OnePlus 13s hands-on review: My First Impressions & Features

OnePlus 13s Hands-On Review: My First Impressions & Features

After weeks of using the OnePlus13s, I’m excited to share my first impressions of this compact flagship smartphone. The OnePlus13s emerges as a compact flagship, priced at Rs54,999, delivering robust performance via its Snapdragon 8 Gen3 (Elite) chip and a vibrant display.

I’ve been testing the new OnePlus13s for several weeks now, and I’m excited to share my hands-on experience with this compact yet powerful device. The OnePlus13s represents a shift in the company’s strategy, offering flagship-level performance in a more pocket-friendly form factor with its 6.32-inch display.

Priced at Rs54,999, this smartphone positions itself as a “flagship killer” with impressive specifications including the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and a 5,850mAh battery. Throughout this review, I’ll cover everything from the unboxing experience and design elements to performance metrics, camera capabilities, and battery life.

While OnePlus has made some interesting choices with this device, including replacing the iconic Alert Slider with a new Plus Key for AI features, I’ll share my honest thoughts on whether these changes enhance the overall user experience. The compact size of the OnePlus13s addresses a growing demand for smaller, more manageable smartphones without compromising on power and features.

Unboxing the OnePlus 13s: What’s in the Box

Upon unboxing the OnePlus13s, I was struck by its refreshingly compact size and elegant design. The device’s packaging is straightforward, with a focus on showcasing the phone itself.

Package Contents

The box contains the OnePlus13s device, a quick start guide, and a USB-C cable. Notably, the charger is not included in the box, a trend seen in many recent flagships.

First Impressions

My first impression of the OnePlus13s was how compact it feels – at just 150.8×71.7×8.2 mm and weighing 185g, it’s noticeably smaller than most current flagships. The phone’s flat edges and rounded corners create a balanced design that feels premium and comfortable in hand.

The OnePlus13s reminds me of the OnePlus6 era, but with all the modern specifications and features expected in a 2025 flagship device. The smooth, matte finish on the rear panel not only looks elegant but also provides good grip.

Design and Build Quality

The OnePlus 13s boasts an impressive design that’s both sleek and durable, making it a compelling choice for potential buyers. One of the standout features is its compact form factor, which makes it easy to handle and use with one hand.

Compact Form Factor

The OnePlus 13s has a compact design that fits comfortably in the hand, making it ideal for everyday use. The dimensions are optimized to provide a seamless user experience without feeling too bulky.

Materials and Durability

The phone is constructed with high-quality materials that not only give it a premium feel but also enhance its durability. The use of high-grade aluminum and scratch-resistant glass ensures that the device can withstand the rigors of daily use.

Color Options

The OnePlus 13s is available in several color options, catering to different tastes and preferences. Whether you prefer a classic look or something more vibrant, there’s a color to suit your style.

The New Plus Key vs. Alert Slider

One of the most significant design changes is the replacement of the iconic Alert Slider with the new Plus Key. While some users might miss the tactile simplicity of the Alert Slider, the Plus Key offers more versatility with its customizable functions.

The new Plus Key on the OnePlus 13s can be programmed to perform a variety of tasks, from toggling sound modes to launching specific apps. This feature adds a layer of personalization that enhances the overall user experience.

Display Experience

The OnePlus 13s’s display is a marvel of modern technology, offering vibrant colors and smooth performance. With a 6.32-inch LTPO OLED display, this device is designed to provide an exceptional visual experience.

6.32-inch LTPO OLED Display Specifications

The OnePlus 13s features an LTPO OLED screen that boasts a high level of brightness and color accuracy. For more detailed specifications, you can check out the full specs on The Phone Arena.

• Dynamic refresh rate adjustment between 1Hz and 120Hz
• Optimized for both smoothness and battery efficiency

Brightness and Outdoor Visibility

The display’s brightness is quite impressive, making it easily viewable even under direct sunlight. Although the exact nits measurement isn’t specified, the screen remains clear and vibrant.

Color Accuracy and Refresh Rate

The OnePlus 13s utilizes LTPO technology to dynamically adjust its refresh rate between 1Hz and 120Hz, optimizing both smoothness and battery efficiency. During gaming sessions, the 120Hz refresh rate delivered smooth, responsive gameplay with minimal touch latency. Color reproduction is slightly on the saturated side but strikes a good balance between vibrancy and accuracy for most content.

While black levels are good for an OLED panel, they don’t quite reach the inky depths seen on some premium displays. Occasional HDR handling issues were observed, with some overexposed highlights in HDR content. The ProXDR mode in the Photos app significantly enhances color saturation, though it’s recommended to disable this feature when sharing photos across different devices.

Performance and Gaming on the OnePlus 13s

My hands-on experience with the OnePlus13s revealed impressive performance capabilities, making it an excellent choice for gamers. The phone’s performance is powered by the advanced Snapdragon8 Elite Chipset, which provides a significant boost in processing power.

Snapdragon8 Elite Chipset

The Snapdragon8 Elite Chipset is a powerhouse that enables the OnePlus13s to handle demanding tasks and games with ease. This chipset offers improved CPU and GPU performance, making it ideal for resource-intensive applications.

Key Benefits:

• Enhanced processing power for demanding tasks
• Improved GPU performance for smoother gaming
• Advanced power management for efficient battery usage

Benchmark Results

The OnePlus13s delivered impressive benchmark results, showcasing its capabilities in handling demanding tasks and games. The phone’s performance is on par with other flagship devices, making it a strong contender in the market.

The benchmark results demonstrate the phone’s ability to handle resource-intensive applications, making it an excellent choice for gamers and power users.

Real-World Performance

In real-world testing, the OnePlus13s performed exceptionally well, handling demanding games like Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves with ease. The phone’s performance was smooth and consistent, with no noticeable throttling or stuttering.

The compact form factor of the OnePlus13s actually makes for a comfortable gaming experience, as the phone is easier to hold for extended periods compared to larger, heavier gaming phones.

Gaming Experience

The gaming experience on the OnePlus13s is surprisingly premium, with demanding titles running smoothly at their highest graphical settings. The phone’s Adaptive Frame Boost feature can push compatible games to 120fps, providing an even smoother experience.

• Gaming on the OnePlus13s is a premium experience, with demanding titles like Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves running smoothly.
• The OnePlus Game Center offers useful gaming optimizations, including the Adaptive Frame Boost feature.
• The phone’s compact form factor makes it comfortable to hold during extended gaming sessions.

Overall, the OnePlus13s offers an exceptional gaming experience, making it an excellent choice for gamers who value performance and smooth gameplay.

OxygenOS 15: Software Features

With OxygenOS15, the OnePlus13s delivers a smooth and intuitive software experience. This latest iteration of OnePlus’s custom skin is built on top of Android15, bringing with it a host of new features and improvements designed to enhance user experience.

Android15 Experience

The OnePlus13s runs on Android15, providing a seamless and secure experience. Android15 brings several new features, including improved notification management and enhanced privacy controls. The interface is clean and intuitive, making it easy to navigate through the various settings and features.

OnePlus AI Features

OnePlus has integrated several AI-driven features into OxygenOS15, enhancing the overall user experience. These include advanced camera capabilities, personalized recommendations, and improved performance optimization. The AI features are designed to learn and adapt to the user’s habits, providing a more tailored experience.

Software Update Promise

OnePlus has committed to providing four years of Android OS updates and six years of security updates for the OnePlus13s. This is a competitive offer in its price segment, ensuring the device remains secure and up-to-date with the latest software enhancements. During testing, the device received timely security patches, demonstrating OnePlus’s commitment to its update promises.

The extended software support adds significant value to the OnePlus13s, making it a more economical choice in the long run despite its premium pricing. This commitment to software updates is a crucial factor for users considering a long-term investment in a smartphone.

AI Plus Mind: Smart Features

The OnePlus13s introduces an innovative feature called AI Plus Mind, designed to enhance user experience through advanced AI capabilities. This feature is a significant addition to the device, offering users a more streamlined and intelligent interaction with their smartphone.

AI Plus Key Functionality

The AI Plus Key is a new feature that provides users with quick access to various AI-driven functionalities. By pressing the AI Plus Key, users can activate features such as AI VoiceScribe, which offers impressive call transcription capabilities, automatically recording, transcribing, and summarizing conversations across various communication apps. According to CNET, this feature is a game-changer for productivity.

Mind Space and Content Organization

Mind Space is another innovative feature that helps users organize their content more efficiently. It allows for better management of notes, reminders, and other important information, making it easier to access and review later. The AI-powered organization system ensures that users can quickly find what they need, enhancing overall productivity.

AI VoiceScribe and Translation

AI VoiceScribe is a standout feature that can record, summarize, and translate conversations or meetings across apps like WhatsApp, Zoom, and Instagram. The transcriptions are saved to the Notes app and can even show live subtitles during a call or video. The built-in Translate app supports over 20 languages and works across multiple input methods, including voice, text, screen content, and even camera input for real-world translation. One of the key benefits of the Translate app is its real-time screen translation capability, which works even in apps without selectable text, such as Instagram or TikTok.

In conclusion, the AI Plus Mind feature on the OnePlus13s is a powerful tool that enhances the user experience through its advanced AI capabilities. With features like AI VoiceScribe, Mind Space, and the Translate app, users can enjoy a more streamlined and intelligent interaction with their smartphone.

Camera Capabilities

In this section, we’ll dive into the camera capabilities of the OnePlus 13s and see what it has to offer. The OnePlus 13s boasts an impressive camera system, and we’re excited to explore its features and performance.

Primary 50MP Camera Performance

The primary 50MP camera on the OnePlus 13s delivers outstanding results, capturing detailed images with excellent color accuracy. With its advanced sensor and lens, it’s capable of producing high-quality photos in various lighting conditions. For more details on the camera specifications, you can check out the GSM Arena review.

The camera’s performance is further enhanced by features like optical image stabilization (OIS), which helps to reduce camera shake and blur. This results in sharper images, even in low-light environments.

50MP Telephoto Lens

The 50MP telephoto lens on the OnePlus 13s is another impressive feature, offering a range of zoom capabilities and enabling users to capture distant subjects with clarity. The telephoto lens is particularly useful for portrait photography, allowing for a shallow depth of field and professional-looking bokeh effects.

For more information on the OnePlus 13s specifications, including the camera, you can visit The Phone Arena.

Selfie Camera Quality

The selfie camera on the OnePlus 13s is capable of capturing high-quality images, with a resolution that’s suitable for social media sharing and video calls. While it may not match the primary camera’s performance, it still delivers decent results, especially in good lighting conditions.

Video Recording Capabilities

The OnePlus 13s offers impressive video recording capabilities, supporting 4K/60fps capture on both rear cameras. The primary camera delivers noticeably better results thanks to its OIS. The camera also features an Ultra Steady mode that works reliably on both cameras, making it possible to capture smooth, professional-looking footage.

The inclusion of Dolby Vision HDR support for video recording produces footage with enhanced dynamic range and color depth. Overall, the OnePlus 13s is a great option for those who want a capable camera for both photography and videography.

Battery Life and Charging

The OnePlus 13s boasts an impressive battery life, thanks to its substantial 5,850mAh cell. This large battery capacity is a significant selling point, especially in today’s fast-paced digital landscape where staying connected is crucial.

5,850mAh Battery Performance

The 5,850mAh battery in the OnePlus 13s is designed to provide all-day power. In my experience, the phone easily lasted a full day with moderate to heavy usage, including gaming, video streaming, and social media browsing. The battery life is further optimized by the phone’s power-saving features and efficient chipset.

One of the key benefits of the large battery is the reduced need for frequent charging. Whether you’re a heavy user or someone who just needs a reliable phone, the OnePlus 13s’s battery has got you covered.

80W SuperVOOC Charging Speed

The OnePlus 13s comes with an 80W SuperVOOC charging adapter included in the box, which is a welcome feature in an era where many smartphones no longer include charging bricks. The charging speed is impressively quick, with the phone juicing up from 0-100% in approximately 54-78 minutes.

I found the charging speed to be consistently fast, especially in the first 30 minutes, where it reaches around 60-70% capacity. The phone also supports reverse-wired charging, allowing it to function as a power bank for other devices or accessories.

For more details on the OnePlus 13s’s performance, you can check out the review on GSMArena.

The inclusion of fast charging and reverse-wired charging capabilities makes the OnePlus 13s a versatile and reliable choice for users who need a phone that can keep up with their demanding lifestyle.

Audio Experience

The OnePlus13s offers an impressive audio experience that enhances overall user satisfaction. This is evident in both its speaker quality and call quality, making it a well-rounded device for multimedia consumption and communication.

Speaker Quality

The OnePlus13s features stereo speakers that deliver clear and balanced sound, making it ideal for watching videos, gaming, or listening to music. The speakers are loud and distortion-free even at higher volumes, providing an immersive experience. The device’s audio output is further enhanced by advanced audio technologies that ensure crisp and clear sound reproduction.

Call Quality and Microphones

The OnePlus13s excels in call quality, thanks to its multiple microphones that work together to suppress background noise effectively. During my testing in various environments, including busy streets and windy conditions, call recipients consistently reported that my voice came through clearly. The earpiece delivers crisp, natural-sounding voice reproduction with sufficient volume for calls even in noisy environments. The phone’s noise cancellation technology isolates your voice during calls, filtering out ambient sounds without making your voice sound processed or unnatural.

• Multiple microphones work together to deliver clear call quality.
• Effective noise cancellation technology for clear voice reproduction.
• Crisp and natural-sounding earpiece volume suitable for noisy environments.

Overall, the OnePlus13s provides an excellent audio experience, making it a great choice for those who value high-quality sound.

Price and Value Proposition

The OnePlus13s stands out for its balance of performance, features, and price. This smartphone is designed to offer users a premium experience without the hefty price tag associated with flagship devices.

Pricing Structure in India

In India, the OnePlus13s is priced competitively, making it an attractive option for those seeking high-end smartphones. With a price that’s under Rs. 60,000, it offers excellent value for money. The pricing strategy positions the OnePlus13s as a compelling alternative to other flagship devices.

Competition Comparison

When compared to its competitors, such as the Samsung Galaxy S25 and iPhone16e, the OnePlus13s offers a more affordable option without compromising on key features. While the Samsung Galaxy S25 offers seven-year software support and wireless charging, the OnePlus13s counters with its lower price and comparable performance. Meanwhile, the iQOO13 and Realme GT7 Pro offer advanced camera systems but in larger form factors. The OnePlus13s thus carves a niche by offering a compact design, robust performance, and a reliable camera, making it a great choice for users seeking a balanced smartphone experience.

Conclusion: Is the OnePlus 13s Worth It?

In my experience, the OnePlus 13s is a standout device that offers flagship performance in a compact form factor. After using it extensively, I can confidently say it delivers on its promises and more.

The OnePlus 13s brings together a reliable display, powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, good primary camera, long-lasting battery life, and a refined OxygenOS 15 experience. It matches the raw performance of more expensive smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S25, making it a compelling choice.

While there are some compromises, such as the lack of an ultrawide camera and wireless charging, these are reasonable trade-offs given the compact design and price point of Rs. 54,999. For users prioritizing one-handed usability, battery life, and performance, the OnePlus 13s is an excellent option.

Overall, the OnePlus 13s is a solid attempt at bringing the flagship OnePlus experience into a more compact device. If you’re in the market for a powerful, compact Android phone under Rs. 60,000, the OnePlus 13s is definitely worth considering

Check Full Specification:- OnePlus 13s – Full Specifications