I had the opportunity to test the OnePlus 13 for about a month and, as every time, I was able to thoroughly assess every aspect of this device. This is a high-end smartphone the new flagship of the Chinese producer with a lot of improvements compared to the last generation.
Two versions are available: one with 256GB of internal storage at and another with 512GB, both featuring UFS 4.0 memory.
OnePlus 13: our tops & flops
In our review of the OnePlus 12, we pointed out that one thing we didn’t like was its design, which didn’t feel worthy of a flagship and should have received the same attention as the Nord 4. It seems OnePlus listened because the OnePlus 13 now truly has an elegant look while still retaining some features from the past. For example, I had the white version with a fabric-like back cover. It’s still a bit slippery, but the removal of the curved display (finally!) improves ergonomics as well.
In short, the OnePlus 13 is now a beautiful device, with an even more stunning display and outstanding performance. Not only that, but its AI features are unexpectedly useful (most of them), and the photos are stunning—almost at a professional camera level, with improved video quality as well. This is definitely a flagship to watch, and despite a price increase, it still costs less than all its competitors while now offering a video setup that meets expectations. If only the UX were better suited for business use…
What we like:
- More refined design
- Large and bright display
- Incredible photo quality
What we don’t like:
- UX lacks separation between personal and business use
- Camera optimization for social media is still lacking
- Some materials could still be improved
Prices in Scandinavia
Design and build quality
From the very first impression, the OnePlus 13 stands out for its refined design and excellent build quality. The version I tested has the white aback cover, called “Arctic Dawn,” made with recycled materials, which provides a pleasant and secure grip. There’s also a black variant, and a blue vegan leather variant, which increases the premium feeling even more.
The camera module is circular and silver, well-integrated into the device’s design, although at first glance, it might appear somewhat inconsistent.
In terms of ergonomics, the OnePlus 13 is comfortable to hold despite its large dimensions. The glossy aluminum frame houses the standard buttons, the USB-C port with video output, and the characteristic slider for quickly switching between sound, vibration, or silent modes. Additionally, it integrates three microphones along the edge and a fourth in the camera module, ensuring excellent audio quality in recordings and calls.
The wonderul camera system
One of the most crucial aspects of a high-end smartphone is undoubtedly the camera system. The OnePlus 13 features three 50-megapixel sensors: a Sony LYTIA 808 main sensor with an f/1.6 aperture and optical stabilization (OIS), a periscope telephoto lens with 3X optical zoom, and an ultrawide sensor equipped with PDAF autofocus.
The selfie camera remains unchanged from the previous generation, with a 32-megapixel Sony IMX615 sensor.
The photo quality is absolutely excellent, with great light management and natural color reproduction. The periscope telephoto lens introduces the “triprism” system, which reduces the module’s size without sacrificing image quality.
I tested this smartphone in many situations, from the ambient daily lights, to high-contrast like the one in Arken Museum (see the picture below), and the result is perfect.
Videos, on the other hand, are of good quality, though they do not reach the smoothness and stabilization levels of devices like the latest iPhones or Samsung flagships. You can record in 8K at 30fps or 4K at 60fps, with the ability to seamlessly switch between the three cameras during recording.
Display and multimedia
Moving on to the display, the OnePlus 13 features a 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED panel with a QHD+ resolution and a peak brightness of 4500 nits, making it perfectly readable even in direct sunlight. The bezels are symmetrical and slightly curved, contributing to an immersive viewing experience.
Additionally, unlike other devices, OnePlus has opted for an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor under the display, which is faster and more secure than traditional optical sensors.
The stereo audio, supported by dual speakers, delivers powerful and well-balanced sound, enhancing the viewing and gaming experience.
On the software front, the OnePlus 13 runs Android 15 with the OxygenOS 15 interface, with all the latest features and even more compared to the update seen on OP 12 and Open. OnePlus promises four major system updates and six years of security patches. The company has significantly improved animation fluidity and integrated artificial intelligence, which now supports various advanced features such as on-screen element search, image enhancement, and advanced text recognition.
Among the new AI features is “Circle and Search,” which allows users to circle an element on the screen for an immediate Google search, along with advanced AI-powered photo editing tools.
Performance
In terms of performance, the OnePlus 13 is powered by the new Snapdragon 8 Elite, paired with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage. After an initial period where the processor seemed to heat up a bit too much, software updates improved energy management and temperature control. In gaming and heavy applications, the device performs excellently without any lag.
The 6000mAh battery ensures excellent battery life, lasting nearly two days with moderate use. The 100W fast charging allows for a full charge in about 40 minutes, while the 50W wireless charging offers a convenient alternative. Optimized power management helps reduce battery degradation over time.
Regarding connectivity, the OnePlus 13 supports 5G, WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, and eSIM. Reception is excellent thanks to an advanced 360° antenna system, ensuring a stable connection even in challenging conditions.
An interesting new feature is “BeaconLink,” which allows Bluetooth calls even without a mobile network, provided the recipient has a compatible OnePlus, Realme, or OPPO device.
Bonus
I received the device together with the new OnePlus Buds Pro 3, the true wireless headphones.
I’ll write a review about them too, but here I have to say you definetely must buy the OnePlus 13 with them, due to a good quality sound made with Dynaudio (Danish proud) and a good price.
