The race among smartphone brands is intensifying, with many top brands vying to offer flagship-level performance in the most cost-effective way. OnePlus recently launched its OnePlus 13R, bringing top-notch specs and advanced features at a lesser price than its expensive sibling, the true flagship, the OnePlus 13.
Long before I moved on to the iPhone, I was an avid Android user. What I like most about Android devices is the freedom for customisation and the intuitive user interface. Although an iPhone user now, time and again, I find myself casually venturing back into Android territory. It was a sense of nostalgia, coupled with curiosity about OnePlus’s new innovations, that prompted me to try the OnePlus 13R.
I’ve been travelling for Christmas and New Year celebrations, and the OnePlus 13R has been my constant companion throughout. In this review, I’ll share my experience with this affordable flagship device, detailing how it performs as an everyday smartphone for photography, gaming, and much more.
I am no fan of smartphones with large camera islands. There’s no specific reason for this pet peeve—it’s simply a personal preference to avoid any kind of protrusion on the rear panel of my phone. However, most smartphones today feature prominent camera bumps, and the OnePlus 13R is no exception. I decided to overlook this feature, hoping that the overall design and feel of the phone would compensate for it.
To my delight, my initial annoyance vanished. The well-defined edges and back panel of the OnePlus 13R felt sturdy and pleasant to the touch. It won me over quickly. OnePlus has clearly poured a lot of thought and effort into crafting this device, as it achieves an impressive balance of comfort and grip.
The phone is neither bulky nor too slippery, a crucial factor for me. There is considerably large real estate in terms of display, and the boxy form factor adds to the charm. I’ve been using the OnePlus 13R in the Astral Trail shade, which boasts a “silky-smooth sheen”. The finish is not only visually pleasing but also offers a premium tactile experience. When it comes to design, the visual grammar is more or less the same for the OnePlus 11R and OnePlus 12R.
The device comes with Gorilla Glass 7i, which enhances its durability, and prevents scratches. The aluminium frame adds to its premium finish. The 13R features an IP65 rating for splash resistance, not IP68 or higher. The smartphone can handle light rain, but do not submerge it in water. The iconic Alert Slider is a great addition, bringing back the charm of older OnePlus smartphones. Additionally, OxygenOS 15 UI offers an easy-to-navigate, seamless experience, retaining the hallmark simplicity that OnePlus is known for.
In 2024, it is no surprise that the size and screen resolution of a smartphone would be one of the biggest driving factors for consumers.
The OnePlus 13R sports a 6.78-inch ProXDR flat display, which I found to be expansive and vibrant. With a resolution of 2780×1264 and a dynamic 120Hz refresh rate, the display is as smooth as it is sharp. Be it scrolling through X or Instagram Reels, gaming, or watching your favourite show on Netflix, the display adapts to offer a truly immersive experience.
I could binge-watch Squid Game 2, The Day of the Jackal, and the critics favourite, All We Imagine As Light, in their absolute visual essence on the OnePlus 13R. Features such as Radiant View and Aqua Touch 2.0 make the phone legible under direct sunlight and responsive in wet conditions, respectively. The device offers a peak brightness of 4,500 nits. Although the device may not match up to flagship models in terms of materials or scratch resistance, the display is beyond impressive, especially if you are looking for immersive media consumption.
The OnePlus 13R features a camera module headlined by a 50 MP Sony LYT-700 sensor, a 50 MP portrait lens, and an 8 MP ultra-wide camera. On the front, it features a 16MP selfie camera sans 4K video recording. The OnePlus 13R does not feature cutting-edge sensors or high-end zoom capabilities like the OnePlus 13 or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra; however, the 13R offers solid performance for everyday photography. There is no macro lens this time – a wise decision there – as the focus here seems to be largely on practical needs like telephoto and ultra-wide options. Also, the software enhancements are good. Below are some pictures I clicked using the OnePlus 13R:
With its innovative imaging algorithms, the device also offers features like dual-exposure technology that captures sharp outlines and rich colour details. Live Photos and advanced burst modes (capable of capturing up to 500 frames) further enhance its versatility. The camera system also features AI tools like Reflection Eraser and AI Unblur, allowing you to polish your images.
The OnePlus 13R is backed by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and boasts a massive 6,000mAh battery. The performance is smooth, and the phone benchmarks well. For everyday tasks like browsing, app switching, and light gaming, the 13R is beyond impressive. Under the hood, the device pairs 8 Gen 3 with up to 16 GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512 GB of UFS 4.0 storage.
Together, this hardware combo is deadly, as I found them to offer lightning-fast performance. With support for 120fps gaming, the OnePlus 13R is a delight for avid gamers with its smooth visuals and zero latency during intense gaming. One can play any graphics-heavy title with ease.
With the 6000-mAh battery, I could glide through one-and-a-half days with ease. This is the largest ever on a OnePlus device, and it is a worthy addition, as the device now supports heavy usage—be it binge-watching or marathon gaming. I could charge the device up to 100 per cent in less than an hour with its 80W SuperVOOC charger.
The OnePlus 13R strikes a balance between performance, design, and affordability. While the camera system is passable, the device offers impressive battery life and performance. Besides, the company is also offering some attractive deals, making the phone even more accessible. Simply put, the OnePlus 13R works well for those who seek flagship-level features without paying an exorbitant price.
In essence, the OnePlus 13R is a well-rounded phone with minor compromises here and there, something that most users would hardly notice. It’s lightweight, has a premium finish, and is an overall compelling choice for everyday usability.
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