There was a time when OnePlus devices were known as “flagship killers.” The company packed top-tier specs into its phones at nearly half the price of other flagship devices. But over the years, things have changed. OnePlus has transitioned to making premium flagship phones, like the latest OnePlus 13, while still catering to the flagship killer segment through its R series, offering last year’s flagship chipset and high-end features at a more affordable price.
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In fact, the OnePlus 12R was our top recommendation for the best mid-range Android smartphone last year. Now, the OnePlus 13R has arrived. It’s been nearly two weeks since OnePlus officially launched the device, and I’ve spent the past four weeks testing it out myself. After using it for about a month, here’s what I love (and what I don’t) about the OnePlus 13R.
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The OnePlus 13R will make you forget you’re using a sub-$600 phone
Impressive performance at great value
OnePlus 13R’s design isn’t exciting, but the display surely is
This might just be the best display in the segment
I’ve tested plenty of mid-range Android smartphones over the past year. From the Google Pixel 8a to the Vivo V40 Pro, but never have I picked up a device and immediately thought, ‘wow, this display feels great,’ until I got my hands on the OnePlus 13R. It’s not just because OnePlus didn’t skimp on the display — after all, it’s a 6.78-inch AMOLED LTPO 4.1 panel with high brightness and Dolby Vision support — but it’s the bezels that make the biggest difference.
When I tried the Pixel 8a last year, one of my biggest complaints was how ‘cheap’ the display felt, with thick bezels and subpar color reproduction. The OnePlus 13R, on the other hand, is the complete opposite.
In fact, the OnePlus 13R sits on the other end of the spectrum, making me wonder why more flagship devices don’t feel this good. The display is flat, thanks to the updated design (more on that below), but what really stands out are the ultra-thin, uniform bezels and excellent color reproduction. The only gripe I have is that the fingerprint sensor sits a little too low for my liking, but that’s really nitpicking at this point.
However, what’s not so great about the OnePlus 13R — and something that’s consistently bothered me during my time using it as my daily driver — is the design and build. Just like the OnePlus 12R took inspiration from that year’s flagship, the OnePlus 12, the OnePlus 13R also draws heavily from the OnePlus 13, but not necessarily in a good way.
OnePlus has opted for flat edges and rounded corners on the OnePlus 13R, but for a phone this big, it constantly digs into my hands, leaving an uncomfortable, almost shoving-like feeling. The included silicone case does help somewhat, but once I take it off, that uncomfortable feeling returns.
This issue becomes especially noticeable during long gaming sessions. While OnePlus has done its best with rounded corners, if you’re planning to grab this device, keeping a case on it might be your best bet.
The OnePlus 13R feels anything but mid-range
It delivers a flagship-like experience without the price
OnePlus’ approach has evolved over the years. Just like the past few generations, the company is using last year’s flagship chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, for the OnePlus 13R, while reserving the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite for the OnePlus 13. But after using both phones side by side, I couldn’t find a single moment where I could tell the difference in performance between the two.
It feels like we’ve reached a point (or honestly, we hit it a few years ago) where generational chipset upgrades don’t feel all that generational anymore — and the OnePlus 13R is a prime example of that. Not once did I experience lag, hiccups, or slowdowns during my entire time using it. I played several games, including EA Sports FC Mobile and Netflix’s Squid Game: Unleashed, at max graphics settings, and the phone handled it all without breaking a sweat.
I know — I’m echoing what our in-house reviewer Stephen Radochia mentioned in his OnePlus 13R review: it makes you forget you’re using a mid-range device. But I’m bringing it up again because it’s actually true. While other mid-range devices might start showing their age over time, it feels like OnePlus has packed enough power into the OnePlus 13R that it might just outlast even some flagship phones.
Why is no one talking about OxygenOS 15?
OxygenOS has grown into a feature-packed and reliable OS
One of the main reasons why people hesitate to pick OnePlus devices over Samsung or Google is the software. Many still associate OxygenOS with the typical Chinese Android skins — laggy, cluttered, and full of stutters. While that perception remains somewhat true, especially since OxygenOS 15 is based on Oppo’s ColorOS, that perception doesn’t hold up with the OnePlus 13R.
OxygenOS 15 has evolved into a much more reliable and feature-packed operating system.
There are so many thoughtful features and customization options in OxygenOS 15 that I genuinely miss when switching to phones like the Pixel 8a. The ability to change icon packs without switching the default launcher, customize swipe-down gestures, or tweak the always-on display to my liking — these are things you just don’t get with many mid-range Android phones.
The fact that OnePlus sticks with Google’s default apps makes the experience feel even more familiar. Plus, OnePlus has finally stepped up its AI game this time. Pretty much all the AI features you’d actually need — like photo editing tools in the Photos app, productivity tools such as AI Writer and AI Summary in the Smart Sidebar, and even Circle to Search — are all here on the OnePlus 13R.
The little things that make a big difference
OnePlus 13R packs features you won’t find on other mid-range phones
I’ve used plenty of mid-range phones over the past year, and battery life (and especially fast charging) is usually an area where compromises are made. Either the battery is too small, or the phone lacks proper fast charging support. But that’s not the case with the OnePlus 13R.
I consistently got more than a full day of use before needing to charge, and as always, charging remains one of OnePlus’ biggest strengths. The OnePlus 13R comes with an 80W charger right in the box, which is capable of taking its massive 6,000 mAh battery from 0-100% in under an hour. Even some new flagship phones with smaller batteries can’t match this experience — yes, I’m looking at you, Samsung Galaxy S25.
The OnePlus 13R isn’t the perfect mid-ranger, but it’s close
That doesn’t mean the OnePlus 13R is without its flaws. There are still areas where the company could improve — like the camera performance, which can be a hit or miss (check out our review for more details), and the overall design, which isn’t the most ergonomic. The absence of a solid IP rating and wireless charging are also things OnePlus could have done better.
That said, if you asked me right now whether upcoming mid-range phones like the Google Pixel 9a could beat the OnePlus 13R, I’d say it looks unlikely. The OnePlus 13R might just have secured its spot as my default recommendation for the best mid-range phone of 2025.
OnePlus 13R
The OnePlus 13R takes last year’s favorite mid-range phone and makes it even better. It still packs a gorgeous 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, but this time it’s completely flat. Under the hood, OnePlus has upgraded the device with last year’s flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, paired with 12GB of RAM and even faster UFS 4.0 storage. The OnePlus 13R delivers top-tier performance — all for just $600.
