OnePlus 13 Review (2025): Is It Still a Flagship Killer?

When the OnePlus 13 was announced late last year, it landed with a familiar promise: to deliver a flagship experience without the flagship price. Now, well into 2025, the phone has settled into the market, giving us a clear picture of its strengths and weaknesses. It enters a competitive arena armed with a next-generation processor, a massive battery, and a refined design.

But does it live up to the hype? This review breaks down every key aspect of the OnePlus 13, from its sturdy design and vibrant display to its raw performance and camera capabilities. We’ll explore its battery endurance, the latest OxygenOS software, and ultimately help you decide if this is the right phone for you in 2025.

Design & Build

OnePlus continues to refine its design language with the 13, opting for an aesthetic that feels both premium and practical. The device measures 163.3 x 75.8 x 9.2 mm and weighs around 220 grams, making it substantial but well-balanced in the hand. The button placement is intuitive, and the phone’s ergonomics make it comfortable to hold, despite its size.

This year, OnePlus offers three distinct finishes: a classic glossy glass back, a sophisticated vegan leather option, and a new micro-texture glass that resists fingerprints remarkably well.

Durability is also a key focus. The OnePlus 13 boasts an IP69 rating, providing top-tier resistance against both dust and high-pressure water jets. This robust build gives you peace of mind that the phone is built to withstand daily life and unexpected mishaps.

Display

The OnePlus 13 features a stunning 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a sharp 3168 x 1440 resolution. Its ProMotion-like technology allows the refresh rate to dynamically adjust from 1Hz to 120Hz, ensuring buttery-smooth scrolling when needed and preserving battery life during static tasks. The screen is protected by the latest Corning Gorilla Glass for enhanced scratch and drop resistance.

OnePlus has delivered one of the brightest displays on the market. With a typical brightness of 1,600 nits and a peak HDR brightness of 4,500 nits, the screen is easily readable even in direct sunlight. Colors are vibrant and accurate, making it a joy for media consumption. In a welcome move, OnePlus has significantly reduced the curve of the display, minimizing accidental touches and distortion at the edges.

Performance & Hardware

At the heart of the OnePlus 13 is the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset. This processor delivers exceptional speed and efficiency for everything from everyday multitasking to demanding gaming sessions. The phone is available in several configurations, with options for 12GB, 16GB, or even 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM, paired with up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage.

OnePlus has implemented an advanced cooling system that effectively manages heat during sustained use. During our tests, the phone maintained stable performance through long gaming sessions without significant thermal throttling.

Connectivity is also top-notch, featuring Wi-Fi 7 for faster wireless speeds, Bluetooth 5.4 for reliable connections, and a full suite of sensors for a seamless user experience.

Cameras & Imaging

The camera system on the OnePlus 13 is a collaboration with Hasselblad, featuring a versatile triple-lens setup.

• Main Camera: A 50MP Sony LYT-808 sensor with a wide ƒ/1.6 aperture and OIS.
• Ultrawide Camera: A 48MP sensor with a 114-degree field of view.
• Periscope Telephoto: A 64MP sensor offering 3x optical zoom and impressive hybrid zoom capabilities.
• Front Camera: A 32MP sensor for sharp selfies and clear video calls.

In daylight, the main camera produces photos with excellent detail, dynamic range, and natural-looking colors, true to the Hasselblad tuning. Performance in low light is also strong, with the large sensor capturing ample light and keeping noise to a minimum.

The telephoto lens is a standout, delivering crisp images at 3x optical zoom. The hybrid zoom remains usable at longer distances, although some detail is lost beyond 10x. Video capabilities are robust, with support for 8K recording at 30fps and 4K at up to 120fps. The stabilization is effective, producing smooth footage even when moving.

Battery Life & Charging

Perhaps the most impressive feature of the OnePlus 13 is its battery life. It’s equipped with a massive 6,000mAh silicon-carbon battery, a technology that offers greater density than traditional lithium-ion cells. In our real-world testing, the phone consistently lasted through two full days of mixed usage. Even with heavy use, including hours of streaming and gaming, it comfortably made it through a day with plenty of charge to spare.

Charging is incredibly fast. The phone supports 120W wired SUPERVOOC charging, which can take the battery from 0 to 100% in under 30 minutes. It also includes 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging, giving you plenty of options to top up your battery.

Software, Features & Support

The OnePlus 13 ships with OxygenOS 15, based on Android 15. The user interface remains clean and highly customizable, offering a near-stock Android feel with useful enhancements. The OS is smooth and responsive, with no noticeable lag or bloatware.

OnePlus has integrated several AI features, including smart text summarization, AI-powered image editing, and an enhanced voice assistant. These features are generally well-implemented and add genuine value without feeling intrusive.

However, the software support policy is one area where OnePlus lags behind competitors like Google and Samsung. The company promises four years of major OS updates and five years of security patches, which is good but not best-in-class.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths:

• Exceptional Battery Life: The 6,000mAh battery easily lasts two days for most users.
• Blazing-Fast Charging: 120W wired and 50W wireless charging are among the fastest available.
• Top-Tier Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset handles any task with ease.
• Bright, Fluid Display: The 120Hz AMOLED screen is a visual treat.
• Durable Build: An IP69 rating provides excellent water and dust resistance.

Weaknesses:

• Shorter Software Support: The update policy falls short of what rivals offer.
• Camera Quirks: While generally good, the camera can sometimes struggle with consistency in challenging lighting.
• Limited Availability: Depending on your region, getting your hands on the device might be difficult.

How Does It Compare?

Compared to its predecessor, the OnePlus 12, the 13 offers a significant upgrade in battery capacity, a more powerful processor, and a brighter, flatter display. These improvements make it a worthy upgrade for those coming from older devices.

Against rivals like the Samsung Galaxy S25 and Google Pixel 10, the OnePlus 13 holds its own, particularly on performance and battery life. Samsung and Google offer longer software support and arguably more consistent camera processing, but often at a higher price point. The OnePlus 13 strikes a compelling balance, offering a premium hardware experience for less money.

Is the OnePlus 13 Worth It?

The OnePlus 13 is an excellent choice for power users, gamers, and anyone who values battery life above all else. It delivers on its promise of flagship-level performance, a premium display, and incredibly fast charging at a price that undercuts the mainstream competition.

While its software support policy isn’t the best in the industry, it’s still robust enough for most users. If you want a phone that feels fast, lasts for days, and is built to withstand the elements, the OnePlus 13 is one of the best options available in 2025. It continues to embody the “flagship killer” spirit that made the brand famous.