OnePlus 13: A True Flagship Challenger in 2025

OnePlus is welcoming 2025 with the launch of the OnePlus 13, a smartphone that not only progresses but redefines what is expected from flagship competitors. The device boasts Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, which is also featured in the Realme GT 7 Pro and iQOO 13. Historically, OnePlus has aimed to position its flagship devices as strong contenders against the top offerings from Samsung and Apple, and with a price tag of ₹69,999, the OnePlus 13 has substantial benchmarks to meet.

However, achieving flagship status involves more than just impressive specifications; it encompasses the entire user experience. After extensive use of the OnePlus 13, it remains to be seen if it can truly stand alongside the leading brands or if it is still considered as an underdog. Let’s delve into the details.

Design: A Genuine Flagship Feel

The design of the OnePlus 13 marks a significant departure from previous models. The Arctic Dawn variant presents a modern glass coating that gives it a sophisticated, premium appearance. This model features a seamless combination of an aluminium frame and a curved glass back, resulting in an exceptional feel in hand.

The circular camera setup is retained, now subtly displaying the Hasselblad branding near the module. Unlike earlier versions, the OnePlus 13 takes advantage of quad-curved glass on the front, which blends elegantly into a flat mid-frame. This design choice enhances ergonomics, making the large display manageable and comfortable to hold.

Additionally, the OnePlus 13 boasts an IP68 and IP69 rating, indicating its resilience against both dust and high-pressure water. This is a rare feature among premium devices. The beloved Alert Slider remains a staple on the phone.

Display: One of the Finest on the Market

OnePlus has always excelled in display technology, and the 6.82-inch QHD+ ProXDR screen elevates this reputation. The display is exceptionally sharp and bright, reaching peak brightness levels of up to 4,500 nits. Thanks to LTPO 4.1 technology, it supports adaptive refresh rates ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz, providing an ultra-responsive experience.

This display is arguably one of the top choices across all smartphones currently available. HDR content viewed on platforms like Netflix and YouTube is remarkably vivid, while technologies like RadiantView dynamically adapt brightness for improved visibility under sunlight. Features such as Glove Mode and Aqua Touch 2.0 ensure usability in extreme conditions.

Furthermore, for users who invest considerable time on their devices, the 2160Hz PWM dimming technology significantly mitigates eye strain.

Performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite Shines

At the heart of the OnePlus 13 is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite, accompanied by up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage. This combination goes beyond typical flagship performance to deliver industry-leading capabilities.

Applications load instantly, and multitasking is seamless. Even when managing multiple background tasks, the device remains fast and responsive. The OnePlus 13 excels in gaming performance, running titles like Genshin Impact, COD Mobile, and PUBG New State at 120fps without any frame drops. Its Dual Cryo-velocity VC cooling system ensures optimal performance without overheating.

In benchmark tests, the device scored impressively: AnTuTu marked it at 1,761,977; Geekbench reported a single-core score of 3,086 and a multi-core score of 9,300—placing the OnePlus 13 ahead of nearly all Android competitors.

Cameras: Enhanced by Hasselblad’s Expertise

The camera capabilities of the OnePlus 13 have taken a leap forward with the 5th-generation Hasselblad system. It features a triple-camera setup of 50MP sensors, consisting of:

• Primary: 50MP Sony LYT-808 with OIS and f/1.6 aperture
• Ultra-wide: 50MP with a 120° field of view
• Telephoto: 50MP 3x Triprism periscope with up to 30x digital zoom

The primary lens captures stunning details with natural colour representation and broad dynamic range. NightScape 2.0 ensures exceptional clarity in low-light situations. The upgraded 3x telephoto lens produces portrait shots with a DSLR-like quality, while the ultra-wide lens maintains colour accuracy without the oversaturation issues noted in earlier versions.

For videography, the support for 8K recording at 30fps along with 4K Dolby Vision HDR positions this device as an outstanding choice for content creators. Even the 32MP front camera is exceptional, delivering sharp and true-to-life selfies alongside 4K video recording—an unusual feature in its category.

Software and AI: OxygenOS 15 is Swift and Intelligent

The OnePlus 13 operates on OxygenOS 15, based on Android 15, regarded as one of the premier custom Android interfaces. It is streamlined, devoid of unnecessary bloat, and designed for smooth animations.

AI enhancements play a crucial role, featuring tools such as:

• AI Detail Boost for restoring cropped images to 4K quality
• AI Unblur and Reflection Eraser for refining blurred pictures
• Intelligent Search for quick file discovery using natural language
• Circle to Search for immediate searching of highlighted text or images

OnePlus has committed to four years of operating system updates and six years of security patches, offering substantial long-term software support.

Battery and Charging: A Robust Solution

The battery experience of the OnePlus 13 has been significantly enhanced. Its 6,000mAh battery stands as one of the largest in high-end smartphones, ensuring usage extends well over a day and a half on a single charge.

In practical use, the performance included:

• More than 8 hours of screen-on time during mixed activities
• 6 hours of gaming at maximum settings
• Two full days from moderate usage

Charging is lightning fast, featuring 100W wired SuperVOOC technology that takes it from 0% to fully charged in under 38 minutes. OnePlus has also integrated 50W wireless charging for the first time, along with reverse wireless charging, enhancing the flagship experience.