It has already won the race for the first smartphone of the year: OnePlus 13 also represents a step forward in the continuous evolution of the brand which is now under the Oppo umbrella. We tested it and this is the result.
Design
From the first impact out of the box, the appearance of the device is striking for its attention to detail and the ability to maintain continuity with the past. The rear part features the characteristic off-center optical unit on the left, a distinctive element that is accompanied by the Hasselblad logo printed on the right, signifying the collaboration with the photographic brand that immortalized the first men to land on the Moon. The main innovation lies in the squared edges, a trend regarding smartphones released in recent months.
Colors and materials
Still regarding aesthetics, the 13 model focuses on the elegance of the colors and materials. The Midnight Ocean version, for example, is made of a blue vegan leather microfiber that convincingly simulates synthetic leather. The Arctic Dawn shade is instead characterized by white glass with a silky finish that conveys a sensation of extreme refinement. The offer is completed by the Black Eclipse, where the processed glass takes on an appearance that recalls the surface of wood.
The blue version is further distinguished by its polished edges, while the other two options adopt a very elegant brushed finish. All three versions share the adoption of Ceramic Guard, a proprietary protective glass that promises double the resistance compared to traditional coatings.
Style and lightness
In terms of ergonomics, the device is well balanced, with a weight of 210 grams which is not little but not excessive, considering the dimensions and the presence of advanced components such as the equivalent 73 mm telephoto lens. The sensation to the touch is pleasant, the care of the materials translates into a secure grip and notable resistance to wear, especially in the vegan leather variant. In short, the attention to detail and build quality contribute to giving the device a premium look and feel.
The display
The OnePlus 13 has a 6.82-inch ProXDR OLED display that offers a QHD+ resolution and a maximum brightness of up to 4500 nits, making it one of the most advanced screens available on the market. All with a variable refresh rate of up to 120 Hz, perfect for gaming. Among the various features is the RadiantView technology, which significantly improves readability under direct sunlight by managing contrasts.
Performance
That the OnePlus 13 is a top-class smartphone is demonstrated by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, one of the most powerful and advanced currently available. Supported by 12 or 16 GB of RAM and up to 512 GB of storage, the product offers responsiveness in use without suffering from overheating. Only 8K videos caused a slight heat in use.
The photography
As mentioned, the collaboration with Hasselblad has produced a high-level photographic sector. There are three rear cameras: a 50 megapixel main camera with a Sony sensor, a 50 megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom based on an innovative triple prism periscope, and a 50 ultrawide one with a 120 degree angle of view. The front camera is 32 mpx, the only flaw is that it is not equipped with autofocus. The algorithms developed with Hasselblad guarantee high quality images in all light conditions, with advanced shooting modes, which allow HDR images to be obtained quickly.
On the video front, in addition to the possibility of shooting in 8K, recording in HDR Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps with optical stabilization is guaranteed. The results are of a good standard, although for professionals there are some models with higher quality on the market.
Battery and operating system
A point in favor of the OnePlus 13 is its battery: thanks to the silicon-carbon technology and the generous capacity of 6000 mAh, the device guarantees autonomy that exceeds 8 hours of active screen. There is fast charging at 100 W and wireless charging at 50 W. In short: filling up is a snap.
The smartphone “runs” thanks to OxygenOS 15, based on Android 15. With a fluid and customizable user interface, also thanks to artificial intelligence that helps a text generator and a photo editing program. In practice there are – among others – features such as Circle to Search, PassScan with Google Wallet to facilitate travel, AI Notes to summarize and format notes with a simple touch, AI Translation for real-time translation into more than 20 languages.
Prices
Let’s tell the truth: OnePlus 13 is a complete device, with attention to design and performance, with a complete photographic sector and autonomy
excellent. The real challenge is the price: the smartphone is available in Europe at the price of 1,029.00 euros in the 12+256 Gb version and 1,179.00 euros in the 16+512 Gb version. Promotions are available until February 5th.