Contents
- 1 A Premium Smartphone That Rivals the Best
- 2 Sleek Design with a Unique Fabric Finish
- 3 Unmatched Performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite
- 4 Exceptional Battery Life with Super-Fast Charging
- 5 Cutting-Edge Camera System
- 6 OxygenOS 15: Fast and Feature-Rich with AI Enhancements
- 7 Software and Security Updates: A Disappointment
- 8 Sustainability and Repairability
- 9 Price and Value Comparison
- 10 Is the OnePlus 13 Worth It?
- 11 Pros:
- 12 Cons:
A Premium Smartphone That Rivals the Best
OnePlus continues to challenge industry giants like Samsung and Google by delivering high-end smartphones at a competitive price. The OnePlus 13 is no exception, offering a powerhouse device with top-tier performance, an exceptional camera system, and a unique design that stands out in 2025.
Sleek Design with a Unique Fabric Finish
The OnePlus 13 maintains the brand’s tradition of stylish, premium builds. It is available in multiple colors, with the standout option being the blue microfibre back, a refreshing departure from the standard glass and metal finishes dominating the market. This fabric-textured back not only enhances grip but also adds an elegant touch to the phone’s aesthetic.
The device features a 6.8-inch QHD+ OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors, sharp visuals, and smooth scrolling. The beveled aluminum frame gives it a retro charm reminiscent of the OnePlus X from 2015, ensuring a comfortable grip despite its large size. Additionally, the IP68 and IP69 ratings provide top-tier water and dust resistance, even surviving high-pressure water jets—ideal for unexpected mishaps.
Unmatched Performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite
Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, the OnePlus 13 sets a new benchmark for speed. With a 40% performance boost over its predecessor, it delivers effortless multitasking, lightning-fast app launches, and seamless gaming experiences. The software is fine-tuned for speed, making everyday interactions smooth and responsive.
The ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor is one of the fastest in the industry, ensuring instant unlocking. Whether navigating the interface, playing high-end games, or switching between apps, the OnePlus 13 never lags.
Exceptional Battery Life with Super-Fast Charging
The OnePlus 13 offers an impressive 50-hour battery life on a full charge, even with a mix of 5G and Wi-Fi usage. This means most users will only need to charge it every other day, aligning with top competitors.
Charging speeds remain a strong point for OnePlus:
- 45W wired charging (standard USB-C) reaches 50% in under 30 minutes.
- A 100W SuperVooc charger (sold separately) fully charges the phone in just 37 minutes.
- 50W wireless charging ensures convenience for users who prefer a cable-free experience.
Cutting-Edge Camera System
The triple-camera setup on the OnePlus 13 includes:
- 50MP main sensor for crisp, high-detail shots
- 50MP ultra-wide lens with a 0.6x zoom
- 50MP 3x telephoto lens, offering up to 6x hybrid zoom
- 32MP front-facing camera for sharp selfies and video calls
The upgraded camera system produces well-balanced, detailed images across various lighting conditions. The telephoto lens is among the best at 3x zoom, and motion capture and low-light performance are significantly improved. OnePlus still leans toward over-brightening and sharpening images, but the overall quality competes with flagship rivals.
Additional camera features include:
- Master Mode for professional manual control
- Macrophotography and slow-motion video
- Tilt-shift and time-lapse modes
- Full 50MP resolution shooting option
OxygenOS 15: Fast and Feature-Rich with AI Enhancements
The OnePlus 13 runs OxygenOS 15, based on Android 15, delivering a smooth, nearly stock-like experience. The interface is optimized for speed, making it one of the fastest Android UIs available. However, some text descriptions still appear in Chinese, and minor inconsistencies persist.
New AI-driven features include:
- Google’s Gemini voice assistant and Circle to Search
- AI-enhanced writing tools in Gmail and Messages
- AI-powered photo editing, such as reflection removal from glass
OnePlus has also introduced its own AI summary, writing, and proofing tools, but they are limited to its Notes app and a side-dock feature. Unlike Google’s and Samsung’s AI integrations, these feel somewhat disconnected from the overall system.
Software and Security Updates: A Disappointment
While the OnePlus 13 promises four years of Android updates and six years of security patches, it still falls short of the seven-plus years offered by Google, Samsung, and Apple. For users seeking long-term software support, this is a potential downside.
Sustainability and Repairability
OnePlus has taken steps toward sustainability with a battery rated to retain 80% capacity after 1,600 charge cycles. Users can replace the battery for £80, and screen replacements cost £280. However, the phone lacks recycled materials, and OnePlus does not release detailed environmental impact reports.
Price and Value Comparison
The OnePlus 13 is priced at £899 (€1,049/$899), making it slightly more affordable than competitors:
- Google Pixel 9 Pro: £999
- Samsung Galaxy S25+: £999
- iPhone 16 Pro: £999
Despite being OnePlus’s most expensive non-folding phone, it still undercuts rival flagships by around 10%, making it a compelling option for those seeking high performance at a slightly lower cost.
Is the OnePlus 13 Worth It?
The OnePlus 13 delivers flagship-level performance, an elegant design, and a stellar camera system, making it a serious contender in the premium smartphone market. It excels in speed, battery life, and display quality, offering a competitive alternative to Samsung and Google’s latest models.
Pros:
- Stunning fabric-backed design
- Brilliant 120Hz QHD+ OLED display
- Outstanding Snapdragon 8 Elite performance
- Long two-day battery life
- Rapid wired and wireless charging
- Solid 50MP triple-camera system
- Water resistance with IP68/IP69 ratings
- Google’s AI features integrated
Cons:
- OxygenOS still has rough edges
- OnePlus’s AI tools feel underdeveloped
- Software support lags behind Google and Samsung
- More expensive than previous models
If you’re looking for a premium Android smartphone that offers flagship-level speed and a unique design at a slightly lower price than its competitors, the OnePlus 13 is well worth considering. However, if long-term software updates and deeper AI integration are priorities, rivals like Google and Samsung might be the better choice.
