OnePlus 13s Review: The Compact Android Powerhouse
Flagship performance meets pocket-friendly design
After extensive testing, the OnePlus 13s emerges as a compelling compact flagship with its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, exceptional battery life, and premium design. While it excels in performance and ergonomics, it makes some compromises in thermal management, camera versatility, and software refinement. Priced starting at ₹54,999 ($640), it targets users seeking high-end specs in a manageable form factor.
Design & Build: Premium Yet Controversial
The OnePlus 13s features a 150.8 x 71.7 x 8.2mm aluminum-glass chassis weighing 185g – significantly more compact than the OnePlus 13 (162.9mm). Its flat-edge design with matte texture and color-matched frames (available in Black Velvet, Pink Satin, and India-exclusive Green Silk) offers excellent grip. However, reviewers note its striking resemblance to recent iPhone designs [citation:1][citation:9].
The device features Gorilla Glass 7i on front and Panda Glass on back, but only carries IP65 rating (splash resistance) instead of IP68 found in premium flagships. One controversial change is the replacement of OnePlus' signature alert slider with a customizable "Plus Key" that triggers AI functions but offers limited usability [citation:1][citation:4][citation:6].
Detailed Specifications & Ratings
Display
6.32-inch LTPO AMOLED
Resolution: 2640×1216 (460 PPI)
120Hz Refresh Rate | 1600 nits HBM
Features: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR Vivid, Aqua Touch 2.0
Verdict: Excellent color reproduction and fluidity, though brightness trails competitors like OnePlus 13 (4,500 nits) and lacks LTPO granularity of premium flagships [citation:1][citation:9].
Performance
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite
3nm Process | 4.32GHz Peak
12GB LPDDR5X RAM
256GB/512GB UFS 4.0 Storage
Verdict: Flagship-tier performance handling all tasks effortlessly. Benchmarks match OnePlus 13 (Geekbench: 2,874 single/8,741 multi). Gaming at 120fps is smooth but thermal throttling occurs under sustained load [citation:1][citation:9].
Camera System
Main: 50MP Sony LYT-700 (OIS)
Telephoto: 50MP Samsung JN5 (2x optical)
Front: 32MP (autofocus)
Video: 4K@60fps, Dolby Vision HDR
Verdict: Capable main sensor matching OnePlus 13R quality. Telephoto offers crisp 2x shots but lacks ultrawide versatility. 32MP selfie cam with AF is best in class [citation:1][citation:3][citation:9].
Battery & Charging
5,850mAh Dual-Cell
80W SuperVOOC Wired Charging
0-100% in 32 minutes (claimed)
Reverse Wired Charging (5W)
Verdict: Exceptional battery life lasting 24+ hours in testing. 80W charging is class-leading. No wireless charging is a notable omission at this price [citation:1][citation:3][citation:9].
Software
OxygenOS 15 (Android 15)
4 Years OS Updates
6 Years Security Updates
AI Features: VoiceScribe, Translation, Plus Mind
Verdict: Clean interface with useful AI additions, but suffers from bugs and inconsistent translation accuracy. Falls short of Samsung's 7-year update promise [citation:1][citation:9][citation:10].
Connectivity
Wi-Fi 7 | Bluetooth 6.0
NFC | IR Blaster
Limited 5G Bands (n1/n3/n5/n8/n26/n28/n38/n40/n41/n48/n66/n77/n78)
Dual SIM | USB 2.0 Type-C
Verdict: Modern connectivity suite with Wi-Fi 7 support, but lacks mmWave 5G and uses slower USB 2.0 standard. IR blaster is a welcome utility feature [citation:6][citation:9].
Key Features Deep Dive
Compact Engineering
At 71.7mm width and 185g, the 13s offers rare flagship power in a one-hand-friendly size. Its 50:50 weight distribution and curved back edges enhance comfort. The 6.32-inch display maintains usability while competing compact phones like Galaxy S25 have smaller batteries (4,000mAh) [citation:1][citation:3][citation:9].
AI & Software Experience
The Plus Key enables quick access to "AI Plus Mind" – capturing on-screen content for later analysis. Integrated AI tools include real-time translation in apps, call transcriptions (VoiceScribe), and photo enhancements (Reflection Eraser, AI Unblur). Google Gemini integration adds contextual assistance. While innovative, these features show occasional inaccuracies [citation:9][citation:10].
Thermal Performance
Under sustained gaming, the phone reaches 53°C – 11°C hotter than iQOO 13 with same chipset. The compact form factor limits cooling despite graphite layers and vapor chamber. Casual users won't notice, but gamers should consider throttling during extended sessions [citation:1].
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite performance
- Exceptional battery life with ultra-fast 80W charging
- Premium compact design with excellent ergonomics
- Vibrant 120Hz AMOLED display
- Clean software with long update policy
- No bloatware in OxygenOS 15
Cons
- Overheats during intensive tasks
- No ultrawide camera (telephoto-only secondary)
- Buggy software experience in early release
- IP65 rating (not fully water-resistant)
- No wireless charging
- Alert slider replaced by limited-function Plus Key
Final Verdict
The OnePlus 13s delivers on its promise as a compact flagship with virtually no compromises on core performance. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, exceptional battery life, and thoughtful ergonomics make it ideal for users fatigued by oversized phones. However, the camera system's lack of ultrawide versatility, thermal limitations under load, and software inconsistencies prevent it from achieving true greatness. Priced at ₹54,999 ($640), it undercuts most flagships while offering comparable performance. If you prioritize portability without sacrificing power, the 13s is among 2025's most compelling compact Android phones – just don't expect iPhone-level polish [citation:1][citation:9][citation:10].
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