The OnePlus 13R positions itself as an enticing choice in the competitive sub-₹50,000 smartphone segment. Starting at ₹42,999, this device offers a balance between flagship-level performance and affordability. This review will explore what the OnePlus 13R brings to the table and how it compares to its siblings and competitors.
Design
The OnePlus 13R embraces a modern flat design with an aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass 7i protection, ensuring durability and aesthetic appeal. The Astral Trail variant stands out with its concentric ring pattern inspired by celestial bodies. The inclusion of the iconic Alert Slider on the left adds convenience for toggling between silent, vibrate, and ring modes.
At just the right size, the OnePlus 13R feels balanced in hand. Its IP65 rating provides reliable protection against dust and water, while the flat back enhances grip during gaming. Despite its sturdy build, comfort takes a slight hit compared to curved designs.
Display
The 6.78-inch ProXDR OLED display with a 1.5K resolution (2780 x 1264) is a standout feature, offering 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, 10-bit color depth, and full DCI-P3 color gamut support. With a peak brightness of 4,500 nits and RadiantView technology, the screen excels even under harsh sunlight.
Features like Aqua Touch 2.0 and Glove Mode ensure usability in all conditions. The TÜV Rheinland Eye Care 4.0 certification reduces eye strain, making it ideal for prolonged use—a boon for gamers and binge-watchers alike.
Performance
Under the hood, the OnePlus 13R packs the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, an 8-core CPU clocked at 3.3GHz, paired with the Adreno 750 GPU. Coupled with up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB UFS 4.0 storage, the phone handles multitasking, gaming, and video editing with ease.
Gaming performance is stellar, with games like BGMI and Genshin Impact running smoothly at high frame rates. The Dual Cryo-Velocity Vapor Chamber cooling system ensures minimal heat buildup during extended sessions. The phone scored impressively on benchmarks: 2,214 (single-core), 6,597 (multi-core), and 14,578 (GPU) on Geekbench.
Camera
The OnePlus 13R’s triple-camera system includes a 50MP Sony LYT-700 primary sensor, a 50MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom, and an 8MP ultra-wide lens. While it lacks Hasselblad tuning like the OnePlus 13, the primary sensor delivers vibrant and detailed shots with excellent dynamic range in daylight.
Low-light photography benefits from the f/1.8 aperture and OIS, with Nightscape mode enhancing clarity and color. However, the ultra-wide lens struggles with sharpness in dim conditions. The 16MP front camera delivers decent selfies with natural skin tones.
OS & AI Features
Running OxygenOS 15 on Android 15, the OnePlus 13R offers a clean, fluid, and customizable user experience. Its AI tools like AI Summary, AI Notes, and AI Unblur enhance productivity, while Magic Compose and PassScan are valuable for creative workflows.
OnePlus promises four years of Android updates and six years of security patches, ensuring long-term reliability. Minimal bloatware further enhances the device’s appeal.
Battery & Charging
The OnePlus 13R features a robust 6,000mAh battery that easily lasts a full day of heavy use. However, charging speeds have been reduced to 80W from its predecessor’s 100W. The included SUPERVOOC charger takes about 50 minutes to charge the phone from 20% to 100%. The lack of wireless charging is a downside at this price point.
Value Proposition
While the iPhone 13 offers iOS reliability and the Samsung Galaxy S23 and S24 FE boast premium build quality and ecosystem advantages, the OnePlus 13R holds its ground with a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, a vibrant display, and gamer-friendly features.
Its primary strengths lie in flagship-level performance, a superior display, and long-lasting battery life, making it ideal for gamers and power users. The minor trade-offs, like slower charging and camera inconsistencies, are overshadowed by its strengths.
Verdict
The OnePlus 13R is a well-rounded smartphone that delivers exceptional value in its price segment. It’s an excellent choice for users prioritizing performance, display quality, and long-term software support. While it faces competition from devices like the iPhone 13 and Samsung S24 FE, its unique combination of features ensures it stands out.
For anyone seeking a feature-packed smartphone under ₹50,000 in 2025, the OnePlus 13R is hard to beat.
