OnePlus 13R Phone Review

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The latest innovation from OnePlus, the OnePlus 13 series, carries on its collaboration with Swedish camera pioneer Hasselblad. To cater to a wider audience, they’ve introduced the OnePlus 13R too – a device that shares many features with the premium OnePlus 13 smartphone but lacks some additional features. For individuals seeking a contemporary, functional smartphone that performs efficiently without unnecessary frills, the OnePlus 13R fits the bill perfectly.

One person’s ideal phone might vary greatly from another’s: while some prioritize regular updates to stay at the technological forefront, others focus on exceptional cameras for preserving cherished moments, and still, others seek optimal gaming performance. I, however, have always preferred a device that offers longevity without constant maintenance concerns or reliance on trendy, buzzword-heavy features. My preference is demonstrated by my prolonged use of the second-generation iPhone SE for five years – I appreciate its straightforwardness. As a new OnePlus user, I am genuinely pleased with the OnePlus 13R despite its minor idiosyncrasies.

As a passionate cinephile, I’d say the OnePlus 13R is a contemporary powerhouse that doesn’t skimp on the essentials. It boasts a sleek design, housing a 1.5K 6.78-inch ProXDR flat screen, fortified with Corning’s cutting-edge Gorilla Glass GG7i, and an impressive 16-megapixel selfie camera. The photography enthusiast in me is thrilled by its three-camera setup: an 8-megapixel ultrawide sensor, a pair of 50-megapixel sensors, and the primary sensor leveraging Sony’s latest LYT-700 technology. Under the hood, it packs a punch with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. It runs on OxygenOS 15, built upon Android 15 software, and boasts an expansive battery that promises longevity. While OnePlus phones have always promised enduring performance, experiencing it in reality is a whole new ball game!

Daily Use of the OnePlus 13R

For days with heavy usage, I never had to fret about the battery running out. On lighter use days, charging the phone overnight turned out to be unnecessary – a habit that needs changing. In essence, charging the OnePlus 13R overnight is largely unnecessary. With its 55W SUPERVOOC charger, the OnePlus 13R can typically be charged in less than an hour, and sometimes even quicker. I tested this by letting the OnePlus 13R drop to just 2% before bed, and it was still functioning the next morning. It even lasted longer than expected, several minutes more – a pleasant surprise given such a drained battery. The standout feature of the OnePlus 13R is its impressive battery life, though it’s important to note that the charging rate slows substantially if any accessory other than the official charger is used.

OnePlus 13R Display Specs

  • Type: 120 Hz ProXDR Display with LTPO 4.1, Support 100% Display P3, 10-bit Color Depth
  • Resolution: 2780×1264, 450 ppi
  • HBM/Peak Brightness: 1600/4500 nits
  • Refresh Rate: 1–120 Hz dynamic
  • Cover Glass: Corning Gorilla Glass GG7i

This phone’s design is similar to most modern Android devices, featuring OnePlus’ unique circular camera protruding at the back. Initially, I worried about the phone getting caught in my pocket due to the camera’s design. However, it doesn’t happen as frequently as I anticipated. On the other hand, the screen can be a bit tricky; it’s very sensitive whether it’s Oxygen 15, Gorilla Glass GG7i, or some other protective layer. This sensitivity might sometimes be more of a disadvantage than an advantage.

Using these games such as Genshin Impact, Among Us, Pokemon GO, Fortnite, or Final Fantasy 4 Pixel Remaster feels intuitive and swift due to their responsive performance and reactions. However, the Accidental Touch Protection feature occasionally causes unwanted swipes when I’m picking up my phone, even if it’s not in my pocket.

The OnePlus 13R is versatile for both light and heavy daily tasks, making it unobtrusive yet reliable whenever required on a day-to-day basis. Although it may have some idiosyncrasies in terms of sensitivity, it starts the year with a promising bid to be the top affordable smartphone of 2025.

OnePlus 13R’s Camera is Impressive

With its three-camera system and Sony sensors, this phone is ideal for a wide range of photography scenarios. The LYT-700 sensor boasts a large Full Well Capacity (FWC), allowing it to capture more light compared to other sensors. Although movement, low light, and dark environments can still affect image quality as expected, the results are remarkably clear, reflecting the standards of a 2025 smartphone. Particularly noteworthy is the performance of Google’s Gemini AI, which shines in these situations.

In many modern tech devices, including the OnePlus 13R, there’s a built-in generative AI function. This feature is strategically positioned at the bottom left corner of the lock screen, making it easily overlooked by those who have no interest in it, but readily accessible for those who wish to utilize it. I found this most striking when it automatically enhanced photos in my gallery, enabling me to effortlessly undo these adjustments with a simple touch if desired. Essentially, this is a user-friendly feature that offers convenience without being overbearing or interfering excessively with the device’s operating system or daily phone usage.

Gaming on the OnePlus 13R

The OnePlus 13 series might not be marketed as a gaming phone, but it performs exceptionally well for gaming without any noticeable lag, whether in games or during heavy chat sessions. This impressive performance is likely to remain consistent over time, although individual experiences may vary. Interestingly, this smooth operation extends to multiple apps, including mobile games. The Hyperboost Game Engine, which activates with games, plays a significant role here. It uses a CPU Scheduler to divide resources between two channels, favoring game support when in use. This optimization improves performance, conserves battery life, and guarantees an enjoyable gaming experience on mobile devices.

Not all Android games can take advantage of the OnePlus 13R’s CPU Scheduler.

The sound quality of this device is exceptional; you don’t have to crank up the volume like usual when playing games or watching videos on your mobile device. Instead, you might find yourself lowering the volume because the speakers produce such clear and powerful sound. It’s almost at a point where you could turn off subtitles, but not quite. Regardless, it significantly enhances the immersive experience of any audio content on the device.

In essence, investing in a OnePlus 13R phone is a smart move due to its durability, particularly in terms of its battery life. Moreover, the OnePlus 13 series promises four years of Android OS updates and six years of security updates. This high-end device offers simplicity while ensuring reliable support, making it an ideal choice for individuals seeking a phone that performs well without being overly complicated or flashy.

In this review, we’re using a OnePlus 13R that was given to us by Game Rant for testing purposes. This smartphone is available for purchase at a price of $599.99 USD.

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2025-01-10 16:14