Unlucky number or the best one yet? The OnePlus 13 is one of the best performing Android phones for October, thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. The new model also boosts battery capacity to 6,000mAh (600mAh more than the 12).
Also, it leaves optical fingerprint readers behind in favor of an ultrasonic reader. Plus, it finally brings a dust and water resistance rating worthy of a flagship (IP68/69 vs. IP65). It can’t be all good news, though, the OnePlus 13 is slightly more expensive than its predecessor – the base 12/256GB model starts at CNY 4,500, while the OnePlus 12 12/256GB was CNY 4,300. It’s a minor bump, but we can expect a similar increase for the global price. We don’t know what that is yet, but the OnePlus 12 (12/256GB) was $800/€950/£850/₹65,000 at launch.
| Configuration | OnePlus 13 pricing |
|---|---|
| 12GB/256GB | CNY 4,500 ($630) |
| 12GB/512GB | CNY 4,900 ($690) |
| 16GB/512GB | CNY 5,300 ($745) |
| 24GB/1TB | CNY 6,000 ($840) |
OnePlus switched to a triple 50MP camera this generation. The main is still a 50MP LYT-808 (1/1.43”), the periscope is slightly different at 73mm 50MP LYT-600 (vs. 70mm 64MP OV64B) and the ultra wide is a 50MP S5KJN5 (vs. 48MP IMX581). Discussions on image quality will have to wait until the review.
Let’s look at the competition. The OnePlus 13 shares the top spot on the AnTuTu charts with the iQOO 13, which is a very similar phone – same chipset, display and even cameras. The back is different – it has an RGB LED and loses wireless charging to gain 150mAh more battery. The iQOO 13 is a bit cheaper than the OnePlus at CNY 4,000 for a 12/256GB model.
vivo iQOO 13
The Xiaomi 15 Pro also uses the 8 Elite chipset and also has a triple 50MP camera – this one with a 120mm periscope. It has a slightly smaller 6.73” QHD+ LTPO display. And there’s the vanilla option with a 6.36” display, but that’s not a direct competitor to the OnePlus 13. The Xiaomi 15 Pro (12/256GB) costs CNY 5,300, making it more expensive than the OnePlus.
Xiaomi 15 Pro
The Realme GT7 Pro is a cheaper alternative to the OnePlus 13 and iQOO 13. Its 6.78” LTPO display has lower resolution (1264p+ vs. 1440p+), the 50MP main has a smaller sensor (1/1.56”) and the ultra wide is only 8MP. But the battery is the largest yet, 6,500mAh, with 120W wired-only charging. And you get the same Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. The 12/256GB model starts at CNY 3,600.
Realme GT7 Pro
The Honor Magic7 Pro is another Snapdragon 8 Elite phone. This one has a 6.8” 1280p+ display and a smaller 5,850mAh battery. The 60mm periscope stuns with a 200MP sensor, while the 50MP main has a larger 1/1.3” sensor, the ultra wide is also 50MP. This one is a pricey option, going for CNY 5,700 for a 12/256GB unit.
Honor Magic7 Pro
The vivo X200 Pro and Oppo Find X8 Pro are two representatives of the Dimensity 9400 camp. Check out our Snapdragon 8 Elite vs. Dimensity 9400 benchmark fight for a look at performance. Anyway, both phones have 6.78” LTPO display with 1260p+/1264+ resolution. The Oppo has a triple 50MP camera, while the vivo is like the Honor with a 200MP periscope (this one with a longer 85mm lens). The batteries are about the same too, 6,000mAh vs. 5,910mAh and 90W/30W vs. 80W/50W charging.
The vivo X200 Pro sells for CNY 5,300 for a 12/256GB unit, the Oppo Find X8 Pro is the same at CNY 5,300 for a 12/256GB phone.
vivo X200 Pro • Oppo Find X8 Pro
Now comes the big question – if you are looking for a new flagship phone, is the OnePlus 13 at the top of your list? Unlike some of the devices mentioned above, it will be available globally, even in the US, which makes it an option for more people.