GadgetByte Nepal

I’ve always been on the hunt for that perfect phone, you know the one that doesn’t feel like a brick in my pocket, doesn’t make my bank account cry, and still delivers some serious firepower. So when the OnePlus 13s was announced, my ears perked up. Compact flagships are having a bit of a moment in India right now (shoutout to that Counterpoint report that says 71% of us want smaller phones but still crave top-tier performance). Priced at ₹54,999, the 13s comes in swinging as a more wallet-friendly option next to the Galaxy S25 or Xiaomi 15, and definitely sounds like a better bet than underwhelming releases like the iPhone 16e or Pixel 9a.

So, does the OnePlus 13s actually live up to the hype, or is there a deal-breaking catch? I’ve spent a bit of time with it, and here’s my honest take.

But first, let’s take a quick peek under the hood and see what the OnePlus 13s is packing.

OnePlus 13s Review: Specifications

• Dimensions: 150.8 x 71.7 x 8.2 mm
• Weight: 185 g (6.53 oz)
• Build: Glass front, aluminum alloy frame
• Protection: IP65 (Dust-tight and water-resistant)
• Display: 6.32 inches, 1216 x 2640 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio, LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz
• Protection: Crystal Shield Glass
• Chipset: Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
• CPU: Octa-core (2×4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6×3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M)
• GPU: Adreno 830
• OS: Android 15, OxygenOS 15
• Memory: 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, UFS 4.0
• Main Camera:
  • 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56″, 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
  • 50 MP, f/2.0, (telephoto), 1/2.75″, 0.64µm, 2x optical zoom, PDAF
  • Features: Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
• Selfie Camera: 32 MP, f/2.0, 21mm (wide), HDR, panorama
• Sound: Yes, with stereo speakers
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 6.0
• USB: USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
• Features: Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
• Battery: 5850 mAh, 80W wired, 33W PPS, 18W PD, 18W QC, 5W reverse wired

OnePlus 13s Review

Design and Build

• 150.8 x 71.7 x 8.2 mm
• 185 g (6.53 oz)
• Glass front, aluminum alloy frame

Holding the OnePlus 13s feels like a breath of fresh air. I mean, finally a phone that doesn’t feel like a brick! The Green Silk color I tested (only in India!) looks clean and classy, and the squircle-shaped camera bump gives it a modern vibe. Compared to bulkier phones like the iPhone 16 Pro, the 13s feels just right to me. At 150.8 x 71.7 x 8.2 mm and just 185 grams, it’s perfect for one-handed use, especially if you’ve got smaller hands like me. The aluminum frame and matte back give it a solid, premium feel with just the right amount of grip.

Honestly, it looks and feels so good, you might not even want to put a case on it (but still, please get a screen protector because the Crystal Shield Glass isn’t as tough as Gorilla Glass Victus). The phone comes with an IP65 rating meaning it can handle a splash or some rain, but don’t take it for a swim.

One fun new feature is the Plus Key, the kind of like Apple’s Action Button. I set mine to open the camera, but I really liked the “Save to Mind Space” shortcut too which is great for quickly saving Instagram posts or articles for later.

Display

• 6.32 inches, 1216 x 2640 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio, LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz
• Crystal Shield Glass

I think the 6.32-inch LTPO AMOLED display on the OnePlus 13s is seriously impressive. With super-slim bezels and a 90.6% screen-to-body ratio, it feels bigger than it looks, without turning into a two-handed phone. The 120Hz refresh rate makes everything from scrolling to swiping feel super smooth, and the 1600-nit peak brightness means you can actually see the screen clearly even under bright sunlight (yes, even on a beach day).

Colors are vibrant and well-balanced, I mean nothing too oversaturated, and watching Netflix with Dolby Vision or HDR10+ support? Pure eye candy. Whether I was typing out notes, doom-scrolling social media, or binge-watching my favorite series, the screen never felt too small or cramped.

It’s not quite as large as the regular OnePlus 13’s display, but for a compact phone, this one punches way above its weight. Bonus points for how responsive it is, gaming and everyday use feel fast and fluid.

Performance

• Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
• Adreno 830

Performance-wise, the OnePlus 13s doesn’t mess around. It’s running the same powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chip you’ll find in the more expensive OnePlus 13. Add 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and super-fast UFS 4.0 storage, and you’ve got a phone that flies through everything.

I threw my usual chaos at it by playing Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile, switching between apps, and editing photos, and it handled it all like a champ. No lag, no stutters, and surprisingly cool even during long gaming sessions, thanks to the big Cryo-Velocity vapor chamber keeping things chill.

Compared to compact rivals like the Galaxy S25, this thing keeps up with the best of them. The haptics (thanks to OPPO’s O-haptics tech) feel sharp and satisfying, like little taps, not buzzes. It just makes typing and navigating more enjoyable.

The stereo speakers are pretty solid too. Loud, clear, and perfect for Netflix, YouTube, or casual Spotify vibes. Not quite a home theater ofc, but way better than you’d expect from a phone this size.

Battery

• 5850 mAh
• 80W wired, 33W PPS, 18W PD, 18W QC, 5W reverse wired

Alright folks, this is where the OnePlus 13s really surprised me in the best way possible. It packs a 5850mAh silicon-carbon battery, which is huge for a compact phone. I’ll admit, I was a bit skeptical at first because a small phone usually means a small battery, right? Not this time.

I easily got up to two days of moderate use scrolling through socials, streaming shows, playing a few games, and still had juice left. It holds its own against bigger phones like the regular OnePlus 13, which is pretty wild.

And yes, the 80W SuperVOOC charger comes in the box (thank you, OnePlus), and it takes the phone from 0 to 100% in under 40 minutes. So even if you forget to charge overnight, a quick coffee break can get you back in action. There’s even 5W reverse wired charging, which is just perfect for topping up your earbuds on the go.

Compared to something like the Galaxy S25 and its smaller 4000mAh battery, the 13s is in a league of its own. If you hate living with low-battery anxiety, this phone’s got your back.

Software

• Android 15, OxygenOS 15

So guys, let’s talk software. The OnePlus 13s runs OxygenOS 15 on top of Android 15, and honestly, it’s one of the smoothest experiences I’ve had in a while. It’s clean, fast, and refreshingly free of bloatware. Feels a lot like stock Android, but with just enough OnePlus flair to make it better (yep, I said it).

Animations? Smooth. Transitions? Snappy. No weird lag or stutters, even when I was bouncing between apps all day. The built-in AI features like Circle to Search and the handy “Save to Mind Space” tool actually felt useful, not just thrown in for the buzzword factor.

I set the Plus Key to switch sound profiles (great for meetings or going silent fast), but you can customize it for other things too, like launching the flashlight or opening your favorite app. It’s small touches like this that make OxygenOS feel smart without being overwhelming.

Compared to some of the cluttered, ad-heavy skins you’ll find on other phones (looking at you, MIUI), this is just clean, simple, and a joy to use especially on busy days when you don’t want your phone getting in the way.

Camera

• 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56″
• 50 MP, f/2.0, (telephoto), 1/2.75″

This is where the OnePlus 13s hits a bit of a speed bump. The dual 50MP setup (main + 2x telephoto) is solid for everyday shots, but the missing ultra-wide lens is a letdown. As someone who loves snapping wide scenic shots when traveling, I really missed having that extra perspective.

Daylight

In daylight, photos generally turn out sharp and colorful, though about 10–20% of shots had either crushed shadows or blown-out highlights. It’s not a dealbreaker, but something I notice now and then.

Daylight

1 of 5

Telephoto Camera

The 2x telephoto does a decent job with portraits for me. Colors look natural, and skin tones come out nicely. But I couldn’t help wishing for a 3x zoom, especially for better subject separation and more detailed macros. Speaking of which, macro shots from the telephoto lens? Eh… they’re just okay, nothing to write home about.

Telephoto

1 of 6

Low-light

Low light performance, though? Surprisingly solid. Night mode isn’t always needed. The main sensor pulls in a good amount of detail and keeps noise in check.

Night time

1 of 3

Selfie

The 32MP selfie cam is also pretty great for Instagram stories or video calls. Colors are nice, though they can lean a bit pink if you’re under warmer lighting.

Selfie

1 of 4

Videos

For video, you get 4K at 60fps on both the main and telephoto lenses, and stabilization is smooth. Just watch out for occasional exposure hiccups in really bright scenes. The zoom transitions are clean, which is a nice touch.

One thing to note there’s no Hasselblad tuning here like on the flagship OnePlus 13, and you can feel that. The camera here is more “good enough” than “wow.” I’d give it a solid 7/10.

OnePlus 13s Review: Conclusion

So, after spending quality time with the OnePlus 13s, I’ve gotta say I’m seriously impressed. This phone hits that sweet spot between power, portability, and price. For ₹54,999, it offers flagship-level performance without the flagship-level dent in your wallet. Compared to the Galaxy S25 or Xiaomi 15, it feels like a steal.

You get a beautiful, compact design, buttery-smooth performance, excellent battery life, and one of the cleanest Android experiences around with OxygenOS 15. The Plus Key is a nice little bonus. If you’re like me and prefer phones that don’t stretch your thumbs (or your jeans pocket), the 13s is a joy to use.

But……..my friends, not everything’s perfect. The camera is where this phone stumbles a bit. No ultra-wide lens and a meh 2x telephoto mean it’s not the best choice for photography lovers. If the camera’s your top priority, you might want to look elsewhere. But for everyone else? The OnePlus 13s is easily one of the best value-for-money compact phones out there. It outclasses the iPhone 16e and Pixel 9a, and honestly, I’d pick it over the OnePlus 13R if your budget allows.

Oh, and I’m really excited for its launch in Nepal!

OnePlus 13s Review: Pros and Cons