I’ve been a OnePlus fan since the company launched its first phone in 2014, but the past few years have been a rollercoaster ride. From green line display issues to buggy software and underwhelming cameras, buying a OnePlus phone felt like taking a gamble.
The company has shown undeniable signs of improvement with its recent releases, and the OnePlus 13 feels like the culmination of that comeback. It’s perhaps the most refined phone the company has made. While a bug-free experience is a great starting point, it’s not enough to win me over. Here are five reasons why I’m upgrading to the OnePlus 13.
Read our review
Flagship performance
With great power comes great responsibility
The OnePlus 13 ships with a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, which shouldn’t surprise anyone. Flagship hardware is expected from OnePlus. However, the hardware is only as good as its optimization, and previous OnePlus devices tend to throttle performance to balance battery life and manage heat.
This time, OnePlus nailed it. The larger vapor chamber allows the phone to maintain peak performance for longer periods without overheating. It’s a game-changer for smartphone gamers and performance enthusiasts. My colleague Will Sattelberg put the OnePlus 13 through its paces with no issues, confirming that this phone can handle a serious workload. This is good news for performance enthusiasts and bodes well for the phone’s longevity.
Battery upgrade
Never search for a charger again
Battery life isn’t as much of a concern thanks to more efficient chipsets, but range anxiety is still an issue. I love long multi-day hikes in nature, and I need a phone with a large battery that can last for days without using a power bank.
The OnePlus 13’s 6,000mAh battery ticks that box. During our review, we found it could last up to two days on moderate use, perfect for outdoor adventures. You still get OnePlus’ signature fast charging, which tops off the phone in about 30 minutes.
OnePlus introduced MagSafe compatibility this year, making the phone more appealing. I’ve always been a fan of magnet-equipped cases and accessories, and the OnePlus 13 is no different. You can attach the new wireless charging puck to the phone magnetically when pairing it with the company’s new magnet-equipped first-party cases. While the wireless charging puck is great for home use, the magnetic attachment comes into its own for on-the-go charging. You can snap the phone on, grab it for a photo, and toss it in your bag without fumbling with cables. It’s simple, fast, and practical.
Built for the outdoors
Ready for adventure
The OnePlus 13 comes with a range of smaller but significant upgrades that add up. For instance, the new Radiant View display is designed to boost brightness at the pixel level, making it easier to see outdoors, even in direct sunlight. Then there’s the Aqua Touch technology, which allows you to interact with the phone with wet or damp hands.
When you combine that with an IP68 and IP69 rating, it’s clear that the OnePlus 13 is built for the outdoors. An IP68 rating means the phone is dust-tight and can withstand being submerged in water up to 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes. The IP69 rating guarantees the phone’s protection against high-pressure, high-temperature water jets, making it durable in harsh conditions. Whether you’re hitting the beach, going on a hike, or tackling rugged off-trail adventures, this phone can handle it all. For me, that’s a big win.
Improved imaging
A step forward in photography
If photography is a priority for you, a OnePlus phone might not have been your first choice in the past. While the hardware has often been solid, OnePlus struggled with software optimization, sometimes holding the camera back. That’s no longer the case with the OnePlus 13. From what I’ve seen, the phone delivers impressive results, as highlighted in our review.
While the main sensor remains unchanged, the addition of a 3x tetra prism telephoto lens with a new 50MP sensor and an upgraded 50MP ultra-wide sensor gives the camera setup a boost. These enhancements offer image quality that can go toe-to-toe with other flagship devices.
Although I’ve been skeptical about AI-driven photo enhancements, OnePlus nailed it this year, especially with its high-range zoom. The 120x zoom support is effective, showing that the company is bringing its camera software up to the level of its hardware.
Oxygen OS 15
Back to what I love
OxygenOS was one of the main reasons I stuck with OnePlus phones for so long. But the transition to ColorOS was a bit of a struggle. With OxygenOS 15, OnePlus returned to its roots, creating a fast, stable, and clutter-free software experience.
While AI integration is everywhere these days, I appreciate the subtle approach OnePlus took this time around. While an AI toolbox offers the usual features like summarizing text or helping with writing and rephrasing, the integration is discreet and easy to dismiss if you’re not into it. It doesn’t feel forced, and that’s a big plus in my opinion.
I’ve always been a fan of OnePlus for keeping things simple, and OxygenOS 15 carries that tradition forward with more customization options. It’s intuitive, fast, and clutter-free, offering a refreshing change from the bloated interfaces of other brands. Plus, the promise of four years of OS updates and six years of security patches is promising. This phone is built to last, and that’s what I want.
The OnePlus 13 is the upgrade I’ve been waiting for
I’ve had doubts about OnePlus in the past, but the OnePlus 13 feels like the culmination of everything the company has worked towards. From top-tier performance with a capable cooling system to a massive battery that can go the distance, this phone is ready for everyday use and outdoor adventures.
The camera upgrades, subtle AI integration in OxygenOS 15, and the return to the fast, clean software experience I’ve always loved make this phone a standout in its class. This is especially true when you consider the affordable price, at least when putting it next to the best Android flagships.
With its robust build and long-term update commitment, the OnePlus 13 isn’t just a solid choice for today. It’s a phone built for the future. For me, it’s the upgrade I’ve been waiting for.
OnePlus 13
The OnePlus 13 is a beast of a phone. With a refreshed design, a mostly curveless display, and a massive 6,000mAh battery capable of getting you through a day without breaking a sweat, this could be the Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered smartphone to beat in 2025. And hey, it’s got a pretty great camera system, too.
