OnePlus just dropped some big news: their new flagship phones, the OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R, are officially launching globally! As you can imagine, there’s a ton of buzz around these devices, especially the OnePlus 13. Why? Because it’s the first globally available phone from a major brand packing the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. (Yeah, we know about the Redmagic 10 Pro, but this is a bigger deal.) And in a bit of a power move, OnePlus beat Samsung to the punch, announcing these phones before Samsung’s own upcoming launch.
Of course, no phone launch these days is complete without some AI magic, and that’s where OnePlus has been making some serious upgrades to its Oxygen OS. With these new phones, we’re getting Oxygen OS 15 powered by OnePlus AI. We’ll dive deeper into that in a full review soon, so stay tuned!
Let’s take a closer look at what was announced: OnePlus 13: Packed with Features
The OnePlus 13 is shaping up to be a real contender. It boasts a triple camera system with a 50MP main, a 50MP 3X telephoto, and a 50MP ultrawide lens. OxygenOS 15 brings a bunch of AI features to the table, promising to make your life easier and your photos better.
This phone looks as good as it performs, with a modern and stylish design. Expect great photos with features like a Dual Exposure Algorithm, Clear Burst, Action Mode, and that classic Hasselblad Camera tuning. 4K Dolby Vision video recording is also on board. You can also expect buttery smooth performance thanks to its top-tier specs, lightweight design, and fluid animations.
Features like Intelligent Search, Circle to Search, PassScan for Google Wallet, and AI Notes are here to streamline your day. It can translate over 20 languages in real time! (Coming in an update in Q1 2025) Get ready for features like AI Detail Boost, AI Unblur, and AI Reflection Eraser to take your photos to the next level. Available in Black Eclipse, Midnight Ocean, and Arctic Dawn, the phone’s build quality is top-notch, featuring durable materials and a fingerprint-resistant finish. It’s also surprisingly light at just 210g and 8.5mm thick.
The OnePlus 13 is built to last. A 6,000mAh battery should easily get you through the day. IP68 and IP69 ratings mean it can handle dust and water. Plus, it’s passed rigorous durability tests, including US military standards (MIL-STD-810H). Dual Cryo-Velocity Vapor Chambers keep things cool even during intense use, and Aqua Touch 2.0 ensures the touchscreen stays responsive even with wet hands. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform, up to 12GB of RAM, and UFS 4.0 storage ensure blazing-fast performance. The 6.78-inch 1.5K ProXDR flat display is certified for eye care by TÜV Rheinland. It has a 50MP main camera, a 50MP portrait camera with 2x optical zoom, and an 8MP ultra-wide camera, the camera also has a dual exposure algorithm for fast-moving scenes and in-sensor zoom. It’s running on OxygenOS 15 with a nature-inspired design, and it’s got Gorilla Glass 7i for scratch resistance and durability. It’s also IP65 rated, has a five-star SGS Screen Reliability Certification, and passed US military MIL-STD-810H grade product tests. There are some new accessories including Magnetic Cases, AIRVOOC 50W Magnetic Charger, and on-the-go power solutions. OnePlus 13R: The Performance Powerhouse
The OnePlus 13R is all about delivering killer performance at a (likely) more accessible price point. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform and Qualcomm’s AI Engine, with up to 12GB RAM and fast UFS 4.0 storage, multitasking and app switching will be a breeze. You can get ready for ultra-smooth 120fps gameplay in games like BGMI. It can even make 60fps games look like 120fps! The 6.78-inch 1.5K ProXDR display is also certified for eye care. Like the OnePlus 13, it has Dual Cryo-Velocity Vapor Chambers and Aqua Touch 2.0.
A 6,000mAh battery and 80W SUPERVOOC Fast Charging keep you powered up all day. It comes with an impressive camera set up: a 50MP main camera (Sony LYT-700 sensor), a 50MP 2x optical zoom portrait camera, and an 8MP ultrawide camera. The OnePlus Dual Exposure Algorithm helps capture fast-moving scenes, and in-sensor zoom lets you get closer without losing detail.
Both the 13 and 13R run OxygenOS 15, packed with AI features for productivity and creativity. Available in Nebula Noir and Astral Trail, it boasts tough Gorilla Glass 7i, a sleek aluminum frame, and is only 8mm thick. It’s also IP65 rated and has passed durability tests, including US military standards (MIL-STD-810G). It also has the cool new Beacon Link feature that lets you use your phone like a walkie-talkie over Bluetooth! OnePlus Buds Pro 3: Upgraded Audio
The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 also got some love. They are now available in Sapphire Blue. Steady Connect provides improved Bluetooth connection stability, even in challenging environments, with a range of up to 50-150 meters. They have the AI Translation feature to translate conversations in real-time directly through the buds. You can expect improved Bluetooth performance, especially when paired with compatible OnePlus phones. These buds have amazing sound, with dual drivers and DACs in each earbud delivering powerful bass, clear treble, and a wide soundstage. Adaptive Noise Cancellation adjusts to your environment for optimal noise cancellation and battery life. They have a long battery life, over 5 hours on a 10-minute charge, and up to 43 hours total with the charging case, and they also have fast charging. The stylish Sapphire Blue case features premium leather and is compatible with Google Spatial Audio. They are easy to control with touch controls for volume, music, and noise cancellation.
Pricing is as follows.
OnePlus 13
£899 (256GB)
£999 (512GB)
OnePlus 13R
£679 (256GB)
OnePlus is clearly making a strong statement with the 13 and 13R. These phones are packed with powerful hardware, innovative features, and a focus on user experience. We’re excited to get our hands on them for a full review!
OnePlus Launches New Flagship Series: OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R
Upgraded Imaging, Premium Design, Cutting-Edge AI, and Trustworthy Performance for Everyday Excellence
January 7, 2025, LOCATION – Today, global technology brand OnePlus officially announced the global launch of its latest flagship devices, the OnePlus 13 Series. Made up of OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R, this new powerhouse series combines upgraded camera systems that elevate photography and cinematography to a professional level, meaningful AI capabilities with the newly released OxygenOS 15, and refined designs crafted from innovative materials and refreshing colourways. Together, these innovations deliver powerful, reliable performance, creating a next-generation experience in photography, gaming, connectivity, and everyday use.
OnePlus 13: A perfectly crafted flagship with power to spare
From Hardware to Algorithm: Advancing Mobile Photography with Hasselblad
Continuing its partnership with Hasselblad, the OnePlus 13 delivers significant upgrades in mobile photography and videography. The OnePlus 13 is equipped with a powerful triple-camera system: a 50MP main camera featuring the Sony LYT-808 sensor with OIS, a 50MP 3X Triprism Telephoto camera with OIS, and a 50MP Ultra-Wide camera. The 3X Triprism Telephoto lens allows users to capture distant subjects with clarity, making it ideal for both portrait photography and zoomed-in shots without sacrificing quality. Furthermore, the AI Telephoto feature activates automatically at 10x zoom, enabling users to capture detailed photos even from a considerable distance. The Ultra-Wide camera captures expansive scenes in detail, particularly in low-light conditions, thanks to its enhanced light sensitivity.
The triple-camera system incorporates an innovative Dual Exposure Algorithm, delivering sharp, vibrant images even in fast-paced scenarios. To further elevate everyday photography, OnePlus introduces Clear Burst for high-speed continuous shots, and Action Mode for capturing extremely fast-moving objects, which doubles capture speed to ensure each moment is crisp and dynamic. Whether capturing fast action in daylight or panning shots at night, the OnePlus 13 ensures users never miss a moment. The Hasselblad Camera for Mobile provides professional-quality portrait photography, with upgraded Hasselblad Bokeh effects, pro-level low-light imaging, and new filters and soft light options in Portrait Mode.
OnePlus 13 introduces a breakthrough in mobile videography with 4K Dolby Vision available on all cameras, empowering users to create cinematic-quality videos effortlessly. Even with Ultra Steady Mode activated, 4K resolution is maintained, setting a new standard in mobile videography. Paired with the Android-first Live Photo feature, OnePlus ensures that every captured moment, whether still or dynamic, is memorable and impactful.
Smarter, Smoother, and Lighter: New AI Capabilities Unleashing Productivity and Creativity
Powered by OnePlus AI, OxygenOS 15 delivers a smarter, smoother, and lighter user experience, designed to optimize efficiency. With a reduced system footprint and seamless animations, every interaction feels smooth and highly responsive. The AI capabilities of the OnePlus 13 go beyond basic enhancements, offering features that support daily productivity and empower creativity.
For productivity, Intelligent Search uses natural language processing to search through hundreds of local files simultaneously, understanding their content to deliver accurate and intuitive results. Circle to Search with Google is coming to OxygenOS. Circle, highlight, scribble, or tap any image, video, or text to search without switching apps. Additional features like PassScan with Google Wallet for faster and smoother travel, while AI Notes enables one-tap note summarization and formatting.
Furthermore, AI Translation offers seamless real-time language translation in more than 20 languages, including English, Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Polish and more, making it an invaluable tool for international business and travel. This feature will arrive through an OTA update in Q1, 2025.
Creativity is also enhanced with AI tools, including AI Detail Boost, which restores low-resolution images to high-resolution quality, AI Unblur, which sharpens blurry photos, and AI Reflection Eraser, which removes reflections—even from portraits—ensuring every image looks its best. By integrating these AI features with a user-focused design, OxygenOS 15 delivers a more engaging and streamlined experience for everyday use.
A Leap in Material Innovation and Durability: Premium, Elegant and Long-Lasting Design
The OnePlus 13 embodies OnePlus’s commitment to premium craftsmanship, elegance, comfort, and durability. With innovative materials and colourways, it is available in Black Eclipse, Midnight Ocean, and Arctic Dawn. The Black Eclipse colorway exudes a sophisticated black rosewood grain glass process, revealing a remarkably realistic wood grain texture that feels delicate and refined. The Midnight Ocean colourway is the first phone to feature microfiber vegan leather, offering a luxurious hand feel along with desirable resistance to corrosion and scratches; the Arctic Dawn colourway debuts an industry-first surface-based glass coating, creating a silk-smooth and fingerprint-resistant finish and showcasing the purest white on the market, which shimmers under sunlight.
Weighing 210g and measuring just 8.5 mm thick, the OnePlus 13 features a subtle micro-curve in the middle frame, enhancing its comfort in hand. As OnePlus’ first globally launched smartphone equipped with a 6,000mAh Silicon NanoStack battery, it delivers powerful, all-day battery life while maintaining a slim, comfortable profile.
OnePlus 13 is also built to last, and is the first OnePlus device to achieve both an IP68 and IP69 rating, making it an ideal companion for users who demand exceptional resilience. OnePlus 13 has also received a five star SGS Screen Reliability Certification and undergone multiple US military MIL-STD-810H grade product tests too.
Powerful and Fast: Trustworthy Performance in Work and Play
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, the first Snapdragon Mobile Platform featuring Qualcomm’s next-gen custom Qualcomm Oryon™ CPU, the OnePlus 13 offers reliable performance for demanding applications and intensive tasks, including mobile gaming.
The new-generation QHD+ (3168×1440) 120Hz ProXDR display boasts Zero-Latency 120Hz Frame Interpolation, creating smoother visuals and a more immersive experience for gaming and video playback. It’s the world’s first display to achieve a DisplayMate A++ rating. To reduce eye strain during prolonged use, the OnePlus 13 introduces RadiantView to allow optimal viewing experience even under intense sunlight, ensuring comfort without compromising display clarity.
The device’s internal cooling system, featuring Dual Cryo-Velocity Vapor Chambers, ensures consistent peak performance by efficiently dissipating heat during heavy usage. Meanwhile, the Aqua Touch 2.0 technology enhances touch sensitivity in wet conditions by detecting water droplets and adjusting touch settings accordingly, allowing for uninterrupted interaction in various environments. The display is responsive even with oily hands. The Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor elevates the speed and accuracy to a new height. Another interesting feature is the all-new Glove Mode, which allows for seamless display use even while wearing woolen and sheepskin gloves (up to 0.5cm thickness).
Along with its global launch, the OnePlus 13 has been selected as an Honoree in the CES® 2025 Innovation Awards for its innovative design and engineering features, highlighting its role in advancing the mobile flagship experience and reflecting OnePlus’ commitment to pushing the boundaries of smartphone technology.
OnePlus 13R: Extraordinary performance for everyday wins
Reliable Performance Optimized for What Matters
At the heart of the OnePlus 13R is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform, a flagship-level platform built to handle the most intensive tasks with remarkable speed and efficiency, further enhanced by Qualcomm’s AI Engine. With up to 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM, along with high-speed UFS 4.0 storage, OnePlus 13R enables smooth multitasking and seamless app-switching.
For gaming enthusiasts, the OnePlus 13R offers ultra-smooth 120fps gameplay in titles like BGMI and supports frame interpolation to boost 60fps games to 120fps, ensuring a lag-free experience. Its 6.78-inch 1.5K ProXDR flat display, is certified by TÜV Rheinland Intelligent Eye Care 4.0 to prioritize eye health during extended use.
Mirroring the OnePlus 13, the OnePlus 13R incorporates Dual Cryo-Velocity Vapor Chambers for efficient cooling and the Aqua Touch 2.0 for reliable display responsiveness in the rain or even with oily hands. Powered by a 6,000mAh single-cell battery and with 80W SUPERVOOC Fast Charging, the OnePlus 13R is designed to last all day, delivering reliable power for work, gaming, and beyond.
Camera Excellence with Daily Versatility
The OnePlus 13R’s versatile triple-camera system is crafted to capture life moments. Its main 50MP camera, equipped with the all-new Sony LYT-700 sensor and OIS, excels in low-light conditions, enabling users to capture high-quality images even in challenging environments. Complementing this is a 50MP portrait camera with 2x optical zoom for sharp, detailed portraits, while the 8MP ultra-wide camera captures expansive scenes.
The innovative Dual Exposure Algorithm works on the main camera, delivering high-quality snapshots in fast-moving scenes. For portrait photography, the OnePlus 13R uses innovated OnePlus in-sensor zoom that activates when zooming in beyond 4x, ensuring ultra-clear images from a distance. The in-sensor zoom technology further enhances clarity, offering a distinct advantage for capturing detailed photos.
Smart at Core, Elegant at Hand
Both the OnePlus 13 and 13R run on OxygenOS 15, offering the same advanced AI features designed to enhance productivity and creativity – an approach that ensures seamless and intelligent user experience regardless of the model.
Sharing the same design language with the OnePlus 13, the OnePlus 13R is available in two nature-inspired colourways – Nebula Noir and Astral Trail – that add an elegant touch to its refined design. The OnePlus 13R is the first OnePlus device to feature Corning’s newly-developed Gorilla Glass 7i, engineered to provide superior scratch resistance and durability. While the new glass is used on both the front and rear, the OnePlus 13R features an aluminum frame and a flat screen, with the body thickness nicely controlled at 8mm, creating a refined and elegant look. OnePlus 13R is IP65 rated, meaning it can survive all kinds of everyday challenges. Meanwhile it also has the same five star SGS Screen Reliability Certification as OnePlus 13, and has and undergone the same US military MIL-STD-810H grade product tests too.
New Accessories to Stay Charged: Magnetic Case, Magnetic Charger, and On-the-Go Power Solutions
OnePlus introduces a range of accessories specifically designed for OnePlus 13, including an all-new collection of Magnetic Cases. Each case is fully compatible with MagSafe accessories, offering comprehensive protection while preserving a slim and aesthetic design.
The AIRVOOC 50W Magnetic Charger provides fast and efficient wireless charging for devices equipped with magnetic functions or using a magnetic case. With support for up to 50W wireless charging, OnePlus 13 can achieve a full charge in just 75 minutes, ensuring users stay powered throughout the day.
Enhanced Connectivity
OnePlus 13 Series also takes staying in touch to the next level, both with and without signal. OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R support Beacon Link, a feature that uses Bluetooth connectivity to allow devices up to 200 meters apart to operate as walkie talkies, perfect for activities such as hiking where network connectivity is limited. Becaon Link will also be updated in summer 2025 to allow users to send messages over Bluetooth too.
OnePlus Buds Pro 3: New Sapphire Blue and Enhanced Connectivity
Alongside the OnePlus 13 series, OnePlus introduces exciting upgrades to the OnePlus Buds Pro 3. Now available in a new Sapphire Blue colourway, the Buds Pro 3 elegantly complement the flagship series with a premium aesthetic.
The latest update introduces Steady Connect, which dramatically improves Bluetooth connection strength and reliability, even in challenging, high-interference environments like airports and railway stations. This will allow for a stronger connection, but also an extended range of between 50 – 150m.
Expanding on their already remarkable capabilities, the Buds Pro 3 will introduce an AI Translation feature when paired with the OnePlus 13 series, providing seamless convenience for everyday face-to-face communication. In a bilingual interaction, users can hear their preferred language through their OnePlus Buds Pro 3, while their conversation partner sees the translation in their own preferred language on the user’s phone app.
Furthermore, the latest OTA update delivers significant improvements to Bluetooth range and connection stability, ensuring an elevated experience for all Buds Pro 3 users, particularly when paired with compatible OnePlus phones.
Besides the desirable updates, OnePlus Buds Pro 3 continue to deliver exceptional sound quality through dual drivers and dual DACs in each earbud, producing powerful bass, crisp treble, and an expansive soundstage. These earbuds feature Adaptive Noise Cancellation of up to 50dB, enabling dynamic adjustments based on the surrounding environment to optimize sound quality and battery efficiency. When facing a drained battery, a mere ten-minute charge unlocks over 5 hours of continuous playback, while a full charge provides an impressive 43 hours of immersive listening with the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 and their charging case. With fast charging capabilities and the premium leather-look case, the Buds Pro 3 in stylish Sapphire Blue boast an ergonomic design and premium features like Google Spatial Audio compatibility. Intuitive touch controls for volume adjustment, music playback, and quick toggling between noise-cancelling and transparency modes ensure a brilliant, all-around audio experience.
