The very best
The OnePlus 13 is likely one of the finest flagships of 2025. It has a shocking design with a brand new microfiber vegan leather-based again that feels nice to carry and use, and the chassis has elevated resilience towards tumbles. You get the newest Qualcomm silicon, and the telephone is among the many quickest I’ve used. The cameras on the again maintain their very own towards one of the best that Google and Samsung have to supply, you get a 6000mAh silicon battery with quick charging, and it does not miss out on any extras. In brief, this is not simply one of the best OnePlus telephone, however among the best Android telephones you should purchase at present.
For
- Excellent {hardware}
- Beautiful design with higher sturdiness
- Significantly better cameras
- Unbelievable battery life with 80W charging
- All of the extras you want
In opposition to
- Costlier than final yr
- Selfie digital camera is not one of the best
An unbeatable worth
The OnePlus 13R is my alternative for those who want a telephone that delivers one of the best worth. It does not fairly have the identical cameras because the OnePlus 13, however that is about the one shortcoming; you continue to get terrific {hardware}, a large 6000mAh battery, similar software program, and the identical variety of updates. In the event you do not want one of the best auxiliary cameras, the OnePlus 13R is simply nearly as good because the common mannequin, and it prices $300 much less.
For
- Terrific {hardware}
- Upgraded essential digital camera
- Battery lasts longer than OnePlus 13
- Base mannequin has 256GB UFS 4.0 storage
- Significantly better worth
In opposition to
- Auxiliary cameras aren’t nearly as good
- IP65 water resistance
- Takes a very long time to cost
- No eSIM
OnePlus 13 vs. OnePlus 13R: Design
OnePlus overhauled the design of its gadgets this yr, switching to boxier sides — similar to each different producer. That mentioned, the OnePlus 13 has beveled edges that made holding and utilizing the telephone that a lot simpler, and the burden distribution is good. The very best half is that though the gadget has a much bigger battery than final yr, it’s thinner and lighter.
There’s additionally a brand new coloration possibility with a novel texture on the again. The Midnight Ocean mannequin has a stunning blue hue and a microfiber vegan leather-based again that is not like anything out there at present; it is tender to the touch and has an awesome in-hand really feel, and for those who’re eyeing the gadget, that is the mannequin to get.
The OnePlus 13R does not have beveled sides, and consequently, it is not as comfy to carry; the perimeters are inclined to dig into your hand, and I like to recommend utilizing a case with the gadget. That mentioned, it has aluminum sides, and higher sturdiness than final yr. Whereas I do not just like the design as a lot because the OnePlus 13, the telephone is a smidgen lighter, and in contrast to final yr, you get a flat panel, so it is higher in that regard.
Each gadgets have the alert slider, an IR blaster, and stereo sound. Water resistance is included as nicely, and whereas the OnePlus 13 will get IP68 and IP69 mud and water resistance, the 13R is proscribed to IP65. It’s ok towards splashes, however does not cowl immersion in water.
In an analogous vein, the OnePlus 13 will get a Goodix ultrasonic fingerprint module that is among the many finest you may get on any telephone at present, and it’s quick and does not have any points. The OnePlus 13R makes use of an optical module, and whereas it’s also quick, the sensor is situated decrease on the panel, making it awkward to entry.
I just like the design and in-hand really feel of the OnePlus 13 over the 13R, however the latter is unquestionably higher than final yr’s mannequin, and that is a giant deal in and of itself.
OnePlus 13 vs. OnePlus 13R: Show
The OnePlus 13 has a barely larger 6.82-inch AMOLED panel going as much as 120Hz, with the 13R utilizing the identical 6.78-inch panel because the OnePlus 12. Each telephones have a quoted most of 4500 nits in HDR, however that is a meaningless quantity; in precise use, the OnePlus 13 will get noticeably brighter open air. It is not to say that the 13R is not good in its personal proper, however of the 2 gadgets, the OnePlus 13 has the higher panel.
Each telephones have vibrant colours and wonderful distinction, and stereo sound is detailed sufficient which you could play video games utilizing the onboard audio. On that be aware, you possibly can play restricted titles at 120fps, however there are cases the place it results in elevated jitter. There are not any points with streaming content material or common use, with each telephones holding up extremely nicely on this regard.
One other notable reality is that each gadgets get flat panels this time. The OnePlus 13 has a slight edge on the perimeters that makes it a bit extra immersive, however neither gadget will get the dual-curved panel that was a mainstay till final yr. The glass coating is new as nicely, with the OnePlus 13 utilizing a customized answer that features ceramic, and the 13R coming with Gorilla Glass 7i.
OnePlus 13 vs. OnePlus 13R: {Hardware}
The OnePlus 13 has one of many strongest {hardware} packages out there at present. It options Qualcomm’s newest Snapdragon 8 Elite, and comes with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage as commonplace, with configurations going as much as 1TB. Whereas the 256GB and 512GB variants are offered globally, the 1TB mannequin is proscribed to China and India.
After utilizing the OnePlus 13 for over three weeks, I can say that it is likely one of the quickest telephones of 2025. It does not have any slowdowns in common use, the software program is optimized extremely nicely, and also you get a fluidity that is higher than simply about each different Android interface. It does an awesome job with gaming as nicely, and I did not run into any points with overheating. There may be noticeable throttling on the 30-minute mark, nevertheless it does not pose a lot in the way in which of issues.
| Class | OnePlus 13 | OnePlus 13R |
|---|---|---|
| OS | OxygenOS 15 primarily based on Android 15, 4 Android OS updates | OxygenOS 15 primarily based on Android 15, 4 Android OS updates |
| Show | 6.82-inch 120Hz LTPO AMOLED (3168×1440), HDR10+, Dolby Imaginative and prescient, 1,600 nits (HBM), 4,500 nits (HDR), Ceramic Guard | 6.78-inch 120Hz LTPO AMOLED (2780×1264), HDR10+, Dolby Imaginative and prescient, 1,600 nits (HBM), 4,500 nits (HDR), Gorilla Glass 7i |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite, Adreno 830, 3nm | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, Adreno 750, 4nm |
| RAM | 12GB/16GB/24GB | 12GB/16GB |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB/1TB UFS 4.0 | 256GB/512GB UFS 4.0 |
| Rear digital camera 1 | 50MP f/1.6 essential digital camera, OIS | 50MP f/1.8 essential digital camera, OIS |
| Rear digital camera 2 | 50MP f/2.6 telephoto, 3x optical zoom, OIS | 50MP f/2.0 telephoto, 2x optical zoom |
| Rear digital camera 3 | 50MP f/2.0 wide-angle | 8MP f./2.2 wide-angle |
| Entrance digital camera | 32MP f/2.4 | 16MP f/2.4 |
| Ingress safety | IP68 and IP69 mud and water resistance | IP65 mud and water resistance |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7, Sub-6 5G bands, NFC, Bluetooth 5.4, BeaconLink, eSIM, AptX HD | Wi-Fi 7, Sub-6 5G bands, NFC, Bluetooth 5.4, BeaconLink, AptX HD |
| Safety | In-screen ultrasonic sensor | In-screen optical sensor |
| Audio | USB-C, stereo sound | USB-C, stereo sound |
| Battery | 6000mAh silicon-carbon battery, 100W charging, 50W wi-fi charging, 50W USB PD charging | 6000mAh battery, 80W charging |
| Dimensions | 162.9 x 76.5 x 8.5mm, 210g | 161.7 x 75.8 x 8mm, 206g |
| Colours | Midnight Ocean, Black Eclipse, Arctic Daybreak | Astral Path, Nebula Noir |
In brief, this can be a terrific package deal for those who want a high-end telephone. What’s significantly attention-grabbing is that each one of those statements are legitimate for the OnePlus 13R as nicely; without having the newest {hardware}, it’s powered by final yr’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, and it’s simply nearly as good in each day use in addition to gaming.
If something, I feel the OnePlus 13R is a more sensible choice because it provides you flagship internals for lots lower than the OnePlus 13. You get UFS 4.0 storage, and the bottom mannequin begins with 256GB this time. There’s 12GB of RAM as nicely, and also you get the identical fluidity with the software program.
You get related connectivity as nicely, together with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, AptX HD, dual-band GPS alongside NFC, and new BeaconLink tech that builds on Bluetooth by delivering elevated vary of as much as 300 meters. The one factor lacking on the OnePlus 13R is eSIM connectivity; you are restricted to twin nano-SIM slots, so for those who want this characteristic, you will have to get the common mannequin.
OnePlus 13 vs. OnePlus 13R: Battery life
Each telephones get 6000mAh batteries, however the OnePlus makes use of a silicon-carbon anode, delivering higher density and the flexibility to resist excessive chilly. The telephone has a dual-cell configuration with two 3000mAh batteries, and consequently, it takes simply 38 minutes to completely cost utilizing the 80W commonplace. The 13R, in the meantime, has a single 6000mAh battery, and it takes near an hour to cost.
The 13R misses out on wi-fi charging as nicely, which is the place the OnePlus 13 excels. The telephone will get 15W charging over the Qi commonplace, and there is 50W AirVOOC as nicely, because of a brand new magnetic puck. The gadget does not have the requisite magnets, and you may want to purchase a case to allow the tech.
Though the OnePlus 13R does not have the extras, it lasted longer in my testing. Whereas I obtained a day and a half on each gadgets, the OnePlus 13R delivered a further two hours of screen-on time persistently, and that is attention-grabbing.
OnePlus 13 vs. OnePlus 13R: Cameras
The OnePlus 13 has a trio of 50MP cameras on the again, together with a 50MP Sony LYT-808 essential digital camera, 50MP Sony LYT-600 telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS, and a 50MP wide-angle lens. It takes unbelievable photographs in nearly any situation, and also you get photographs which can be on the identical caliber because the Galaxy S24 Extremely and Pixel 9 Professional XL.
The 13R has a 50MP Sony LYT-700 as the principle digital camera, and it is joined by a 50MP Samsung JN5 telephoto lens that goes as much as 2x, and an 8MP wide-angle lens. The digital camera interface is just like what you get on the OnePlus 13, however there is not Hasselblad integration, so that you miss out on a couple of capturing modes and results.
That mentioned, the OnePlus 13R additionally manages to take standout photographs with the principle digital camera, and barring scenes with little to no mild, it holds up nicely. The most important distinction is the flexibility; the auxiliary cameras aren’t wherever nearly as good, so you aren’t getting the identical caliber of photographs at 3x and 6x zoom, and the wide-angle lens does not fairly ship the identical tonality in low-light conditions.
Though it will not be nearly as good because the OnePlus 13, I am going to be aware that the principle digital camera on the 13R is nice in its personal proper, and if something, it’s the finest shooter in its class.
OnePlus 13 vs. OnePlus 13R: Software program
Each telephones run OxygenOS 15 primarily based on Android 15, and in my utilization, I did not see any distinction within the software program. That is factor, because it’s clear that OnePlus does not need to restrict its finest software program options to its flagship. What’s noticeable this time is that the interface has higher fluidity, and that’s the case on each the OnePlus 13 and 13R.
Clearly, you get the same old AI-focused additions, they usually do an honest sufficient job. Though the interface is not as minimalist as I would like, it has an exhaustive set of customization choices, and you may tweak the lock display, notification pane, and residential display to your tastes, and there are many helpful utilities round multitasking and gestures.
As for updates, each telephones will choose up 4 years of Android OS updates alongside six years of software program updates. Once more, it is good to see the OnePlus 13R get the identical software program replace assure as its costlier sibling.
OnePlus 13 vs. OnePlus 13R: Which do you have to purchase?
I used each gadgets extensively, and I can say with some confidence that they are among the many finest OnePlus telephones up to now. The OnePlus 13 is my go-to suggestion for those who want a flagship that has all the pieces: an awesome design, one of the best internals, standout cameras, long-lasting battery, and helpful software program extras. There is not something lacking on the gadget, and though it prices greater than final yr, you are getting a set of upgrades that justifies the hike.
Now, for those who do not want one of the best cameras, the OnePlus 13R is the apparent alternative — and a a lot better worth. It might not have the identical auxiliary cameras because the OnePlus 13, however the principle digital camera nonetheless manages to shoot nice photographs, and the remainder of the {hardware} is not that completely different: you continue to get top-notch internals, a battery that lasts even longer, an AMOLED panel that is simply nearly as good, and the identical software program. The one limitation is IP65 water resistance, and longer charging occasions.
The upside is that the OnePlus 13R prices $300 lower than the OnePlus 13, and that’s nothing to scoff at. It is a better suggestion in India, the place the gadget prices simply ₹42,999 ($496) — the identical as final yr. If you wish to avoid wasting money and nonetheless get nice {hardware} and usable cameras, the OnePlus 13R is my choose. In the event you want a tool that goes up towards the Pixel 9 Professional XL, you then’ll have to get the OnePlus 13.
The very best
That is one of the best OnePlus telephone but, and I do not say that calmly. It has a greater design with elevated sturdiness, the newest {hardware}, wonderful cameras, long-lasting battery, and fluid software program that is nice to make use of. In brief, this is likely one of the finest flagships you should purchase in 2025.
An unbeatable worth
You will not discover one other gadget that provides you as a lot worth because the OnePlus 13R in 2025. It mainly has the identical {hardware} as final yr’s OnePlus 12, however is on the market for a lot much less. The auxiliary cameras will not be nearly as good and the design is not as comfy to carry, however these are minor quibbles — as an total package deal, the OnePlus 13R is unbelievable.
