The OnePlus 13 is official. Not only has the company released the phone for the Chinese market, but a global version is expected sometime in January 2025. Thankfully, you don’t have to wait. The China-exclusive model gives us a detailed preview of what we can expect when the OnePlus 13 comes to the US next month, and it’s looking pretty good so far.
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The OnePlus 12 was one of our favorite smartphones of 2024, and we’re excited to see what a more powerful chipset and refreshed design brings to the OnePlus 13. Let’s look at what we know from the official specs and what it means for users.
OnePlus 13: Design and specs
A (mostly) flat screen and more powerful chipset
The OnePlus 13 might appear similar to the OnePlus 12, but the company did make some design refinements from last year’s model. The back glass and camera module remain essentially unchanged from the OnePlus 12. However, the front glass is 2.5D, which is still slightly curved but much less dramatic than we’ve previously seen from OnePlus.
The OnePlus 13’s display size also stays the same. It has a 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED with a QHD resolution and 120Hz refresh rate protected by Crystal Shield glass. OnePlus displays are typically excellent, and the 4,500nits max brightness returns on the OnePlus 13.
In addition, the OnePlus 13 received an IP rating bump to IP69, which gives it resistance to higher pressures and temperatures instead of just water submersion. The OnePlus 13 should maintain the premium feel of the OnePlus 12, although we expect the 2.5D glass to make an impact. You either love curved glass or you don’t, and it seems like OnePlus is moving in step with other Android OEMs toward flat displays.
Specifications
- SoC
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite
- Display type
- LTPO AMOLED 1-120Hz
- Display dimensions
- 6.82-inch
- Display resolution
- 3168 x 1440
- RAM
- 12GB, 16GB, 24GB
- Storage
- Up to 1TB
- Battery
- 6,000mAh
- Charge speed
- 100W wired, 50W wireless
- Charge options
- USB-C SuperVOOC wired, AirVOOC wireless, reverse charging
- Ports
- USB-C
- SIM support
- Dual SIM
- Operating System
- Android 15
- Front camera
- 32MP, f/2.4
- Rear camera
- 50MP f/1.6 main sensor, 50MP 3x f/2.6 telephoto sensor, 50MP ultra-wide f/2.0 sensor
- Cellular connectivity
- 5G, LTE
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Wi-Fi 7
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 5.4
- Dimensions
- 162.9mm x 76.5mm x 8.9mm
- Weight
- 210g (leather), 213g (glass)
- IP Rating
- IP69
- Colors
- Black, White, Blue
OnePlus opted for an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor in the OnePlus 13, replacing the optical sensors used for years. Ultrasonic sensors are more accurate, meaning better biometrics, but slightly more expensive, which could contribute to the higher price we’ll discuss later.
Even though the externals haven’t changed significantly, the OnePlus 13 sports a major upgrade under the hood. It’s one of the first phones powered by the new Snapdragon 8 Elite, which promises massive performance increases over last year’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Qualcomm claims gaming performance will improve by 40%, and developers can open up more functionality on the device. OnePlus currently offers 3 RAM configurations: 12GB, 16GB, and even a 24GB model. This could change for the global release, but 24GB would allow massive overhead for more intensive apps.
OnePlus phones always include large batteries; the OnePlus 13 is no exception. The company increased battery size again this year, fitting the OnePlus 13 with a 6,000mAh cell. It’s hard to imagine running through a full charge in a day’s use, even with the lack of efficiency cores in the new Snapdragon 8 Elite. Even though the Chinese version features 100W wired charging, we might be limited to 80W in the US, just like last year.
Thankfully, rumors suggesting OnePlus might ditch wireless charging because of the larger battery size were false. The OnePlus 13 keeps last year’s 50W wireless charging, which is impressive, and we’re glad to see it return. Unfortunately, it won’t be the rumored Qi2 wireless charging isn’t included.
OnePlus 13: Cameras
Upgraded 50MP sensors
OnePlus overhauled its camera array for the OnePlus 13, fitting the phone with 3 50MP sensors: a 50MP primary lens, a 50MP 3x telephoto, and a 50MP ultrawide. OnePlus has been focusing on better photography with its Hasselblad partnership, and the OnePlus 12 was a significant step in the right direction. If OnePlus can add AI magic to its photos, the OnePlus 13 might produce even better images.
It’ll be interesting to see if OnePlus can challenge Samsung and Google for photo supremacy. Computational photography improvements will help, and the added power of the Snapdragon 8 Elite promises to help make camera systems more versatile, including after the shot.
OnePlus 13: Software
Lots of AI and a fresh coat of paint
OnePlus software has had its ups and downs over the last few years, but the company hopes to rebound with OxygenOS 15, which is based on Android 15. The company promises visual improvements to the UI, with an overhauled quick settings menu. Aesthetically, it borrows more than a few design elements from Apple’s iOS 18, but users can return to the old look if it offends them too much.
One element of OxygenOS 15 we’re excited about is the inclusion of Open Canvas on non-folding phones. It will be interesting to see how OnePlus handles three apps on a smaller screen. Still, if done correctly, it’ll represent the most significant departure from traditional multitasking we’ve seen in some time.
OnePlus held out as long as it could, but the company finally gave in to the pressure, offering a slate of AI features with OxygenOS 15. OnePlus offers nothing unique, and its AI package is similar to Galaxy AI and Gemini. AI Reflection Eraser removes unwanted glare from photos around mirrored surfaces. AI Detail Boost auto-upscales images, much like Zoom Enhance for the Pixel 9 Pro. Circle to Search is also included with OxygenOS 15. All told, you won’t feel you lack AI tools just because you own a OnePlus 13.
OnePlus 13: Price and release date
A touch more expensive, but still competitive
The OnePlus 13 is available in China starting at CNY 4,799 ($675), a slight increase over last year. We anticipate a similar increase when the OnePlus 13 is released globally. Despite the rise, the OnePlus 13 should price favorably against the competition, especially the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, which will undoubtedly try to empty your wallet.
Following a similar timetable to previous releases, the OnePlus 13 will be available stateside sometime in January, just in time for a showdown with Samsung to see which can release the best Snapdragon 8 Elite device. It’ll be available in the same white, black, and blue colorways.
It’s only a matter of time
The OnePlus 13 may not significantly depart from its predecessor, but that’s not bad. The OnePlus 12 was already an excellent phone, and with a few software and design changes, 2025 could be the year people get tired of Samsung’s stagnant design and give something else a chance.
OnePlus 13
The OnePlus 13 is official — in China, that is. After weeks of rumors, we finally know what’s coming for the next flagship for OnePlus. With a fresh design, a (mostly) curveless display, and a massive 6,000mAh battery, this could be the Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered smartphone to beat once it touches down in North America in the coming months.
