I love the best midrange smartphone you don’t care about

I love midrange smartphones. We’re starved for competition in the US at the flagship level, but the marketplace is filled with excellent phones for under $600.

Google and Samsung have received plenty of attention this year for devices like the Pixel 9a and Galaxy A56, and rightfully so. Both of those devices are fantastic and offer ample value.

However, OnePlus went a step further with the OnePlus 13R. It’s more expensive than the rest of its midrange competition, but it gets the closest you can to a flagship without the wallet-punishing price.

The OnePlus 13R is the best midrange phone you don’t care about, but you should.

Not as many compromises as you’d expect

OnePlus packed in a premium build and an excellent display

OnePlus didn’t cut too many corners with the build quality, as the OnePlus 13R feels excellent in the hand.

It features Gorilla Glass 7i on the front and back, with an aluminum frame.

I love the texture on the back glass of the Astral Trail variant — there’s nothing that screams midrange about the design of the OnePlus 13R.

It only carries an IP65 rating, which won’t match more expensive flagship phones, but that’s a trade-off I’m willing to make if it saves money.

The OnePlus 13R also features a top-notch display for a midrange device.

It has a 6.78-inch AMOLED panel, refreshing at 120Hz. It has a slightly higher 1264 x 2780 resolution than we usually see on a device under $600, and it’s a bright display, maxing out at 4,500 nits.

OnePlus fitted the phone with a saturated and vibrant panel, making games look fantastic. It’s a highlight of the device, and you’ll be pleased with how it looks.

Performance is the star of the show

Gamers don’t need to look elsewhere

If you’re a gamer on a budget, the OnePlus 13R is your pick.

It boasts the best gaming performance of any current midrange device, thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, which is a monster for only $600.

You can opt for either 12 or 16GB of RAM, ensuring silky-smooth performance.

I’m able to play all the top AAA mobile games at high graphics settings and frame rates.

The raw performance benefits don’t stop at gaming.

If you use more intensive Android apps or like photo and video editing on your phone, you’ll quickly notice the advantages of picking up a OnePlus 13R over other midrange phones.

It’ll also perform smoothly for longer. With a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 under the hood, you won’t be longing for more power anytime soon.

OnePlus software isn’t the negative it used to be, as OxygenOS is in excellent shape. Android 15 is running well, and I look forward to future releases.

The OnePlus 13R won’t get the same software support as the Google Pixel 9a or Samsung Galaxy A56, but that’s not a dealbreaker. Four years of OS upgrades will get the job done with the other benefits I’m getting back.

Biggest battery of any midrange device

6,000mAh with real fast charging

All that raw power and a gorgeous display don’t mean anything if I don’t have the proper battery life to use them all.

A device built for performance and gaming needs a large battery to make it through the day, and the OnePlus 13R delivers. It features a massive 6,000mAh battery with 80W wired charging.

I can easily get two days on a single charge with mixed use, but if you’re gaming hard all day, you’ll want to top off nightly.

OnePlus did a better job with the camera system, but it’s still not a phone that shutterbugs should lean towards. Point-and-shoot results are better on the Pixel 9a, but like OxygenOS, the cameras aren’t disqualifying.

The most impressive feature of the OnePlus 13R is the price. Yes, it’s a bit more expensive than other midrange phones, but if you’re an old-school OnePlus buyer, it’s an enjoyable trip down memory lane.

OnePlus used to provide the best performance pound-for-pound, and the OnePlus 13R gets the company back to its roots.

It’s definitely not a phone for everyone, but that’s OK. It doesn’t have to be. Any alternative to Google and Samsung is welcome.

OnePlus built a solid all-around phone

It’s obvious that OnePlus made compromises to get to a $600 price tag, but none of them should prevent you from buying.

The OnePlus 13R is buttery smooth to use, and I have a hard time convincing myself I’m not using a flagship phone every time I put my SIM back in it.

If you’re serious about smartphones and saving money, the OnePlus 13R should be the phone you consider first.