The OnePlus 13, starting at $899.99, represents an evolution over its predecessor, now priced $100 higher. This latest model boasts a more durable design, enhanced screen brightness, and exceptional battery life, making it one of the best options in the Android market. OnePlus has also integrated AI features to keep pace with the competition, enhancing its photography capabilities through a collaboration with Hasselblad. Although the OnePlus 13 has many strengths, the $1,099.99 Google Pixel Pro XL is seen as a superior choice due to its advanced AI, superior camera performance, and extended software support. Additionally, with the upcoming announcement of the Galaxy S25 on January 22, which is also expected to compete strongly, the OnePlus 13 is ideal for those seeking an excellent device at a slightly lower price point.
Design: Sleek, But Not Unique
The OnePlus 13 presents a polished and striking aesthetic, resembling the OnePlus 12. Measuring 6.41 by 3.01 by 0.33 inches and weighing 7.51 ounces, it is slightly smaller and lighter than its predecessor. It matches the dimensions of the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL and is comparable to the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
The phone’s design feels lightweight, and is comfortable to hold, featuring Ceramic Guard front glass that integrates seamlessly into its rounded edges. An aluminum frame encases a ringer switch on the left, a volume rocker, and a power button on the right, all of which provide a premium tactile experience. The device features a USB-C port for charging and data, along with a SIM card tray and speaker grille positioned along the bottom edge.
The OnePlus 13 is available in three color options: Arctic Dawn (white), Black Eclipse (black), and a microfiber vegan leather finish called Midnight Ocean (blue).
The Black Eclipse model features a back that is described as having a “wood grain texture”; however, it feels more akin to matte plastic, slippery and prone to attracting dust. The Hasselblad-branded camera bump dominates the upper half of the device, giving it an elegant but slightly uneven surface.
The OnePlus 13 has an enhanced waterproof rating, achieving both IP68 and IP69 ratings for superior dust and water protection. This exceeds the competition’s ratings, allowing for submersion in water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, and resistance to hot water jets.
The device comes with essential accessories, including a USB-C cable and an 80W SuperVOOC charger, which is a notable addition as competitors like Samsung and Google no longer include chargers in their packaging.
Display: Super Bright
The 6.82-inch ProXDR LTPO 4.1 display retains much of its predecessor’s specifications, with a high resolution of 3,168 by 1,440 pixels and a pixel density of 510 ppi. It offers 10-bit color depth and a variable refresh rate ranging from 1 to 120Hz, suitable for gaming.
The OnePlus 13’s display achieves an impressive average brightness of 1,600 nits, with peak brightness reaching a staggering 4,500 nits. In comparison, the Samsung S24 series peaks at 2,600 nits, and the Pixel 9 Pro XL at 3,000 nits, making the OnePlus 13 display exceptionally vibrant and easily viewable in direct sunlight.
Features a reliable under-screen fingerprint sensor and face recognition software for seamless unlocking. While a pre-applied screen protector is included, it tends to collect fingerprints easily and is of low quality. The display also supports operation with gloved and wet fingers.
Performance: Impressively Powerful
Running on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite mobile platform, the OnePlus 13 boasts clock speeds up to 4.32GHz, complemented by fast LPDDR5x memory and UFS 4.0 storage. The device’s storage is non-expandable, offering two configurations: 256GB with 12GB RAM for $899.99 or 512GB with 16GB RAM for $999.99.
The performance of the 512GB model is impressive, with effortless app switching and multitasking capabilities, handling over 50 browser tabs without issue.
In benchmark testing, the OnePlus 13 performed exceptionally well, scoring 2,955 on the Geekbench single-core and 9,143 on the multi-core tests, far surpassing Samsung and Google’s results. The GFXBench also showcased the OnePlus 13’s graphical capabilities with an average of 90fps, outperforming both its competitors.
The phone runs games, including demanding titles like Genshin Impact, smoothly without any performance dips.
Battery: A Full 24-Hour Day
Powered by a 6,000mAh battery, the OnePlus 13 delivers exceptional longevity, lasting 24 hours and 28 minutes under maximum brightness during video playback tests—surpassing nearly every other Android phone available.
The 80W SuperVOOC charging capability rapidly charges the phone from 0% to 100% in just 40 minutes, which is competitive against offerings from Samsung and Google.
For wireless charging, the OnePlus 13 has a maximum rate of 50W with the separate purchase of the AirVOOC 50W Magnetic Charger, which charges the phone in about 1 hour and 8 minutes. This is notably faster than the competition’s offerings.
Connectivity: Still No mmWave
Compatible with most 5G networks, the OnePlus 13 lacks mmWave support, which is available in many urban areas. Despite this, the phone showed impressive download speeds in testing, achieving peaks of 246Mbps with Google Fi.
Equipped with Wi-Fi 7, the OnePlus 13 achieved strong download and upload speeds, outperforming the iPhone 14 Pro in similar tests. Additional features include dual-band GPS for navigation and a Bluetooth 5.4 radio for wireless audio, although it lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Speakers: Loud Enough
The audio quality during calls on the OnePlus 13 is clear and crisp, with the earpiece and speakerphone being notably loud. The integration of OReality Audio results in quality sound reproduction, providing a satisfying listening experience.
Cameras: Hasselblad Assisted by AI
The partnership with Hasselblad significantly enhances the camera’s performance, with all three rear cameras featuring 50MP sensors. The main camera offers optical image stabilization, while the telephoto lens provides 3x optical zoom.
Images captured by the OnePlus 13 are vibrant and clear, benefiting from Hasselblad’s color science. The macro mode provides moderately detailed close-ups, although some clarity may be missing upon zooming.
Zooming capabilities are effective but can exhibit some pixelation in the details. The front-facing 32MP camera performs adequately for selfies and general use.
While the Master Photo mode provides manual controls for photography enthusiasts, the AI features present mixed results in editing capabilities, with tools like AI Eraser and AI Unblur varying in effectiveness.
Software: OxygenOS With a Dose of AI
The OnePlus 13 operates on OxygenOS 15, based on Android 15. The interface is smooth and user-friendly, with several preinstalled apps available for customization. The software includes a dedicated gaming mode and integrates various AI features, although many feel underwhelming compared to competitors.
While the device’s software is functional, it lags behind Google and Samsung in terms of longevity, offering four years of OS updates and six years of security updates, compared to their seven years.
Verdict: A Feature-Rich Flagship With Minor Drawbacks
The OnePlus 13 delivers substantial performance and features as a flagship device at a competitive price. Its stunning display, exceptional battery life, and rapid charging are commendable, though it falls short in camera capabilities and software support when compared to its main rivals. For those seeking a robust flagship experience at a lower price, the OnePlus 13 remains a recommendable choice.
