0)

The OnePlus 13 provides spectacular efficiency with day-to-day duties and multitasking. Apps additionally keep in reminiscence for a substantial period of time, and the software program operates with a clean and seamless really feel. Haptics vibrations are fairly crisp and appear to be well-optimised to cater to OxygenOS 15.

When working artificial benchmarks, the handset performs as anticipated, managing barely decrease scores than its opponents primarily due to its high-resolution QHD+ show, as may be seen from the desk under.

 

The gaming efficiency is spectacular. The cellphone managed to stay to a strong 60 fps whereas enjoying Genshin Influence at its highest preset at 60 fps. Nevertheless, I used to be a bit stunned to see no MEMC or Adaptive Body Booster help for a similar title, because it was obtainable on the Oppo Discover X8 collection.

Oppo’s BeaconLink, a characteristic launched with the OnePlus Nord 4 and the Reno 12 Professional, can also be obtainable on the OnePlus 13. Nevertheless, I couldn’t try it out as I didn’t have a second appropriate system.

OnePlus 13 Cameras: New doesn’t imply higher

• Major digital camera – 50-megapixel, f/1.6, OIS
• Telephoto digital camera – 50-megapixel, f/2.65, OIS
• Ultrawide digital camera – 50-megapixel, f/2.05, AF
• Selfie digital camera – 50-megapixel, f/2.45, FF

OnePlus’s new Triprism telephoto digital camera takes up quite a bit much less area in comparison with a daily periscope telephoto digital camera

 

OnePlus has retained the first and selfie cameras from the earlier mannequin. As for the upgrades, it has switched from the 64-megapixel OmniVision OV64B periscope telephoto digital camera to a brand new Sony LYT-600, which nonetheless provides 3X optical zoom however in a lighter and extra compact bundle due to its triprism format. The ultrawide digital camera has additionally been modified, with the 48-megapixel Sony IMX581 changed by an improved S5KJN5 digital camera with a 50-megapixel sensor.

Whereas testing out the cameras on the OnePlus 13, I used to be additionally a bit as to the way it in comparison with the earlier OnePlus 12. So, I’ve included comparisons between the 2 under for reference.

OnePlus 13 main digital camera samples (faucet photos to increase)

 

The first digital camera produces sharp images with good color replica. It manages to keep up a great stability of distinction and delivers good dynamic vary in difficult taking pictures situations. Low-light taking pictures can also be dealt with properly, offering ample dynamic vary and displaying good element in the dead of night and vivid areas of a picture. The 2X zoom choice, a crop from the first digital camera, stays the identical as earlier than, with photos which have decrease high quality irrespective of the lighting situation.

The brand new trisprism digital camera performs properly at 3X (high) and 6X (backside) magnification (faucet photos to increase)

 

The 3X triprism telephoto digital camera is sort of the sharpshooter. Actually, even the lossless 6X magnification photos it produces are wonderful by way of element. Whereas its capabilities are commendable in low mild, the images aren’t as sharp as these produced by the outdated OnePlus 12’s 64-megapixel digital camera, as may be seen within the two samples under.

The 6x lossless telephoto picture captured by the OnePlus 12 (backside) seems quite a bit sharper and detailed in comparison with the OnePlus 13’s picture (high) (faucet to increase photos)

 

One other element to level out right here is that the brand new triprism digital camera additionally doesn’t let me get near a topic in comparison with the incredible near-focusing functionality (1 foot from the topic) of the older telephoto digital camera. The OnePlus 13’s digital camera system can also be very fast to change to a cropped view from the first digital camera (at 3X) everytime you get nearer than 3-4 ft out of your topic. Briefly, this new telephoto is a little bit of a downgrade, though it helped make the OnePlus 13 slimmer.

OnePlus 13 ultrawide digital camera pattern (faucet picture to increase)

 

The ultrawide digital camera is a pleasant improve to the earlier mannequin. It retains the barrel distortion below management whereas sustaining sufficient element. This additionally applies to low-light taking pictures, which produces clear photos with little noise.

By way of color processing, each digital camera appears to wish to do its personal factor, as may be seen from the collage above. Nevertheless, shot-to-shot consistency when utilizing the identical digital camera is nice and reliable. If it is advisable to get extra correct colors, it is best to change to OnePlus’ Grasp mode.

 

AI Zoom OFF (High), AI Zoom ON (backside) (faucet photos to increase)

 

As for Zoom, similar to the Discover X8 Professional, the OnePlus 13 prompts AI Zoom when you attain 60X. The outcomes are unpredictable and depend on the creativity of the AI mannequin. I discovered the pictures captured until 10X to be usable, past which the picture high quality noticeably deteriorates.

OnePlus 13 selfie digital camera pattern (faucet picture to increase)

 

Selfies captured in daylight appeared sharp and crisp with good edge detection, whereas low-light captures stay the identical as earlier than, which is a bit smooth.

When recording 4K video at 30 fps, the OnePlus 13 manages softer movies with much less element versus the OnePlus 12. The video high quality remains to be commendable in comparison with different choices at this value level. 4K 60 fps provides the very best quality potential with lowered noise, good stabilisation and a gentle framerate. On the similar time, I discovered footage from the OnePlus 12 that provided sharper picture high quality with elevated luminance noise.

OnePlus 13 Battery: Wonderful

• Battery capability – 6,000mAh
• Wired charging – 100W
• Wi-fi charging – 50W

The 50W AIRVOOC charger is definitely one of many quickest wi-fi charging options obtainable in India. And is approach quicker than the same old Qi or Qi 2 speeds obtainable for many Android smartphones. Actually, it may possibly defeat the wired charging speeds of most premium flagships from Apple and Samsung and maintain the charger and surfaces cool whereas doing so.

The brand new silicon carbon battery, regardless of its 6,000mAh capability, can simply match into the OnePlus 13’s slim physique

 

In our testing, the 50W AIRVOOC Magnetic Charger totally charged the cellphone’s 6,000mAh battery in 1 hour and quarter-hour. The wired SUPERVOOC 100W charger managed a 55% cost in quarter-hour and accomplished the charging course of (totally charged) in 41 minutes.

As for battery life, the OnePlus 13 lasted 26 hours and a couple of minutes in our video battery loop check. Whereas utilization patterns fluctuate from individual to individual, the cellphone simply lasted me a day and a half with informal use (calls, social media apps, e mail and workplace apps) and just a little over a day with heavy use (gaming and digital camera), which is fairly spectacular.

OnePlus 13 Verdict

OnePlus seems to be in search of a contemporary begin, and the OnePlus 13 represents a major development. It is acquired a ton of upgrades in each division, together with AI tips and a few new toys.

Priced from Rs. 69,999 onwards (12GB + 256GB), the OnePlus 13 as soon as once more makes a case for itself within the sub-Rs. 70,000 section. It’s potential to search out many smartphones (just like the Realme GT 7 Professional and iQoo 13) that supply related efficiency at a cheaper price, however none can match the digital camera prowess of the OnePlus 13 at this value level.

These excited by a smaller type issue may give the Oppo Discover X8 a glance, because it, is filled with sufficient firepower however falls brief on digital camera efficiency. OnePlus 12 customers who’re on the lookout for one thing extra highly effective will nonetheless discover the OnePlus 13 engaging though the digital camera upgrades are qualitative.

Given Samsung’s lack of curiosity in enhancing their Galaxy S collection’ digital camera capabilities (the Galaxy S24 retains the digital camera {hardware} from the S22), the OnePlus 13 presents a compelling different for these in search of a extra complete digital camera expertise. Add to this the brand new design choices, magnetic equipment, quick charging, huge battery upgrades and OnePlus’ prolonged guarantee program, and it is exhausting to look elsewhere.