Hello and welcome to my detailed review of the OnePlus 13! let’s dive straight into what you came here for: should you buy the OnePlus 13? Here are seven key points to consider before making your decision.
1. Pricing
- Price Tag: The OnePlus 13 comes in at $899, which is consistent with last year’s U.S. price but approximately £50 higher in the UK compared to the OnePlus 12’s launch price.
- Global Version: Unlike the Chinese version that launched last year with ColorOS, the global variant runs on OxygenOS.
2. Battery Life
- Massive Upgrade: Featuring a 6,000mAh battery (up from 5,400mAh in the OnePlus 12), this is the largest battery ever in a OnePlus device.
- Real-World Tests:
- After 6 hours of intensive use (YouTube, gaming, and 4K recording), the OnePlus 13 retained 57% battery compared to 52% on the OnePlus 12.
- In a 10-hour YouTube playback test, the OnePlus 13 ended with 48% battery while the OnePlus 12 had only 33% left.
- Charging Speed: The phone charges from 0 to 100% in just 36 minutes using a compatible charger. It also supports 50W wireless charging, but you’ll need a OnePlus wireless pad for full-speed charging.
3. Performance
- Chipset: Powered by the Snapdragon X Elite, it delivers a remarkable 36% improvement in both single-core and multi-core performance (as per Geekbench 6).
- Graphics Gains: 3DMark stress tests show a 35% higher peak score and a 44% higher low score.
- Heat Management: The OnePlus 13 gets warmer than the OnePlus 12 during stress tests but maintains higher stability with less throttling.
- Gaming Performance: Flawless gaming, even with graphics-heavy titles like Grid Legends. The new chip also brings enhanced camera performance and efficiency.
4. Design
- Premium Aesthetics: The “Midnight Ocean” version features industry-first microfiber vegan leather, offering a premium, fingerprint-resistant finish.
- Build Improvements:
- Slightly slimmer and lighter than the OnePlus 12 series.
- Flat screen with a subtle taper on all edges.
- Redesigned antennas to improve gaming connectivity.
- Durability: Rated IP69, meaning it can withstand hot water jets (up to 80°C), making it resistant to coffee spills or showers.
- Minor Drawback: Buttons, especially the volume rocker, are positioned a bit high for one-handed use.
5. Display
- Specifications: A 6.82-inch Quad HD+ 120Hz dynamic display with a peak brightness of 1,600 nits (4,500 nits for HDR highlights).
- Upgrades:
- Radiant View for improved contrast and colors outdoors.
- Glove Mode for better usability in cold weather.
- AquaTouch 2.0 for seamless use in wet conditions.
- Fingerprint Reader: The new ultrasonic fingerprint reader is faster and more reliable than the optical reader in previous models.
- Durability: Uses Ceramic Guard for better scratch resistance, replacing Gorilla Glass.
6. Camera
- Specs Overview:
- Main Camera: Same as the OnePlus 12.
- Telephoto: Reduced from 64MP to 50MP but now features a larger sensor for better light intake.
- Ultrawide: Increased by 2MP but with a smaller sensor.
- Performance:
- Improved color accuracy and true-to-life white balance.
- Enhanced zoom clarity (up to 30x).
- 8K video recording at 30fps and Dolby Vision 4K at 60fps across all cameras.
- Front Camera: 32MP selfie camera with better low-light performance and natural bokeh.
- Drawback: The ultrawide camera lags behind its predecessor in some scenarios.
7. Software
- Operating System: Ships with Android 15 and OxygenOS, which offers:
- AI tools for photo editing and note-taking.
- Customization options and smooth performance.
- Longevity: Promised 4 years of OS updates and strong optimization for long-term usability.
Final Thoughts
The OnePlus 13 is an impressive upgrade, particularly in terms of battery life, performance, and design. While its camera isn’t a giant leap forward, it still delivers solid results. If you value premium build quality and excellent software, this phone is a strong contender. However, those seeking the ultimate camera experience might still prefer competitors like the Oppo Find X8 Pro. That said, the OnePlus 13 strikes a fine balance, making it an excellent choice for most users.
