OnePlus 13 prototype testing reveals key design changes for the next flagship

OnePlus 13 design change

OnePlus is reportedly planning to switch to a different design language for the OnePlus 13. This information is based on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 prototype products that the brand is currently testing internally. The next-gen flagship, which would be the OnePlus 13, which will come with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset later this year.

• According to tipster Digital Chat Station, the prototype Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 device being tested doesn't have the stainless steel hinge, and the circular camera module.
• These are two key design elements for the present OnePlus flagships so the brand might just be going for something very different with the next batch. But with no visual evidence it's best to wait before jumping into any conclusions.
• The Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset will be the next flagship chipset for smartphones. It should launch sometime in October this year, after which we'll start seeing flagship phones with the Snapdragon chipset.
• Early benchmark results show the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will hit a maximum clock speed of 4.0GHz. In comparison, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has a peak clock speed of 3.4GHz. It's still too early but we should start seeing more information about the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 soon.

As for the OnePlus 13, we're expecting to see this debut in December in China. Other than the design and chipset, we should see more upgrades on the OnePlus 13 over its predecessor, the OnePlus 12.