OnePlus 13 Evaluation: A New Starting

OnePlus ended 2024 with some actually attention-grabbing bulletins. It wasn’t the perfect 12 months for the BBK-owned model in India, however after getting rejected by a big group of cellular retailers, the corporate determined to show issues round by going with an inside rejig. After this, it tried to finish the 12 months on a superb word by asserting a contemporary new course for the model. OnePlus determined to sort out the mammoth activity of recurring display-related inexperienced line points, which have plagued the model’s handsets for years. It additionally introduced that it has not solely labored on fixing the issue with upcoming units however would additionally present a lifetime substitute guarantee for all of its smartphone fashions. Additionally launched was Challenge Starlight, part of OnePlus’ efforts to overtake its customer support expertise in India.

With underlying points now swept clear, OnePlus has lastly introduced its all-new OnePlus 13. It’s the successor to the OnePlus 12, which was a correct all-rounder in our evaluate. The OnePlus 13 is a brand-new system with a brand new design course, packs AI software program methods and a great deal of uncooked efficiency and battery life. Just like the Oppo Discover X8 Professional, which acquired a brand new Fast Button and magnetic circumstances, OnePlus additionally received to select a brand new characteristic from the BBK bin, and it determined so as to add magnetic wi-fi charging. It’s just like what Oppo presents by way of the identical magnetic circumstances, which have been silently launched in India final 12 months for apparent causes. After testing out the telephone for weeks, I have to say that the OnePlus 13 must be one of the vital formidable smartphones from the model so far.

OnePlus 13 Design: Slimmer and… modular?

• Dimensions – 162.9 x 76.5 x 8.5mm
• Weight – 213g
• Sturdiness – IP68 + IP69

I acquired the OnePlus 13 within the new Arctic Daybreak end, probably the most fundamental among the many three. The black colourway known as Black Eclipse is reserved for probably the most high-end storage variant and has a matte black body and wooden grain-like texture, giving it a singular really feel and look. The Midnight Ocean color is probably the most distinctive one, providing a mirror-finish body with a microfibre vegan leather-based materials that appears and feels luxurious.

The OnePlus 13 has IP68 + IP69 certification for mud and water resistance

Regardless of receiving probably the most fundamental colourway, I’m impressed as to how OnePlus has managed to make a slimmer system (in comparison with the OnePlus 12) with the next capability battery whereas enhancing its IP ranking and sustaining its quick wi-fi charging tech.

The OnePlus 13’s design does seem a bit acquainted to Oppo’s Discover X8 Professional however feels a bit lighter. Because of its mirror-finish aluminium body and flat sides, it presents extra grip than the latter. Whereas the body (chassis) has flat sides, the rear and entrance panels have additionally been flattened (in comparison with the rounded OnePlus 12) with curved edges that seamlessly merge with the body.

The telephone’s water and mud resistance has acquired a stable improve this 12 months and is now IP69-certified, that means that it could possibly even stand up to pressured jets of sizzling water (like in a automotive wash). Provided that OnePlus presents safety plans for its units at a further value, you possibly can confidently immerse this system in freshwater.

The brand new OnePlus AIRVOOC 50W Magnetic Charger will not be your common wi-fi charger

The modular half begins with the telephone’s case. OnePlus has launched many equipment in India, together with a few telephone circumstances with a built-in magnetic ring that holds the brand new equipment in place. This quick record of magnetic equipment features a magnetic snap-on charger and a 5,000mAh magnetic energy financial institution.

The OnePlus AIRVOOC 50W Magnetic Charger might seem to be an Apple MagSafe charger, however in precept, it really works in a really completely different method. In contrast to Qi and Qi 2 chargers out there out there supplied by smartphone manufacturers, OnePlus takes issues a step additional by including a thermoelectric (peltier) chip contained in the charger. This peltier impact chip goals to maintain the charging course of cool, which, in line with OnePlus, additionally reduces battery degradation generally attributable to warmth, which is a by-product of wi-fi charging.

The fan, together with the thermoelectric chip, can dissipate warmth whereas maintaining the realm with the magnetic flux and phone surfaces cool. Nonetheless, the true functionality of the cooling chip will not be utilised to the fullest as a result of the cooled floor of the charger doesn’t make direct contact with the telephone however the plastic case as a substitute. And because the telephone is properly insulated from the chilly contact patch of the wi-fi charger, it can’t be used as a cooling answer whereas enjoying video games. OnePlus’ Freezing Level Telephone Cooler is a greater accent for players because it instantly clips onto the telephone’s rear panel.

The wi-fi charger has a powerful magnetic power, sufficient to droop the telephone from a charging socket

Certainly, the charger’s magnetic grip possesses a strong ‘loss of life grip’, permitting the telephone to be suspended from a wall outlet. Out of curiosity, I even snapped it onto an iPhone 15 Professional Max. The system firmly connected itself to the iPhone 15 Professional Max, securely holding the charger in place and maintaining the iPhone ice-cold all through the charging course of. It is simply that the charging course of was fairly gradual in comparison with OnePlus’ AIRVOOC speeds.

The magnetic charger accent is a superb thought that mixes the 2 present applied sciences in the absolute best approach. I simply want that the magnets to carry the equipment have been constructed into the rear panel as a substitute of the case.

OnePlus 13 Show: Pretty much as good because it will get

• Show measurement – 6.82-inches, 1,440 x 3,168 pixels, QHD+ (510PPI)
• Show sort – AMOLED, LTPO, 1-120Hz
• Show safety – Ceramic Guard

From a design standpoint, that is the primary OnePlus system (save for the ‘R’-branded fashions) to have a flat show. Whereas its border seems slimmer when holding the telephone entrance and centre, the curved protecting glass across the corners makes it seem thicker when seen from every other angle. Whereas the curved edge shows on the earlier fashions didn’t have any particular function aside from lending the system a premium look, the identical applies to the brand new quad-curved glass, which, aside from its look, serves no different function. Nonetheless, identical to on the Discover X8 Professional, I did discover the reflections on account of its quad-curved edges fairly distracting when seen open air.

The quad-curved protecting glass display screen reveals numerous distracting reflections open air

The show showcases pure color at default settings. The identical applies even when viewing it open air, due to OnePlus’ RadiantView expertise that improves readability in daylight. One of many few manufacturers to supply a QHD+ show on this value phase (and above), sharpness will not be an issue, even when you decrease the show and font measurement to the bottom setting. The show additionally presents HDR10+ and Dolby Imaginative and prescient certification, with supporting content material showing as anticipated. OnePlus additionally employed an ultrasonic fingerprint reader throughout this time, and it labored flawlessly in the course of the testing interval.

OnePlus 13 Software program: Jack of all trades…

• Software program model – Android 15
• Software program – OxygenOS 15
• Software program dedication – 4 years of software program, 6 years of safety updates

I’ve already explored a lot of the options supplied by ColorOS 15, that are practically the identical as OnePlus’ OxygenOS 15, in my Oppo Discover X8 and X8 Professional evaluate. Regardless of testing these options yet again, a lot of the outcomes, particularly with picture manipulation, stay the identical as they have been on the Discover X8 Professional.

OnePlus’ algorithms nonetheless require some fine-tuning to be as succesful as Google’s Pixel units. For the time being, the majority of picture modifying instruments, such because the AI Eraser and AI Reflection Eraser instruments, are succesful within the sense that they could or might not produce the specified outcomes.

OxygenOS 15 seems to be fairly completely different from the earlier model, however its similarities with Oppo’s ColorOS are fairly apparent

OnePlus’s new Clever Search is accessible on the OnePlus 13. Nonetheless, fundamental search keyword-related outcomes apart, it actually cannot do a lot. It can’t even discover recordsdata within the paperwork apps (each Google Information and OnePlus Information), even after typing within the precise file title, which is a bit unusual.

Stay Translation guarantees to offer real-time translation throughout 20 languages, however the characteristic will arrive at a later date. So I couldn’t try it out.

The AI-based picture modifying instruments positive want numerous work

Open Canvas which debuted in 2023 and remains to be probably the greatest multitasking options on the OnePlus Open. After the OnePlus Pad 2, it lastly arrives as a daily bar-shaped smartphone. It really works in a well-recognized method, letting you open two apps at a time, like in cut up display screen mode, however helps you to stretch the window of 1 app (by about 80 p.c), letting the second app peak from the highest or backside. If you’ll want to change, merely faucet the opposite app to start out utilizing it! Whereas it might not sound like a giant deal, it reduces the necessity to maintain adjusting the divider between two apps in split-screen mode. It additionally helps you to see extra of the app that you’re engaged on in comparison with the common split-screen implementation.

Open Canvas is a enjoyable strategy to multitask, letting you view extra of the first app in a split-screen association

Identical to on the Discover X8 Professional, I do just like the AI Abstract and AI Converse options which can be out there by way of the Good Sidebar. AI Reply additionally supplies well-written contextual replies, however just for choose apps.

Seeing how far OnePlus has gotten because the OnePlus 12 is attention-grabbing. You additionally have to needless to say Google’s Gemini Stay and Assistant can be found on this telephone, which mainly fills the void left behind by the shortage of OnePlus’ personal devoted digital assistant. In lots of features, I believe it is a good initiative. Nonetheless, customers have to learn by way of the tremendous print and concentrate on the place their private knowledge is shared, as some AI options use OnePlus’ (AKA ColorOS’) AI mannequin, whereas others use Google’s AI fashions.

OnePlus 13 Efficiency: Spectacular

• Processor – Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, 4.32GHz, 3nm
• RAM – 12/16/24GB (LPDDR5X)
• Storage – 256/512/1TB (UFS 4.0)

The OnePlus 13 presents spectacular efficiency with day-to-day duties and multitasking. Apps additionally keep in reminiscence for a substantial period of time, and the software program operates with a easy and seamless really feel. Haptics vibrations are fairly crisp and appear to be well-optimised to cater to OxygenOS 15.

When working artificial benchmarks, the handset performs as anticipated, managing barely decrease scores than its opponents primarily due to its high-resolution QHD+ show, as will be seen from the desk beneath.

The gaming efficiency is spectacular. The telephone managed to stay to a stable 60 fps whereas enjoying Genshin Affect at its highest preset at 60 fps. Nonetheless, I used to be a bit stunned to see no MEMC or Adaptive Body Booster assist for a similar title, because it was out there on the Oppo Discover X8 sequence.

Oppo’s BeaconLink, a characteristic launched with the OnePlus Nord 4 and the Reno 12 Professional, can also be out there on the OnePlus 13. Nonetheless, I couldn’t try it out as I didn’t have a second appropriate system.

OnePlus 13 Cameras: New doesn’t imply higher

• Main digicam – 50-megapixel, f/1.6, OIS
• Telephoto digicam – 50-megapixel, f/2.65, OIS
• Ultrawide digicam – 50-megapixel, f/2.05, AF
• Selfie digicam – 50-megapixel, f/2.45, FF

OnePlus’s new Triprism telephoto digicam takes up lots much less house in comparison with a daily periscope telephoto digicam

OnePlus has retained the first and selfie cameras from the earlier mannequin. As for the upgrades, it has switched from the 64-megapixel OmniVision OV64B periscope telephoto digicam to a brand new Sony LYT-600, which nonetheless presents 3X optical zoom however in a lighter and extra compact package deal due to its triprism structure. The ultrawide digicam has additionally been modified, with the 48-megapixel Sony IMX581 changed by an improved S5KJN5 digicam with a 50-megapixel sensor.

Whereas testing out the cameras on the OnePlus 13, I used to be additionally a bit as to the way it in comparison with the earlier OnePlus 12. So, I’ve included comparisons between the 2 beneath for reference.

OnePlus 13 main digicam samples (faucet photos to broaden)

The first digicam produces sharp images with good color copy. It manages to take care of a superb steadiness of distinction and delivers good dynamic vary in difficult taking pictures eventualities. Low-light taking pictures can also be dealt with properly, offering ample dynamic vary and displaying good element at the hours of darkness and vivid areas of a picture. The 2X zoom choice, a crop from the first digicam, stays the identical as earlier than, with photos which have decrease high quality regardless of the lighting situation.

The brand new trisprism digicam performs properly at 3X (prime) and 6X (backside) magnification (faucet photos to broaden)

The 3X triprism telephoto digicam is kind of the sharpshooter. In reality, even the lossless 6X magnification photos it produces are glorious by way of element. Whereas its capabilities are commendable in low gentle, the images aren’t as sharp as these produced by the outdated OnePlus 12’s 64-megapixel digicam, as will be seen within the two samples beneath.

The 6x lossless telephoto picture captured by the OnePlus 12 (backside) seems lots sharper and detailed in comparison with the OnePlus 13’s picture (prime) (faucet to broaden photos)

One other element to level out right here is that the brand new triprism digicam additionally doesn’t let me get near a topic in comparison with the improbable near-focusing functionality (1 foot from the topic) of the older telephoto digicam. The OnePlus 13’s digicam system can also be very fast to change to a cropped view from the first digicam (at 3X) everytime you get nearer than 3-4 ft out of your topic. In brief, this new telephoto is a little bit of a downgrade, despite the fact that it helped make the OnePlus 13 slimmer.

OnePlus 13 ultrawide digicam pattern (faucet picture to broaden)

The ultrawide digicam is a pleasant improve to the earlier mannequin. It retains the barrel distortion underneath management whereas sustaining sufficient element. This additionally applies to low-light taking pictures, which produces clear photos with little noise.

When it comes to color processing, each digicam appears to wish to do its personal factor, as will be seen from the collage above. Nonetheless, shot-to-shot consistency when utilizing the identical digicam is sweet and reliable. If you’ll want to get extra correct colors, it is best to change to OnePlus’ Grasp mode.

AI Zoom OFF (Prime), AI Zoom ON (backside) (faucet photos to broaden)

As for Zoom, identical to the Discover X8 Professional, the OnePlus 13 prompts AI Zoom when you attain 60X. The outcomes are unpredictable and depend on the creativity of the AI mannequin. I discovered the photographs captured until 10X to be usable, past which the picture high quality noticeably deteriorates.

OnePlus 13 selfie digicam pattern (faucet picture to broaden)

Selfies captured in daylight appeared sharp and crisp with good edge detection, whereas low-light captures stay the identical as earlier than, which is a bit comfortable.

When recording 4K video at 30 fps, the OnePlus 13 manages softer movies with much less element versus the OnePlus 12. The video high quality remains to be commendable in comparison with different choices at this value level. 4K 60 fps presents the highest quality doable with lowered noise, good stabilisation and a gentle framerate. On the identical time, I discovered footage from the OnePlus 12 that supplied sharper picture high quality with elevated luminance noise.

OnePlus 13 Battery: Wonderful

• Battery capability – 6,000mAh
• Wired charging – 100W
• Wi-fi charging – 50W

The 50W AIRVOOC charger is definitely one of many quickest wi-fi charging options out there in India. And is approach sooner than the same old Qi or Qi 2 speeds out there for many Android smartphones. In reality, it could possibly defeat the wired charging speeds of most premium flagships from Apple and Samsung and maintain the charger and surfaces cool whereas doing so.

The brand new silicon carbon battery, regardless of its 6,000mAh capability, can simply match into the OnePlus 13’s slim physique

In our testing, the 50W AIRVOOC Magnetic Charger absolutely charged the telephone’s 6,000mAh battery in 1 hour and quarter-hour. The wired SUPERVOOC 100W charger managed a 55% cost in quarter-hour and accomplished the charging course of (absolutely charged) in 41 minutes.

As for battery life, the OnePlus 13 lasted 26 hours and a couple of minutes in our video battery loop check. Whereas utilization patterns range from individual to individual, the telephone simply lasted me a day and a half with informal use (calls, social media apps, e mail and workplace apps) and just a little over a day with heavy use (gaming and digicam), which is fairly spectacular.

OnePlus 13 Verdict

OnePlus seems to be in search of a contemporary begin, and the OnePlus 13 represents a big development. It is received a ton of upgrades in each division, together with AI methods and a few new toys.

Priced from Rs. 69,999 onwards (12GB + 256GB), the OnePlus 13 as soon as once more makes a case for itself within the sub-Rs. 70,000 phase. It’s doable to search out many smartphones (just like the Realme GT 7 Professional and iQoo 13) that provide related efficiency at a cheaper price, however none can match the digicam prowess of the OnePlus 13 at this value level.

These curious about a smaller type issue can provide the Oppo Discover X8 a glance, because it, is full of sufficient firepower however falls quick on digicam efficiency. OnePlus 12 customers who’re on the lookout for one thing extra highly effective will nonetheless discover the OnePlus 13 engaging despite the fact that the digicam upgrades are qualitative.

Given Samsung’s lack of curiosity in enhancing their Galaxy S sequence’ digicam capabilities (the Galaxy S24 retains the digicam {hardware} from the S22), the OnePlus 13 presents a compelling various for these in search of a extra complete digicam expertise. Add to this the brand new design choices, magnetic equipment, quick charging, huge battery upgrades and OnePlus’ prolonged guarantee program, and it is exhausting to look elsewhere.