OnePlus 13 review

Okay, so ... it's been a while since I had the chance to start playing with the phone and it's time I do my review, because honestly, it's been such a power-house that I've been distracted with just 'playing' with it.  It's literally become my Steamdeck or Switch.

And right off the hop, I have to say that as cool a phone it is, I didn't make it my daily.  I didn't see much in it that was that much of a 'change' (there's improvement, but not much fundamental shift) from the 12, and we did the 'pepsi challenge' with the Pixel and that... well, we know what happened.

So, as it wasn't my 'daily', I probably didn't get to experience a lot of the 'nuances' I might if I had, but I had tried with the 12, and I feel a lot of those things are still present and part of the 13.  So much of what was in my 12 review, probably still apply (just upgrade those specs).

Speaking of those specs, here's what we get for $1399 (regular price, but usually has deals):

  • Screen
    • 6.82"
    • 3168x1440
    • 1-120Hz
    • 800nits avg - 4500nits peak
  • Processing
    • Snapdragon 8 Elite (4.32GHz x2 + 3.53GHz  x6)
    • 16GB RAM
  • 512GB storage
  • Rear Camera
    • 50MP (f/1.6, 23mm, 1/1.43", 1.12um)
    • 50MP 3x triprism zoom (f/2.6, 73mm, 1/1.95", 0.8um)
    • 50MP (f/2.0, 15mm, 1/2.75", 0.65um)
  • Selfie Camera
    • 32MP (f/2.4, 21mm, 1/2.74", 0.8um)
  • Battery
    • 6000mAh
    • 100W wired (full charge in ~30min)
    • 50W Qi
  • Ultrasonic Fingerprint
  • IP69

So, on paper a ton of right numbers, pointing us in a 'oh yeah' direction.  (note: you can get the 12GB and 256GB model for $150 less, but ... it's well worth the spend to up those)  

The price is creeping upwards to the price of our 'conventional' flagship phones, not a lot of savings over say the Samsung 24+, but there is something to be said that as OnePlus has had to enter the 'main stream' (meaning you can buy it at BestBuy and not just via their own online shop... this out to get mass public appeal) it has had to raise it's prices (supply chain, packaging, more marketing) to be able to compete.

But it's still some neat specs.  

For me the standouts are the fact that a) 6000mAh [more on that], b) a triprism to get the same zoom length with less space taken up, and c) IP69 ('heh'.. don't be childish) means you can now be assured of protection in water that's hotter and higher pressure.  They said it could withstand a dishwasher.

Neat.

But let's get into it.

First up, just holding the phone it's definitely slimmer profile, it's lighter (but how can that be with 10% more battery?), it just feels slick/sleek.

Outside of that, it's nearly identically physically to the OnePlus 12.  Still has that slider (and I'm so 'meh' on that slider), sitll has that pre-installed screen protector.

Which I love and ... well, not hate, but have questions about its longevity.  I appreciate that any scratch is not ruining the screen... but what if in a year or 2 I need to replace the screen protector?  Can I do so as easily?

It also still has the IR port - which I love - but also need to find more situations to actually use it.

Noticeable, but not overly, is the 'edge'.  Whereas the 12 had that rounded edge almost reminiscent of the Galaxy Note Edge, the 13 just has a soft 2.5D edge.  It's not flush with the rails of the phone slab-like, but it's subtle... comfortable.

Turning the device on you're hit with how 'bright' it is.  They say this year it's been rated A++ by DisplayMate.  I go back to my Pixel 9 Pro and it isn't as bright (but it's self adjusting, and I've just gotten used to not being as bright.. but it also only has a peak of 3000).

Once the device is on and you play around, a lot of it feels just like the OnePlus 12.  So, read through my review on that for its features; I'll just cover any new ones on this.

But the highlight reel I like:

So, the new features they've included this year (some are OxygenOS 15)

  • AI editing for photos (more on that)
  • Sharing with iPhone via their AirDrop (if that iPhone has O+ Connect)
  • AI assistant writing (for 'their' notes app)
  • AI global searching (of downloaded files)

Really talking a lot about AI these days.

For the AI assistant writing, it's like any other AI writing and helpers out there these days, but it only works with their app.

I just really wish Google will get Gemini to just work with the Google Keyboard, so it can be more 'globally' used.

The AI Global Search, lets you use the universal search in the phone to not just find a contact, or app ... but you can ask questions and it'll search through files on your phone for those answers.

I downloaded an older resume and was able to tell me what my most recent job.  Neat.  Unfortunately, I really never save a lot of files on my phone, but everything's on Google Drive, so if it could incorporate that - but then again I have Gemini Pro to help me there.

In terms of the camera, it's good.  For 90% (or more) of the people they are going to be impressed - will it be on par with the likes of those flagships. Most people will not see a difference, as it takes pretty specific scenarios to highlight any differences.

the one in lower light had some real 'purples'



any shadow tends to have low definition



zooming in it uses AI to sharpen, but it starts to look a little surreal

There are features to help enhance any photos you do take.  They feel very much like Pixel's Magic Editor, de-noising, enhancing and a cool feature of removing reflections from shots like through a window.


Some of the 'enhancing' really feels like over AI work.  A tad on the oversharp, and some simulating - doing some guesswork.

It's not noticeable for most people - only when you really zoom in on something.  Others may notice some of the 'halo'ing effect that can happen - like you remember the early days of HDR, when you would get apps to do those 2 shots, one dark, one over exposed and blend them.

Sure, it actually has a 'dual exposure' feature built in and it does it so fast, but, you can also get it to use AI and try to simulate it as well.  Not my favourite effect, but it's there if you want it.

It's also nice to have those 3 kinds of lenses to really give you the range from macro to up to 120x (with digital) zoom.


I like having options when it comes time to take a photo.  it's got a good selection of features to play with, and then even has some build in modes for scenarios (stage, silhouettes, and fireworks).

The camera is good, but what's even better is the battery.

The 6000mAh battery just lasts and lasts. Coupled with the improvements in the processor (Marques noted that the Snapdragon 8 Elite over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 isn't just a run of the mill 3-5% improvement, it's 10% or more... if you do believe those kinda benchmarking tests) you can feel like it's a pro device.

For me, it feels a little faster than the 12, definitely faster than my 9 Pro (but I have to be cognisant of the fact that I'm not loading it down with half a dozen email apps and social media).  Part of it is because OxygenOS 15 they've upped the animation speeds.

I love gaming on it.

This is most how I use the device.  I've been playing Dead Cells and HAAK on it and it lasts hours.

I had been playing for a few hours watching Godzilla Minus One the other day and it was about 50%, the battery saying it would still last another 19 hours.

Gave it a bit of a charge to back up to 80% and it's estimating it would last another day and 10 hours.

This battery is great.  No worries here about concern if I have enough power.  Just 2 things I wished further about it.

A) It uses their VOOC kind of charging to really get that fast charging.  100W will charge it 0-50% in 13 minutes, but you need that special charger, which uses USB-A on one end - and most of my set up is now all USB-C.  It still woks just fine with PD chargers I have, and it's still a fast charge.

B) I wish it came with Qi2, meaning it would have some magnets built into the casing - they do have some nice cases that will aid in that, but I'd love to have to not have a case and just have it connect to the magsafe chargers I have.

Overall, this is a great phone.  It performs smoothly (yet to have any sort of hiccup with it), and has some really neat features.  

For me, it's an amazing gaming phone.  Playing some games like Dead Cells or PUBG, it rolls through without any concern.  Tho', I will say for PUBG I'll need a case as it's almost too light for me to play.

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