Introducing the OnePlus 13:
This is the new OnePlus 13, a premium Android phone with selectable materials, maxed-out specs, a new level of durability, and some other tricks up its sleeve. But in a blurry market of similar phones, can this actually stand out?
Can this make you switch from an iPhone, a Samsung, or a Pixel? Or should you upgrade if you already have an older OnePlus phone? Well, I've been using this as my everyday phone for the past couple of weeks since it came out, and I have some thoughts about it. Some things it does really well and some things that it kind of falls short on.
Whenever switching to a new phone, there are really three main things you notice. The form factors are usually pretty similar on phones, but the differences you'll notice are: one, the camera (which I have a lot of thoughts on); two, the software.
(OnePlus has introduced many new software features in this version); and three, any little tricks the phone has, such as a pen, a hinge for folding, a camera button like the iPhone, or the OnePlus signature selectable slider switch on the left side.
Design and Durability:
Even though the form factor is similar, there are a lot of differences here. The selectable materials are the most interesting, in my opinion. This phone comes in three different colors: Midnight Ocean, which they call a microfiber vegan leather (it's a plastic back but feels really nice, almost like leather);
Arctic Dawn, which is a smooth white glass on the back; and Black Eclipse, which has a textured black wood grain appearance while still being glass, making it both durable and scratch-resistant.
In terms of durability, this phone is IP68 and IP69 water-resistant. The difference between IP68 and IP69 is mainly in temperature and pressure resistance.
While most flagship phones with IP68 can survive being submerged for a long time, IP69 means it can withstand high-pressure and high-temperature water jets. It could even survive in a dishwasher, though the practical value of that remains debatable.
Camera: Sony Sensors for Enhanced Photography
Moving on to the cameras, I have a lot of thoughts here. The main difference compared to last year's model is that OnePlus moved over to Sony sensors from Samsung sensors. Nothing against Samsung, but personally, I think Sony sensors do a better job in smartphones.
All the cameras are 50 megapixels, support 4K 60 Dolby HDR, including the front camera, and offer a seamless transition between lenses when zooming in. The color consistency across lenses is also well-executed.
OnePlus cameras have always leaned towards a cooler, blue-toned image profile. This works beautifully for ocean and sky shots but might not be ideal for greenery-heavy landscapes.
However, you can tweak these settings using OnePlus’ built-in filters and film modes. The primary rear sensor is quite large, providing a natural background blur even without portrait mode.
Regarding zoom, the OnePlus 13 features a 3x optical zoom rather than a periscope 5x zoom seen on competing flagship models. While this improves 3x shots, it lacks the clarity and detail of a dedicated 5x periscope lens.
Digital zoom extends to 120x with AI enhancement enabled by default. While AI sharpening helps with distant objects like mountains, it struggles with text and faces, making manual AI deactivation a good choice in such scenarios.
Software and Performance:
Ever since the Oppo ColorOS transition, OnePlus software never quite felt the same. However, it seems like they are returning to their roots. The UI is cleaner, featuring rounded icons similar to older OnePlus designs, while still incorporating new features.
Some additions, like Universal Search with AI capabilities, are useful, while others, such as the inability to truly "close all" apps, may be frustrating.
Performance-wise, the phone runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite, the best Android chip available this year. OnePlus has always been about maxed-out specs, and the OnePlus 13 is no exception. It features a 6,000 mAh battery (larger than the industry-standard 5,000 mAh)
80W wired charging, and 50W wireless charging. Pricing starts at $899 for the base model (12GB RAM, 256GB storage in black) and $999 for the 16GB RAM, 512GB storage variant in any color.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth the Upgrade?
After using the OnePlus 13 as my daily driver, I think this phone finally delivers a camera setup worthy of a OnePlus flagship. In the past, OnePlus cameras have been a weak point, but this time, I actually like what they've done.
I’ll likely continue using this phone until the Samsung Galaxy S25 lineup launches, at which point I’ll reassess if switching is worthwhile. Let me know what you think of this phone in the comments below. Thanks for reading, and I'll see you in the next review!
