In an era of behemoth-sized smartphones, the OnePlus 13s is a welcome departure—providing flagship-grade performance, AI-enabled features, and a small footprint that doesn’t skimp on capability. A power user who craves the speed or someone who wants portability without sacrificing performance will find that the OnePlus 13s could be the sleeper hit of 2025.
In this comprehensive review, we’ll dive deep into everything the OnePlus 13s brings to the table: its specs, design, performance, AI features, camera prowess, battery life, and how it stacks up in real-world use.
Unboxing & First Impressions
Opening the OnePlus 13s box feels like a premium affair. Inside, you’ll find:
- OnePlus 13s handset
- 80W SuperVOOC charger
- USB-C to USB-C cable
- Soft TPU case
- SIM ejector tool
- Quick start guide and warranty card
From day one, the OnePlus 13s exudes class. That satin finish on the back (especially in Green Silk and Pink Satin) gives it that little bit of class, and it does feel really special in the hand—light but not too light.
Design & Build Quality: Miniature Meets High-End
Dimensions & Weight
- Size: 150.8 × 71.7 × 7.9 mm
- Weight: ~150 g
Unlike many flagship phones that border on tablet territory, the 13s stays sleek and manageable. One-handed use is effortless, and slipping it into a jeans pocket doesn’t feel like you’re hauling bricks.
The phone uses aluminum alloy frames with front Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and frosted glass or vegan leather finishes at the back depending on the model. It’s IP65-rated against dust and splashes—not foolproof against water, but sufficient for regular ruggedness.
Display: Small but Gorgeous
- 6.32″ LTPO AMOLED ProXDR
- FHD+ resolution (2780 × 1264 pixels)
- 120 Hz dynamic refresh rate
- 1,600 nits maximum brightness
- HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support
Although it is smaller in dimensions, the screen quality is superb. The ProXDR screen delivers rich color, deep blacks, and excellent sunlight readability. The curved edge has been ditched in favor of a flatter screen, which is more ergonomic and less susceptible to accidental touch.
Watching a YouTube HDR movie or Netflix streaming is pure bliss. Smoothness without battery drain is delivered through the 120Hz screen refresh rate combined with LTPO 3.0 adaptive technology.
Performance: Flagship Core in a Subcompact Shell
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Elite (custom 3nm node)
- RAM: 12 GB LPDDR5X
- Storage: 256 GB / 512 GB UFS 4.0
In principle and practice, the OnePlus 13s is a behemoth. In benchmark scores, it keeps company with larger flagships like the OnePlus 13 and Galaxy S25 Ultra. Apps open immediately, multitasking is seamless, and games are a joy with no stuttering—whether maxed-out graphics in Genshin Impact or COD Mobile.
It also features OnePlus’ new Graphene VC cooling, which manages thermal throttling during longer gaming or 4K recording periods.
AI-Powered Features: OxygenOS 15 Gets Smarter
Operating on OxygenOS 15 on top of Android 15, the 13s is not only fast—it’s intelligent too. Major AI features are. . .
1. Gemini Assistant Integration
Google’s Gemini AI is built-in, offering context-aware help, smarter suggestions, AI-aided summaries in Chrome, and futuristic-sounding yet useful voice controls.
2. AI Call Summary
Missed a lengthy customer support call? The phone records and summarizes the key points for you.
3. Smart Charging
Adjusts your usage patterns and optimizes charging speed to reduce battery aging.
4. Plus Key
OnePlus introduced a new hardware “Plus Key” on the left, customizable to shortcuts like launching Google Lens, flashlight, or split-screen apps.
They’re not gimmicks—they’re features that streamline real-world activities and make them more intuitive.
Cameras: Brilliance in Dual Lens
- Main Camera: 50 MP Sony IMX890 with OIS
- Telephoto Camera: 50 MP 2x optical zoom
- Front Camera: 32 MP Sony sensor
Daylight Photography
Colors pop without being oversaturated. The detail retention is top-notch, and OnePlus’ new AI Scene Optimizer improves HDR accuracy and shadow detail.
Portrait Mode
The 2x telephoto lens works wonders here. Edge detection is precise, and the natural bokeh looks DSLR-level.
Night Mode
Improved night photography is evident. With less noise and better light balance, low-light shots rival what we’ve seen on the Pixel 9 or iPhone 15 Pro.
Front Camera
Selfies appear crisp and well-balanced even in poor lighting. The front camera also shoots 4K video at 30 fps.
Video Recording Features
- 4K at 60/30 fps (rear)
- 4K at 60/30 fps (front)
- Ultra Steady and AI Motion Tracking
Stabilization is silky smooth. Vloggers and creators will appreciate the 10-bit color recording and LOG profile for post-processing freedom.
Battery Life & Charging
- Battery Capacity: 5,850 mAh
- Charging: 80 W wired, 50 W wireless (Qi 2.0 support)
- Reverse wireless: Supported
This is where the OnePlus 13 surprises. Despite its small dimensions, it fits an immense battery thanks to internal optimizations and minimized camera housing.
Under average to normal usage, you can easily achieve 1.5 to 2 days’ usage on a single charge. 0–100% charging takes around 35 minutes. Unfortunately, no charger is packaged in the U.S. box—but it’s available in Indian and EU versions.
Connectivity & Extras
- Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, IR Blaster
- In-display optical fingerprint sensor
- Haptics 3.0: Richer haptic experience
- Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos
Sound volume is loud and clear with deep bass and sharpness. Great for relaxing with Netflix or gaming without earphones.
Software Experience: Clean, Fast & Future-Proof
OxygenOS 15 is light, nearly bloat-free, and extremely responsive. There are plenty of customization options, from icon packs and fonts to themes and gestures.
Software Support
- 4 major Android updates
- 5 years of security updates
That puts the 13s in the same league as Samsung and Google when it comes to longevity.
Competition: How Does It Stack Up?
| Phone | OnePlus 13s | Galaxy S25 | iPhone 16 | Pixel 9 |
| Display | 6.32″ AMOLED | 6.2″ AMOLED | 6.1″ OLED | 6.3″ OLED |
| Chip | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Exynos/Snapdragon | A18 Bionic | Tensor G4 |
| Battery | 5,850 mAh | 4,100 mAh | 3,900 mAh | 4,300 mAh |
| Weight | ~150 g | 167 g | 173 g | 178 g |
| Starting Price | ₹54,999 / $599 | ₹89,999 / $899 | ₹99,900 / $999 | ₹74,999 / $699 |
For the money, the OnePlus 13s is clearly punching above its weight—especially for those who don’t want a huge phone.
Price & Availability
- India: ₹54,999 (256 GB), ₹59,999 (512 GB)
- Global: $599 / €599
- Available via the OnePlus website, Amazon, Flipkart, and offline stores
Final Verdict: Should You Buy the OnePlus 13s?
The OnePlus 13s is everything we’ve been asking for—a compact flagship with no real compromises. It nails performance, cameras, battery, and AI treats in a body that’s unusual for phones of this scale.
Who Should Buy:
- Small phone enthusiasts
- Power users wanting top-tier specs under ₹60K
- Creators needing solid video and audio setup
- AI enthusiasts
Who Should Skip:
- Those needing a periscope zoom lens
- People looking for IP68 water resistance
- Fans of curved displays
Overall Rating: 9/10
OnePlus has successfully pulled off a compact flagship in 2025. The OnePlus 13s is powerful, smart, and refreshingly user-centric. If you’ve been waiting for a small phone that doesn’t feel like a compromise, this is it.
