As someone who’s always on the hunt for the next big thing in smartphones, I wasn’t expecting to say this—but the OnePlus 13s genuinely surprised me. After spending time with this compact powerhouse, I can confidently say: you might want to forget the iPhone this year.
Let me walk you through why.
First Impressions: Feels Like an iPhone… But Smarter?
From the moment I held the OnePlus 13s in hand, I noticed something different. It’s compact, premium, and weighs only 185 grams, yet doesn’t feel too light or cheap. The design? It actually reminded me a lot of the iPhone—but with some smart tweaks that make everyday use smoother.
One of my favorite additions is the AI Plus Key, which you can customize to perform various actions. It’s the kind of smart feature that makes you go, why don’t all phones have this?
Also, the IP65 certification gives some peace of mind for accidental splashes and dust exposure—something that’s rare at this price point.
A Display That Punches Above Its Weight
Let’s talk about the display. The 6.32″ 1.5K Fluid AMOLED screen is simply gorgeous. With 120Hz LTPO refresh rate, buttery smooth animations and browsing are just the norm now. I even watched a few Dolby Vision videos, and trust me—the contrast and brightness are phenomenal.
Even outdoors, the 1600 nits HBM brightness holds up well. I didn’t have to squint or hunt for shade like I usually do with other phones. And yes, Gorilla Glass 7i on top ensures it’s well-protected against scratches.
Bonus? The phone comes in three stunning finishes—Black Velvet, Green Silk, and Pink Satin. I got the Black Velvet version and it screams elegance.
Camera Setup That Surprised Me
I’m not gonna lie—I wasn’t expecting to be impressed by the camera, but the 50MP Sony LYT-700 sensor blew me away. The detailing in daylight is crisp, and it performs admirably in low light too. Add to that a 50MP 2x Telephoto lens (Samsung JN5) and a solid 32MP selfie camera, and you’re all set for Instagram, no filters needed.
Compared to the OnePlus 13R (which I also tested recently), the camera here clearly comes out ahead. It handles shadows, dynamic range, and textures much better.
Performance That’s Just… Insane
Let’s be real—specs don’t always translate to real-world performance. But in the case of the OnePlus 13s, they absolutely do.
With the Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) chipset and a jaw-dropping ~2.46 million AnTuTu score, this phone flies. Whether it’s gaming, multitasking, or editing photos/videos, it never broke a sweat. That’s also thanks to the 4400mm² vapor cooling chamber, which keeps heat under control even after 30 minutes of Call of Duty: Mobile.
Add to that 12GB LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, and you’ve got a future-ready phone. Plus, you get 4 years of major Android updates and 6 years of security patches. That’s better than what some flagships offer.
Battery Life & Charging: No Complaints Here
The 5850mAh battery is massive, and it easily gave me a day and a half with moderate to heavy use. Watching YouTube, clicking photos, some gaming, lots of social media scrolling—it handled everything.
Charging is fast too with 80W wired charging, although OnePlus does mention that the speed can vary depending on the temperature. Even then, I got from 0 to 100% in under 40 minutes on most days.
Final Thoughts: Should You Buy It?
At ₹54,999 (for 12GB + 256GB), and with some attractive bank offers, the OnePlus 13s is a total steal for what it brings to the table.
If you’re tired of iPhone’s limitations or simply want something that feels just as premium but gives you more freedom and power—the OnePlus 13s is your answer. For me, it checks nearly every box: design, display, performance, camera, battery life, and future-proof software.
Verdict?
Don’t sleep on this phone. It’s not just a OnePlus—it’s the OnePlus you’ve been waiting for.