Priced under Rs 50,000, the OnePlus 13R hits the sweet spot by offering a flagship experience without the heavy price tag, without compromising on performance either. With the OnePlus 13R, the company improved three key aspects: cameras, the processor, and the battery. Its successor, the OnePlus 12R, already proved to be a capable flagship alternative, and the legacy continued with the 13R. We reviewed the OnePlus 13R in January this year. After ten months, we take the phone for a spin again to see how it still holds up against newer rivals and if it still makes sense to buy it at this time.
In our review, we said that the OnePlus 13R is a value-packed flagship that excels in performance and battery life. It handles gaming and heavy use with ease, backed by a 6,000mAh battery that charges fully in under an hour. Its cameras show real improvements over the 12R, including a usable telephoto lens, delivering a balanced experience for both photographers and gamers. Let’s see how the phone performs now.
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Gaming powerhouse
OnePlus equips the R-series models with the previous year’s flagship chipset. It’s a year old when it launches, but you’re still getting flagship performance. Fast forward to now, the OnePlus 13R’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is now two years old. But even so, the phone’s AnTuTu score of 17,09,077 is still one of the highest among phones priced under Rs 50,000. It’s understandably lower than the latest flagships, but the phone is still snappy and capable of handling anything you throw at it.
The smartphone remains highly capable when it comes to gaming. You can play all major titles on the 13R without worrying about stutters or lag. In COD Mobile, the 13R delivers a consistent average of 59–60 FPS with high graphics and max frame rate settings enabled. As mentioned in our earlier review, heating is still somewhat noticeable as the phone tends to warm up after a few minutes of gameplay. While it doesn’t get uncomfortably hot, using a case can make for a more comfortable and consistent gaming experience.
Reliable cameras
The OnePlus 13R brings a much-needed upgrade to its camera setup, replacing the 12R’s 2MP macro lens with a 50MP telephoto camera featuring 2x optical zoom. This makes a noticeable difference when capturing portraits, delivering sharp and detailed results. Daylight photography is also strong, producing bright and vibrant shots. I was particularly impressed by how the primary camera handles warm lighting, preserving a soft, natural warmth without overexposing highlights, resulting in visually pleasing images.
The phone’s triple-camera setup, with a 50MP primary, 50MP telephoto, and 8MP ultra-wide lens, offers versatility for most shooting scenarios. While the setup is impressive for its price range, some newer competitors like the OPPO Reno14 and Vivo T4 Ultra push the envelope further with 3.5x and 3x optical zoom, giving them an advantage for distant subjects.
Here’s an example comparing images shot with the OnePlus 13R’s 2x optical zoom and the OPPO Reno 14’s 3.5x optical zoom. To capture the same frame with the 13R, we had to move physically closer to the subject, highlighting how a higher optical zoom helps you capture distant objects without losing framing. Despite this, the Reno 14’s shot retains impressive detail even at 3.5x, while the 13R’s image delivers slightly punchier colours.
We also tested both phones in portrait mode using their respective zoom lengths. Here’s how the results compare in terms of background blur, edge detection, and overall subject sharpness.
Overall, the 13R’s cameras feel like a meaningful step up from the OnePlus 12R, providing both flexibility and consistently solid results for everyday photography.
Dependable battery life ten months on
OnePlus also upgraded the battery from 5,500mAh on the 12R to 6,000mAh on the 13R. It, however, reduced charging to 80W from 100W. This has a direct effect on charging, as it takes longer now to reach 100 percent compared to other phones, and even the 12R. Even after ten months, the battery life is solid, and you’ll easily get through a day without having to worry about juicing it up. If your usage is moderate, then you might have some left for the next morning, too.
Flat over curved?
The OnePlus 13R’s flat display also makes a good difference when it comes to gaming. Unlike the OnePlus 12R’s curved display, you’re no longer prone to accidental touches or misses on the 13R, which I personally experienced while gaming on the 12R. That said, the predecessor still felt lighter and more handy, thanks to its slim design. The OnePlus 13R is smooth and nice to touch, and the design remains sleek and premium. However, only two colour options for the 13R seem limiting.
Last of the Alert Sliders
The OnePlus 13R and 13 are also the last models to feature the iconic alert slider. In its place, OnePlus has introduced a new button, the AI Plus Key, which first appeared on the compact OnePlus 13s. Positioned on the left side where the alert slider used to be, the AI Plus Key’s primary function is to capture screenshots and intelligently store them in the ‘Mind Space’ hub. It’s also customisable for other actions such as enabling Do Not Disturb, switching sound profiles, launching the camera, torch, recorder, translate, or taking screenshots, or even doing nothing at all.
While I didn’t find the AI Plus Key particularly useful for Mind Space, its versatility as a programmable shortcut is a definite advantage. That said, I have a special place in my heart for the Alert Slider on the OnePlus 13R for its simplicity and tactile convenience in toggling between silent, DND, and ring modes, which will be missed. The Plus Key adds flexibility, but it can’t quite replace the familiar, effortless feel of the slider.
Verdict: How does OnePlus 13R hold up after ten months?
Launched at Rs 42,999 and now available for Rs 38,999 for the base model, the OnePlus 13R moves into an even more compelling price segment. The R series continues to deliver a premium experience, and the 13R stands out with its modern design, solid performance, and near-flagship feel. While its cameras and fast-charging speeds may not match some competitors, such as the OPPO Reno14 and Vivo T4 Ultra, the overall experience is well-rounded and more than adequate for most users.
The phone is also future-ready, shipping with Android 15 and promising three major OS upgrades, along with security updates for at least six years, ensuring longevity and peace of mind. All things considered, the OnePlus 13R still offers excellent value and remains a strong contender under Rs 40,000 for anyone looking for a premium yet affordable smartphone experience.
