For long-time OnePlus fans, this might sting a little. The company’s iconic alert slider—once a defining feature—won’t be making it to the upcoming OnePlus 13s. Instead, OnePlus is introducing something it calls the “Plus Key,” a programmable button that feels suspiciously inspired by Apple’s Action Button.
Official teasers from OnePlus confirm that the 13s will ditch the physical alert slider in favour of the Plus Key, positioned on the left side of the device. By default, it works just like the alert slider—toggling between silent, vibrate, and ring modes. But OnePlus says it’s far more versatile.
Users will be able to customise the Plus Key to trigger shortcuts such as launching the camera, activating the flashlight, translating text, or even calling an AI assistant. The company hasn’t yet confirmed whether it will allow complete user customisation or limit the key to predefined options, à la Apple.
This marks a notable shift for the brand, which built much of its early identity around enthusiast-friendly hardware. Whether this new button is a genuine upgrade or just another gimmick will depend on how well OnePlus executes it.
The OnePlus 13s isn’t just about design tweaks. Based on the OnePlus 13T launched in China, the 13s is expected to be one of the most compact phones running Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (aka Elite) chipset.
It will feature a 6.32-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1600 nits of peak brightness. You’ll also find up to 16GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and a 6,260mAh battery with support for 80W fast charging.
Other features include an IP65 rating, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and a sizeable Glacier VC cooling system to keep thermals in check. The dual-camera setup packs a 50MP main sensor with OIS and a 50MP telephoto lens, while the front gets a 16MP selfie shooter.
The Plus Key isn’t entirely new to the BBK ecosystem—it first appeared on the Oppo Find N5. With Oppo and OnePlus increasingly sharing R&D, expect more devices in both portfolios to adopt this feature.
As for the OnePlus 13s, it will launch in select markets, including India and China, in two colour options. And while the lack of an alert slider may divide fans, OnePlus is betting that flexibility will trump nostalgia.
