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OnePlus 13
Affordable flagship done right
The OnePlus 13 stands out as a powerhouse smartphone. Boasting a revamped design, a nearly flat display, and an impressive 6,000mAh battery that easily lasts all day, it’s shaping up to be the Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered contender to watch in 2025. Plus, it features an excellent camera system to sweeten the deal.
Pros- Excellent battery life
- Comfortable design with smudge-proof vegan leather back
- Very good image quality
- Oxygen OS is fast and fluid
Cons- Some software issues with palm rejection
- Lackluster AI tools
- Long-range zoom could be better
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OnePlus 11
Old, but still gold
$610 $700 Save
$90The OnePlus 11 might not suit every taste design-wise, but it was undoubtedly the brand’s best phone in years when it launched. Offering top-tier specs, stellar battery life, and a solid camera system, it’s a fantastic deal—even as an older model. While fast wireless charging from the OnePlus 10 Pro is absent, the updated Oxygen OS 15 continues to deliver a modern and fluid experience.
Pros- Still capable specs
- Long-lasting battery life
- Latest Oxygen OS 15 keeps the phone fast and fluid
Cons- Lackluster design
- No wireless charging
- Only two more software updates
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Price, availability, and specs
The OnePlus 13 is the newest kid on the block. Between the typical OnePlus flagship specs, including the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and upgraded cameras, there’s a lot to like. Despite that, OnePlus maintained its focus on value. Coming in at $900, the OnePlus 13 offers exceptional value. However, you won’t find any carrier discounts here.
The base $900 version of the OnePlus 13 ships in the Black Eclipse color with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It can be purchased from the OnePlus website, with Amazon availability to follow. A higher-end $1,000 model is also available that bumps the RAM to 16GB and doubles the storage. This version is available in Black Eclipse, Arctic Dawn, and Midnight Ocean colors. The Black Eclipse variant is available on Best Buy. The other options can be picked up from OnePlus.
The OnePlus 11 is a two-year-old model that is no longer available directly from OnePlus. Instead, the phone is available for as low as $439 from Best Buy or Amazon. You may want to consider recent models like the OnePlus 12R, which is available for $499 straight from OnePlus.
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OnePlus 13 OnePlus 11 SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Display type OLED, 120Hz LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz Display dimensions 6.82″, 19.8:9 6.7″ Display resolution 3168 x 1440 1440 x 3216 RAM 12GB, 16GB, or 24GB 8GB or 16GB Storage 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB 128GB or 256GB Battery 6,000mAh 5,000mAh Charge speed 100W 80W wired (US), 100W wired (international) Charge options USB-C wired, Qi wireless USB-C SuperVOOC wired Ports USB-C USB-C 2.0 SIM support Dual SIM and Nano SIM Dual SIM (Nano SIM and eSIM) Operating System Android 15 and OxygenOS 15.0 Android 14 with Oxygen OS 14 Front camera 32MP f/2.4 16MP, f/2.4 Rear camera 50MP f/1.6 main, 50MP f/2.6 3x telephoto, 50MP f/2.0 ultrawide 50MP, f/1.8 main; 48MP, f/2.2 ultrawide; 32MP, f/2.0, 2x telephoto Cellular connectivity Sub-6 5G 5G, LTE Wi-Fi connectivity Wi-Fi 7 Wi-Fi 7 Connectivity NFC NFC Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.4 Bluetooth 5.3 Dimensions 162.9mm x 76.5mm x 8.9mm 163.1 x 74.1 x 8.5 mm Weight 210g (leather), 213g (glass) 205g IP Rating IP69 IP64 Colors Arctic Dawn, Black Eclipse, Midnight Ocean Titan Black, Emerald Green Stylus No No
Read our review
Read our review
OnePlus 11: The right way to compromise
The OnePlus 11 combines powerful specs, unbeatable battery life, and an affordable price point
Design
High-end design, top-rated protection
The OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 11 follow a familiar design language, with changes erring towards evolutionary rather than revolutionary. The chromed-out camera island on the OnePlus 11 was replaced with a distinct segregated unit marked out by a horizontal chrome accent.
Elsewhere, you get a choice of vegan leather or glass on the OnePlus 13 versus the Gorilla Glass 5 back panel on the OnePlus 11. The vegan leather finish is a big switch for OnePlus and offers excellent protection against smudges.
This year, OnePlus bumped up the environmental resistance on the OnePlus 13. While the OnePlus 11 offered IP64 resistance against splashes and dust, the OnePlus 13 takes it all the way to a full-fledged IP68 and IP69. The upgraded rating promises protection against immersion for up to 30 minutes, as well as high-pressure water jets.
Screen sizes have gone up, and so have the dimensions. The OnePlus 13 is slightly shorter than the OnePlus 11 but is wider, thicker, and heavier than the OnePlus 11. However, the refreshed curves and comfortable back panel make the OnePlus 13 more comfortable to hold.
Display
Bigger and brighter
The changes continue at the front. The OnePlus 13 sports a larger 6.82-inch screen compared to the 6.7-inch panel on the OnePlus 11. Moreover, it’s not just the screen size.
The OnePlus 13’s LTPO 4.1 panel can go as bright as 4,500 nits. Additionally, the Gorilla Glass Victus front has been swapped out for Ceramic Guard glass.
Two generations of upgrades also mean there are tangible improvements in the display quality. The OnePlus 13’s display has less curvature than previous models, making it easier to type on. Combined with the higher brightness and generally more vivid panel, the OnePlus 13’s screen offers a noticeable improvement over the already good OnePlus 11 display.
Software
Oxygen OS 15 keeps things running fast and smooth
OnePlus’ software game has improved over the years. The current iteration of Oxygen OS 15 builds on top of ColorOS and includes all the customization features and flexibility you’d expect. It’s fast, fluid, and mostly bereft of bloat. OnePlus includes a few preinstalled apps that can be easily uninstalled.
With the update available for the OnePlus 11, there’s no tangible difference between the two phones as far as software is concerned.
The chief difference is the amount of software support. OnePlus promises four years of software updates for both phones and, in the case of the OnePlus 11, that support is halfway over. With the Android 15 update out, you can expect support for two more updates.
Meanwhile, the OnePlus 13 gets four years of support, giving it support for two additional Android updates. That’s a major deciding factor.
Performance
Top-tier performance that stands the test of time
The OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 11 debuted with top-end specifications despite their value flagship positioning. The OnePlus 11 launched with the then flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. The OnePlus 13 continues the tradition with the current flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. That’s a significant bump in performance as well as efficiency.
The OnePlus 13 offers up to 24GB of RAM in its top-end configuration, with 16GB and 12GB of RAM available in lower-end variants. That’s a step up from the 8GB, 12GB, and 16GB options available for the OnePlus 11. OnePlus’ software is efficient enough, and most users will be fine with the 12GB variants of either phone.
Despite being two generations behind the OnePlus 13, the OnePlus 11 continues to be responsive and snappy. The OnePlus 13 improves on that performance and tacks on a better cooling solution. This ensures you’ll get top-notch performance for longer durations without overheating issues.
Battery life
Long-lasting, fast-charging with a dash of magnetic wireless charging
One of the biggest upgrades to the hardware is battery life. The OnePlus 13 uses a silicon-carbon-based 6,000mAh battery, a significant step up from the 5,000mAh cell in the OnePlus 11. This means longer battery life, especially when coupled with the efficiency gains that come with a modern chipset.
Elsewhere, both phones charge at up to 100W. What’s new with the OnePlus 13 is 50W wireless charging support using AirVOOC. Moreover, the OnePlus 13 can reverse wireless charge accessories up to 10W. Additionally, this year, OnePlus produced a series of first-party magnet-equipped first-party cases that give the phone MagSafe-like capabilities. Meanwhile, the OnePlus 11 doesn’t support wireless charging.
Camera
Very good, but short of great
OnePlus has had an iffy history with camera hardware and the accompanying software optimization. However, the OnePlus 13 packs a significant upgrade to camera hardware. There’s a 50MP primary sensor paired with a second 50MP 3x telescope lens, as well as a 50MP ultra-wide camera. On the front, you get a 32MP front-facing camera with a wide 21mm lens.
That’s a notable improvement over the 32MP 2x telephoto lens, 48MP ultra-wide lens, and 16MP selfie camera of the OnePlus 11. While the primary camera on both phones has a 50MP resolution, the OnePlus 13 benefits from newer-generation camera sensors and improved software algorithms.
Image quality is generally good on both phones with well-detailed, vivid shots in good lighting. The OnePlus 13 pulls ahead of the OnePlus 11 in less-than-ideal lighting conditions, making it an easy choice if mobile photography is important to you.
Which is right for you?
Choosing between the OnePlus 13 and the OnePlus 11 comes down to your priorities and budget. If you’re after the latest and greatest, the OnePlus 13 is a no-brainer. It boasts cutting-edge performance with the Snapdragon 8 Elite, improved camera hardware, a larger and brighter display, and better durability thanks to its IP68/69 ratings. The addition of wireless charging and an extended software support timeline makes it a future-proof option. However, these upgrades come at a higher starting price of $900.
OnePlus 13
The OnePlus 13 is an absolute powerhouse. Featuring a sleek new design, an almost flat display, and an enormous 6,000mAh battery that easily powers through a full day, it’s positioned to be the Snapdragon 8 Elite-driven flagship to watch in 2025. Plus, its camera setup is nothing short of impressive.
The OnePlus 11 remains an outstanding choice for budget-conscious buyers. Despite being an older model, it delivers excellent performance, solid battery life, and capable cameras at a fraction of the cost, with prices starting as low as $439. While it misses out on features like wireless charging and advanced water resistance, it offers incredible value for everyday use, making it a great deal for those who don’t need the latest bells and whistles.
OnePlus 11
$90
The OnePlus 11 might not win everyone over with its design, but it stands out as one of the brand’s best efforts in years. Packed with impressive specs, excellent battery life, and a reliable camera system, it remains a strong contender despite being two generations old. Unfortunately, the phone lacks wireless charging from the OnePlus 10. With the latest Oxygen OS 15 update, the phone delivers the same fast and smooth performance, AI features as the OnePlus 13.
Ultimately, the OnePlus 13 is ideal for tech enthusiasts seeking the best OnePlus experience. The OnePlus 11 is a fantastic option for those who want flagship-level performance without breaking the bank.
