OnePlus 13S review: Making the compact smartphone segment exciting

Time of India

2 days ago

OnePlus
has finally unveiled the 13S, a device that's been teased for months and marks a new chapter in their expanding flagship lineup. Positioned neatly between the OnePlus 13 and 13R, the compact 13S aims to deliver the best of both worlds, though with a few compromises. OnePlus also introduces a fresh feature unique to this model: the Plus key. Powering the 13S is the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Elite chipset found in its elder sibling, the OnePlus 13, but it steps away from the Hasselblad camera setup. Still, it outperforms the 13R, making it a compelling choice in its segment.
Beyond OnePlus' own portfolio, the 13S goes head-to-head with heavyweights like the Xiaomi 15, Samsung Galaxy S25, Pixel 9a, and iPhone 16e. So, where does it truly stand? What sets it apart? And most importantly, who is it really for? We break it all down in this review.
OnePlus 13S Price & Availability -
The OnePlus 13S is available for purchase on Amazon, OnePlus' official website, and in the majority of offline stores. The prices are as follows -
12GB
RAM
+ 256GB Storage- Rs. 54,999
12GB RAM + 512GB Storage - Rs. 59,999
Pink Satin Colour 12GB RAM + 256GB Storage - Rs. 54,999
Design And Display
The OnePlus 13S impresses right out of the gate with its compact form factor, making it incredibly easy to hold and use one-handed. It's lightweight and perfectly balanced, offering a comfortable grip that rivals some of the best in this category. The device's rounded edges give it an aesthetic that many have likened to the iPhone so much so that people have pointed it out specifically. Compared to its competitors, the 13S feels lighter than the Xiaomi 15, but stands on equal footing with the Samsung Galaxy S25 and Pixel 9a in terms of heft. It also carries an IP65 rating, meaning it can handle minor splashes and scratches without breaking a sweat.
One of the biggest design updates is the introduction of the Plus key, which replaces the much-loved alert slider from previous OnePlus models. Positioned in the same spot, this button closely mimics the iPhone's Action button, right down to the UI animation when you press it. While this may seem a bit derivative, it's not a bad thing; borrowing the best ideas and executing them well is smart design. The Plus key is highly programmable, allowing quick access to features like sound profiles, camera, voice recorder, translation, and screenshots. That said, we do wish OnePlus had gone a step further by enabling more customisation, for instance, different actions for single and double presses. Hopefully, future OTA updates can unlock more versatility here.
Flipping the device over, the camera module stands out with a fresh design distinct from both the OnePlus 13 and 13R. The dual cameras are neatly aligned on the top left, with a tasteful finish that adds to the overall premium feel.
On the front, the 13S sports a 6.2-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. It supports HDR content across all major streaming platforms, ensuring vibrant and accurate colours whether you're binge-watching or gaming. The stereo speaker setup complements the visual experience, delivering clear and immersive audio.
The high refresh rate keeps animations buttery smooth and responsive, making everyday use feel snappy and enjoyable. Additionally, the display features a customizable Always-On Display, allowing you to add widgets or personalise it to your liking. The smaller form factor also means less real estate for gaming, especially open-world. While the performance makes up for it, you will have to keep in mind this, if you are an avid gamer.
Drawback
One minor drawback is the in-display fingerprint sensor, which uses an optical sensor instead of the ultrasonic sensor found in the OnePlus 13. While it works reliably, it does feel slightly slower in comparison.
Software And Performance
The experience of using the 13S is very similar to the OnePlus 13 in alot of ways. Let us explain how.
The OnePlus 13S ships with Android 15 out of the box, running
Oxygen
OS 15 on top. The software is clean and minimal, with no bloatware, which makes for a smooth and responsive experience. OnePlus has also integrated AI-powered features like AI Notes and AI Recording to enhance productivity.
AI Notes assist with formatting and even generate notes automatically, powered by Google Gemini. While the generated notes still need some manual polishing, having this feature built into a native app is a definite plus. Keep in mind, however, that it requires an active internet connection to function.
A favorite from previous models, the Circle to Search feature, is back on the 13S. Simply long-press the home button and draw a circle around any item on the screen to quickly pull up Google search results. It works smoothly and is surprisingly handy.
Oxygen OS 15 continues to shine with its productivity-focused features like the customizable Shelf, which lets you organize widgets and shortcuts to streamline your workflow. Overall, the software experience feels polished and reliable, with no major issues in daily use.
One subtle addition is the pill-shaped animation that appears during audio playback, whether it's Spotify or voice recordings. You can tap it to expand, but beyond that, the interaction is limited. The 13S promises 4 years of Android version updates and 6 years of security patches. While this is respectable, it falls short of the 7+7 update commitment seen on Samsung's Galaxy S series or Google Pixel devices. Whether this limitation is due to Google's policies or brand choices remains unclear.
That said, most users tend to upgrade their phones every 2 to 3 years, so if you're among them, the update timeline shouldn't be a major concern.
Now on to performance. The OnePlus 13S is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (Elite) think of it as putting a supercar engine in a muscle car. It's fast, efficient, and built for real-world performance over synthetic benchmarks.
In everyday use, the device doesn't falter. Whether it's routine multitasking or intensive gaming sessions, the 13S delivers consistent, linear performance. Over the 20 days I've used it, there's been zero lag, and everything feels fast and fluid.
I tested BGMI on the highest graphics setting, and the device performed impressively. Gameplay was smooth, and there were no frame drops but yes, the compact size of the phone does start to show its limits. When you push the chip for extended periods at high frame rates, the 13S does warm up, and it's something you'll definitely notice if you're gaming non-stop. That said, the heat is manageable and quickly comes under control if you dial the settings down a bit. It's not a deal-breaker, but it's worth keeping in mind.
The unit I tested is the 12GB RAM + 512GB storage variant the top-end model. It multitasks like a champ, juggling multiple apps without a hint of stutter. Even after leaving apps idle for two days, they resume without crashing. Of course, if you're in the middle of a live multiplayer game and switch away, it may reset depending on the internet connection that's par for the course.
Battery-wise, the 5850mAh unit is slightly smaller than the one on the OnePlus 13, but it holds up remarkably well. On moderate usage days, I consistently got around 6 hours of screen-on time, and even on heavier days with gaming, video, and camera use it still managed 4.5 hours of SOT.
Charging is quick with 80W SuperVOOC wired support a bit slower than the 100W on the OnePlus 13, but still gets you from 0 to 100% in about 40 minutes, just as promised. And importantly, it doesn't heat up during charging.
Camera
The OnePlus 13S features a dual rear camera setup, a 50MP primary shooter paired with a 50MP telephoto sensor. What's notably missing here is the Hasselblad colour calibration, which has been a part of OnePlus' premium camera story for a while now. And that's surprising, especially when you look at what the competition is offering, the Xiaomi 15 brings Leica-backed color science trickled down from its 15 Ultra, setting the bar pretty high.
That said, judged on its own merit, the 13S' camera holds its ground and in many cases, impresses. The primary 50MP camera delivers crisp, well-detailed images. The colour science is natural, leaning toward true-to-life tones rather than overly saturated outputs. Outdoors, the performance is stellar sharp textures, controlled highlights, and good dynamic range. However, in low-light conditions, the camera does show its limits. While it still gets usable shots, noise starts to creep in, and the detail takes a slight hit. A bit of tuning or a software update might improve that.
The telephoto lens is perhaps the most pleasant surprise here. Even when you zoom all the way in, the results are surprisingly stable and sharp. It's not as powerful or physically large as the telephoto on the OnePlus 13, but within its range, it does a commendable job. It offers solid depth and separation, and most users will be happy with the results for both portraits and distant subjects.
On the video front, the 13S supports 4K recording at 30 and 60fps. The stabilisation is on point, and thanks to the compact size of the phone, it feels like a pocketable high-grade content camera perfect for vlogging, social content, or casual mobile cinematography.
The front-facing 16MP
selfie
camera also pulls its weight. Daylight selfies come out well-exposed, with natural skin tones and decent background separation, especially in portrait mode. The edge detection is clean, and even indoor shots retain enough sharpness and clarity for social media use. Video calls and selfie videos are sharp too, though again, low-light selfies do take a slight dip in quality, nothing unexpected for this sensor size.
Verdict
The OnePlus 13S strikes a smart balance between power and portability, offering flagship-grade performance in a compact form. While it skips Hasselblad tuning and cuts corners in camera size, the output is still solid for most users. The Plus Key, crisp display, and battery life add meaningful value. If you're looking for a well-rounded daily driver with a premium feel, this one's worth considering.