OnePlus 13R evaluation: A return to type

Everybody loves a comeback story. Simply three years in the past, OnePlus was in a bizarre place. OxygenOS 12 was a large number, and the corporate was making an attempt to combine parts of ColorOS into the consumer expertise. As well as, OnePlus’ {hardware} had misplaced its identification, veering method off target with the OnePlus 9 and 10. Nevertheless, after I used the OnePlus 10T, I felt a glimmer of hope that a number of the outdated OnePlus was nonetheless with the corporate. Positive sufficient, every successive launch has been higher than the final. Whereas the

OnePlus 13
is getting heaps of reward, and rightfully so, I feel it’s the OnePlus 13R that embodies what made the corporate profitable within the first place.

Value, availability, and specs

The OnePlus 13R is now accessible for pre-order via OnePlus Greatest Purchase, and gross sales will open on January 14th. It’s provided in a single configuration with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for $600. Whereas that may look like a value improve, it’s the identical as final 12 months’s 256GB OnePlus 12R mannequin. You may select between two colours for the OnePlus 13R: Astral Path and Nebula Noir. The OnePlus 13R ships from the corporate unlocked for all main US carriers. I used mine with AT&T with out problem.

Design and show

Adjustments and enhancements throughout

Like final 12 months, OnePlus mirrored the design language of its flagship mannequin within the midrange 13R. The curved show and edges of the OnePlus 12R have been changed with a flat show and backglass. The OnePlus 13 makes use of 2.5D glass to clean the transition, however the inexpensive 13R has a straight edge. Nevertheless, the OnePlus 13R doesn’t have a pointy really feel in opposition to my hand, as OnePlus tapered the aluminum body on the telephone’s bottom. It’s not as noticeable as what Samsung did with the Galaxy S24 FE, nevertheless it makes the telephone extra snug to carry.

I examined the Astral Path variant and love the aesthetics. It’s a frosted matte again with a silver-white tone to it. OnePlus added refined concentric circles radiating from the digicam hump. It’s a lovely contact that makes the OnePlus 13R shimmer within the mild. It’s a comparatively understated design, however I’m glad OnePlus altered the digicam hump to now not be linked to the outer body. I believed it made the 12R look wonky.

Gorilla Glass 7i protects the back and front of the OnePlus 13R. Though this can be a downgrade from the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 used on the 12R, I just like the change. As I discussed, the 13R embodies what made OnePlus profitable within the first place, and clever compromises like this are an instance. The Gorilla Glass classes are separated by drop testing from numerous heights onto completely different surfaces. Gorilla Glass 7i can stand up to a 1-meter drop onto materials simulating asphalt, whereas Victus 2 can stand up to the next fall onto concrete.

If you happen to’re something like me, after I break my telephone, will probably be as a result of it was ejected at pressure onto a marble flooring, hitting at simply the best angle {that a} hypothetical Gorilla Glass Titanium Enamel Ceramic Armor wouldn’t have saved me. I can add a display protector or case to beef up the safety. Within the meantime, I’ll benefit from the fee financial savings. The OnePlus 13R additionally will get a minor IP-rating bump, rising to IP65 this 12 months.

Specification-wise, the OnePlus 13R show is just like final 12 months. It’s one other beautiful 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED panel refreshing at 120Hz with a 1264×2780 decision. It nonetheless has the identical 4,500nits max brightness, however you’ll hover nearer to 1,600nits in every day use. It’s lots brilliant for straightforward viewing outside, and I like the viewing angles, with minimal distortion off-axis.

YouTube movies look improbable, and I completely loved watching Skyfall on the OnePlus 13R. OnePlus’ show coloration modes put different producers to disgrace, with granular controls over how your display appears. The OnePlus 13R has Cinematic and Good modes and Vivid and Pure choices. The default display temperature has some heat, resulting in a creamy impact just like that of OnePlus telephones from years in the past. All informed, it’s an excellent and versatile show.

Different {hardware} and what’s within the field

You get a charging adapter

I’m certain panic would set in if I didn’t point out the alert slider. Nevertheless, you possibly can relaxation straightforward as a result of OnePlus included considered one of its signature options on the OnePlus 13R. Very like Will Sattelberg’s expertise with the OnePlus 13, I by chance swap into completely different modes as I pull it from my pocket often. Regardless, even with a couple of unintended activations, the slider is definitely worth the added comfort.

Don’t purchase a OnePlus 13R anticipating the identical glorious haptics as its dearer sibling. I don’t know if the haptic motor is weaker, however even with the depth slider turned up, I couldn’t get wherever close to what I’m used to on a OnePlus telephone. It’s not a showstopper, however one thing to contemplate.

The OnePlus 13R has a stereo speaker setup, however the bottom-firing speaker does the majority of the heavy lifting with quantity and bass copy. The earpiece speaker helps, however the backside speaker is simple to cowl together with your hand, and also you’ll discover the distinction. Other than that, I’m happy with the audio system. They get loud sufficient with out distortion, and I by no means wanted to exceed 50% quantity. If you need even higher sound, the 13R has Bluetooth 5.4 to pair together with your favourite wi-fi headset.

Though the OnePlus 13R doesn’t have an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor like these in dearer telephones, its optical sensor is quick and correct. As at all times, the face-unlock performance steals the present on a OnePlus telephone. OnePlus deserves full marks for together with a 55W charging adapter within the field. The corporate additionally contains its recognizable pink USB-A to USB-C charging cable and a SIM tray device.

Software program and efficiency

OnePlus is lastly out of the woods

You’ve learn lots about OxygenOS 15 and its comparable aesthetic parts to iOS. I gained’t rehash any of that as a result of I don’t care. I’m simply relieved that I can get pleasure from OnePlus software program once more. OxygenOS 15 is the very best the corporate has put out because the ColorOS integration, and that’s a big cause why I’m enthused about 2025 for OnePlus. It’s lighter and snappier than OxygenOS 14, and the animations are smoother. OnePlus guarantees 4 years of Android OS upgrades and 6 years of safety updates for the OnePlus 13R. It doesn’t exactly match telephones just like the Galaxy S24 FE with 7 years of assist, however OnePlus has pulled shut sufficient that it wouldn’t sway me someway.

OnePlus’ Fluid Cloud is one other pill-shaped notification answer, becoming a member of Samsung’s Now Bar and Apple’s Dynamic Island. It really works properly sufficient and is a handy method to entry app updates and management music. Nevertheless, OxygenOS 15’s actual star is the inclusion of Open Canvas. Open Canvas was a multitasking revelation on the OnePlus Open, and I’m glad the corporate introduced it to non-foldables. It’s improbable on the 13R and the very best multitasking expertise on the Android platform.

The OnePlus 13R has a smattering of AI performance, however I gained’t spend a lot time on it. Google Gemini is featured with OxygenOS 15, so objects like Circle to Search and Magic Compose are in your 13R. OnePlus’ AI photograph enhancing instruments work properly sufficient, nevertheless it nearly looks like OnePlus was checking off an AI field simply to say it included them. If you happen to’re trustworthy with your self, you’re not shopping for a midrange OnePlus machine to be on the bleeding fringe of multi-modal, agentic AI options, so whereas I’m glad OnePlus included some instruments, I gained’t decide the corporate in opposition to a excessive bar.

The OnePlus 13R’s efficiency is all the things we’ve come to count on from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, particularly paired with 12GB of RAM and UFS 4.0 storage — one other improve from the 12R. It screams. I get glorious body charges at excessive graphical settings on Genshin Influence. OnePlus permits me to stability efficiency whereas gaming as wanted, with an choice for extra energy on the expense of battery life. In typical OnePlus trend, the 13R punches above its weight by offering sufficient uncooked efficiency for even energy customers. I get the Snapdragon 8 Elite presents much more, however if you wish to run intensive apps and video games on a price range, the OnePlus 13R is a powerful alternative.

Digital camera

Persist with the fundamentals, and also you’ll be effective

With the 13R, OnePlus opts for a triple digicam setup: a 50MP major sensor, a 50MP 2x telephoto, and an 8MP ultrawide. The first lens is the place you’ll spend most of your time. It’s a 1/1.56” sensor that stunned me. Pictures in respectable lighting are sharp and detailed, with glorious coloration. It nonetheless blows out photos with a powerful mild supply, however OnePlus’ AI Reflection remover works properly to repair a picture.

OnePlus has improved its computational images, and whereas the enhancements aren’t as dramatic as these on the OnePlus 13, they’re nonetheless spectacular. I used to be additionally pleasantly stunned by the nighttime and low-light digicam efficiency. The night time photographs had been way more detailed than these from earlier OnePlus units, and I preferred the outputs.

The 50MP 2x telephoto provides some versatility, however the smaller sensor measurement results in a barely much less detailed picture. It’ll assist together with your portrait photographs, nevertheless it’s not as dynamic because the 3x or 5x telephoto lens you get on dearer telephones. The identical applies to the 8MP ultrawide sensor — it’s helpful once you wish to get in a whole panorama or match your entire associates into the photograph, however for probably the most half, you wish to persist with the first lens.

The front-facing 16MP digicam is simply OK. It’ll do the job on selfies, and portrait photographs have respectable particulars and edge detection.

Battery life and charging

All day after which some

Though the OnePlus 13R doesn’t use the dual-cell battery know-how of its massive brother, it doesn’t come to the get together empty-handed. The OnePlus 13R has a large 6,000mAh cell that provides you as a lot battery life as you’d count on from that quantity. I at all times see corporations advertising “two-day” battery life, however the OnePlus 13R is likely one of the few units that may ship with out breaking a sweat. Battery drain in a single day is sort of non-existent, and so long as you aren’t gaming exhausting all day, you’ll hit the two-day mark with room to spare.

Charging speeds are at all times a bonus on OnePlus telephones, and the 13R is not any exception. The adapter included with the telephone can present 55W wired charging, however 80W and 100W charging are doable with an extra adapter buy. When it comes time to high off, OnePlus does it higher.

Competitors

What else is on the market?

I needed to incorporate the Google Pixel 8a, nevertheless it feels unfair. At its present value level, the Pixel 8a looks like an upper-budget machine, and what it offers is completely different from the OnePlus 13R. If you wish to lower your expenses and revel in prolonged software program assist with Pixel function extras, purchase a Pixel 8a. Nonetheless, the OnePlus 13R lives in the identical area because the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE within the hyper-midrange class.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE presents glorious efficiency and battery life with a equally beautiful show. It has a premium (if not stale) design, and Samsung guarantees seven years of software program upgrades and assist. I don’t assume it’s definitely worth the $650 price ticket over the OnePlus 13R, however the sale value of round $500 may make you rethink.

Do you have to purchase it?

I get pleasure from what OnePlus has accomplished with the 13R and rejoice the corporate’s means to place out a couple of strong units in a row. Its glorious {hardware}, mixed with primarily fixing my misgivings with OxygenOS, has made me extra optimistic in regards to the firm. I’ve at all times been a fan of OnePlus, so it’s been a troublesome few years. The OnePlus 13R presents all the things you can ask for in a $600 telephone, and it’s the kind of worth that made OnePlus fashionable within the first place.