As good as $600 phones get

The OnePlus 13 sequence is the primary main launch of 2025 and looks like the beginning of one thing new for each Android telephones and OnePlus itself. For Android gadgets, this is likely one of the first occasions that flagship telephones are embracing large 6,000mAh batteries, signaling that 2025 would possibly lastly be the 12 months we obtain the norm of true multi-day battery life. For OnePlus, the 13 sequence represents a serious design refresh as the corporate pushes its telephones nearer to true flagship standing, forsaking the ‘flagship killer’ label.

Whereas the OnePlus 13 grabs the highlight this 12 months (and for good motive — we liked it), the OnePlus 13R goals to ship a lot of the identical OnePlus DNA, speedy efficiency, and polish at a extra accessible worth level. After utilizing it as my every day driver for almost two weeks, I can confidently say it’s nearly as good as a $600 telephone can get — however it did remind me why flagships nonetheless serve a objective.

Flat shows are in type, and the OnePlus 13R has embraced the development — for higher or worse. The 13R ditches the curved edges of its predecessors for a flat show with squared-off sides, giving it a pointy and trendy aesthetic. I’ll admit I’ve by no means been the largest fan of flat-edged designs, and this one hasn’t fully received me over.

Living proof, whereas its dimensions (161.7 x 75.8 x 8mm) make it smaller and slimmer than final 12 months’s OnePlus 12, the OnePlus 13R’s flat sides make it really feel a lot bulkier within the hand. It’s additionally rather a lot much less snug for one-handed use than its curvier predecessor, however hey, perhaps that’s simply me. Everybody else appears to be loving this development, and it does imply you’ll encounter fewer ghost touches on the flatter show than we discovered with the OnePlus 12R.

On the plus aspect, the OnePlus 13R seems to be attractive. Mine is the Astral Path variant, which has a silver-white frosted end with delicate but eye-catching concentric rings spreading out from the round digicam module (the opposite colorway, Nebula Noir, seems to be somewhat extra generic). The digicam bump does stick out a bit, however fortunately, it doesn’t trigger any annoying desk wobble. That stated, I do fear about scratching the glass over the lenses when putting it down. A barely raised edge across the digicam island would have been a considerate contact.

The frosted matte end isn’t simply fairly; it’s sensible, too. Fingerprints and smudges are principally invisible, which is at all times a win in my guide. The trade-off is that it’s somewhat slippery, and I’ve already had just a few near-drops whereas selecting it up.

Weighing in at 206g, the 13R positively has some heft to it, however the weight is well-distributed. It feels stable and premium — although in case your arms are smaller, you would possibly need to preserve each of them concerned when dealing with it. Truthfully, I’d have liked it if OnePlus had rounded off the perimeters the place the glass again meets the aluminum body to make it really feel much less like holding a slab, however once more, I understand I’m within the dwindling minority right here.

Now, let’s speak buttons and ports. The long-lasting OnePlus alert slider is right here and sits on the left edge for fast entry to silent mode. On the backside, you’ll discover the USB 2.0 Sort-C port, a speaker grille, and the SIM tray, whereas the highest has an IR blaster — a nifty addition for these moments when the TV distant mysteriously disappears.

One notable enchancment this 12 months is the IP65 score, defending the telephone in opposition to mud and water splashes. Whereas an IP68 score would have provided extra strong water resistance, the IP65 score ought to be ample for many on a regular basis conditions with safety in opposition to water sprays and jets, and it’s encouraging to know that OnePlus has put the telephone by official testing. Rounding issues off is Gorilla Glass 7i on the entrance, which is a not too long ago launched cowl glass designed particularly for reasonably priced telephones. We’ll must see how this holds up over time, however Corning’s exams recommend it’ll be about on par with its Gorilla Glass Victus flagship glass from 2020.

The OnePlus 13R’s show delivers an expertise that punches properly above its price ticket. It’s a 6.78-inch AMOLED panel with a 2,780 x 1,264 decision — equivalent to 2024’s 12R however with some significant upgrades in brightness. With 1,800 nits in Excessive Brightness Mode and a peak of 6,000 nits, it’s shiny sufficient to remain seen even beneath harsh daylight.

OnePlus has carried out a unbelievable job minimizing bezels and creating an nearly uniform look across the show. Colours look vibrant and punchy, and the 10-bit panel helps HDR10 Plus for enhanced video high quality. HDR content material streamed completely tremendous on YouTube and Prime Video, although I couldn’t get Netflix to play HDR content material as supposed on the software program construct I had. Hopefully this will get mounted in secure builds.

The telephone additionally helps Aqua Contact 2.0, a extremely sensible function that lets you use the show with moist fingers, within the rain, and even with gloves. An optical fingerprint scanner sits beneath the show, and it really works quick and reliably sufficient that I by no means had to consider it.

Because of LTPO4 know-how, the show helps an adaptive refresh price of as much as 120Hz. Whether or not I used to be scrolling by apps or navigating the UI, every little thing felt easy and responsive. Actually, in comparison with my $1,800 Galaxy Z Fold 5, the OnePlus 13R truly felt extra flagship-like when it comes to total fluidity.

The OnePlus 13R’s earpiece doubles as a second speaker, complementing the bottom-firing fundamental speaker for stereo output. It’s fairly loud and doesn’t distort even at max quantity, although I’d say that flagship telephones supply barely extra depth and richness to the sound in comparison with OnePlus’ reasonably priced providing.

OnePlus has ditched the entry-level 8GB/128GB configuration on its predecessor, because the OnePlus 13R comes customary with a beneficiant 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage. You may see the way it fares in benchmarks in comparison with a few of its opponents.

What actually issues is how the telephone feels in on a regular basis use, and in that regard, the OnePlus 13R completely shines. Apps launch in a flash, multitasking is a breeze, and I by no means as soon as skilled any lag or stutter, even when juggling a number of apps and demanding duties.

Gaming on this telephone is pure pleasure. The highly effective Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, mixed with the intense 120Hz show, delivers a very pleasant gaming expertise. It’s not in the identical league as telephones powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, however it might deal with essentially the most demanding video games, reminiscent of Genshin Influence, PUBG, and COD Cellular, higher than most telephones in its worth vary, which is mirrored in its spectacular benchmark scores.

I performed a number of rounds of PUBG with the graphics set to “Clean,” the body price set to 120fps, and the fps meter not often dipped under 110. Even after half-hour, the expertise was easy and responsive, with no noticeable body drops or stuttering. Nonetheless, whereas testing Genshin Influence at excessive graphics and 60fps, the telephone was hovering nearer to 45fps more often than not.

OnePlus claims the aluminum mid-frame incorporates a “built-in firewall design” to dissipate warmth extra successfully. There’s additionally an under-display temperature sensor to watch and regulate the telephone’s temperature throughout intensive duties. I did discover a slight heat whereas operating Genshin Influence and proper after a 3DMark stress take a look at, however it by no means received uncomfortably sizzling, even beneath these extraordinarily demanding circumstances.

The OnePlus 13R’s 6,000mAh battery was one of many options I used to be most excited to check — and it didn’t disappoint. From the primary cost, it gave me a style of what it’s prefer to dwell with out battery anxiousness. With reasonable use, together with looking, social media, and video streaming, the telephone simply lasted two full days. On heavier days, which included greater than six hours of screen-on time, it nonetheless completed with over 25% left.

It may be argued that regardless of the bigger battery, the 13R’s endurance feels just like that of the 12R’s 5,500mAh cell. However it’s nonetheless spectacular that OnePlus managed to suit this bigger battery right into a body that’s each thinner and lighter than the 12R. That’s because of the brand new Silicon Carbon battery, which improves effectivity and warmth administration and will make the 13R extra dependable beneath heavier workloads.

The one minor downside is the slower charging speeds in comparison with the OnePlus 12R. Whereas nonetheless quick, the 13R takes round 55 minutes to completely cost its single-cell battery, in comparison with the 12R’s 40-minute cost time. That stated, you continue to get the 80W SuperVOOC charger within the field — although it’s a USB-A brick as a substitute of USB-C, which feels outdated for 2025. Additionally, there’s nonetheless no wi-fi charging right here. This was fairly widespread at this worth level just a few years in the past, however it’s beginning to stand out now when rival telephones just like the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE and Google Pixel 8a not less than supply some type of wi-fi charging.

The OnePlus 13R runs on Android 15 with Oxygen OS 15 on high. In case you’ve been following OnePlus for some time, you is likely to be relieved to listen to that Oxygen OS 15 looks like a return to type for the model. It’s quick, fluid, and gives a bunch of latest customization choices, with options like Flux Themes, which makes it straightforward to match the interface to your type. You may try our detailed hands-on of Oxygen OS 15 for a deeper dive, however right here’s a fast rundown of the important thing options.

OOS 15 brings Open Canvas to OnePlus’ candybar telephones, which rethinks split-screen mode. As a substitute of splitting the display screen in half, it lets one app occupy many of the show whereas one other waits on the edge, able to swap in with a faucet. It sounds promising, however in follow, I discovered myself sticking to straightforward app switching, as Open Canvas didn’t really feel as helpful on a phone-sized display screen because it does on tablets or foldables.

One other new function with a selected audience is Share to iPhone. This function goals to bridge the file switch hole between Android and iPhones. It really works equally to file-sharing apps, however iPhone customers might want to obtain a separate app known as “O Plus Join,” making it a bit much less seamless than AirDrop.

After all, it’s 2024, and AI is all the fad. Oxygen OS 15 joins the occasion with a handful of AI-powered options, although it’s value noting that the majority depend on cloud processing reasonably than on-device AI. The OnePlus Gallery app now boasts AI photograph modifying options, reminiscent of Element Increase, Photograph Unblur, and Reflection Eraser. The AI eraser appears sooner than some opponents’ choices, however the outcomes weren’t essentially the most spectacular.

Clever Search is an fascinating function that allows you to seek for info inside your native information utilizing pure language. It labored properly for a few of my queries, pulling up info from downloaded PDFs. Nonetheless, it additionally fully missed the mark with different paperwork on my telephone. It has the potential to be a really great tool, however its present reliability is inconsistent.

Oxygen OS 15 additionally provides some fascinating contextual options to the Good Sidebar. For example, once you’re chatting, you’ll see an AI Reply choice. This function analyzes your dialog and suggests AI-generated replies, even letting you select the writing type or tone. It’s not depending on a selected keyboard, which is good, however the generated replies themselves are likely to sound robotic and unnatural.

Alternatively, I used to be pleasantly shocked by the AI Communicate function. It reads net content material aloud in a surprisingly natural-sounding voice, with correct enunciation and move. You may even reduce the function right into a floating bubble and proceed utilizing your telephone whereas the article is being learn. AI Abstract does a good job of summarizing net pages, although I’d have favored the choice to regulate the abstract size.

Customary Google options, reminiscent of Circle to Search and the power to make use of Gemini because the default voice assistant, are additionally current. The telephone can even get 4 Android OS updates and 6 years of safety updates, which isn’t fairly up there with the software program insurance policies from Samsung and Google, however it’s a marked enchancment over the OnePlus 12R’s three Android platform updates and 4 years of safety updates.

Cameras are normally the place the extra budget-friendly telephones reduce corners, however I used to be genuinely shocked by how properly the OnePlus 13R held up… principally. OnePlus has dropped the virtually ineffective 2MP macro sensor from the 12R and changed it with a much more useful 50MP 2x telephoto lens. The principle digicam has additionally been upgraded to a brand new 50MP optically stabilized sensor, whereas the 8MP ultrawide digicam carries over unchanged.

The principle digicam on the OnePlus 13R delivers surprisingly stable efficiency through the day. I took a number of side-by-side photographs with the OnePlus 12 to see the way it compares to certainly one of OnePlus’ greatest digicam setups lately, and the outcomes had been nearer than I anticipated. By way of dynamic vary and tremendous particulars, the 13R stored up properly with the larger and higher sensor on the 12.

The place the variations begin to present is in shade replica. Whereas the OnePlus 12 leans towards pure and true-to-life colours, significantly with pores and skin tones, the 13R tends to skew barely cooler or hotter relying on ambient lighting. I believe that is partly as a result of 13R lacking out on the Hasselblad tuning that its flagship siblings take pleasure in.

Low-light efficiency on the 13R was one other nice shock. Even with out switching to Evening mode, the digicam robotically takes longer exposures to brighten up scenes, leading to well-lit and pretty detailed photographs.

In good lighting, the 2x telephoto digicam delivers first rate photographs, and I discovered myself having fun with the additional versatility it provides to the setup. Whereas most telephones handle a good 2x digital zoom lately, having a devoted telephoto lens remains to be helpful, significantly for portraits. That stated, the distinction in high quality between the telephoto and fundamental sensors is difficult to overlook in low-light or tough situations.

For instance, I took some candid photographs of my spouse whereas she was transferring round, and the outcomes had been noticeably noisier than what the principle digicam produced. Actually, even the OnePlus 12’s digital 2x zoom appeared to carry out higher in these eventualities.

To date, so good, however the 8MP ultrawide digicam is the place issues begin to really feel a bit compromised. The drop in high quality is clear in almost all situations, however it’s significantly unhealthy in low-light or indoor photographs. Pictures are usually noisy, tender, and missing intimately, and the colours don’t match the opposite two cameras.

Open air in shiny daylight, the ultrawide digicam can seize first rate landscapes, and perhaps the occasional wide-angle group shot. Nonetheless, video recording from the ultrawide is severely compromised, too. It’s caught at 1080p, and even at that, it might hardly seize any gentle or particulars in less-than-ideal lighting.

In the meantime, the first and telephoto cameras assist 4K video at as much as 60fps, and the standard is first rate for an higher mid-range telephone. Stabilization works properly, and movies look sharp in good lighting. That stated, it’s not fairly flagship-level video efficiency like what you’d get from a high iPhone or Pixel.

The 16MP selfie digicam performs properly sufficient for informal use, producing first rate pores and skin tones and particulars. Nonetheless, it’s additionally restricted to 1080p video, which looks like a missed alternative in 2025.

General, the images expertise on the OnePlus 13R is completely acceptable for its worth, however it’s clear that it doesn’t fairly match as much as one of the best digicam telephones. Pictures taken on it usually lack that eye-catching, social-media-ready polish that you just’d get from a Samsung or Pixel. However in case you’re like me and use your telephone’s digicam extra casually, the OnePlus 13R’s setup would possibly do the job properly sufficient.

Try the Drive folder on the hyperlink for full-res OnePlus 13R photograph samples.

The OnePlus 13R is every little thing you’d anticipate from a OnePlus telephone — blazing efficiency, superb battery life, and speedy charging. Add to {that a} attractive show and a easy, feature-packed Oxygen OS expertise, and you’ve got a telephone that feels prefer it punches properly above its $600 price ticket. OnePlus has even addressed some long-standing ache factors with the R sequence, because of the addition of an official IP score, improved digicam {hardware}, and an prolonged software program replace promise.

That stated, it’s not with out its quirks. Some of us would possibly miss a correct IP68 score, wi-fi charging, or a extra constant digicam setup. As for me, I simply can’t cease considering how a lot nicer this telephone would’ve been with a barely higher ultrawide digicam. After all, these are the finer touches you get with a bonafide flagship, which is why the OnePlus 13 ($899.99 at OnePlus) has a motive to nonetheless exist. Even so, the OnePlus 13R gives a uncommon mixture of near-flagship efficiency, multi-day battery life, and strong construct high quality at a worth that’s arduous to beat. For most individuals, that’s greater than sufficient motive to make this their subsequent telephone.

In case you’re contemplating alternate options, the year-old OnePlus 12 ($899.99 at Amazon) is likely to be value the additional {dollars}. It gives comparable efficiency, higher cameras, wi-fi charging, and a extra premium really feel — although it does have curved edges, which could not be everybody’s desire. Although, in comparison with the 13R, it would additionally get one much less 12 months of software program updates, and also you’re already down one other 12 months as a result of it was a 2024 telephone.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE ($552.54 at Amazon) is one other very robust contender. It boasts flagship options like an IP68 score, wi-fi charging, and 7 years of software program updates. It additionally gives a extra constant digicam setup and deeper integration with the Samsung ecosystem. Nonetheless, it might’t match the OnePlus 13R’s battery life or charging speeds, which is likely to be a dealbreaker for some patrons. It’s additionally not as fashionable, and Samsung’s fundamental cameras battle extra with movement.

The OnePlus 13R is accessible in a single 12GB/256GB configuration within the US for $599.99. Pre-orders are open now, with gross sales beginning January 14, 2025. It’s out there unlocked from OnePlus’s web site, Finest Purchase, and Amazon. Whereas the OnePlus 13R’s $600 price ticket may appear larger than the $500 beginning worth of the OnePlus 12R, it’s essential to notice that the 12R’s base mannequin had solely 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The 12GB/256GB configuration of the 12R was additionally priced at $600, so there’s no nasty worth hike right here.