The OnePlus 13 has finally landed in the UK, and I’ve had it in my hands for a couple of weeks now. Spoiler alert: it’s already my favorite new phone of 2025. Yes, it’s early in the year, and yes, I can still feel the remnants of my Christmas hangover, but the OnePlus 13 has already won me over.
I’ve been using it as my full-time device, so here’s my in-depth review. If you’re after the latest and greatest in tech for 2025.
Design: Sleek and Sturdy
The OnePlus 13 comes with a massive 6.8-inch OLED display, similar in size to the OnePlus 12. While it’s not exactly one-handed friendly, Android’s one-handed mode makes it easier to manage. The design itself may seem familiar, as it closely resembles the other flagship devices from the likes of Oppo and Vivo. The quad-curved, mostly flat screen, combined with ultra-thin bezels, gives the phone a premium, almost bezel-less look.
On the back, we’ve got matte glass, which resists scratches and scuffs. Even after stuffing it into my pocket with a few other phones for comparison shots, the OnePlus 13 remained pristine. The model I have here is the Arctic Dawn version, which I personally think looks the best—far better than the blue vegan leather variant.
And yes, the OnePlus 13 is IP69-rated, meaning it’s fully water-resistant and can withstand hot liquid jets. That’s definitely a feature you can brag about when showing off your phone.
Unlocking: Fast and Reliable
To unlock your device, the OnePlus 13 uses an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor. It’s fast, accurate, and works even if my thumb is damp or oily. I’ve had only a couple of misreads, but they’ve always been resolved on the second try. For extra security, there’s also Face Unlock, and the phone even works with wet fingers—perfect for those who want to use their device in the rain or at the pool.
OxygenOS 15: Smooth, Fast, and Feature-Packed
The OnePlus 13 runs on OxygenOS 15, which sits on top of Android 15. I’ve already done a deep dive on OxygenOS 15, but the TL;DR version is that it’s smoother, faster, and packed with great features. From the intelligent search that can scour your files and documents, to the AI-powered smart features, OxygenOS 15 is a joy to use. It’s a huge step up from previous versions, and I find it to be lighter and more fluid.
You’ve also got the classic Alert Slider, Zen Space for those moments when you need some peace and quiet, and a customizable Always-On Display. Plus, AI tools like intelligent photo editing and auto-refreshing widgets make daily use even more enjoyable. The downside? The OnePlus 13 only gets four years of Android updates and six years of security patches—less than some competitors like Samsung, which offer seven years of support.
Display & Audio: Stunning Visuals, Solid Sound
The OnePlus 13 comes with a 6.8-inch OLED display boasting a 3168 x 1440 pixel resolution. The screen is vibrant, supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+, and gets bright enough to use outdoors—though it’s not as bright as some competitors. The 120Hz refresh rate is buttery smooth, and the screen supports dynamic refresh rates based on what you’re doing. For example, if you’re watching a video at 30 frames per second, the top portion of the screen will refresh at that rate, while the bottom section (e.g., for browsing) adjusts to its own refresh rate.
The stereo speakers are decent—loud enough to hear videos or games, but not great for music at full volume. Still, it’s fine for casual use.
Performance & Gaming: Top-Tier Power
The OnePlus 13 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, which, combined with 16GB of RAM, delivers stellar performance. Games like Genshin Impact run smoothly at 60fps with little to no frame drops, even after long gaming sessions. The device stays cool, with minimal throttling or heating.
As for everyday performance, the phone is slick and fluid. There are no hiccups when switching between apps or multitasking. And for gamers, the OxygenOS gaming mode offers enhanced controls and settings, although some features, like super resolution, are only compatible with specific titles.
Battery Life: A Full Day, Every Day
The OnePlus 13 is equipped with a 6,000mAh battery, which is more than enough to get you through a day of heavy use—gaming, streaming, browsing, and everything in between. On lighter usage days, you can stretch it to a full weekend on a single charge.
When it’s time to charge, the OnePlus 13 supports 100W wired charging and 50W wireless charging, meaning you can top up the battery in no time. And if you’re gaming while charging, you can use the magnetic charger with a built-in cooling fan to prevent overheating.
Camera: Great Photos, Solid Video
The OnePlus 13 boasts a triple-camera setup, with a 50MP primary sensor, 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 50MP telephoto lens. The primary shooter uses a Sony IMX890 sensor, which captures vibrant, detailed shots with accurate colors. The ultra-wide lens is sharp and captures plenty of detail, while the telephoto lens offers 3x optical zoom and delivers good results, especially for portrait shots.
In terms of video, you can shoot 4K at 60fps, with HDR for stunning results. The selfie camera is a 32MP sensor that also records 4K video with excellent stabilization. For AI enthusiasts, there are features like AI editor, reflection eraser, and AI unblur to enhance your photos further.
The camera isn’t quite on the level of some other flagships, but it’s certainly good enough for everyday use. The OnePlus 13 excels at portraits, and with Hasselblad’s fine-tuning, you can expect great results, especially in well-lit conditions.
Verdict: A Solid Choice for 2025
After using the OnePlus 13 as my full-time phone for a couple of weeks, I’m thoroughly impressed. It’s not perfect, but it delivers an excellent balance of performance, design, camera capabilities, and software features. OxygenOS 15 is a standout, offering an incredibly smooth and feature-packed experience, while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and 6,000mAh battery ensure that you won’t be left wanting for power.
The camera system is solid, with excellent results in most conditions, and while it’s not the best on the market, it’s more than enough for most users. If you’re looking for a reliable phone with great performance and an attractive design, the OnePlus 13 is definitely worth considering.
Let me know your thoughts on the OnePlus 13 in the comments below.
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