The OnePlus 13s, released on June 12, 2025, is a premium mid-range smartphone that blends flagship-grade performance with a sleek design. Priced at ₹54,998 (~€620, ~$700) in India, it features a 6.32-inch LTPO AMOLED display, Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, a 50MP dual-camera system with Hasselblad tuning, and a 5850mAh battery with 80W SUPERVOOC charging. Running Android 15 with OxygenOS 15, it offers IP65 water and dust resistance and a promise of 5 years of OS updates. In this review, we explore its design, performance, camera, battery life, and how it stacks up against rivals like the Xiaomi 14 Civi and Google Pixel 9a.
Design and Build
The OnePlus 13s measures 150.8 x 71.7 x 8.2mm and weighs 185g, making it one of the lightest and most compact flagships of 2025. Its glass front with Crystal Shield Glass, aluminum alloy frame, and glass back exude premium quality. The IP65 rating protects against low-pressure water jets and dust, though it’s less robust than the IP68/IP69 on the Honor 400 Pro (China). The curved edges and 90.6% screen-to-body ratio ensure a comfortable grip and immersive viewing experience.
Available in Green Silk, Black Velvet, and Pink Satin, the OnePlus 13s offers vibrant, glossy finishes, with the Pink Satin variant drawing attention for its unique aesthetic. The under-display fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable, and the alert slider remains a signature OnePlus feature, allowing quick toggles between silent, vibrate, and ring modes. However, the absence of a microSD card slot and 3.5mm headphone jack may disappoint some users, aligning with trends seen in competitors like the Xiaomi Civi 5 Pro.
Display
The 6.32-inch LTPO AMOLED display boasts a 1216x2640 resolution (~460 ppi), 120Hz refresh rate, 1B colors, 2160Hz PWM dimming, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR Vivid, and 1600 nits HBM brightness (claimed peak undisclosed). The LTPO technology dynamically adjusts the refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz, optimizing battery life while delivering smooth animations and vibrant colors. Protected by Crystal Shield Glass, it rivals the Xiaomi Civi 5 Pro’s 6.55-inch AMOLED (3200 nits peak) but falls short of the Honor 400 Pro’s 5000 nits.
Features like TÜV Rheinland Intelligent Eye Protection and AI Deep Clear Detail enhance visual clarity and comfort, making it ideal for streaming, gaming, and reading. The compact size compared to the 6.82-inch OnePlus 13 appeals to users preferring smaller displays, though some note minor color shifts at extreme viewing angles.
Performance
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) with an octa-core CPU (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L, 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M) and Adreno 830 GPU, the OnePlus 13s delivers flagship-grade performance. Paired with 12GB LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB or 512GB UFS 4.0 storage, it achieves an AnTuTu score of 2,499,190 (v10), GeekBench 6 score of 9,093, and 3DMark Wild Life Extreme score of 6,473, outperforming the Google Pixel 9a (Tensor G4) and matching the OnePlus 13.
Running OxygenOS 15 on Android 15, it offers a near-stock Android experience with AI features like Circle to Search, AI Notes, AI Unblur, and AI Detail Boost. The Cooling System 3.0 with a dual vapor chamber keeps temperatures low during intensive tasks like gaming (Genshin Impact at 60fps) or 4K video editing. Realme’s 5-year OS update and 6-year security patch commitment ensures support until Android 20, surpassing the Xiaomi Civi 5 Pro’s 3-year promise.
Camera
The Hasselblad-tuned dual-camera system includes:
- 50MP wide (f/1.8, 1/1.56", 1.0µm, OIS, multi-directional PDAF): Captures sharp, vibrant images with excellent low-light performance, enhanced by Hasselblad’s color science.
- 50MP telephoto (f/2.0, 2x optical zoom, PDAF): Delivers crisp portraits and zoom shots, though limited to 2x compared to the 3x on the Honor 400 Pro.
The 32MP front camera (f/2.0, AF) supports 4K@30fps video and produces detailed selfies with natural skin tones. Features like color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama, and Dolby Vision HDR video enhance versatility. The camera performs comparably to the Google Pixel 9a’s 48MP system but lacks an ultrawide lens, a notable omission against the Xiaomi Civi 5 Pro’s triple-camera setup. Users on X praise its low-light capabilities and Hasselblad tuning, though some note minor noise in telephoto shots at maximum zoom.
Battery and Charging
The 5850mAh battery offers 1.5 days of heavy use or 2 days with moderate use, slightly smaller than the OnePlus 13’s 6000mAh but competitive with the Pixel 9a’s 5100mAh. Oppo claims 80% capacity retention after 1600 cycles (~4 years). The 80W SUPERVOOC charging reaches 100% in 36 minutes, with 33W PPS, 18W PD, and 18W QC support, outpacing the Pixel 9a’s 23W. The 5W reverse wired charging powers accessories, but wireless charging is absent, unlike the Honor 400 Pro’s 50W wireless.
Audio and Connectivity
The stereo speakers deliver immersive sound with Dolby Atmos, though the lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack requires USB-C or Bluetooth audio. Connectivity is robust, with 5G, Wi-Fi 6/7, Bluetooth 6.0 (A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5), NFC, infrared port, GPS (L1+L5), BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC, GLONASS, and USB-C 2.0 with OTG. The under-display optical fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass ensure a comprehensive feature set. OxygenOS 15’s minimal bloatware enhances the experience compared to Realme UI 6.0 on the Narzo 80 Lite.
Pricing and Availability
Priced at ₹54,998 (~€620, $700) for the 12GB+256GB variant and ₹59,998 (~$780) for 12GB+512GB in India, the OnePlus 13s is available in Green Silk, Black Velvet, and Pink Satin via Amazon India, OnePlus.in, and select retailers starting June 12, 2025. Offers include ₹2,000 instant discount with ICICI Bank and 6-month no-cost EMI. Compared to the Google Pixel 9a ($499) or Xiaomi Civi 5 Pro (€370), it’s pricier but justified by its flagship chipset and Hasselblad camera. In Europe, it retails at ~€750, undercutting the OnePlus 13 (€900).
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Stunning 6.32-inch LTPO AMOLED with 120Hz and Dolby Vision.
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite with top-tier performance.
- Hasselblad-tuned 50MP dual-camera with excellent low-light shots.
- Long-lasting 5850mAh battery with 80W SUPERVOOC charging.
- 5 years of OS updates and clean OxygenOS 15 experience.
Cons
- No ultrawide camera or wireless charging.
- IP65 rating less robust than IP68 on rivals.
- No microSD slot or 3.5mm headphone jack.
- Telephoto limited to 2x optical zoom.
- Pricier than some mid-range competitors.
Who Should Buy the OnePlus 13s?
The OnePlus 13s is ideal for:
- Performance enthusiasts seeking flagship-grade Snapdragon 8 Elite under $800.
- Photography lovers wanting Hasselblad-tuned cameras for vibrant shots.
- Users needing long battery life and fast 80W charging.
- Those preferring a compact 6.32-inch display and clean OxygenOS 15.
It’s less suited for users requiring an ultrawide camera, wireless charging, or a more durable IP68 rating.
Verdict
The OnePlus 13s (2025) is a premium mid-range masterpiece, offering a 6.32-inch LTPO AMOLED, Snapdragon 8 Elite, Hasselblad-tuned 50MP camera, and 5850mAh battery for ₹54,998. Its compact design, 80W charging, and 5-year update promise make it a strong contender against the Google Pixel 9a and Xiaomi Civi 5 Pro. Despite lacking an ultrawide lens, wireless charging, and a higher IP rating, it delivers flagship performance at a mid-range price, making it a top pick for 2025.
Price and availability may vary by region. Check with local retailers for the latest deals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When was the OnePlus 13s released?
The OnePlus 13s was announced on June 5, 2025, and released on June 12, 2025.
2. What are the key specifications of the OnePlus 13s?
It features a 6.32-inch LTPO AMOLED with 120Hz, Snapdragon 8 Elite, 12GB RAM, 256GB/512GB storage, a 50MP dual-camera, a 32MP front camera, a 5850mAh battery with 80W charging, and Android 15 with OxygenOS 15.
3. Does the OnePlus 13s support expandable storage?
No, it lacks a microSD card slot, offering 256GB or 512GB internal UFS 4.0 storage.
4. What is the price of the OnePlus 13s?
It starts at ₹54,998 (~€620, $700) for 12GB+256GB and ₹59,998 for 12GB+512GB in India, with prices varying by region (~€750 in Europe).
5. Is the OnePlus 13s water-resistant?
Yes, it has an IP65 rating, protecting against low-pressure water jets and dust, but not suitable for submersion.
6. What are the camera features of the OnePlus 13s?
It has a 50MP wide (f/1.8, OIS) and 50MP telephoto (f/2.0, 2x zoom) dual-camera with Hasselblad tuning, plus a 32MP front camera (f/2.0), supporting 4K@60fps video with Dolby Vision HDR.
7. How is the battery life of the OnePlus 13s?
The 5850mAh battery lasts 1.5-2 days, with 80W SUPERVOOC charging reaching 100% in 36 minutes and 5W reverse wired charging.
8. What colors are available for the OnePlus 13s?
It is available in Green Silk, Black Velvet, and Pink Satin.
9. Does the OnePlus 13s have a headphone jack?
No, it lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, requiring USB-C or Bluetooth audio.
10. What connectivity options does the OnePlus 13s offer?
It supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6/7, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, GPS (L1+L5), BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC, GLONASS, USB-C 2.0 with OTG, and an infrared port, but no FM radio.
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