The much-anticipated OnePlus 13 series officially launched in India on January 7, introducing two models: the OnePlus 13 and the OnePlus 13R. While the OnePlus 13 is a full-fledged flagship packed with top-tier hardware, the OnePlus 13R offers a more budget-friendly alternative with carefully considered compromises. Both phones offer excellent value for different types of users, but which one is right for you? Let’s break it down.
Performance and Battery
The biggest distinction between the two models is in the processor. The OnePlus 13 is powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, delivering cutting-edge performance, while the OnePlus 13R runs on the slightly older but still powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. In benchmarks, the Snapdragon 8 Elite leads, but in everyday use, both devices perform smoothly, handling multitasking and demanding apps with ease.
The OnePlus 13R comes with 12GB of RAM as standard, while the OnePlus 13 offers variants with up to 16GB of RAM, making it ideal for heavy multitaskers and gamers. Both models feature 120Hz AMOLED displays for a fluid experience, but serious gamers might prefer the OnePlus 13 for its superior thermal management and better frame rate stability in resource-intensive games.
In terms of battery, both devices house a 6000mAh battery, but the charging speeds differ. The OnePlus 13 supports 100W SuperVOOC wired charging and 50W AirVOOC wireless charging, while the OnePlus 13R supports 80W SuperVOOC wired charging. If you want the fastest possible charging or value wireless charging, the OnePlus 13 is the better option.
Camera
The camera setup is where the OnePlus 13 shines. It features a triple 50MP camera system with Hasselblad tuning, including a wide lens, ultra-wide lens, and a 3x telephoto lens offering up to 120x digital zoom. Selfie lovers will appreciate the 32MP front camera.
The OnePlus 13R, by contrast, offers a 50MP wide lens, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 50MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom, along with a 16MP front camera. While the OnePlus 13R’s camera setup is capable, photography enthusiasts will likely prefer the flagship’s superior optics and zoom capabilities.
Display and Design
The OnePlus 13 sports a 6.82-inch AMOLED LTPO panel with a QHD+ resolution, resulting in a pixel density of 510 PPI. It also offers a peak brightness of 4500 nits, making it one of the brightest displays on the market. The OnePlus 13R, on the other hand, has a slightly smaller 6.78-inch AMOLED LTPO display with a 450 PPI pixel density. While both screens deliver excellent color accuracy and smooth refresh rates, the higher resolution on the OnePlus 13 provides a sharper viewing experience.
In terms of design, the OnePlus 13 uses premium materials, including an eye-catching vegan leather back on the Midnight Ocean variant. The phone is also available in Black Eclipse and Arctic Dawn. Meanwhile, the OnePlus 13R comes in Nebula Noir and Astral Trail. Additionally, the OnePlus 13 boasts an IP68/IP69 rating for water and dust resistance, while the OnePlus 13R is limited to IP65.
Software and Features
Both devices run on OxygenOS 15, based on Android 15, with a promise of four years of major Android updates and six years of security patches, ensuring long-term software support. They also come with a suite of AI-driven features, such as AI Intelligent Search, Google Gemini AI, and AI Boost.
In terms of biometrics, the OnePlus 13 features a more advanced ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, while the OnePlus 13R sticks with an optical fingerprint scanner. Connectivity-wise, the OnePlus 13 supports USB 3.2 Gen 1, whereas the OnePlus 13R is limited to USB 2.0.