In June 2025, OnePlus unveiled the OnePlus 13s, a compact flagship smartphone tailored for the Indian market. Launched as part of the OnePlus 13 series, this device combines premium performance, a sleek design, and cutting-edge features in a smaller form factor. With its 6.32-inch display, Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, and robust battery life, the OnePlus 13s aims to deliver a high-end experience without compromising on portability. Here’s an in-depth look at what makes the OnePlus 13s a compelling choice in the competitive smartphone landscape.
Design and Build: Premium and Compact
The OnePlus 13s stands out with its compact yet premium design, measuring 6.32 inches, a departure from the larger 6.82-inch displays found on the standard OnePlus 13. Available in Arctic Dawn, Black Eclipse, and Midnight Ocean finishes, the phone features a sleek aluminum alloy frame with a glass back (or vegan leather in the Midnight Ocean variant). Weighing approximately 210–213 grams and measuring 8.5–8.9 mm in thickness, it feels lightweight and comfortable for one-handed use.
The OnePlus 13s boasts an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance, which, while not as robust as the IP68/IP69 ratings of the OnePlus 13, still offers decent protection against splashes and dust. The flat-sided design marks a shift from the curved edges of its predecessor, the OnePlus 12, giving it a modern and refined aesthetic. The circular camera module on the rear, accented with silver details, adds a touch of elegance, making the OnePlus 13s as stylish as it is functional.
Display: Vibrant and Responsive
The OnePlus 13s features a 6.32-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 1.5K resolution (likely around 1440 x 3168 pixels) and a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate. This ensures smooth scrolling, vibrant colors, and excellent responsiveness, whether you’re gaming, streaming, or browsing. The display supports Dolby Vision and offers a peak brightness of up to 4,500 nits, making it readable even in bright sunlight. The inclusion of Ceramic Guard glass enhances durability, while features like Aqua Touch 2.0 and Glove Mode allow seamless interaction in wet conditions or with gloves.
The “Radiant View” system optimizes color and contrast for an enhanced viewing experience, and the LTPO 4.1 technology allows the refresh rate to adjust from 1Hz to 120Hz, improving power efficiency dynamically. Early user feedback praises the display for its sharpness and eye-friendly qualities, earning it high marks for both casual and professional use.
Performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite Powerhouse
At the heart of the OnePlus 13s lies the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, built on a 3nm process for exceptional performance and efficiency. Paired with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage, the OnePlus 13s delivers blazing-fast speeds for multitasking, gaming, and heavy app usage. The chipset’s AnTuTu score of approximately 2.9 million underscores its ability to handle demanding tasks with ease, rivaling top-tier flagships like the standard OnePlus 13 and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Running on OxygenOS 15, based on Android 15, the OnePlus 13s offers a clean and fluid software experience. OnePlus promises four years of Android updates and six years of security patches, ensuring long-term support. However, some users have noted the presence of proprietary apps that cannot be uninstalled, which slightly detracts from the otherwise bloat-free experience. AI-powered features, such as intelligent search and productivity tools, enhance usability, making the OnePlus 13s a versatile companion for both work and play.
Camera: A Dual 50MP Setup for Stunning Shots
The OnePlus 13s features a dual-camera system on the rear, consisting of a 50MP primary camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) and a 50MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom. Unlike the standard OnePlus 13, which boasts a triple 50MP setup, the 13s omits an ultra-wide lens, a compromise that has sparked some criticism among users. The front-facing 32MP camera delivers sharp selfies but lacks 4K video recording support, another point of contention for some.
Despite these compromises, the camera system, tuned with Hasselblad’s expertise, produces social-media-ready photos with vibrant colors and good detail. The primary sensor captures crisp images in various lighting conditions, and the telephoto lens performs well for portraits and zoomed shots. However, the lack of an ultra-wide lens and OIS on the telephoto camera may limit its versatility compared to the OnePlus 13 or other flagships.
Battery and Charging: Long-Lasting and Fast
One of the standout features of the OnePlus 13s is its 5,850mAh silicon carbide battery, which offers a higher energy density than traditional lithium-ion batteries. This results in impressive battery life, with tests showing up to 2,267 minutes in idle mode, 2,321 minutes in video playback, and 1,349 minutes in web browsing—outperforming its predecessor, the OnePlus 12. Users report nearly two days of usage on a single charge under normal conditions.
The OnePlus 13s supports 80W SUPERVOOC wired charging, capable of fully charging the device in approximately 40–50 minutes. However, unlike the OnePlus 13, it does not support wireless charging, a notable omission for a premium device. The absence of a USB 3.0 port (sticking with USB 2.0) also limits data transfer speeds and external display connectivity, which may disappoint some tech enthusiasts.
Connectivity and Additional Features
The OnePlus 13s is India’s first smartphone to support 5.5G connectivity, offering faster and more stable network performance in partnership with Jio. It includes Bluetooth 5.4, dual SIM support, NFC, Wi-Fi 6, and GPS (L1+L5), ensuring comprehensive connectivity options. The device also features stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support and a 4-MIC system for clear calls and recordings. An ultrasonic fingerprint sensor provides fast and reliable unlocking, even with wet hands, and an upgraded vibration motor delivers precise haptic feedback, ideal for gaming.
Pricing and Availability
The OnePlus 13s is priced competitively for a compact flagship, though exact pricing details are still emerging. Based on posts on X, the ideal price is speculated to be under ₹50,000, positioning it as a more affordable alternative to the OnePlus 13, which starts at ₹69,999. The device is available for purchase in India through OnePlus’ official website, Flipkart, and other retail partners, with sales commencing shortly after its launch on June 5, 2025.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Compact 6.32-inch LTPO AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
- Powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset for top-tier performance
- Long-lasting 5,850mAh battery with 80W fast charging
- Premium design with Ceramic Guard glass and vegan leather option
- OxygenOS 15 with AI features and long-term software support
- India’s first 5.5G smartphone with robust connectivity
Cons
- No ultra-wide camera, limiting photographic versatility
- No wireless charging support
- USB 2.0 port instead of faster USB 3.0
- IP65 rating less robust than OnePlus 13’s IP68/IP69
- No 4K video recording on the front camera
- Some non-removable proprietary apps
Verdict: Is the OnePlus 13s Worth It?
The OnePlus 13s is a bold step for OnePlus, catering to users who prefer compact smartphones without sacrificing flagship performance. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, vibrant display, and exceptional battery life make it a standout in the premium mid-range segment. However, compromises such as the lack of an ultra-wide camera, wireless charging, and a USB 3.0 port may deter some buyers, especially those expecting a whole flagship experience.
For those seeking a powerful, stylish, and compact device under ₹50,000, the OnePlus 13s is a compelling choice. It competes strongly with the likes of the Google Pixel 9a and Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, offering a unique blend of performance and portability. If you prioritize a smaller form factor and don’t mind the camera limitations, the OnePlus 13s is a worthy contender in 2025’s smartphone market.
