When the OnePlus 13T launched in China final month, I used to be intrigued because it packed extra battery capability than the OnePlus 13 in a smaller type issue. Now, the corporate has teased a brand new cellphone known as OnePlus 13S, which appears to be like much like the 13T and carries the tagline “Powered up. Sized down” on its teaser poster.
The “sized down” half doesn’t imply we’re getting an iPhone mini-esque cellphone. Whether it is certainly the OnePlus 13T, it’ll sport a 6.3-inch show, which is way from the iPhone 12 mini’s 5.42-inch display screen. However in 2025, the place the biggest iPhone show stretches to six.9 inches, a 6.3-inch cellphone does qualify as compact as compared.
The OnePlus 13S will possible be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. It’s the flagship Qualcomm SoC that’s accountable for quick and easy efficiency on main 2025 flagship telephones just like the Galaxy S25 Extremely, Xiaomi 15 Extremely, OnePlus 13, and extra. However all of those are conventionally huge telephones. Their smaller siblings, Galaxy S25 and Xiaomi 15 are extra compact and supply identical efficiency. The OnePlus 13S will probably be an analogous cellphone, but it surely could possibly be higher than the remaining.
Whereas OnePlus hasn’t formally introduced a launch date, I’m genuinely excited concerning the 13S as a result of it’d simply be the right mix of energy and portability, just like the Xiaomi 15. However with OnePlus’ personal aptitude and listed below are three explanation why you also needs to take note of the subsequent OnePlus cellphone.
A no-compromise show
The OnePlus 13S will possible characteristic a 6.3-inch AMOLED show with an LTPO panel, the place the refresh charge can go as little as 1Hz. It permits for unparalleled effectivity, which is crucial for compact telephones. If the OnePlus 13 is any indication, you possibly can anticipate a vivid and vivid show with Dolby Imaginative and prescient and HDR10+ help.
I hope the OnePlus 13S retains the Aqua Contact Show tech from its siblings, the OnePlus 13 and 13R. It is among the explanation why I take pleasure in utilizing a OnePlus cellphone a lot. First launched with the OnePlus 12, Aqua Contact allows you to register correct finger touches on the display screen even when it’s moist. Should you’ve used any of the iPhones, you understand how unresponsive the show will get with a number of water droplets on it – that’s a non-issue for the OnePlus flagships.
All the ability with out the majority
The OnePlus 13T is smaller than Google’s Pixel 9 however homes a similar-sized display screen, a much bigger battery, and a extra highly effective processor. The OnePlus 13S possible gained’t be very totally different. Going by the 13T’s specs, you possibly can anticipate flagship efficiency, however for a cellphone that lastly suits in each pocket.
Due to latest developments in battery tech, we’ve bought silicon-carbon batteries, and OnePlus appears to be profiting from it by exploring extra type components. You may anticipate a 6,000mAh or extra battery capability that prices at 80W to suit inside a type issue smaller than the Pixel 9. I really like that I don’t have to compromise on efficiency or select the most important potential cellphone to get a tool that may final me a complete day.
The OnePlus 13S’ combo of flagship efficiency and large battery will set it aside from the remaining. Most flagship compact telephones available in the market at the moment compromise on battery life, whether or not or not it’s the most effective flip telephones or the likes of Galaxy S25 and Pixel 9. The Xiaomi 15 with its 5,240mAh battery was totally different and lasted a complete day on each cost, however the OnePlus 13S may take it to the subsequent degree with its 6,200mAh battery.
The OnePlus 13T weighs 185 grams, which isn’t the lightest, however I’m wanting ahead to having Qualcomm’s flagship efficiency paired with an environment friendly show and an enormous battery in one thing that’s lower than 200 grams. It sounds wonderful, no less than on paper.
A really succesful digital camera system
The OnePlus 13S will characteristic a brand new digital camera module to deal with two sensors, and neither of them will probably be much less succesful than the opposite. I hope the corporate delivers the identical optics because the OnePlus 13T and doesn’t commerce one of many sensors for a much less compelling macro digital camera or an 8MP ultrawide-angle lens.
For context, the OnePlus 13T sports activities two 50MP cameras. The first sensor is a 1/1.56” 24mm huge digital camera with optical picture stabilization (OIS) and f/1.8 aperture. The second is a 1/2.76-inch telephoto digital camera with 2x optical zoom and f/2.0 aperture. It jogs my memory of the Oppo Discover N2 Flip digital camera system, which was higher than different flip telephones on the time.
Whereas many would possibly argue that an ultrawide sensor is healthier than a telephoto, I want having a zoom lens over an ultrawide. I like clicking structure and portraits, each of that are higher taken care of by a telephoto digital camera. Do I nonetheless use the ultrawide digital camera on my Galaxy S25 Extremely? Sure, for scenic pictures. I’d like to have all three cameras on my cellphone, but when I have been to select, I’d choose the telephoto over ultrawide, and so, the OnePlus 13S appeals to me.
The OnePlus 13S sounds wonderful
A mix of flagship efficiency and large battery is ideally reserved for giant telephones just like the iPhone 16 Professional Max, Galaxy S25 Extremely, and Pixel 9 Professional XL. Their smaller counterparts both compromise on battery or show high quality. However the OnePlus 13S is shaping as much as be a type of uncommon telephones that pack a flagship punch with an enormous battery in a small type issue.
It’s scheduled to launch in India within the coming weeks. Nonetheless, OnePlus US and OnePlus Europe have confirmed that the OnePlus 13T or 13S gained’t be launched of their respective areas.
In line with a press release given to The Verge, the corporate stated, “Presently, we have now no plans to launch the OnePlus 13S in Europe. That being stated, we have now famous the curiosity within the product from our European customers, and we’ll maintain it in thoughts as we make product launch selections going ahead.” The identical goes for OnePlus US.
Regardless of the restricted availability, I hope OnePlus can ship the bang-for-buck worth and a very good person expertise with its subsequent smartphone. It’s shaping as much as be one thing totally different and promising.