Beginning with the OnePlus 3, OnePlus maintained a constant design language. Whereas the design of every subsequent cellphone modified, the general aesthetic remained largely the identical, with clean curves and rounded edges characterised by an excellent in-hand really feel. It is this familiarity mixed with an obsessive deal with design that made utilizing OnePlus telephones pleasing over time.
After a decade, OnePlus is overhauling its design ethos with the OnePlus 13. Much like most telephones obtainable right now, the OnePlus 13 switches a boxier design, eschewing the flowing magnificence of earlier fashions. That mentioned, the machine comes with a vegan leather-based again (when you’re getting the Midnight Ocean variant), and it seems to be extremely fascinating.
Forward of the worldwide launch, I talked to Ryan Ruan, head of OnePlus’s Industrial Design Heart, to get a greater sense of the OnePlus 13’s design and battery tech, and what the producer is doing in a different way this time. The apparent start line was the transfer to flat sides, and why OnePlus determined to change the design. Ruan famous that OnePlus’s design group “labored exhausting to make OnePlus 13 really feel higher in your hand than every other cellphone,” investing a “vital period of time in refining the transition between the back and front glass and the straight-edged body” to ship higher sturdiness and a tool that also seems to be elegant.
As a result of OnePlus telephones had dual-curved edges up to now, there was an elevated likelihood of harm to the entrance or rear panes of glass if the machine took a tumble and landed on an edge. Ruan mentioned this was a degree of rivalry with its customers, and that OnePlus has been “repeatedly discussing and validating how to make sure a clean total curvature connection with out compromising the machine’s drop resistance.”
With the OnePlus 13, Ruan mentioned the purpose was “for the transition surfaces to higher conform to the pure curve of the person’s palm whereas additionally offering a safe grip; to this finish, we invested within the refinement and validation of practically 100 fashions” earlier than deciding on the ultimate design for the OnePlus 13.
With reference to sturdiness, OnePlus says it determined to make use of a Microfiber Vegan Leather-based again to permit OnePlus 13 clients to make use of the machine with no case. The vegan leather-based again is extremely intriguing, because it makes use of a softer texture that hasn’t been seen earlier than on any cellphone. “We have fine-tuned the fabric composition and floor therapy to create an much more luxurious and sturdy texture that is additionally environmentally pleasant,” mentioned Ruan.
“It is designed to supply a pure leather-like grip with out compromising on type or sustainability. Numerous different leather-backed telephones usually sacrifice the in-hand consolation simply to ensure every day sturdiness. In the long run, the leather-based might really feel kind of plasticky (with a really tough texture). Nevertheless, on the OnePlus 13, the microfiber vegan leather-based materials is one thing we labored on for over a yr; it ensures good sturdiness, and extra importantly feels tender in your hand.”
Ruan additionally said that regardless that the Midnight Ocean mannequin has a leather-based again, it does not intervene with wi-fi charging to any noticeable diploma. “The thinness of the vegan leather-based again permits good proximity to the wi-fi charging coil, enhancing the charging effectivity. In the meantime, the high-temperature resistance ensures that the cellphone can deal with the slight enhance in warmth that may happen throughout wi-fi charging with none hostile results.”
The OnePlus 13 has a flat AMOLED panel this time, however it contains 2.5D quad-curved edges with a “micro-curve ratio” that Ruan says will make a distinction whereas utilizing the machine — on the identical time negating unintentional touches. Ruan mentioned the micro-curve transition between the flat center body and the quad-curve glass ensures customers do not get a pointy in-hand feeling, and ensures a strong grip. “We selected to create a 2.8D display screen which is designed to supply the visible attraction of a flat display screen whereas additionally giving our customers the graceful contact expertise they get from a 3D display screen.”
Persevering with with the in-hand really feel, Ruan revealed that the OnePlus 13 has a 50:50 weight distribution, so regardless that it has a sizeable digicam module, it is not unwieldy to carry or use. “In the event you place your finger proper underneath the OnePlus brand and help the cellphone, you may discover the cellphone does not lean in direction of come what may. That is as a result of we introduce an evenly-split weight distribution. It requires our engineers to determine a option to allocate extra parts within the decrease half of the cellphone to stability the burden.”
One other fascinating tidbit is that OnePlus is eschewing Coring’s Gorilla Glass in favor of a customized Ceramic Guard resolution on the OnePlus 13, with Ruan stating that it delivers “superior drop safety and scratch resistance. It is strengthened with nano crystalline, a cloth that considerably enhances its fracture toughness. The result’s that the OnePlus 13 show is twice as proof against drops in comparison with standard cowl glass.”
In an identical vein, the OnePlus 13 will get IP68 and IP69 resistance, with the latter designed to resist high-pressure jets of water at as much as 80 levels Celsius. Apparently, IP69 does not cowl immersion in water, so producers have to even have their units examined for IP68 as properly — that is why you see most 2025 telephones having each IP68 and IP69.
Probably the most thrilling modifications coming to 2025 telephones is silicon battery tech, with most Chinese language producers utilizing a silicon-carbon anode of their batteries to extend density and sturdiness. The OnePlus 13 additionally has this tech, and the 6000mAh battery is dubbed OnePlus Silicon NanoStack.
What’s significantly fascinating is that OnePlus is utilizing a dual-cell configuration with the battery. Honor, OPPO, and Vivo use a single-cell battery on their units, and by utilizing two cells on the OnePlus 13, you get one of the best of each worlds — elevated density, and quick 100W charging speeds.
Notably, the OnePlus 13 is utilizing a ten% silicon-carbon anode, resulting in an vitality density of 805Wh/L, a heady 5.5% enhance over the OnePlus 12. That is why OnePlus is ready to match a much bigger 6000mAh battery within the OnePlus 13 whereas nonetheless delivering a cellphone that is 10g lighter and 0.7mm thinner.
Ruan mentioned the purpose with the OnePlus 13 was to create a tool with one of the best in-hand really feel of any OnePlus cellphone thus far, whereas making certain it has higher sturdiness. Having used different units that made an identical design transition — the Discover X8 Professional and Vivo X200 Professional — in latest weeks, I am excited to check out the OnePlus 13 and see if the producer’s claims truly maintain up. I will have way more to share in regards to the OnePlus 13 as we head nearer to the January 7 launch day, so keep tuned.
