Review Roundup: OnePlus 13

The OnePlus 13 launched in the North American market today, making it the first flagship smartphone of 2025. As the smartphone market continues to consolidate, it has become increasingly difficult for non-Samsung, Google, and Apple devices to gain significant traction in the competitive U.S. market. Nevertheless, OnePlus has continually released premium flagship-tier devices at relatively modest price points, hoping to pry users away from the Big Tech monoliths.

The OnePlus 13 features Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, up to 16GB of RAM, a 6.82" QHD+ OLED display, a triple Hasselblad-branded camera system, a massive 6,000mAh battery, and support for 5G networks across all major carriers in the U.S. and Canada. A full list of specifications can be found here.

Based on the early reviews, the OnePlus 13 appears to set the bar high with not a lot of faults to highlight among reviewers. Here are some of our favorite reviews published today:

OnePlus 13 review: finally, a flagship that can hang (The Verge)
OnePlus 13 review: I'm dumbfounded, I can't find anything wrong with this phone (TechRadar)
OnePlus 13 Review: Ship Shape? (Michael Fisher)
OnePlus 13 Review: The Bar Has Been Set! (Marques Brownlee)
The OnePlus 13 is finally a OnePlus flagship I trust to do it all (Android Authority)
OnePlus 13 Review: 2025's First Flagship Finds Success (Forbes)
OnePlus 13 review: The complete package (BGR)
The OnePlus 13 sets a new bar for smartphone performance (Business Insider)

This is not a Slashvertisement. We just like shiny, new tech.

Solid Phones.

[kellin]

I switched from Samsung to OnePlus a few years back. Still working with my 7T Pro. Five years and it's lasted far longer than any Samsung garbage I ever bought previously. Maybe I'll upgrade by the time the 15 or 16 comes out, seeing as there's nothing wrong with this one, except maybe its battery life? Im usually by a charger, so its mostly not a problem. If it wasnt for all the game playing I do, I'm sure it would still last all day on one charge.

Re:

[Vlad_the_Inhaler]

a strong software support policy (four years of OS updates and six years of security support)

That is from the The Verge link, and they also say "These are precisely the things that OnePlus hasn’t gotten right in its previous attempts at a true flagship device".
My (Samsung) phone dates back to the end of 2020, the last OS update came 10 months ago (to Android 13) and I don't think there are going to be any more. The phone works well but at some point I'm going to have to get a new one for exactly that

Re:

[itsme1234]

Up to around 2020 (possibly a bit after) Android was awful with updates, even the respected Pixels had 3 years of updates in total, including the security ones, any update. While in fact other manufacturers weren't so prompt with the updates (and you didn't even know they were finished) and sometimes one would come quite a bit later the Pixels were even telling you: no more updates for you, go away and buy something else!

Pixels now have 7 years, and also Samsungs (not sure if you get the Android updates up

Re:

[Vlad_the_Inhaler]

This process is probably EU driven, this article from December 2023 [piunikaweb.com] gives an estimate of what the regulations mean, and purports to give the end of software support [endoflife.date] for all kinds of software/devices, sorted by manufacturer. Since it believes my phone is still in support, I have my doubts. This is Samsung's take in its own words [samsungmobile.com] (and that one also says it is still in support!).

Re:

[AvitarX]

Back when OnePlus was still doing smaller phones and close to stock android.

They're not as good now as back then (I had a 7 until it broke).

Been with Oneplus since the 6t

[mprindle]

Oneplus has consistently put out devices that are a great value but preform really well. They do have some pretty aggressive power mgmt but its easy enough to disable it per app. I'm currently on a 12r that has been fantastic.

I've been with One Plus since the One

[EmagGeek]

I picked up a One Plus One by invitation when it first came out and I used it for years. One of my favorites has been the 8T, and now I am on a 12, which I feel like is only a marginal upgrade from the 8T. I still have the 8T as a backup phone.

Looking at the last several iterations, it seems like the "upgrade" is highly incremental and that it's not really worth it to upgrade every year. But, with the latest battery management, you can limit charging to 80% SoC and have a battery that will last many years.

Still on 6T here.

[devslash0]

Does everything I need it to do and the battery lasts forever. Why would I ever upgrade?

Reviews can't be trusted.

[devslash0]

Notice all those reviews link to big names who most likely were all paid off to post positive reviews on the day of the release. Give it a few days/weeks and you'll start finding real, user-generated reviews.

Re:

[itsme1234]

THIS. The launch event included AT LEAST a 3 days cruise (on a dedicated ship), visiting some beaches, etc. I presume round-trip plane tickets all around and who knows what other perks (beside free phones and accessories). As far as other details regarding the phone see my other comment.

World Phone

[PPH]

and support for 5G networks across all major carriers in the U.S. and Canada.

I need a phone that is supported in the EU as well. Like the four band GSM phones that would work with European as well as some North American (AT&T, T-Mobile) carriers.

Re:

[dwillmore]

This article is about the North American launch of the phone--it launched in China a while back. Maybe look for the European launch for a model that works better for you?

Re:

[PPH]

That would be the simultaneous announcement of a launch in North America, Europe and China. I don't see that happening.

From the response I get to my requests, I have the feeling that there will not be a 'World Phone' like there was back in the 3G days. Sad how far our technology has slipped backwards. Thanks, 5G.

DOA

[kamapuaa]

Same price as an iPhone 16. That alone kills it. Unless you're into cell phones and want to show off that you have something nobody else has, there's no real motivation to buy this.

Re:

[drinkypoo]

Thats what killed android long time a go. It just to be that you could get a phone similar to an iphone at half the price. That does not happen any more.

I see you forgot that Moto exists [motorola.com]. I use a work iPhone and a Moto G Power as my personal phone and the Moto phone is better to use in literally every way, for less than half the price.

Obligatory...

[Vegan Cyclist]

No headphone jack.

Re: Obligatory...

[1s44c]

Doesn't everyone use Bluetooth these days? Cables are annoying.

Re:

[Ormy]

Yep. I had a Oneplus 5 for many years, I do like their products and their OS builds, very solid. But after switching to a flagship with a headphone jack and a microSD slot (Sony Xperia) in 2022 I will not be going back to anything without these features for a while. As a bonus, the SIM and microSD can be removed with only a fingernail, no need for one for one of those needle-like tools that every other phone seems to need.

Slashvertising much?

[itsme1234]

This is no flagship, for flagship prices. The usual differentiator for high end phones is just the camera, and that's always where OnePlus cut corners (the highest ranked OnePlus on dxomark is on place 95, together with the Pixel 6a, which is the cheap Pixel from the 6th gen, and keep in mind last year's gen was 9) and this is no exception.

The fast charging uses one of the "chinese" (non-)standards that needs a special USB-A (!!!!) charger AND special USB-A to C cable which both can't be used to charge at f