The OnePlus 13R brings notable hardware upgrades, including the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and a larger battery. However, it struggles to match the premium feel of its predecessor, the OnePlus 12R.
Over the years, OnePlus’ ‘R’ series has gained a reputation for delivering flagship-level performance at a more affordable price, earning the title of “flagship killers.” Having reviewed the OnePlus 12R last year, I was thoroughly impressed with its design, display, and overall experience. However, the OnePlus 13R doesn’t quite replicate that same magic—though not necessarily for the reasons you might expect.
So, is it a bad phone? Not at all. But it’s a bit more complicated than a simple yes or no. After using the OnePlus 13R for almost two months, here’s a detailed breakdown of what works—and what doesn’t.
Unboxing Experience: Familiar but Functional
If you’ve used a OnePlus device before, the unboxing experience will feel very familiar. Inside the signature red box, you’ll find:
- The OnePlus 13R (with a plastic screen protector pre-applied)
- A Type B to Type C charging cable
- A red USB cable
- A power brick
- A SIM ejector tool
- The usual paperwork (which most people tend to ignore)
- While nothing unexpected here, it’s always nice to see OnePlus still including a charger in the box, unlike many other brands.
Design: A Step Down from the OnePlus 12R
Now, let’s get to the actual phone—and this is where my biggest complaint starts. Having used various smartphones over the past year, I felt that the OnePlus 12R was one of the most premium-feeling devices in its segment.
What made the 12R feel premium?
The curved AMOLED display and rounded edges made it comfortable to hold, while the glossy glass back, especially in the blue variant, added to its appeal.
What changed with the 13R?
The OnePlus 13R keeps the metal frame and round camera module from the 12R, but almost everything else is different:
- The curved display is gone, replaced with a flat panel.
- The glass back is replaced with a metal exterior.
- The edges are sharper, making the phone feel more boxy and less comfortable to hold for long periods.
- While design is subjective and some might appreciate the new look, I personally feel that OnePlus took a step backward in terms of premium feel and ergonomics.
Waterproofing: A Minimal Upgrade
OnePlus has slightly improved the water resistance rating from IP64 (OnePlus 12R) to IP65 (OnePlus 13R). However, this is still not enough to make the device fully water-resistant. You’ll need to keep it away from deep water, as it’s only protected against dust and low-pressure water jets.
Fingerprint Sensor: A Welcome Improvement
One area where OnePlus made a meaningful upgrade is the fingerprint sensor.
The OnePlus 12R had an optical fingerprint scanner, which worked well but wasn’t the best in class.
The OnePlus 13R now features an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, which is:
Faster and more responsive
More accurate, even with wet or slightly dirty fingers
I’m happy to report that the new fingerprint sensor performs just as well as the one on the flagship OnePlus 13, making it a definite upgrade.
Final Thoughts: Worth It or Not?
The OnePlus 13R is a mixed bag. While it boasts powerful internals, a larger battery, and an improved fingerprint sensor, it falls short in terms of design and premium feel.
- Pros:
✔ Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor
✔ Larger battery capacity
✔ Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor for better accuracy
- Cons:
✖ Design feels less premium than the OnePlus 12R
✖ Flat edges and metal back make it less comfortable to hold
✖ Minimal improvement in water resistance
If you prioritize raw performance and battery life, the OnePlus 13R is a solid choice. However, if you value premium design and in-hand feel, you might find the OnePlus 12R (or other alternatives) more appealing.
OnePlus 13R Display Overview
Impressive LTPO AMOLED Display
The OnePlus 13R features a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display, offering a high resolution of 2780 x 1264 pixels. This ensures sharp visuals and vibrant colors, making it a great choice for media consumption, gaming, and everyday use.
Exceptional Brightness Levels
With a peak brightness of 4,500 nits, the OnePlus 13R stands out as one of the brightest smartphone displays. Even in high brightness mode (HBM), it maintains an impressive 1,600 nits, ensuring excellent visibility in direct sunlight.
Flat Screen & Durable Protection
The phone sports a flat screen, which makes it easier to find third-party screen protectors. For those who prefer using the display without extra protection, Gorilla Glass 7i provides enhanced durability against scratches and minor drops.
Viewing Experience & Stereo Speakers
OnePlus continues its tradition of delivering high-quality displays with vibrant colors, deep contrasts, and excellent visibility in both indoor and outdoor conditions. The experience is further enhanced by a stereo speaker setup, which delivers loud and clear audio.
No Dolby Atmos Support – A Minor Setback
One drawback is the absence of Dolby Atmos support. However, this doesn’t significantly impact the audio quality, as the stereo speakers still provide an immersive sound experience.
Battery and Software
Larger Battery, Slower Charging
The OnePlus 13R comes equipped with the same 6,000mAh battery as its elder sibling. However, in an unexpected move, OnePlus has reduced the fast charging speed from 100W to 80W this time around.
While the charging speed has slowed down, the larger battery (increased from 5,500mAh last year) ensures longer endurance. Due to this combination, the phone takes approximately one hour to fully charge. However, once charged, it can easily last a full day or more, even while handling power-hungry tasks like:
- Gaming
- Video editing
- Continuous OTT streaming
For those looking for specific usage figures, the screen-on time (SoT) is expected to be around 8-9 hours, making it one of the more reliable devices in terms of battery longevity.
OxygenOS 15 – A Smooth Experience
The OnePlus 13R runs on OxygenOS 15, which is based on Android 15. OnePlus promises:
4 years of OS updates
6 years of security patches
Beyond the numbers, OxygenOS 15 stands out as one of the smoothest UIs in the market. It delivers:
Blazing-fast animations
- Ultra-smooth transitions
- A fluid, lag-free experience
- Minimal Bloatware, No Ads (For Now)
The phone comes with very few pre-installed third-party apps, which include:
- Netflix
There are no ads in the UI, but this could change as OnePlus’s software continues to evolve in the direction of ColorOS.
Performance: The True Upgrade
Powerful Hardware for Flagship-Level Performance
The OnePlus 13R is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, the same chipset found in many 2023 flagship devices, including the OnePlus 12 and iQOO 12.
This year, OnePlus has significantly upgraded the memory and storage configurations:
- 12GB LPDDR5X RAM (previously 8GB)
- 256GB UFS 4.0 storage (confirmed this time)
Effortless Multitasking and Gaming
The 13R handles everything with ease, from:
- Hardcore gaming
- Video editing
- Switching between multiple apps
Even though I’m not a heavy gamer, I tested BGMI and Call of Duty Mobile on the device, and it performed exceptionally well without any noticeable heating issues.
Benchmark Scores – A Performance Beast
Here’s how the OnePlus 13R performs on various benchmark tests:
- AnTuTu Score: 1,831,677
- Geekbench 6:
- Single-Core: 2,236
- Multi-Core: 6,757
3DMark Wild Life Extreme Stress Test:
- Best Loop Score: 5,036
- Lowest Loop Score: 2,758
- Stability: 54.8% (indicating possible throttling under extreme load)
Throttling and Sustained Performance
While the phone is incredibly powerful, thermal throttling can be an issue. During a 15-minute throttling test, performance dropped to around 65%, suggesting that under prolonged heavy usage, performance may degrade slightly.
OnePlus Camera System: Upgrades and Performance
OnePlus has revamped its camera system this time, bringing notable improvements while retaining some familiar elements. Below is a breakdown of the key changes and how they impact real-world performance.
Primary Camera: 50MP Sony LYT 700 Sensor
The main camera continues to feature a 50MP sensor, but this time it’s equipped with the Sony LYT 700 lens, promising better image quality and improved light capture. Just like last year, the primary shooter delivers impressive results in both daylight and low-light conditions, producing images that are almost on par with the flagship OnePlus 13. While it may not be the absolute best in the market, it remains a solid performer for everyday photography.
Ultra-Wide Camera: 8MP Sony IMX 355
OnePlus has retained the 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera from the previous model, using the same Sony IMX 355 sensor. However, this shooter continues to struggle with noticeable color shifts and a drop in detail when compared to the primary lens. This means ultra-wide shots may lack consistency, especially in varied lighting conditions.
Telephoto Camera: 50MP Samsung JN5 (No OIS)
A major improvement this year is the removal of the 2MP macro camera, which has been replaced by a 50MP 2x Samsung JN5 telephoto shooter. This upgrade significantly enhances portrait shots in daylight. However, the lack of optical image stabilization (OIS) makes night photography a challenge, often resulting in blurry images in low-light conditions compared to other telephoto cameras on the market.
Front Camera: 16MP Sony IMX480
For selfies, OnePlus has included a 16MP Sony IMX480 sensor, which delivers sharp and detailed self-portraits. The camera captures cooler skin tones, maintaining the OnePlus signature style. However, low-light performance takes a hit, with a noticeable loss of detail. In well-lit conditions, though, selfies remain crisp and high quality.
In-Hand Feel and Design: A Step Backward
Purely in terms of in-hand feel, the OnePlus 13R is a disappointment compared to last year’s model. The removal of the Dolby Atmos branding for the speakers and the downgrade of the charger to 80W are steps in the wrong direction. Additionally, while competitors are moving towards IP68 water and dust resistance, the OnePlus 13R remains stuck with an IP65 rating.
Performance and Features: Significant Upgrades
Despite these drawbacks, the OnePlus 13R introduces several major improvements over its predecessor. It comes with a much more powerful processor, a larger battery, an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, and a telephoto lens—all of which significantly enhance its flagship appeal.
Final Verdict: A Strong Contender in Its Price Range
If you’re looking for a smartphone in the ₹40,000 price range, the OnePlus 13R is an excellent choice. While it has some shortcomings, its powerful hardware and key upgrades make it one of the best flagship killers available right now.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key specifications of the OnePlus 13R?
The OnePlus 13R features a 6.78-inch LTPO OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, up to 16GB RAM, and a 6,000mAh battery.
How does the OnePlus 13R perform in terms of battery life?
The 13R boasts impressive battery life, lasting approximately 18 hours and 49 minutes in continuous web browsing tests.
What is the charging capability of the OnePlus 13R?
It supports up to 80W wired charging, achieving a full charge in about 54 minutes.
Does the OnePlus 13R support wireless charging?
No, the OnePlus 13R does not support wireless charging.
How does the OnePlus 13R’s camera system perform?
The 13R includes a 50MP main camera, a 50MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom, and an 8MP ultra-wide lens. While versatile, it may not match the performance of higher-end models.
What design features does the OnePlus 13R offer?
The 13R has a flat frame and display, with a patterned matte glass back. It includes an alert slider and has an IP65 rating for water and dust resistance.
What software does the OnePlus 13R run, and what updates are expected?
It runs OxygenOS 15 based on Android 15, with a promise of four years of major software updates and six years of security updates.
Does the OnePlus 13R support 5G connectivity?
Yes, the 13R supports 5G connectivity, including C-band frequencies, but lacks mmWave support.
What AI features are integrated into the OnePlus 13R?
The 13R includes AI tools like AI Notes for formatting and expanding notes, and AI-powered photo editing tools for enhancing images.
How does the OnePlus 13R compare to its predecessor, the OnePlus 12R?
The 13R offers improvements such as a larger 6,000mAh battery, enhanced camera system with the addition of a telephoto lens, and an updated Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor.
Conclusion
The OnePlus 13R may not dazzle with a groundbreaking design, but it excels where it counts. Its robust performance, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and up to 16GB of RAM, ensures smooth multitasking and gaming experiences. The 6,000mAh battery delivers impressive endurance, lasting nearly 19 hours in continuous usage tests, and supports rapid 80W wired charging. The versatile camera setup, including dual 50MP lenses and an 8MP ultra-wide sensor, offers flexibility for various shooting scenarios, though it may not rival flagship counterparts. Running on OxygenOS 15 with a commitment to extended software support, the OnePlus 13R provides a clean and customizable user experience, making it a compelling choice for those prioritizing substance over style.
