The OnePlus 13R builds on the strengths of its predecessor while addressing its shortcomings. This new value flagship packs the same processor as last year’s flagship, the OnePlus 12, alongside an upgraded camera setup, a larger battery, and a fresh design. But is that enough to make a dent in its segment? Here’s what you need to know about the OnePlus 13R.
The OnePlus 13R sports a flatter look and feel. At 8mm, it’s thinner than before, but with boxier sides, you’re unlikely to notice much of a difference. While the OnePlus 13 undoubtedly offers a superior in-hand feel, it also comes with a premium price tag. As for the competition, the Vivo V40 Pro offers better ergonomics in the same price range.
Although it may not be the most comfortable phone to hold, the OnePlus 13R has a sturdier design. It features an aluminum mid-frame, a matte finish, and an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance. The smartphone is available in Nebula Noir and Astral Trail color variants. I have the Astral Trail model, and I recommend using it without a case—the etched rings on the glass look elegant.
The screen remains unchanged from its predecessor in terms of size and resolution. You get a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support for HDR content, and a peak brightness of 1,600 nits. It’s easily legible under bright sunlight and delivers a vibrant look. You’ll enjoy the content consumption experience.
The display gets the same Aqua Touch 2.0 tech from the OnePlus 13. It improves usability when the screen has water droplets on it—a handy feature for when you need to use it in the rain or beside a pool. It lies under the protection of Gorilla Glass 7i.
The OnePlus 13R is a powerhouse, prioritizing both performance and efficiency. It’s powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, the same chipset found in flagship devices like the OnePlus 12, Xiaomi 14 Ultra, and Oppo Find X7 Ultra. The performance gains allow you to run demanding games like Genshin Impact and BGMI with minimal stutters and a fluid experience. It’s easily the most powerful phone in the segment.
It is paired with 256GB or 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage and 12GB or 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM. Running on OxygenOS 15, based on Android 15, the OnePlus 13R offers a smooth, lag-free day-to-day experience. Like the OnePlus 13, the company has committed to providing four years of software updates and six years of security patches on this phone.
The OnePlus 13R sports an upgraded camera setup. It is led by a 50MP Sony LYT-700 primary camera. You also get a much-improved 50MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom and an 8MP ultra-wide camera.
In daylight, the camera system performs very well and delivers sharp, detailed images with nice-looking colors. Low-light performance is good, though the ultrawide struggles in less-than-bright conditions. While I’d have liked a 3x optical zoom, the new telephoto lens offers better detail, sharper output, and more natural-looking bokeh in portrait shots compared to its predecessor.
The OnePlus 13R packs a bigger 6,000mAh battery. While it doesn’t feature the latest silicon-carbon technology, it easily lasts an entire day of usage. You are unlikely to have battery anxiety here but if you do, the phone can be charged quickly. It supports 80W wired charging, taking the battery from 20% to 100% in just 50 minutes. However, wireless charging is not supported.
OnePlus 13R: Price, Availability And Initial Thoughts
At INR 42,999, the OnePlus 13R is the most powerful phone in its segment. While its cameras may fall short compared to the Vivo V40 Pro, the OnePlus 13R outshines its competitors in almost every other department. In India, there’s also a 16GB + 512GB variant available for INR 49,999.
In the U.S., the OnePlus 13R comes in a single variant with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, priced at $599. Despite the $100 price hike, the device seems to retain its value-for-money appeal. With a big, bright display, a good set of cameras, and an all-day battery, the OnePlus 13R delivers an impressive package for its price.
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