The OnePlus 13 and 13R, recently released Android smartphones, offer a compelling blend of features and performance for varying budgets. Tested extensively through the demanding holiday season and the bustling CES 2025, both phones proved adept at handling a range of workloads, from light daily tasks to more demanding applications. This generation focuses on refinement, delivering improvements in software smoothness, battery life, screen brightness, and water resistance. While the OnePlus 13 boasts flagship-level specifications and a premium price point of $900, the OnePlus 13R provides a more affordable option at $600, albeit with some compromises in features and performance. Their strengths lie in a balanced approach, offering a little bit of everything without major drawbacks, making them worthy contenders for those seeking a new phone, especially with battery life as a top priority.
Visually, the OnePlus 13 and 13R appear almost identical, sharing a similar design language. However, closer inspection reveals subtle distinctions. The OnePlus 13, with its 6.82-inch display, features the Hasselblad branding, signifying its superior camera capabilities, and boasts curvier edges around the screen. The more budget-friendly OnePlus 13R sports a slightly smaller 6.78-inch display and flat edges, which some may find more ergonomic for grip. The aesthetic finishes differ as well, with the OnePlus 13 showcasing a marble-like pattern and the 13R a brushed look. While these finishes are distinct, they lack the visual appeal of the previous generation’s vibrant emerald and ice blue options. A notable addition to the OnePlus 13 lineup is the Midnight Ocean color variant, featuring a luxurious microfiber vegan leather material, which unfortunately wasn’t available for this review.
A significant upgrade for the OnePlus 13 is its enhanced water resistance, achieving an IP68 and IP69 rating. This signifies its ability to withstand submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes and resist high-pressure water jets, placing it on par with other flagship devices. Furthermore, the OnePlus 13 utilizes Ceramic Guard for its display, a technology similar to Apple’s Ceramic Glass, promising superior protection compared to the Gorilla Glass Victus found on competing phones. However, caution is still advised, and a screen protector is recommended, as even robust glass can succumb to damage. The OnePlus 13R, while not as robust, offers an IP65 rating, providing protection against rain and splashes but not full submersion. It’s also one of the first devices to incorporate Corning’s Gorilla Glass 7i, a budget-to-midrange option that offers comparable, if not slightly improved, durability compared to similarly priced phones.
The displays on both phones are impressive, featuring sharp, colorful, and smooth 120Hz OLED panels. The primary difference, aside from size, lies in resolution, with the OnePlus 13 defaulting to a lower resolution for battery optimization. While both displays deliver stunning visuals, a minor inconvenience observed during testing was the need for frequent manual brightness adjustments, as the automatic brightness control tended to dim the screen excessively. Beyond the display, the hardware on both devices is generally commendable. A particularly noteworthy feature is the OnePlus Alert Slider, a physical switch allowing for quick transitions between Mute, Vibrate, and Sound modes – a feature many other manufacturers, including Apple, could benefit from. The prominent camera bump, while large, doesn’t detract significantly from the overall design.
The performance of both the OnePlus 13 and 13R is consistently smooth, thanks to the optimized software and powerful processors. Day-to-day tasks, such as web browsing, social media scrolling, and light gaming, are handled effortlessly. Even more demanding applications, like video editing and heavy gaming, run smoothly, although extended gaming sessions can lead to some heat buildup. Battery life is a standout feature for both phones, easily lasting a full day of heavy usage. The improved battery optimization contributes significantly to this longevity, and the fast charging capabilities minimize downtime when a top-up is needed. While the OnePlus 13 boasts slightly faster charging speeds, the OnePlus 13R’s charging performance is still impressive.
In the camera department, the OnePlus 13, with its Hasselblad collaboration, shines. It captures stunning photos with accurate colors, impressive dynamic range, and excellent detail. The various shooting modes offer versatility for different scenarios, and the overall camera experience is top-notch. The OnePlus 13R offers a commendable camera performance for its price point, capturing good quality photos in most situations. While it may not match the OnePlus 13’s flagship-level camera prowess, it still delivers satisfactory results for casual photography. The camera software on both devices is intuitive and easy to use, with various features and customization options.
Overall, the OnePlus 13 and 13R represent a solid offering in the Android smartphone market. The OnePlus 13, with its flagship features, premium design, and Hasselblad-tuned camera, caters to users seeking a top-tier experience. The OnePlus 13R, on the other hand, provides a more affordable alternative without compromising significantly on performance or features. Both phones excel in battery life, display quality, and overall performance, making them attractive options for those considering a new Android device. The refined software, improved water resistance, and brighter screens further enhance the user experience. While some minor quirks exist, such as the overly aggressive automatic brightness control and the somewhat less appealing design compared to the previous generation, the overall package offered by both phones is compelling.
