OnePlus 13R preview: What to expect from the next mid-range flagship killer

By Aleksandar Anastasov

Published: Jan 03, 2025, 6:45 AM

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OnePlus 13R Intro

OnePlus appears to be preparing the launch of the OnePlus 13R, a more affordable counterpart to its flagship OnePlus 13. The R series, which debuted with the OnePlus 11R, has gained popularity for delivering flagship-like performance at a lower price, and the 13R looks set to follow in the same footsteps.

While the OnePlus 13 offers top-tier specs like the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and a 6,000 mAh silicon-carbon battery, the 13R will likely pare down some of these features to maintain affordability. Here’s a closer look at what to expect based on leaks, rumors, and trends from the R lineup.

Reserve your OnePlus 13 at the OnePlus Store!

OnePlus' Early Bird OnePlus 13 reservation campaign is open! You can pay a $50 deposit to receive an additional $50 discount on the upcoming phone. First come, first served additional gift worth up to $299.99 is available! You can pick the OnePlus Watch 2, OnePlus Watch 2R, or OnePlus Buds Pro 3.

Gift

Reserve at OnePlus

Reserve your OnePlus 13R at the OnePlus Store!

The OnePlus Store also lets you reserve a OnePlus 13R unit with its ongoing Early Bird campaign. You can pay a $50 deposit until January 7 at 11:30 AM EST to receive an additional $50 discount on the handset, plus a gift worth up to $229 (available on a first-come, first-served basis).

Gift

Reserve at OnePlus

Table of Contents:

Specs
Design and Display
Camera
Performance
Software
Battery and Charging
Should you consider it?

OnePlus 13R Specs

Finally, no more useless macro!

Let's start with an overview of the rumored OnePlus 13R specs:

Specs	OnePlus 13R
Size and Weight	161.3 x 74.5 x 8.4 mm; 205 g
Display	6.78-inch AMOLED, 2800 x 1260 resolution, 120Hz
Processor	Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
Software	OxygenOS 15 (Android 15)
Camerasos	Main: 50 MP Telephoto: 50 MP Ultra-wide: 8 MP Selfie: 16 MP
Battery Size	6,000 mAh
Charging Speeds	80W wired charge
Memory	12GB/256GB, 16GB/512GB

OnePlus 13R Design and Display

Polishing and tweaking

The OnePlus 13R is expected to feature a flat aluminum frame and a clean, minimalist design. Leaks suggest it will include a ceramic back, an uncommon choice for mid-range phones, lending a premium feel to the device. Unlike the curved screens seen on OnePlus flagships, the 13R will reportedly have a flat 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 1264 x 2780 resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and 450 PPI pixel density.

OnePlus 13R color options may include:

Black Eclipse
Midnight Ocean
Arctic Dawn

There might be alternate names such as ‘Nebula Noir’ and ‘Astral Trail’ suggested for global markets. The phone’s bezels are expected to be slim, and it will retain OnePlus’s signature Alert Slider on the left side. Leaked images show a circular camera module that’s more understated compared to the OnePlus 12R — good news for those that find the design of the camera module of the previous generations a bit too much.

OnePlus 13R Camera

A much better system then ever before

The OnePlus 13 is said to feature a triple 50MP camera system, including a periscope telephoto lens with Hasselblad branding, which emphasizes premium photography. In contrast, the 13R is likely to feature a more basic setup to keep costs down. Leaks suggest it may retain the 50MP main sensor but forgo the periscope telephoto lens in favor of a simpler telephoto camera.

While this represents a downgrade on paper, OnePlus’s R series has historically delivered solid camera performance through software optimizations. If past models are any indication, the 13R’s camera will likely cater well to casual photographers who value ease of use and consistent results.

But here is everything we know about the OnePlus 13R camera specs so far:

Main: 50 MP Sony IMX906 sensor with f/1.8 aperture, with a size of 1/1.56 inches, making it fully capable of delivering stellar image quality even at low light.
Telephoto: 50 MP Samsung JN1 sensor with f/2.0 aperture, which would be a significantly more useful camera than the 2 MP macro of the 12R
Ultra-wide: 8 MP ultra-wide sensor, f/2.2 aperture
Selfie: 16 MP with an aperture of f/2.4

OnePlus 13R Performance & Benchmarks

Properly equipped

Under the hood, the OnePlus 13R is rumored to run on either the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or the more efficiency-focused Snapdragon 8s Gen 4. While these chips won’t match the power of the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the OnePlus 13, they’re still expected to deliver strong performance for gaming, multitasking, and everyday use.

Both phones are expected to ship with OxygenOS 15, based on Android 15. However, there’s speculation that some features tied to Google’s Gemini AI, which may debut with the OnePlus 13, might not make it to the 13R. RAM options for the 13R are also expected to be more conservative, capping at 16GB compared to the OnePlus 13’s 24GB.

As for OxygenOS 15, there are more than a few changes and new features to look forward to.

OnePlus 13R Software

A fresh new feel and going back to the roots of OnePlus

The OnePlus 13R is set to come with OxygenOS 15, which is built on Android 15. This update brings a bunch of smarter AI features, better performance, and some solid privacy improvements to OnePlus devices. For example, it includes things like task prediction to help you use apps more efficiently and real-time translations, which rely on Google Gemini (if your device supports it). The camera’s also getting a boost, especially when it comes to low-light shots and recognizing objects.

Performance-wise, OxygenOS 15 introduces HyperBoost 2.0 to make gaming feel smoother, along with Dynamic RAM Allocation to handle multitasking better. Plus, you can personalize things more than ever with new Always-On Display widgets and options for themes and fonts.

Privacy has gotten some attention too. There’s Private Vault 2.0 now, which lets you lock sensitive files using your fingerprint or other biometrics. You also get more control over app permissions, which is always nice. The OnePlus Hub feature strengthens connections between devices like phones, earbuds, and TVs, so you can do cool things like continuing calls between them seamlessly.

Battery life? They’ve worked on that too. The update introduces smarter charging patterns to help the battery last longer and better thermal management to keep your phone cooler when it’s working hard. Overall, OxygenOS 15 feels like a good mix of AI-driven innovation and practical updates that make everyday use smoother.

OnePlus 13R Battery

Fast and enduring

The OnePlus 13R is expected to include a 6,000 mAh battery, matching the capacity of the OnePlus 13. OnePlus’s use of silicon-carbon battery technology has allowed it to increase capacity without compromising on size or weight, and the 13R will likely continue this trend.

Charging speeds are also expected to remain impressive, with support for 100W wired charging. This should ensure quick and efficient charging, even with the larger battery. For users prioritizing battery life and charging convenience, the 13R could prove to be an appealing option.

Should you consider it?

The OnePlus 13R is shaping up to be another solid mid-range option for those who want flagship-like features without the premium price tag. While it trims features like the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and the periscope telephoto lens according to the leaks, it still offers a strong package with its expectedly large battery, capable performance, and competitive pricing.

If the leaks are accurate, the OnePlus 13R price tag would make it highly attractive for budget-conscious buyers. With OnePlus’s history of delivering well-rounded R-series devices, the 13R could be a compelling choice in its segment.

Stay tuned as we await the official release and more concrete details about this highly anticipated mid-ranger.

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Aleksandar is a tech enthusiast with a broad range of interests, from smartphones to space exploration. His curiosity extends to hands-on DIY experiments with his gadgets, and he enjoys switching between different brands to experience the latest innovations. Prior to joining PhoneArena, Aleksandar worked on the Google Art Project, digitizing valuable artworks and gaining diverse perspectives on technology. When he's not immersed in tech, Aleksandar is an outdoorsman who enjoys mountain hikes, wildlife photography, and nature conservation. His interests also extend to martial arts, running, and snowboarding, reflecting his dynamic approach to life and technology.