OnePlus 13 Review: Flagship Performance, Pro-Level Camera, and All-Day Battery for Under $1,000

OnePlus has built a reputation for delivering premium specs without the premium price tag, and the OnePlus 13 keeps that streak alive. It has the power, display, and camera setup that might just convince you to ditch your old phone immediately. Whether you’re upgrading or looking for a high-performance gift that won’t break the bank, here’s what makes the OnePlus 13 worth considering.

What Comes in the Box

Unlike some brands that make you buy accessories separately, OnePlus includes everything you need. Inside the box, you’ll find the phone, a 100W SUPERVOOC Power Adapter (the fastest charger included with any U.S. smartphone), a USB Type-A to C cable, a USB Type-A to C dongle for added connectivity, a SIM tray ejector, a Quick Start Guide & Safety Guide, and a factory-installed screen protector. All that’s left to buy is a case if you want one.

The OnePlus 13’s Hardware

Right out of the box, the OnePlus 13 looks and feels premium. It’s sleek, well-balanced, and available in three finishes to match different tastes.

The Midnight Ocean OnePlus 13 version, which I received, stands out with its microfiber vegan leather back with a soft, luxurious texture that provides a better grip. Unlike the usual glass-backed phone, this version is more resistant to fingerprints and smudges, making it a great choice for those who prefer a cleaner, more tactile feel.

The other OnePlus 13 colors—Arctic Dawn and Black Eclipse—have smooth glass finishes, with the Black Eclipse sporting what appears to be a rosewood grain texture when given a closer look.

Beyond aesthetics, the OnePlus 13 is built to withstand real-world conditions. It’s rated IP68 and IP69, making it both dustproof and water-resistant. The IP68 rating means the phone can survive being submerged in up to 1.5 meters (~4.9′) of water for 30 minutes, while the IP69 rating ensures it can handle high-temperature water jets of up to 176ºF—a new level of durability we haven’t yet seen in a North American carrier-compatible smartphone.

To put that into perspective, most hot tubs are usually 104ºF or less, so you can feel confident taking a dip with the OnePlus 13; it will be just fine if you drop it. I don’t know how your OnePlus might unintentionally end up in your dishwasher, but if it does, the dishwasher’s 130-140°F hot cycle won’t hurt it. Finally, if you leave the OnePlus 13 in the pocket of a garment that goes through the hot cycle on your washing machine, it should be fine, as that usually only reaches about 130°F. With the OnePlus 13, water damage of just the freshwater kind is a thing of the past.

Whether you accidentally drop it in the water, get caught in the rain, or take it to the beach, the OnePlus 13 will be fine, with one caveat to keep in mind: if the smartphone gets dunked in saltwater, you’ll need to rinse it off thoroughly, as salt water can corrode the exposed metal parts of the phone, including the USB-C port.

OnePlus has also added Glove Mode and Aqua Touch 2.0, ensuring the display stays responsive even with water droplets or when wearing gloves. Whether you’re outside in winter, at the gym, or caught in the rain, the touchscreen remains reliable.

The OnePlus 13’s display isn’t just big—it’s one of the best you’ll find on any smartphone. At 6.8 inches, this LTPO AMOLED panel delivers stunning QHD+ resolution (3168 x 1440), ensuring that everything from text to images looks razor-sharp. Whether you’re scrolling through social media, watching movies, or gaming, the clarity and color accuracy make a noticeable difference.

One of the standout features of this screen is its intelligent 120Hz refresh rate. It automatically adjusts between 1Hz and 120Hz, depending on what you’re doing, so you get smooth performance when it matters and battery savings when it doesn’t. Scrolling and animations feel silky, but when viewing static content like an e-book or a paused image, the refresh rate drops to conserve power.

With a peak brightness of 4500 nits, this is one of the brightest smartphone displays available today. Even in direct sunlight, you won’t have to squint or seek out shade to read what’s on your screen. To make outdoor visibility even better, OnePlus has introduced RadiantView technology, which dynamically adjusts contrast, saturation, and brightness depending on the lighting conditions around you. If you’ve ever struggled with glare on a sunny day, this feature makes a world of difference.

For anyone who spends hours on their phone, OnePlus has taken extra steps to reduce eye strain. The OnePlus 13’s display is TÜV Rheinland-certified for eye comfort, meaning it minimizes flickering that can cause headaches and fatigue. With 2160Hz PWM dimming, it’s easier on your eyes, especially in low-light settings where other screens might cause discomfort. Whether you’re reading in bed, scrolling late at night, or working on your phone for extended periods, this display is designed to be gentle.

Durability is also a major plus. The screen is protected by Ceramic Guard glass, which is more resistant to scratches and drops than the typical glass used in most smartphones. You won’t need to worry as much about those everyday mishaps—like when your phone takes a tumble from your pocket or accidentally bumps against a hard surface.

On the phone’s top, you’ll find an oval microphone, and housed within the three circles are another microphone, and infrared emitter, and a speaker.

On the OnePlus 13’s right side is a power button and a volume rocker.

On the left, the usual OnePlus slider will manually set the phone to Ring, Vibrate, or Silent without going through any on-screen settings.

On the bottom of the OnePlus 13, you’ll find the SIM tray, the USB Type-C port with a microphone on each side, and a speaker.

The Cameras

The OnePlus 13’s camera system is built to impress, whether you’re snapping quick everyday shots or getting creative with portraits, action shots, or zoomed-in details.

The 50MP main camera, featuring Sony’s LYT-808 sensor and a large f/1.6 aperture, lets in plenty of light, delivering sharp, vibrant photos—even in low light. Optical image stabilization (OIS) keeps shots steady, so shaky hands won’t ruin the moment. Portraits look fantastic with natural background blur, and night shots retain detail without excessive noise.

The 50MP ultra-wide camera has a 120-degree field of view, perfect for capturing landscapes, group photos, or creative wide-angle shots. Unlike some ultra-wide lenses that distort edges, this one keeps everything crisp from corner to corner.

The 3X telephoto camera uses OnePlus’s unique Triprism lens system, which delivers sharp zoomed-in shots without adding bulk to the phone. The Sony LYT-600 sensor ensures details stay sharp and colors accurate, even at higher magnifications. AI-assisted digital zoom extends up to 120x, and while it won’t match a DSLR, it’s surprisingly usable.

OnePlus’s AI-driven software makes capturing great shots effortless. The Dual Exposure Algorithm blends short and long exposures to freeze motion while keeping detail—perfect for snapping pets, kids, or fast-moving action without blur. Portrait Mode mimics classic Hasselblad lenses, offering natural bokeh and multiple focal lengths (1X, 2X, 3X) for more creative control.

Action Mode doubles the sensor output to 60fps, freezing high-speed moments like a dancer mid-spin or a soccer player mid-kick, even in low light. Clear Burst Mode fires off multiple shots in rapid succession, ensuring you capture the perfect frame with sharp HDR detail.

If you shoot a lot of video, the OnePlus 13 doesn’t cut corners. It records 4K Dolby Vision at 60fps on every camera—including the selfie cam—so videos are rich in contrast, color, and cinematic quality. You can seamlessly switch between lenses while recording, avoiding the resolution drop that plagues many smartphones.

For slow-motion fans, 1080p at 240fps and 720p at 480fps lets you capture smooth, dramatic footage of fast-moving subjects—water splashes, fireworks, or sports moments—with stunning clarity.

If you like to fine-tune your shots, Master Mode gives you full manual control over ISO, shutter speed, focus, and white balance—essentially turning your phone into a pocket-sized DSLR.

Whether you’re a casual shooter, a social media content creator, or someone who just wants to capture life’s moments without worrying about settings, the OnePlus 13 delivers. From ultra-wide landscapes to portrait shots, from fast action to extreme zoom, the mix of powerful hardware and smart AI makes it easy to get polished, professional-looking results with minimal effort.

Photos Taken with the OnePlus 13

Taking photos with the OnePlus 13 is just plain fun. Whether you’re capturing vivid sunsets, night cityscapes, or spontaneous moments with friends, this camera system makes it effortless to get stunning shots in almost any lighting condition. The Hasselblad-powered triple-camera setup ensures that colors look natural, details stay crisp, and even low-light photos come out looking sharp. From portraits with professional-looking background blur to action shots that freeze motion perfectly, the OnePlus 13 makes photography feel intuitive and exciting. No matter where you are or what time of day, this phone helps you easily snap frame-worthy photos.

[Click any photo to enlarge]

The Software Experience

Using the OnePlus 13 feels effortless—OxygenOS 15 is fast, fluid, and refreshingly free of bloat. Whether you’re scrolling, gaming, or multitasking, everything runs smoothly.

OnePlus has also stepped up its AI game, especially in photography. AI Detail Boost sharpens cropped images, AI Unblur rescues blurry shots, and AI Reflection Eraser wipes away annoying window glare. These tools aren’t just for new photos—you can enhance older ones, too.

Beyond the camera, Intelligent Search makes finding files easier by understanding natural language instead of relying on exact keywords. AI Notes organizes messy thoughts into structured content, and Magic Compose in Google Messages suggests responses that match your tone.

OnePlus backs all this up with four years of Android updates and six years of security patches, although this software update support isn’t quite as long as Samsung or Google’s (they now offer 7 years of OS and security updates).

Features like Pass Scan, which digitizes paper boarding passes, and BeaconLink, a walkie-talkie mode for outdoor use, add thoughtful extras without cluttering the experience. OxygenOS 15 keeps things lightweight while adding genuinely useful features, making the OnePlus 13 a joy to use.

Processor and Battery Life

The OnePlus 13 is an absolute powerhouse, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and up to 16GB of RAM. Whether you’re gaming, editing videos, or running demanding apps, it handles everything with ease. OxygenOS 15 is optimized for smooth performance, with apps opening instantly and no stuttering, even under heavy loads.

For gamers, the 120Hz LTPO AMOLED display, AI-powered frame rate stabilization, and a massive 9,925mm² vapor chamber cooling system keep gameplay smooth and lag-free. With Wi-Fi 7 and dual gaming antennas, online matches stay rock-solid.

Battery life is just as impressive. The 6,000mAh battery lasts all day—even with heavy use—and when it’s time to recharge, 80W SUPERVOOC wired charging gets you from 1% to 100% in just 36 minutes. Prefer wireless? The 50W AIRVOOC charging is among the fastest available. Plus, thanks to OnePlus’s Battery Health Engine, the battery retains 80% capacity after four years of daily use.

Using the OnePlus 13

Everyday tasks on the OnePlus 13 feel effortless. The ultrasonic fingerprint scanner works instantly—even with wet or dirty fingers—so no more wiping your hands just to unlock your phone. Face Unlock is just as fast.

OnePlus nails the balance between speed and convenience. Whether you’re replying to emails, streaming, or gaming, the phone stays responsive. Circle to Search is a game-changer—just circle anything on your screen to look it up without switching apps. Intelligent Search makes finding files seamless, and AI tools like AI Notes and AI Reflection Eraser take care of small annoyances.

For gamers, the OnePlus 13 stays cool under pressure, and AI frame rate stabilization ensures smooth gameplay. Even during extended gaming sessions or demanding tasks, there’s no overheating or performance drop.

Should You Buy the OnePlus 13?

At $899, the OnePlus 13 delivers flagship-level performance, a high-end camera, and long-lasting battery life—without the sky-high price tag.

If you want a phone that’s fast, reliable, and packed with genuinely useful features, this is an easy recommendation. Gamers will love the 120Hz display, AI-powered frame rate stabilization, and top-tier cooling. Photography enthusiasts get a Hasselblad-backed camera with AI-enhanced zoom and a 3x telephoto lens. For professionals or students, features like AI Notes, Intelligent Search, and blazing-fast charging make life easier.

With four years of software updates and a battery built to last, the OnePlus 13 isn’t just powerful—it’s a smart investment.

The OnePlus 13 starts at $899; it is available directly from the manufacturer and other retailers, including Best Buy.

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

What I Like: Bright & sharp display; Durable build; IP68/IP69-rated for water and dust resistance; Fast charging—100W wired (full charge in 36 min) and 50W wireless; Excellent cameras; Strong performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen and up to 16GB RAM; 6,000mAh battery with efficient health management; Strong AI features including smart camera tools, Intelligent Search, and AI Note; Includes charger, cables, and screen protector in the box; Four years of Android updates and six years of security patches

What Needs Improvement: OnePlus software update support isn’t quite as long as Samsung or Google’s (each now offers 7 years of updates)