OnePlus 13 review: Simple, classic, and may just be (almost) perfect
The OnePlus 13, while simple and true to its quintessential design, strikes the perfect balance between classic aesthetics and contemporary looks.
| Rs. 69,999
A year ago, I began taking an interest in vintage watches. It was uncharted territory for me but something new and different. Not only did I learn about mechanical watches and their movements, but I also started appreciating aesthetics, textures, and what makes heritage-inspired watches stand out. While reviewing the new OnePlus 13, I felt as if the brand aimed to design a smartphone that is pure and clean, serving as a constant reminder that it is possible to keep things simple and understated while still finding immense fulfilment—a concept I also came to understand while studying vintage watches. The OnePlus 13 is a fresh take on an old idea and a well-executed attempt to make smartphones excel in everyday experiences, serving as a nice reminder of how personal our devices truly are. Here are my thoughts after spending weeks with the OnePlus 13.
OnePlus 13 price in India (as reviewed): Rs 69,999
How I am used to the OnePlus 13: Even though I am not a content creator, I would consider my smartphone usage high, placing me in the category of Pro users. Currently, my OnePlus 13 is in a wooden grain case without a screen protector. My top uses of the device, in no particular order, are:
Browsing and social media (Linkedin and Reddit, primarily)
Making calls (connected to OnePlus Buds Pro 3; typically 3-4 hrs/day for work and play)
Responding to family and friends through WhatsApp
Taking photos/videos
Listening to podcasts and music
Reviewing upcoming events and adding reminders
Flipping through Google News every hour
Regular use of ChatGPT and Gemini
OnePlus 13 is far from bland. While it may be simple and true to its quintessential design, I feel the device strikes the perfect balance between classic aesthetics and a fresh look, without going overboard. Impressively, it also features the highest possible water- and dust-resistance certification: IP69—a first for a smartphone and a step up from the IP68 certification. This makes the OnePlus 13 even more rugged and durable.
OnePlus 13 also gets magnetic support, though I wouldn’t call it as well-executed as what you get on an iPhone. I love the idea of a MagSafe system—accessories can be effortlessly attached and removed without wires, creating a whole new way to use the smartphone. While the iPhone has built-in magnets on the back, the OnePlus 13 lacks them. However, OnePlus has found an alternative approach to MagSafe. The company offers cases with magnetic functionality and a few accessories, including a 50W wireless charger with a cooling fan. My only concern is whether third-party manufacturers will ever make magnetic accessories for the OnePlus 13. If OnePlus succeeds, it could provide a strong alternative to the iPhone.
OnePlus 13 Terrific display and speakers
The large display measures 6.82 inches diagonally, is almost flat, and features a QHD+ resolution with a sharpness of 500 ppi. Additionally, the panel automatically adjusts the refresh rate between 1 Hz and 120 Hz depending on the content. The screen is bright, crisp, and almost like holding a mini-tablet. Watching HDR video is fantastic, and the device includes a good set of stereo speakers. I have a habit of reading the e-edition of The Indian Express in the morning, often while on my morning walk. Although the OnePlus 13’s display is excellent for outdoor use, reflections on the glossy surface of the display glass can impact readability, especially under bright sunlight. This time, however, OnePlus has added an additional layer to protect the display from heat and humidity and is offering a lifetime warranty against the greenline issue on all OnePlus devices. I think this is a good step—at least the brand has acknowledged the issues that plagued previous generations of OnePlus devices.
Top performance and two-day battery
The Snapdragon 8 Elite (16GB RAM/512GB storage; base storage starts at 256GB, with a new 1TB option featuring 24GB LPDDR5X RAM at the top end) powering this device is indeed fast. This isn’t a new story—I believe silicon will remain as important in future smartphones as it is today. That said, the processor is a crucial and integral component because it determines the phone’s ability to receive additional software updates and key AI features that companies will roll out in the near future. For now, as with every smartphone we review, speed is paramount, and it’s hard to overlook. Performance is excellent: snappy, slick, and fast when opening apps, photos, and videos or playing games. I noticed no significant throttling after playing games like Genshin Impact for more than an hour, though the phone did get warm.
Speeds on 5G were also impressive. If you’re on a Reliance Jio network, you can access their new 5.5G speeds, though I did not test this feature. The device also boasts a new Walkie-Talkie functionality via Bluetooth, which I think will be useful when travelling to mountainous areas or trekking where signal reception can be a challenge. However, it’s not live yet, along with a new Chat feature that will allow you to send messages and photos via Bluetooth.
The battery life is equally impressive. As someone who hates stepping out with power banks, I was genuinely impressed with the OnePlus 13. The device’s 6000mAh battery lasted over a day and a half, and I believe it can easily reach two days depending on usage. It takes roughly 30 minutes to charge the battery from zero to 100 per cent, thanks to its support for 100W wired fast charging. Additionally, the phone supports 50W wireless charging as well. It’s the phone I would like to take to cover product launch events, even though the power adapter is a little bigger than average.
OnePlus 13 Pro cameras
I spent a lot of time with the OnePlus 13 and its camera system. To be specific, I flew to Colombo to extensively test the camera. The big takeaway is that, while the image quality is great and there’s a noticeable improvement from the OnePlus 12, the competition is fierce.
With the OnePlus 13, the brand continues its partnership with camera maker Hasselblad, giving you access to its image processing software, including its colour science expertise and other fine-tuning technologies, which the OnePlus 13 successfully taps into. The hardware is impressive: it features a 50MP Sony LYT-808 main camera with OIS, a 1/1.4″ sensor size, and an ƒ/1.6 aperture; a 50MP ultra-wide camera with a 120° field of view, 1/2.75″ sensor size; a 50MP Sony LYT-600 3X telephoto camera with a 1/1.95” sensor size, 73mm focal length, and an LDAF sensor.
OnePlus has experienced quite a turnaround over the past few years. Once known as the “flagship killer” company, OnePlus eventually lost its original brand identity and went through some tumultuous times, but last year’s OnePlus 12 signaled a huge transformation that proved the company could make the best Android around.
Now, the company has made the best Android phone I’ve ever used in my 14 years of reviewing Android phones. I’ve never given a phone a perfect score in all that time despite phones that have innovated or elevated the playing field, making the OnePlus 13 a particularly special phone.
It gets quite literally everything right. From the ground-breaking IP69 build quality to the best display ever reviewed by DisplayMate — including important eye care protections for users like me who are sensitive to PWM dimming — and a camera that OnePlus proudly claims “meets and beats the best out there.” There’s no better Android phone on the market than the OnePlus 13, and you’ll find out why in my full review below.
With Thanks Reference to: https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-reviews/oneplus-13-review-9764702/ And https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/oneplus-13-review
