OnePlus has not released a “flagship-killer” smartphone in recent times, concentrating instead on the premium and mid-range segments of its number series and Nord lineup. However, the introduction of the OnePlus 13s could shake things up as a potential flagship challenger, featuring impressive specifications such as a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and a 5,800mAh battery. Notably, it is also the first high-end smartphone to sport a compact 6.3-inch OLED display, only slightly larger than the standard iPhone 16.
The OnePlus 13s comes in two variants available in India, with the base model priced at Rs. 54,999, offering 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, while the 512GB version is priced at Rs. 59,999. Read on to find out if this smartphone justifies its price in our review.
OnePlus 13s Design: Compact and User-Friendly
- Dimensions – 150.8×71.7×8.2 mm
- Weight – 185g
- Colors – Black Velvet, Green Silk (the variant reviewed), Pink Satin
In contrast to the trend of increasing sizes since the OnePlus 5T, the latest model defies expectations. Measuring slightly smaller than the 2018 OnePlus 6, the OnePlus 13s is notably comfortable for one-handed use, even for those with larger hands.
We reviewed the Green Silk variant, exclusive to India
The OnePlus 13s showcases flat edges, rounded corners, and a flat screen. The rear panel exhibits a matte finish that may show minor scuff marks during daily use, but these can be easily wiped off. A raised aluminum island is featured for the dual rear camera setup and includes an LED flash and an infrared (IR) transmitter, which necessitates pointing the back of the device at appliances for control.
On the right side of the OnePlus 13s are the power button and volume rocker, both conveniently placed for one-handed operation. Notably, the alert slider has been replaced with a programmable Plus Key, akin to the Action Button introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro in 2023.
At the base of the phone, a USB Type-C port is present alongside the SIM tray and speaker grille. The display exhibits minimal bezels, with the largest located at the bottom, and a central selfie camera. However, the optical fingerprint scanner is a bit challenging to access as it’s situated near the bottom edge.
The OnePlus 13s includes a color-coordinated TPU case
The box also contains an 80W SuperVOOC charger, a USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable, and a pre-installed plastic screen protector, which can be removed for display testing.
OnePlus 13s Software: Streamlined and Bloat-Free
- Software – OxygenOS 15
- Version – Android 15
- Latest security patch – April 1, 2025
The OnePlus 13s, like other recent devices from the brand, runs on OxygenOS 15, which is devoid of bloatware found in other models. This device offers a smooth software experience similar to the pricier OnePlus 13.
OxygenOS 15 enhances the user experience with refined animations and transitions. New AI features from the OnePlus AI suite are also included, which will eventually roll out to other flagship models.
OxygenOS 15 on the OnePlus 13s (click to view)
Using the OnePlus Dialer instead of Google’s Phone app grants access to the AI VoiceScribe feature, which functions as advertised, though it occasionally misinterprets words. Furthermore, a summarized version of transcripts can be viewed in the Notes app.
The included Translate app permits translation of text, images, or voice, albeit with less accuracy than Google Translate. It does feature real-time screen translation and live captions useful for apps like Instagram. The device also integrates standard Google AI functions, such as Circle to Search and Gemini AI within apps.
The Plus Key can be programmed for various tasks, including toggling sound modes or launching applications, all of which worked reliably during testing.
The OnePlus 13s is the first device from the brand equipped with the AI Plus Mind system, which centralizes relevant information in a section dubbed Mind Space. The Plus Key can capture screen content or initiate this functionality with a finger swipe if not assigned to another function.
The OnePlus 13s features new AI functionalities
The smartphone also integrates AI-driven editing tools within the Photos app, offering features such as object removal, reflection elimination, and image sharpening capabilities, although results can vary. The Plus Key, when linked to the AI Plus Mind function, brings contextual suggestions based on apps in use.
The company promises four years of Android OS updates and six years of security patches for the OnePlus 13s, providing a solid support lifespan compared to competitors, although matching Samsung’s seven-year commitment would be ideal.
OnePlus 13s Performance: High-End Capability
- Processor – Snapdragon 8 Elite
- Memory – 12GB LPDDR5x
- Storage – Up to 512GB UFS 4.0
Performance on the OnePlus 13s rivals that of leading flagship devices, including the higher-end OnePlus 13 model. The Snapdragon 8 Elite is among the foremost chipsets available in the Android market, effortlessly handling everything from intensive gaming to on-device AI tasks.
Benchmark results including AnTuTu v10, PCMark Work 3.0, and Geekbench 6 (click to view)
After nearly three weeks of use, lag or stutter were not an issue for daily operations. The generous 12GB RAM efficiently maintains multiple apps, ensuring seamless multitasking, while the UFS 4.0 storage enhances app installation speeds.
High-demand games like Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves operated smoothly at maximum settings, and even Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) ran at 120fps with HDR enabled, providing a smooth gaming experience.
Benchmark performance across various tests (click to view)
The OnePlus 13s excelled in synthetic benchmarks, showcasing its capabilities against competitors such as the OnePlus 13, iPhone 16e, and Oppo Find X8.
| Benchmarks | OnePlus 13s | Oppo Find X8 | OnePlus 13 | iPhone 16e |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geekbench Single | 2,874 | 2,787 | 2,964 | 3,229 |
| Geekbench Multi | 8,741 | 8,391 | 9,081 | 7,888 |
| PCMark Work 3.0 | 14,491 | 12,868 | 14,431 | N/A |
| PCMark Work 3.0 Battery | 24h 59m | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| AnTuTu v10 | 24,49,859 | 23,50,546 | 22,59,761 | 13,86,440 |
| GFXB T-rex | 60 | 60 | 60 | 59 |
| GFXB Manhattan 3.1 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 59 |
| GFXB Car Chase | 60 | 60 | 60 | 59 |
| 3DM Slingshot Extreme OpenGL | Maxed Out | Maxed Out | Maxed Out | N/A |
| 3DM Slingshot | Maxed Out | Maxed Out | Maxed Out | N/A |
| 3DM Wild Life | Maxed Out | Maxed Out | Maxed Out | Maxed Out |
| 3DM Wild Life Unlimited | 23,593 | 23,225 | 25,427 | 13,146 |
With a 6.32-inch 1.5K (1,216×2,360 pixels) LTPO OLED display, visibility remains clear in bright outdoor conditions while also dim enough for comfortable nighttime use. Although it peaks at 1,600 nits, this brightness is not as intense as other flagship models like the Galaxy S25 or OnePlus 13, which can reach maximum brightness levels of 2,600 nits or 4,500 nits respectively.
The OnePlus 13s features a compact display
The display refresh rate is adjustable between 1Hz and 120Hz, proving to be responsive during gameplay. The OnePlus Photos app includes a ProXDR mode for enhanced colors in images, although it is advisable to disable it due to noticeable differences when viewed on other devices.
OnePlus 13s Cameras: A Dual Setup
- Primary camera – 50-megapixel (f/1.8), PDAF/ CAF/ LDAF, OIS, up to 4K/ 60fps video
- Telephoto camera – 50-megapixel (f/2.0), EIS, 2x optical zoom
- Selfie camera – 32-megapixel, (f/2.0), EIS, 4K/ 30fps video
The handset is equipped with a 50-megapixel primary camera featuring a Sony LYT-700 sensor along with optical image stabilization (OIS) and electronic image stabilization (EIS). In well-lit conditions, it captures sharp and clear images promptly upon pressing the shutter. The dual exposure algorithm introduced in the OnePlus 13 enhances its capability to capture sharp images of moving subjects.
Examples of photos taken at varying zoom levels (click to view)
The OnePlus 13s features a 50-megapixel telephoto camera, equipped with a Samsung JN5 sensor and capable of 2x optical zoom. This sensor is also utilized in the ultrawide camera of the OnePlus 13, producing vibrant but less color-accurate images compared to the primary camera.
While the telephoto camera excels in outdoor portraits, ensuring adequate lighting is essential for achieving smooth imagery indoors. It also lacks OIS, making it less reliable in low-light situations, especially with moving subjects.
The absence of an ultrawide camera constrains capturing broader scenes or larger groups, requiring users to step back for wider shots.
Examples of day and night shooting, portraits, and AI features (click to view)
The OnePlus 13s provides decent low-light performance through its night mode, although the primary camera performs better in such conditions than the telephoto variant.
Shooting selfies with the 32-megapixel front camera yields clear results, with the camera app not applying skin-smoothing filters by default. While some softening appears in darker settings, the selfies remain superior compared to many other models in this price range.
Video recording capabilities extend to 4K/60fps with both rear cameras, although primary camera footage is superior due to OIS. There’s also an Ultra Steady mode available on both cameras, while the selfie camera can record at 4K/30fps, which drops to 1080p/30fps when using ultra steady mode. The video quality from the selfie camera is commendable even in moderately low lighting.
OnePlus 13s Battery: Endurance Champion
- Battery Capacity – 5,850mAh
- Wired Charging – 80W SuperVOOC
The flagship processor is paired with a robust battery allowing for over a day and a half of usage on moderate settings. Users report around 10 to 12 hours of screen-on time involving browsing, social media, light gaming, and streaming content.
Approximately two days of usage can be achieved on a single charge
The OnePlus 13s recorded 24 hours and 59 minutes in PCMark’s synthetic battery benchmark test, and it lasted more than 32 hours during video playback tests under controlled conditions. Users should keep in mind that these tests were conducted in flight mode and with auto-brightness disabled.
The device includes an 80W SuperVOOC charger capable of fully charging the device in about 78 minutes. Reverse-wired charging is available, but the smartphone does not support wireless charging due to its compact design constraints.
Final Thoughts on the OnePlus 13s
The OnePlus 13s is equipped with a powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and a long-lasting 5,800mAh battery, offering performance comparable to the higher-end OnePlus 13. The only compromise appears to be in its camera capabilities, which are not as versatile.
The OnePlus 13s is a solid choice that may offer even greater value with future discounts
For users seeking a smartphone featuring a wider-angle camera or superior telephoto options, alternatives like the iQOO 13 or Realme GT 7 Pro might be appealing.
For those preferring iOS, models such as the iPhone 16e or the earlier iPhone 15 are available in a similar price range. However, the OnePlus 13s stands out with its superior display quality, extended battery life, rapid charging capability, and commendable camera performance.
Ultimately, the OnePlus 13s delivers a reliable display, a robust chipset, a competent primary camera, substantial battery life, and a seamless software experience, making it an easy recommendation for potential buyers interested in quality smartphones priced under Rs. 60,000.
