OnePlus 13R review: Monolith of power

OnePlus is kicking off 2025 with a bang, bringing its newest flagship – the OnePlus 13 – to worldwide audiences. The 13 wasn’t alone on stage, nonetheless, with the extra modest (however nonetheless highly-specced) OnePlus 13R serving up efficiency {hardware} and software program at an much more aggressive value than its sibling.

2024 noticed OnePlus’ R collection go worldwide, after having beforehand been an India unique. The OnePlus 12R left us impressed, because of its distinctive show, battery and worth.

The OnePlus 13R seems to be as if it’s following an identical blueprint, toting like-minded show and AI-based software program upgrades to the OnePlus 13, together with the largest battery we’ve seen from the corporate on a world launch.

There are some apparent and anticipated downgrades in comparison with the flagship 13, however contemplating the worth level (£679 / $599.99) the OnePlus 13R hits, many will doubtless discover such sacrifices justified; supplied what’s promised on paper, matches up with expectations. So, let’s discover out collectively.

Design & Construct

• Thinner and lighter than OnePlus 12R
• IP65 rated
• New magnetic accent ecosystem, appropriate with MagSafe

In my OnePlus 13 evaluation, regardless of providing up an unquestionably premium design, I mentioned that the telephone’s aesthetics lacked cohesion; with over-complicated geometry and an overabundance of floor finishes. Not so with the OnePlus 13R.

Following within the footsteps of Apple, Google and Samsung over the previous couple of years, in contrast to each its launch sibling and its predecessor, the 13R is OnePlus’ most squared telephone but.

Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd

Flat back and front glass sandwich a straight-edged aluminium mid-frame, and the impact is putting. The 13R seems to be sturdy and imposing, and but the designers have added a near-imperceptible rounded edge to the body to make sure that it’s nonetheless snug within the hand.

It’s monolithic aesthetic (particularly should you decide the telephone up within the Nebula Noir colourway, pictured on this evaluation) is damaged solely by purposeful parts, just like the offset round rear digital camera array, and the model’s signature three-stage alert slider, alongside the facet.

There’s a lovely symmetry to the loudspeaker and the SIM tray placement alongside the underside, and the microphones and built-in IR blaster alongside the telephone’s prime face too. In the meantime, the distinction of the satin-finish again glass and body, towards the shiny show, make for a lovely distinction; even when the telephone sits idle.

Even with its commanding presence, the 13R is definitely thinner (8mm, down from 8.8mm) and lighter than its predecessor, regardless of sporting the same-sized show and a bigger battery.

Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd

The IP65 ranking towards mud and water can be an incremental enchancment over the IP64-rated 12R, however lags behind the IP68-certification of most flagships, to not point out the OnePlus 13 itself, which is among the many few telephones that additionally totes IP69-grade safety (OnePlus even ran a tool by a sizzling dishwasher on the telephone’s launch, to point out off it’s newly-improved resilience).

One design function that the 13R does share with the usual 13, nonetheless, is help for a brand new vary of instances, which in flip permit for magnetically removable equipment, together with people who depend on Apple’s round MagSafe magnetic configuration. The one caveat is that with no wi-fi charging help to talk of, OnePlus’ new magnetic energy financial institution and wi-fi charger equipment – which launched alongside the 13 collection – do nothing for the 13R.

Display screen & Audio system

• 6.78-inch 120Hz LTPO 4.1 OLED ProXDR show
• Gorilla Glass 7i
• RadiantView, Aqua Contact 2.0, Eye Care 4.0 and extra

The show was one of many largest strengths of the OnePlus 12R and the identical might be mentioned for the panel discovered on its successor.

A look on the specs and it doesn’t instantly appear to be OnePlus has accomplished something to enhance the viewing expertise between generations right here. You as soon as once more get a well-known 6.78-inch 1.5K dynamic 1 to 120Hz OLED panel, with the identical spectacular 1600-nit total brightness output and very good 4500-nit peak brightness too. Past that although, it advantages from the identical upgrades because the full-fat OnePlus 13.

Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd

For starters, the improve to LTPO 4.1 tech signifies that dynamic refresh charge can swap considerably sooner, leading to improved energy effectivity. Then there are the wealth of applied sciences devoted to making sure the 13R’s display is simpler to see and use.

RadiantView doesn’t simply enhance brightness panel-wide when the telephone detects you’re in vibrant environment, it may well modify totally different areas of the panel, relative to what’s on-screen, to create higher distinction and definition. Taking a leaf out of Honor’s e-book, new 2160Hz PWM (pulse width modulation) dimming helps help present eye consolation tech throughout the software program, to cut back eye pressure at decrease brightness ranges.

Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd

This 13R additionally advantages from the newest technology of Aqua Contact, which implies typing on a moist display or with moist fingers doesn’t readily part the telephone; leading to fewer typos. As I write this evaluation throughout a frigid English January, the telephone’s Glove Mode has confirmed a necessary boon too.

Though I wasn’t ready to bust out a set of Mohs picks and scratch check the 13R’s display myself, this additionally occurs to be OnePlus’ first telephone sporting Corning’s Gorilla Glass 7i (on the back and front).

This can be a new mid-range glass from Corning, doubtless launched to offer producers who in any other case nonetheless go for older Gorilla Glass 3 or 5 on their non-flagship telephones a extra trendy different.

Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd

Even with no case, after a month’s use, no a part of the 13R’s physique or display was displaying any discernible indicators of wear and tear (little question helped by the pre-fitted display protector). That mentioned, 7i does seem to be a technical downgrade in comparison with the top-spec Gorilla Glass Victus 2 that the 12R boasts.

Just like the OnePlus 13, the 13R provides up competent audio from its stereo audio system, however lacks bass all through its vary. And in contrast to the 13, which has made the transfer to faster ultrasonic expertise, the 13R nonetheless makes use of an optical in-display fingerprint sensor for unlocking and authentication. Whereas completely fast and dependable for many customers, I might say it’s positioned somewhat too low on-screen.

Specs & Efficiency

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset
• Sooner storage in comparison with predecessor
• RAM enlargement as much as a further 12GB

Whereas the OnePlus 13 runs away with Qualcomm’s newest and best piece of cell silicon – the Snapdragon 8 Elite – the OnePlus 13R reverts to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 that resides contained in the OnePlus 12, to not point out nearly all of the perfect Android telephones from 2024.

The Elite is the headline-grabber proper now, however there are nonetheless a wealth of wonderful flagship telephones past the OnePlus 12 (the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely, Sony Xperia 1 VI and Xiaomi 14 Extremely, to call a number of) that spotlight simply how present and competent the 8 Gen 3 stays, and can achieve this for a good lengthy whereas.

Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd

Higher but, OnePlus’ time tuning its techniques to get essentially the most out of the 8 Gen 3, to not point out upgrades to the 13R’s cooling system (specifically a considerably bigger vapor chamber than its predecessor, in addition to warmth dissipation through that aluminium mid-frame), end in among the finest benchmarking scores for that chip round.

It additionally dealt with sustained efficiency testing effectively, providing higher stability than even the OnePlus 13 in some checks.

OnePlus 13R benchmarks

In most markets, together with the UK, Europe and the US, you’ll doubtless solely discover one reminiscence configuration of the OnePlus 13R: 12GB of RAM, paired to 256GB of storage. It’s solely actually India that will get a further 16GB/512GB variant, however for most individuals not after the tip-top (during which case you may as effectively save and swing for the usual 13), this 256GB construct ought to show ample.

Just like the show, these reminiscence specs might at first seem to reflect that of the OnePlus 12R’s, till you be taught that OnePlus has additionally splashed out on considerably sooner and extra energy environment friendly UFS 4.0 storage, matching that of the OnePlus 13.

Add to that digital RAM enlargement (which helps you to reallocate a few of that speedy new storage) as much as 12GB and also you’ll discover, as I did, that the 13R is nice at protecting background apps in suspension for longer, whereas nonetheless proving energy environment friendly.

Cameras

• 50Mp major and 2x telephoto sensors
• 8MP ultrawide, 16Mp selfie digital camera
• OnePlus’ new Twin Publicity Algorithm

With the OnePlus 13R, the collection replaces Sony’s IMX sensors with an entrant from their new Lytia vary, as an alternative. The telephone’s digital camera system is led by the current LYT-700: a 50Mp 1/1.56-inch sensor with a pleasantly huge ƒ/1.8 aperture and OIS (optical picture stabilisation), designed to let in additional gentle than the 12R’s equal lead digital camera.

Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd

Higher but, its predecessor’s underwhelming secondary snappers have additionally been ditched, in favour of a brand new 50Mp 2x optical zoom telephoto and an 8Mp ultrawide. A near-identical 16Mp front-facer stays, nonetheless.

The general photographic expertise marks a notable enchancment from the one supplied by the 12R, partly as a result of larger versatility and partly because of higher consistency by way of color and distinction between the sensors. New processing methods, like the corporate’s Twin Publicity Algorithm, assist scale back movement blur and retain element too.

OnePlus’ color science is healthier than its ever been, putting a larger emphasis on accuracy, supplied sufficient gentle is offered. Just like the OnePlus 13, the 13R’s HDR processing doesn’t flatten out shadows both; one thing the likes of the Google Pixel 9 household can over-correct on, on the expense of the creative integrity of a shot.

Evaluating low gentle and night time mode photographs between the 13R (beneath, left) and the 13 (beneath, proper), it shouldn’t come as a shock that OnePlus’ latest flagship is ready to soak up extra gentle throughout the identical seize time. Nevertheless, whereas the 13 serves up brighter photographs that, the place doable, work to accurately modify white stability and color on topics (like inexperienced leaves on a plant), the photographs from 13R often served up extra true to life colors.

With solely a 2x telephoto, don’t count on to get nice zoom photographs. OnePlus has labored its algorithmic magic to supply up respectable 4x magnification by the identical sensor, however the telephoto’s major goal is portrait taking pictures. Element and pores and skin tones are each captured with pleasing constancy, OnePlus simply must work on its edge detection and the standard of the artificial bokeh added to such photographs, as these show to be areas of inconsistency throughout each the 13 and 13R’s cameras.

Though the OnePlus 13 doesn’t really feel prefer it’s able to be probably the greatest digital camera telephones proper now, inside its value vary, I’d have a neater time recommending the 13R. An honorable point out goes to the telephone’s crisp and well-coloured 4K video seize too.

Need extra on the OnePlus 13’s digital camera? I’ve additionally written a devoted OnePlus 13 digital camera evaluation, highlighting all I’ve found after taking pictures with the corporate’s flagship for a month.

Battery Life & Charging

• 6000mAh battery
• 80W wired charging
• No energy adapter in-box

With the wonderful battery efficiency served up by the OnePlus 12R final 12 months, I might have understood if OnePlus selected to not mess with a very good factor, particularly with the facility effectivity beneficial properties the brand new chipset, storage, new software program optimisations and LTPO show would convey. It meddled anyway, and that proved to be the appropriate name.

On the one hand, the 13R prices slower than its predecessor, albeit at a still-impressive 80W (utilizing OnePlus’ and Oppo’s SuperVOOC charging commonplace). On the opposite, each the OnePlus 13 and 13R profit from the biggest battery capability the corporate has ever positioned inside a telephone it’s bought internationally (the China-only equal of the 13R – the Ace 5 Professional – packs an excellent greater 6100mAh cell).

Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd

Whereas the 13 will get essentially the most superior dual-cell Si-C (silicon carbon) battery, the 13R sports activities a single cell variant, however that doesn’t precisely maintain it again.

In benchmarking, the 13R truly outpaced its launch sibling to develop into one of many highest-scoring telephones I’ve examined, nonetheless, in real-world use, the benefit returned to the 13. Even so, the OnePlus 13R constantly delivered a strong 9.5 hours of screen-on time per cost, equating to greater than a day of heavy use, or two days of regular use between prices.

This can be a nice telephone for many who undergo from battery nervousness, and that’s earlier than you consider that quick charging.

Though not as fast because the OnePlus 12R or 13 between which it sits, the OnePlus 13R’s 80W charging nonetheless refilled to full in lower than 55 minutes.

Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd

Regardless of taking the identical period of time to replenish utterly, out the field the telephone hit 60% cost after half-hour, whereas enabling Good Speedy Charging (which extra intently manages gadget cost towards temperature) noticed it cross 73% in the identical timeframe.

Simply do not forget that you’ll have to purchase an 80W energy adapter individually (the telephone comes with a 55W adapter in-box within the US and no adapter in any respect within the UK or Europe), in an effort to get these peak charging speeds. Wi-fi charging additionally isn’t a part of the equation with the OnePlus 13R.

Try our rundown of the perfect battery life telephones for extra.

Software program & Apps

• OxygenOS 15 atop Android 15
• AI options and Circle to Search
• 4 years OS + 6 years safety replace help

Though the corporate’s OxygenOS 15 consumer expertise (atop Android 15) launched forward of the OnePlus 13 collection’ worldwide launch, they’re undoubtedly the perfect gadgets to leverage its full potential. That is additionally one facet the place the 13R suffers little-to-no sacrifice, in comparison with the fully-fledged flagship 13.

Each include the identical respectable dedication to 4 years of OS updates and 6 years of safety updates from OnePlus, a brand new set of system animations (that elevate the feel and appear of interplay) and, in fact, essentially the most full suite of the corporate’s AI instruments but. Google Gemini can be the digital assistant of alternative right here, and the corporate’s Circle to Search tech is current too, which I discover extraordinarily helpful.

Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd

The one actual fly within the ointment when evaluating the expertise throughout each telephones is that the 13R comes with a fraction extra third-party bloat than the 13; apps like Reserving.com, LinkedIn and Amazon Music got here pre-loaded on my evaluation mannequin. All might be eliminated, at the very least.

Past OxygenOS’ tangible interplay snap and polish, it’s full of helpful instruments with out feeling overwhelming, and the educational curve to leverage all of them is pleasingly gradual too.

Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd

Sport Toolkit permits you to liberate reminiscence, block notifications, modify energy and efficiency, and extra, all from inside a recreation. The Good Sidebar retains helpful instruments current all through the consumer expertise, with a notable improve this technology being context consciousness that surfaces totally different AI instruments based mostly on the use case at hand.

AI-powered semantic search now permits you to scour any native recordsdata or images you may have saved on the 13R, whereas a plethora of assistive studying and writing instruments assist with all the pieces from formatting and prompt-based textual content technology, inside apps like OnePlus’ Notes, to answer suggestion and summarisation.

Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd

That Good Sidebar is nice at surfacing these instruments when wanted, like providing up AI Abstract and AI Converse once I open up an internet web page. This behaviour makes utilizing AI options all through the OnePlus 13R’s consumer expertise extra pure and actionable than having to deliberately search out the function you wish to use in a given second.

One different distinctive function, unique (on the time of writing) to the newest Oppo and OnePlus telephones is their skill to share recordsdata with iPhones and iPads, wirelessly; AirDrop-style. It’s a function pushed by neighborhood suggestions, one thing OnePlus is much more lively and vocal about then most of its rivals.

Worth & Availability

The OnePlus 13R was unveiled to worldwide audiences alongside the OnePlus 13, on January 7, 2025, with pre-orders kicking off on the identical day and the telephone happening sale every week later, on January 14.

Between the US and UK, American patrons get the higher deal, with the telephone sporting the identical $599.99 asking value as its predecessor. Within the UK, there’s been a generational value hike, from £649 to £679, however I’d argue for what’s on supply, that’s nonetheless strong worth.

At these value factors, there’s isn’t a lot in the way in which of direct fresh-faced competitors, with most rival manufacturers leaving their depreciated previous-gen flagships to function options. Entries just like the iPhone 15 and Galaxy S24+ are throughout the identical ballpark, whereas these after newer {hardware} have choices just like the Galaxy S24 FE or Google Pixel 9, though in all instances, you’re sacrificing efficiency, versatility or a mix of the 2.

In each the UK and US, you’ll be able to decide up the 13R from OnePlus instantly (OnePlus US retailer | OnePlus UK retailer), in addition to third-party retailers, akin to Amazon. With no provider companions in these areas, try our rundown of the perfect SIM-only offers.

Must you purchase the OnePlus 13R?

The OnePlus 13R doesn’t disguise its flaws, making it simple to grasp simply the place your cash goes.

Like its predecessor, show and battery prowess are among the many telephone’s finest qualities, but it surely additionally occurs to be one of many higher Snapdragon 8 Gen 3-powered telephones available on the market proper now – particularly at its value level. Whereas I favour the design, the consumer expertise is excellent.

It’s a disgrace each the protecting glass and quick charging obtained downgraded from the OnePlus 12R, however in all different areas, this telephone punches up.

If you would like higher water resistance and wi-fi charging, all the options talked about within the pricing part will match the invoice, however there’s nothing that fairly strikes the identical stability because the OnePlus 13R, making it the proper match for many who nonetheless haven’t fairly discovered what they’re in search of.

Try our rankings of the perfect telephones to see the highest choices.

Specs

• OxygenOS 15 atop Android 15
• 6.78-inch, 19.8:9, 1264 x 2780, LTPO 4.1 OLED, 1-120Hz
• Optical in-display fingerprint sensor
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset
• 12GB RAM (LPDDR5X)
• 256GB storage (UFS 4.0)
• Cameras:
  • 50Mp 1/1.56-inch f/1.8 Sony LYT-700 major sensor w/ OIS
  • 50Mp 1/2.75-inch f/2.0 Samsung ISOCELL JN5 2x telephoto
  • 8Mp 1/4-inch f/2.2 112° ultrawide
  • 16Mp 1/3.09-inch f/2.4 112° selfie digital camera
• Stereo audio system
• Twin-SIM
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7
• Bluetooth 5.4
• 6000mAh battery
• 80W SUPERVOOC wired charging
• Magnetic accent ecosystem
• 161.7 x 75.8 x 8mm
• IP65 licensed
• 206 grams
• Colors: Astral Path, Nebula Noir