People were expecting way too much from the OnePlus 13s before the launch, but the phone delivered. I’ve been using this phone as my daily driver for the past four months, and it’s one of those rare devices that actually gets better with time.
Every phone feels great on day one, but it truly is a good phone if it feels the same even after using it for 4 months. And that’s exactly how I feel about the OnePlus 13s.
What has been my overall experience? Let’s dive in and talk about it in detail.
OnePlus 13s design and build: Compact yet premium
The OnePlus 13s launched at the price of Rs 54,999 and is currently priced at Rs 50,999, and if you put in all the EMI offers, then it will cost you Rs 47,749. The OnePlus 13s is one of the best-looking compact flagships in the market.
When you switch from a large device like the Galaxy S25 Ultra or iPhone 17 Pro Max, you instantly realise how convenient this size really is.
Its 6.32-inch display strikes the perfect balance between usability and immersion; it’s pocketable, lightweight and extremely comfortable to hold. If you’re using a big phone like the S24 Ultra or OnePlus 13, then it will easily feel comfortable.
The OnePlus 13s features a glass back, a metal frame and the elegant Green Silk finish, which makes the phone look classy and premium.
You might come across some scratches on the back, but placing a cover over it can protect the phone easily. However, it definitely makes it a little heavy for sure.
OnePlus 13s display and the new “Plus Key”
OnePlus makes vibrant, rich displays, and the OnePlus 13s packs a strong one too. You get an AMOLED LTPO panel with 1.5k resolution, a 120 Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support. In terms of visibility, there is a peak brightness of 1,600 nits, offering balanced indoor and outdoor visibility.
Haptics are precise and satisfying, exactly what you’d expect from a flagship.
Remember, the iconic alert slider was first featured in the OnePlus 9 series. You have to bid goodbye to it because it’s been replaced by the ‘Plus Key’ a multifunction button that can trigger screenshots, launch AI shortcuts, or open the ‘Mind Space’ feature
OnePlus 13s OxygenOS 16: AI-Powered and smarter than ever
Software is where the OnePlus 13s has really levelled up. It shipped with OxygenOS 15, but the upgrade to OxygenOS 16 (closed beta) feels like a massive step forward. The UI looks cleaner, animations are smoother, and the experience feels modern, almost reminiscent of iOS 26’s “Liquid Glass” design.
The standout addition is Plus Mind and Mind Space — OnePlus’s AI-powered personal assistant system. You can dump your screenshots, notes, or voice memos here, and it automatically sorts them into smart folders by topic: travel, shopping, work, and more.
With four years of Android updates and six years of security patches, the 13s promises reliable long-term software support too.
OnePlus 13s Performance and battery life: Still fast after four months
OnePlus do not only offer a good design and display but also offer an equally complimenting chipset. Under the hood, the OnePlus 13s is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. Paired with 12GB LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, the OnePlus 13s delivers flagship-grade speed.
Moving on to the benchmarks, it scored exceptionally well on Oxygen OS 15 (2.42 million) however, the score dropped when I tested the phone on beta software (1.77 million).
In everyday use, performance is flawless; multitasking, social media, gaming, and streaming all run effortlessly. Even after four months, it feels as smooth as day one. Battery is another surprise; the OnePlus 13s packs a 5859 mAh battery with 80W SuperVOOC charging support. In my usage, it goes from 0 to 100% in around 40 minutes.
OnePlus 13s cameras: Good, but not great
Before sharing my experience about the camera, let’s discuss specs. There is a dual 50MP camera setup that delivers detailed shots with slightly vibrant colors.
2x telephoto performed outstandingly between both. But I definitely missed the ultra-wide sensor on the rear. The 32MP selfie camera produces clean, well-toned images perfect for social media.
Honestly, overall the experience was satisfying but not as appealing as rivals Vivo X200 FE or Xiaomi 15.
OnePlus 13s verdict: OnePlus is back
Most phones fail to pass even basic testing in long-term reviews. But the
OnePlus 13s is reliable and delivers exceptionally well.
The OnePlus 13s deliver in almost every segment, from design, performance, battery, and software. Now, the only thing I am disappointed with is the camera experience. That could have been better. And that’s the only trade-off!
For under ₹50,000, the
OnePlus 13S remains one of the best compact Android flagships of 2025, and it genuinely feels like
OnePlus is back in form.
