Launched in India on June 5, 2025, the OnePlus 13s is a bold move by OnePlus to cater to fans of compact smartphones without sacrificing flagship performance. Priced at ₹54,999 (12GB/256GB) and ₹59,999 (12GB/512GB), with discounts bringing it as low as ₹49,999, this device packs a punch in a pocket-friendly form. But does it live up to the hype, or do its compromises hold it back? Here’s our in-depth review of the OnePlus 13s, covering design, display, performance, camera, battery, software, and more.
Design: Small but Premium
Weighing just 185g and measuring 150.8 x 71.7 x 8.2 mm, the OnePlus 13s is a breath of fresh air in a world of oversized flagships. Its 50:50 weight distribution and 8.15mm thickness make it a joy for one-handed use. The phone sports a Corning Gorilla Glass 7i front, an aluminum alloy frame, and a smudge-resistant matte rear panel available in Black, Green Silk (India-exclusive), and Pink.
However, the design has sparked debate. The flat edges and rounded corners draw iPhone comparisons, which some feel dilutes OnePlus’s unique identity. The iconic Alert Slider is replaced by a customizable Plus Key, which can trigger AI features, the camera, or silent mode. While versatile, it’s a polarizing change for longtime fans. The IP65 rating protects against dust and low-pressure water jets but falls short of the IP68/IP69 on the OnePlus 13, so don’t expect full submersion durability.
Verdict: Sleek and compact, but the iPhone-esque aesthetic and IP65 rating may not please everyone.
Display: Vibrant and Smooth
The OnePlus 13s boasts a 6.32-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 1.5K resolution (2640 x 1216), 460ppi, and a 1-120Hz refresh rate. With 1600 nits peak brightness, 100% DCI-P3 coverage, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+, it delivers stunning colors and crisp visuals, even in sunlight. Features like Aqua Touch 2.0 (for wet hands) and Glove Mode enhance usability in tricky conditions.
One minor quirk: the 19.54:9 aspect ratio causes the 32MP front camera to slightly intrude into 18:9 YouTube videos, unlike the OnePlus 13. Still, the Gorilla Glass 7i protection and 2160Hz PWM dimming ensure durability and eye comfort.
Verdict: A flagship-grade display that’s vibrant and responsive, though the aspect ratio may annoy video buffs.
Performance: Compact but Mighty
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm), the OnePlus 13s is a performance beast. With a 2+6 core setup (2x Oryon Prime at 4.32GHz, 6x Oryon Performance at 3.53GHz) and an Adreno 830 GPU, it delivers 45% better CPU and 40% better GPU performance than its predecessor. Paired with 12GB LPDDR5X RAM and up to 512GB UFS 4.0 storage, it aces benchmarks (Geekbench: 2862 single-core, 8418 multi-core; AnTuTu: 2,408,425).
The 4,400mm² 3D Cryo-Velocity Vapor Chamber and graphite-layered back keep things cool, even during intense gaming sessions like BGMI at 120fps or Genshin Impact. Multitasking is seamless, with no lag or frame drops.
Verdict: Flagship power in a compact package—perfect for gamers and power users.
Camera: Good, but Missing a Piece
The OnePlus 13s features a dual-camera system: a 50MP main (f/1.8, 1/1.56″, OIS) and a 50MP telephoto (f/2.0, 2x optical zoom, PDAF, no OIS). The 32MP autofocus front camera (a OnePlus first) delivers sharp selfies, but it lacks 4K video recording, a letdown for vloggers. The main camera produces social media-ready shots with good detail and color, enhanced by AI features like AI Detail Boost, AI Unblur, and AI Reflection Eraser. However, the absence of an ultrawide lens limits versatility, and the telephoto’s lack of OIS impacts low-light shots.
Verdict: Solid for everyday photography, but the missing ultrawide and limited telephoto performance are notable compromises.
Battery and Charging: All-Day Power
The 5,850mAh battery is impressive for a compact phone, offering better endurance than many competitors for video streaming, gaming, and social media. It supports 80W SUPERVOOC charging, hitting 75% in 30 minutes and 100% in about 51 minutes, with a bypass charging feature to reduce heat during gaming. However, there’s no wireless charging, a feature some expect at this price.
Verdict: Excellent battery life and fast charging, but wireless charging fans will be disappointed.
Software: Feature-Rich but Buggy
Running OxygenOS 15 on Android 15, the OnePlus 13s promises 4 years of OS updates and 6 years of security patches (until April 2031). AI features like AI Plus Mind (saves screen content), AI Notes, Intelligent Search, and camera enhancements add value, but some, like Intelligent Search, were limited at launch. The redesigned icons and parallel processing make OxygenOS 15 smooth, but its iOS-like interface and reported bugs (e.g., app crashes) have drawn criticism. Pre-installed apps like Netflix can be uninstalled but may reappear after a reset.
Verdict: Packed with AI tools and long-term support, but software polish needs work.
Connectivity: Future-Ready
The OnePlus 13s supports 5.5G, 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, dual-band GPS, NavIC, NFC, and eSIM (India-specific). Its 11-antenna system and G1 Wi-Fi chipset ensure stable connections, while the Clear Voice feature reduces call background noise. No issues with call quality or network drops were reported.
Verdict: Cutting-edge connectivity for a seamless experience.
Pros
- Compact, lightweight design for one-handed use
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite performance
- Stunning 6.32-inch LTPO AMOLED display
- Long-lasting 5,850mAh battery with 80W charging
- 4+6 years of software updates
- Competitive pricing with discounts
Cons
- iPhone-like design lacks OnePlus’s unique flair
- IP65 rating isn’t as robust as IP68
- No ultrawide camera or telephoto OIS
- No wireless charging or 4K front camera video
- Software bugs and iOS-like OxygenOS 15
- Optical fingerprint scanner and USB 2.0 port
Final Thoughts
The OnePlus 13s is a stellar compact flagship, blending top-tier performance, a vibrant display, and excellent battery life in a pocketable package. At ₹49,999 (with offers), it’s a steal for those who value one-handed usability without sacrificing power. However, the lack of an ultrawide camera, wireless charging, and a more robust IP rating, combined with software bugs and an iPhone-inspired design, may give some buyers pause. If you want a compact powerhouse, the OnePlus 13s is hard to beat, but alternatives like the Samsung Galaxy S25 or Pixel 9a may appeal if you need a wider camera system or a distinct design.OnePlus 13s review,Compact smartphone,Snapdragon 8 Elite,LTPO AMOLED display,OxygenOS 15 AI,5850mAh battery life
What do you think of the OnePlus 13s? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned for more tech reviews!