OnePlus 13R Expert Rating: 9.1/10

OnePlus 13R: The Mid-Range Flagship Redefined? A Complete Review

The OnePlus "R" series has always tried to deliver a near-flagship experience at an affordable price, and the OnePlus 13R, which launched on January 7, 2025, takes it to another level and has made some impressive improvements. It is called a "mid-range flagship", but it has great specifications and brings an upgraded user experience. I have been using the device, so I want to provide a detailed overview of what the OnePlus 13R is capable of.

Table of The Content 

OnePlus 13R Overview Design & Build Display Performance Cameras Battery & Charging Software & AI Gaming Performance Connectivity and More Real World Usage Buying Guide Price & Availability Customer Feedback Conclusion Frequently Asked Questions

OnePlus 13R Overview 

The OnePlus 13R, launched on January 7, 2025, in India and available from January 13, 2025, redefines the "mid-range flagship" segment with its impressive blend of performance and premium features. Moving to a sleek, flat design with an aluminum frame and glass back, it exudes durability with its IP65 rating.

At its core, the OnePlus 13R boasts the flagship-grade Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform, paired with a stunning 6.78-inch 1.5K 120Hz LTPO 4.1 AMOLED display reaching 4500 nits peak brightness. Gamers will appreciate the advanced cooling, Aqua Touch, and Glove Mode. Photography sees an upgrade with a 50MP OIS main camera and a dedicated 50MP 2x optical telephoto lens. Powering it all is a massive 6000 mAh battery with 80W SUPERVOOC charging, complemented by OxygenOS 15 based on Android 15 and a generous 4 years of OS updates. The OnePlus 13R aims to deliver a top-tier experience without the top-tier price.

OnePlus 13R Design & Build: A Flat-Out Premium Feel

A significant difference in the OnePlus 13R is its design. The OnePlus 12R had curved displays with curved sides, the OnePlus 13 has curved edges, and the OnePlus 13R has a flat display with flat sides. For a large percentage of users, this flat form factor offers better ergonomics and practicality, particularly for gaming. Speaking of which, the phone feels premium in hand.

There is a glass front (Corning Gorilla Glass 7i) and back, and the frame is aluminum. The IP65 rating for dust and water resistance is appreciated, providing some durability for day-to-day accidents. The device comes in the all-time fan favorite color variants "Astral Trail" and "Nebula Noir."

OnePlus 13R Display: A Visual Treat with Improved Touch

The OnePlus 13R features a 6.78-inch LTPO 4.1 AMOLED display with a sharp 1.5K (1264 x 2780 pixels) resolution and a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate. This combination ensures silky-smooth scrolling, responsive touch interactions, and vibrant visuals. What truly stands out is the 4500 nits peak brightness (1600 nits HBM), making outdoor visibility excellent even under the bright Tiruppur sun. The inclusion of Aqua Touch and a new Glove Mode enhances touch responsiveness, a significant boon for gamers and users in colder climates. HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HDR Vivid support ensure a fantastic multimedia consumption experience.

OnePlus 13R Performance: Flagship Power on a Budget

What truly sets the horsepower nodes of the OnePlus 13R is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform. It's a gigantic upgrade from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in its predecessor, which places the 13R at par with present-generation flagship performance. Coupled with LPDDR5X RAM (up to 16GB) and UFS 4.0 storage (up to 512GB), this phone boots apps in lightning time, supports multitasking without even the slightest lag, and offers massive gaming gratification.

The real-world scenario is where BGMI, Genshin Impact, and Call of Duty: Mobile operate flawlessly at demanding high frame rates (including 120fps support for BGMI). Thermals get well managed by the largest 9925mm² Dual Cryo-velocity VC cooling system, an 8.6% increase over 12R, thus preventing significant throttling even during prolonged gaming sessions. This makes the 13R a true gaming beast for its price point.

OnePlus 13R Cameras: A Step Up with Telephoto

The camera system sees a notable improvement. The OnePlus 13R sports a triple rear camera setup:

• Main Camera: 50MP Sony LYT-700 sensor (1/1.56", f/1.8, OIS)
  
• Telephoto Camera: 50MP ISOCELL JN5 (2x optical zoom, f/2.0)
  
• Ultra-wide Camera: 8MP (f/2.2, 112° FoV)
  

Having a dedicated 50MP 2x optical telephoto lens is a notable step up from the macro sensor on the 12R. There is now potential for real zoomed-in shots, which creates clarity and versatility. The 50MP main camera can create detailed and colourful images in good light and has OIS for low-light situations. I could take a wider shot with an 8MP ultrawide, but it didn't impress me.

For selfies, there's a 16MP front camera (f/2.4). While it captures good selfies, it doesn't feature autofocus. Video recording capabilities include 4K@60fps from the rear cameras, with EIS/OIS for stable footage.

OnePlus 13R Battery & Charging: Endurance and Speed

Another great point for the OnePlus 13R is the battery life. It has a large 6000 mAh Silicon Carbon battery - one of the largest in the price range. This results in extreme longevity, lasting 1.5 days easily on a single charge even with heavy usage. 

The charging is through 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging. This is slightly less than the 100W in the 12R but is still very fast, around 20 minutes to go from 1% to 50%, and a full charge in around 54 minutes. There is no wireless charging, which is typical in this area.

OnePlus 13R Software & AI: Android 15 with Smart Enhancements

The OnePlus 13R runs on OxygenOS 15 based on Android 15 out of the box. This ensures users get the latest Android features and security updates. OnePlus promises a generous 4 years of Android OS updates and 6 years of security updates, indicating excellent long-term support.

OxygenOS 15 is known for its clean, fluid interface and smart features. The 13R also integrates various AI capabilities:

• Circle to Search (Google): A highly intuitive way to search for anything on your screen.
  
• AI Detail Boost, AI Unblur, AI Reflection Eraser: AI-powered features in the gallery app to enhance and refine photos.
  
• AI Notes, Intelligent Search, OnePlus AI: Features aimed at improving productivity and device intelligence.
  
• AI Mobile: A broader term for various on-device AI optimizations.

OnePlus 13R's Gaming Performance

The OnePlus 13R is positioned as an excellent option for mid-premium mobile gamers. The phone's gaming performance is certainly a highlight, with flagship hardware and smart optimizations. 

Here's a detailed look at the OnePlus 13R's gaming performance:

1. Flagship-Grade Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

• Raw Power: The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform lies at the core of the OnePlus 13R's gaming prowess. The same chip is featured in many of 2022's greatest flagships, so it will be able to handle virtually any mobile game you can throw at it.
  
• CPU & GPU Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 not only has a powerful CPU (with a prime core that can have a frequency of 3.3 GHz), but a powerful Adreno GPU as well. Together, they make for high-performance CPU processing and graphics-rendering that is needed to power more intensive game titles.
  
• RAM and Storage: The phone partners the SoC with LPDDR5X RAM (maximum of 16GB) and UFS 4.0 storage (maximum of 512GB). Those provide an extremely fast game load time, ease of switching between running apps, assets streaming, and more - all while limiting any bottlenecks.

2. Real-World Gaming Experience:

High Frame Rates & Smoothness: 

• BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India) - The OnePlus 13R is optimized for BGMI and can achieve 120fps and HDR with almost no input latencies and no touch latency, providing an incredibly stable and competitive experience. 
  
• Genshin Impact - This graphically demanding title runs at 60fps with high settings. This is quite an achievement for a mobile device. 
  
• Call of Duty: Mobile - Many user reports indicated playing is smooth with high frame rates and no noticeable lag or stutter. 
  
• Other demanding titles like Wuthering Waves can even achieve close to 60fps with maximum settings. 
  

HyperBoost Gaming Engine

OnePlus usually has its HyperBoost Gaming Engine, which optimizes performance and resource allocation to be stable and performant for gaming. This includes things like GPU pipeline tuning for stable 120fps.

3. Thermal Management: Staying Cool Under Pressure

• Dual Cryo-velocity VC cooling system: The OnePlus 13R features a large 9925mm² Dual Cryo-velocity VC (Vapor Chamber) cooling system. That's an 8.6% larger vapor chamber than the 12R and works together with a firewall middle frame to disperse heat away from key components.
  
• Sustainable Performance: Some initial reports on stress tests and thermal throttling have surfaced (which happens, by the way, to all powerful phones when exposed to extreme synthetic workloads), but the majority of real-world gaming reviews say this cooling system worked. While the phone does warm during periods of high-intensity gaming, users say it doesn't get uncomfortably hot and maintains its performance with minimal drops or extreme throttling during typical gaming sessions. This is an important consideration for hardcore competitive play.

4. Display for Gaming:

• 120Hz LTPO 4.1 AMOLED: the 6.78-inch 1.5K LTPO 4.1 AMOLED display is a fantastic display for any gamer. With a refresh rate of 120Hz, it provides ultra-smooth visuals and animations while LTPO allows the display to change the refresh rate in a dynamic way too save power when display capabilities are not needed.
  
• Aqua Touch & Glove Mode: the responsive touch screen, with Aqua Touch and Glove Mode, provides the most accurate and responsive touch input available, which is necessary for horizon-busting Frindie speed.
  
• Vibrant & Bright: According to our estimates, you can anticipate 4500 nits peak brightness (1600 nits HBM) so even bright daylight fall installations (like outdoors in Tiruppur) does not completely wash out the game.

5. Battery Life for Extended Sessions:

• Huge 6000 mAh Battery: The OnePlus 13R comes with a huge 6000 mAh Silicon Carbon battery. This means you should have extraordinary battery life, even with extended gaming sessions. Reviewers suggest it can comfortably last 1 full day, and regularly last 1.5 days, meaning you should have enough battery to game for extended sessions without always worrying about running out of battery. 
  
• 80W SUPERVOOC charging: Even when you do have to recharge, the 80W SUPERVOOC charging will be such a rapid charge that you won’t miss out on long gaming sessions.

OnePlus 13R Other Features: Connectivity and More

• Connectivity: Includes Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, and an extensive list of 5G bands (5.5G support in India in partnership with Jio, making it one of the first). Includes a USB Type-C 2.0 port.
  
• Audio: Stereo speakers provide a decent audio experience, but there's no 3.5mm headphone jack.
  Sensors: In-display optical fingerprint sensor (fast and dependable), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, infrared remote control.
  • Alert Slider: Has OnePlus Alert Slider to switch sound profiles quickly.

OnePlus 13R - Real World Usage 

The OnePlus 13R, having been on the market for a few months now (launched January 7, 2025), has accumulated substantial real-world feedback. Here's a summary of what users and reviewers are experiencing:

1. Daily Performance: A Smooth Operator

• Snappy and Fluid: Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and ample LPDDR5X RAM (12GB/16GB), the OnePlus 13R handles daily tasks with absolute ease. App launches are instantaneous, multitasking is seamless, and scrolling through social media or Browse the web is consistently fluid, thanks to the 120Hz display.
  
• No Lag or Stutter: Users report virtually no lag or stutter in general usage, even with many apps open in the background. It truly feels like a flagship in terms of responsiveness for everyday use.
  

2. Display Experience: Bright, Vibrant, and Responsive

• Excellent Visuals: The 6.78-inch 1.5K LTPO 4.1 AMOLED display is a highlight. Colors are vibrant, blacks are deep, and the clarity is impressive. Watching videos on Netflix, YouTube, or other streaming services is a joy, with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support enhancing the experience.
  
• Superb Brightness: The 4500 nits peak brightness (1600 nits HBM) ensures that the screen is perfectly legible even under direct sunlight, which is particularly useful in bright conditions like here in Tiruppur.
  
• Flat Display Preference: Many users appreciate the flat display and flat sides, finding it more comfortable to hold and less prone to accidental touches compared to curved screens. It also makes applying screen protectors easier.
• Improved Touch: Features like Aqua Touch and Glove Mode make the screen incredibly responsive, even with wet hands or gloves, which is a practical benefit for everyday scenarios.
  

3. Battery Life: A Marathon Runner

• Exceptional Endurance: The 6000 mAh Silicon Carbon battery is a standout feature. Most users report getting 1.5 to 2 full days of usage on a single charge with moderate use. Even with heavy usage, including gaming and streaming, it comfortably lasts a full day, often ending with 20-30% charge remaining.
  
• Screen-On Time (SOT): Many users regularly achieve 8-10 hours of Screen-On Time, which is excellent for a high-performance device.
  
• Fast Charging (80W SUPERVOOC): While a step down from the 100W on the 12R, the 80W charging is still incredibly fast. A full charge from empty takes around 48-55 minutes, and a significant top-up (e.g., 0-50%) can be achieved in about 20 minutes, minimizing downtime.
  

4. Gaming Performance: A True Beast

• Flawless High-End Gaming: As detailed previously, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 handles all demanding games like BGMI, Genshin Impact, and Call of Duty: Mobile at high graphics settings and high frame rates (including 120fps for BGMI).
  
• Effective Cooling: The large 9925mm² Dual Cryo-velocity VC cooling system proves effective in real-world gaming. While the phone does warm up during prolonged intense sessions, it generally doesn't suffer from significant thermal throttling or become uncomfortably hot, allowing for sustained high performance.
  

5. Camera Performance: Noticeable Improvement

• Versatile Main Camera: The 50MP Sony LYT-700 main camera captures detailed, vibrant, and well-exposed photos in good lighting conditions. Colors are generally accurate, and dynamic range is wide.
  
• Useful Telephoto Lens:

The addition of a 50MP 2x optical telephoto lens is a welcome change from the macro lens on its predecessor. This enables genuinely sharp zoomed-in shots (up to 2x optical, and good digital zoom beyond that), which is useful for portraits and capturing distant subjects. Portrait photos are generally very good with nice bokeh and edge detection.

• Ultra-wide & Low Light: The 8MP ultrawide is decent for landscape shots but doesn't quite match the detail or low-light performance of the main sensor. Low-light performance from the main camera is respectable, aided by OIS.
  
• Selfies: The 16MP front camera captures good, detailed selfies in well-lit conditions, though it can lose some detail in lower light.
  

6. Software Experience: Clean and Feature-Rich

• OxygenOS 15 (Android 15): The phone ships with the latest Android 15-based OxygenOS 15. Users praise its clean, smooth, and clutter-free UI.
  
• Minimal Bloatware: The presence of very few pre-installed third-party apps (like LinkedIn, Facebook, Netflix) is appreciated, leading to a lean software experience.
  
• AI Integration: Integrated AI features like Circle to Search, AI Detail Boost, AI Unblur, and AI Notes are proving useful in daily tasks, enhancing productivity and photo editing.
  
• Long-Term Support: The commitment to 4 years of Android OS updates and 6 years of security updates provides excellent long-term value and peace of mind.
  

7. Other Real-World Aspects:

• Haptics: The haptic feedback is generally strong and precise, contributing to a premium feel.
  
• Speakers: The stereo speakers are loud and clear, providing a good audio experience for media consumption and gaming.
  
• Call Quality: Call quality and network reception (including 5.5G support with Jio in India) are reported to be solid.
  
• Alert Slider: The signature OnePlus Alert Slider is a highly appreciated physical feature for quickly changing sound modes.
  
• Ergonomics: While the flat sides are liked by some, a few users with smaller hands might find the phone slightly large and the button placement (especially volume) a bit high for single-handed comfort.
  

OnePlus 13R – Buying Guide

Who Should Buy the OnePlus 13R

• Gamers & Power Users
  
• Content Consumers
  
• Battery Lovers
  
• Clean Software Fans
  
• Users Seeking Premium Design

Who Should Not Buy the OnePlus 13R

• Photography Enthusiasts
  
• Wireless Charging Fans
  
• Audiophiles
  
• Rough Users Needing IP68

Is the OnePlus 13R Worth the Money

YES, absolutely.
At around ₹45,000 (India) or $599 (Global), the OnePlus 13R offers:

• Flagship-grade performance
  
• Excellent battery and display
  
• Long software support
  
• Premium design
  

It beats many rivals like the Samsung Galaxy A74, Vivo T4 Ultra, and Nothing Phone 2a in raw performance and software longevity.

OnePlus 13R Price & Availability 

Price in India

• 12 GB + 256 GB – ₹42,999 (varies by retailer) 
  
• 16 GB + 512 GB – ₹47,999
  

Availability 

Online Stores:

• Available on OnePlus India store, Amazon India, and Flipkart in both 12 GB/256 GB and 16 GB/512 GB variants 
  

Current offers include:

• ₹3,000 instant discount on ICICI IC and HDFC CCs (bringing the 12/256 version to ₹39,999) 
• Exchange bonus up to ₹5,000 and No-Cost EMI options.

Offline Retailers:

• Widely stocked at major stores like Croma, Supreme Mobiles , Reliance Digital, Vijay Sales, and OnePlus Experience Stores 

OnePlus 13R Customer Feedback 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“Value for money… OnePlus 13R is a Game‑Changer! Sleek design… 120Hz AMOLED, lightning-fast Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, multitasking and gaming are a breeze.” 

⭐⭐⭐⭐“Fabulous and value for money… 6000 mAh battery runs all-day even with intense gaming… performance and charging speed are quite good.”

“I give ⭐⭐⭐⭐ for brand, battery, performance… display also good. But camera quality is just okay” 

⭐⭐⭐⭐“Phenomenal phone with fast processor and beautiful display… best value for money.” 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“This phone is fantastic… best phone I have had in a long time.”

OnePlus 13R Conclusion: Is the OnePlus 13R the Right Fit for You

The OnePlus 13R offer a complete package which really pushes the limits of the "mid-range flagship" market.
All in all, the OnePlus 13R is a "jack of all trades" smartphone. It has great performance, battery life and display, with a bonus return of the telephoto lens and improved AI. For users in India wanting a powerful and durable future-proof smartphone that doesn't cost a fortune, the OnePlus 13R is clearly one of the top choices at the beginning of 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is the OnePlus 13R worth buying?

Yes, the OnePlus 13R is generally considered a worthwhile purchase, especially for those prioritizing performance and value.

What is the price of OnePlus 13R in India?

The OnePlus 13R comes with a price tag of Rs 42,999 for the variant featuring 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, while the higher-end model with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage is priced at Rs 49,999.

Is the OnePlus 13R waterproof?

The OnePlus 13R has an IP65 rating, meaning it's protected against dust and water, but it's not fully waterproof.

What is the specification of 13R?

The OnePlus 13R features a 6.74-inch AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, and a 5,500 mAh battery with 100 W fast charging. It also offers a 50MP main camera and 5G support.

How much is OnePlus 13R screen replacement?

OnePlus 13R Screen Replacement cost is Rs. 12999 with 6 months warranty.

How fast is OnePlus 13R charging?

The OnePlus 13R supports 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging, and can charge from 1% to 50% in about 20 minutes when using Smart Rapid Charging mode.

Does OnePlus 13R have green line warranty?

OnePlus 13R devices purchased in India have a lifetime warranty against the green line issue on the display.

Is OnePlus better than Samsung?

Whether OnePlus is "better" than Samsung depends on individual needs and preferences.

Does 13R have eSIM?

Yes, the OnePlus 13R supports eSIM in India.

Does the OnePlus 13R have an AMOLED display?

Yes, the OnePlus 13R does have an AMOLED display.

Which is better, OnePlus 13 or 13R?

The OnePlus 13 is generally better than the 13R.due to its more powerful chipset, better camera system, and higher-quality display. While the 13R offers a more affordable option, the 13 provides a more premium experience with features like a periscope telephoto lens, faster charging, and better water resistance.

What is the OnePlus 13R student discount?

Get an Extra ₹1000 Off on the OnePlus 13R

Does the OnePlus 13R support Dolby Vision?

Yes, the OnePlus 13R does support Dolby Vision.

How long does the OnePlus 13R battery last?

The sizable 6,000mAh battery lasted me two days on a single charge.

Is the OnePlus 13R a flagship phone?

Yes, the OnePlus 13R is considered a flagship phone

Does OnePlus 13R support wireless charging?

No, the OnePlus 13R does not support wireless charging.

Does the OnePlus 13R have AI features?

Yes, the OnePlus 13R does have AI features.

What is in the box OnePlus 13R?

SIM ejection tool, a USB adapter for transferring data, a Quick Guide, and a Safety Guide.

Is the OnePlus 13R good for gaming?

Yes, the OnePlus 13R is generally considered a very good phone for gaming.

Also View : If you looking for a smartwatch is a flexible accessory designed for both men and women. Smart watch offers fitness tracking, notifications, and customizable features, with latest technology. Whether you need asmartwatch for men or smartwatch for women, it’s good for health monitoring, productivity, and making it is an essential gadget for modern lifestyles.

This content was last updated on 15/07/2025