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OnePlus 13R is the second big phone to launch in the market this year and this one has a lot riding on its flagship aspirations.
OnePlus 13R has borrowed some features from its premium cousin.
The affordable flagship aspect of phones have been extensively covered over the years. OnePlus has been at the forefront of this term ever since the first OnePlus One model was launched in the market more than 10 years ago. Now the brand is looking to repeat the same formula with the OnePlus R model in recent years, and the latest is called the OnePlus 13R which will easily qualify as a strong flagship option for less money in the market.
The new smartphone from OnePlus is priced at Rs 42,999 for the base 12GB RAM model and powered by last year’s Snapdragon 8 Gen chipset which makes the whole package look enticing. But does the overall device live up to the needs of the daily user and can it become the go-to affordable flagship for buyers this year, these are the answers we try to find out here.
The Design Shines
We have already tested the OnePlus 13 which further validates our logic of seeing more flat-ish phone designs this year and the OnePlus 13R is prolonging our case once again. Unlike the flagship version, the 13R comes with IP65 rating which is not the best but offers some comfort.
Being flat can end up with sharp edges but OnePlus has found the right balance of making these tweaks and giving it the right heft which doesn’t become an issue with the increased battery unit. Having said that, looks and comfort can be subjective to people and some might even find the edges sharp, especially when they use it in landscape mode while gaming.
The glass textured finish won’t win any design awards but it is functional and gets the job done. If you look at the 13R and get to know its price, you will be satisfied with what’s on offer, at least in terms of the looks.
Display Worth Raving
OnePlus has definitely made sure that the new R model does not lose on the best possible features for its display. The 13R gets the same display technology as its flagship peer, with LTPO 4.1 panel that has Corning Gorilla Glass 7i protection. The screen is marginally smaller than the 13 at 6.78-inch but with 4500 nits of peak brightness giving you ample outdoor visibility.
Safe to say, you will have no complaints with the display, the colours and the sharpness of the panel which is ideal for watching videos, or even browsing content. Having the 120Hz adaptive refresh rate screen adds to the fluid experience. The screen itself on the 13R is worth its supposed flagship quality and it would be tough to find one in this range.
All About Flagship Power
OnePlus opting for the 2024 flagship chipset on the 13R is another aspect that has to be mentioned here. This hardware along with up to 16GB RAM is available for under Rs 50,000 which makes it the ideal gaming powerhouse for people who want something reliable in the long run. Having the 8 Gen 3 under the hood means you get performance that, not that long ago, was credited for being flagship quality.
OnePlus offering this at a lower price just makes it appealing for a wider user base. You also get up to 512GB storage within this range, and there is very little that buyers can ask for their money these days.
We have to also highlight the software side of the OnePlus experience which now comes in the form of a Color-OS type OxygenOS. The differences are minor but the sight of App Picks and other pre-loaded apps tell you the change in a OnePlus mid-range product.
The Android 15-based version of OxygenOS is fluid, feature rich and the experience will not leave you with a sour taste in general, but the pre-installed apps are not a good look for the company, which we even saw on the flagship model and did not like seeing them. The new OS also gets a slew of AI features baked into the camera app, notes and other tweaks. That doesn’t ruin the actual performance of the OS and the promise of 4 years of OS upgrades will appeal to many people.
Do The Cameras Deliver?
OnePlus does take a hit on the cameras with the 13R but even then you get dual 50MP wide and telephoto sensors along with the basic 8MP ultra wide angle lens. You get OIS with the main 50MP sensor only, while the telephoto feels its omission when you try to click photos in tough situations.
The overall camera performance is a mixed bag, where the main sensor gives you sharp and bright images in daylight while the low light imaging could use some refinements. The telephoto is also good in phases and also needs an update or two to fix the chinks.
Rock Solid
OnePlus has packed a 6000mAh battery on the 13R like the flagship model this year but you still get an 8mm profile which is a big feat. The use of the silicone carbon battery tech has made it possible, and you get to enjoy the benefits of this unit with an 80W wired charging support.
The real-time usage and PC mark battery result gives you the comfort that the phone will easily run through 24 hours of mid-to-heavy usage which includes watching videos, an hour of gaming, and a lot of social media browsing. The battery charges quickly as well and you get from 0 to 80 percent in around 40 minutes.
The OnePlus 13R is a good shout for being one of the reliable affordable flagships in the market this year which has a really good display, reliable cameras, and a fluid OS that is let down by some unwanted additions this year.
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Delhi, India, India
