OnePlus 13R gets big discount and free Buds 3 offer: 4 reasons to buy, 1 to skip

India Today

29-04-2025

OnePlus 13R will be available for Rs 39,999 in upcoming sale
The phone features Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
OnePlus 13R has a 6.78-inch AMOLED display
Summer is heating up and phone discounts are bubbling. E-commerce sites including Amazon India and OnePlus India are gearing up for their summer sales, bringing big deals on smartphones. OnePlus will kick off its Summer Sale on May 1 on its website and across platforms including Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, the OnePlus Store app, and retail chains like Croma, Vijay Sales, Reliance Digital, and more. As we wait for the sales to begin, one smartphone that is being highlighted for May discounts is the OnePlus 13R.
During the Summer sale, the OnePlus 13R will be available for as low as Rs 39,999. But the best bit is not just the discount. It is what OnePlus is bundling for free with the phone. The company is going to give free OnePlus Buds 3 with the OnePlus 13R as part of a promotional offer. Buyers will also get an option to avail up to 6 months of no-cost EMI and up to Rs 4,000 exchange bonus at regular retail stores.
The OnePlus 13R was launched earlier this year alongside the flagship OnePlus 13. However, it's been a while, and many more phones across brands have since been launched in this segment. So, is the 13R still worth buying? The answer is a straight yes.
We've used both the OnePlus 13R and the OnePlus Buds 3 â€' which will be offered for free during the sale â€' for months. And based on our experience here are four compelling reasons why you shouldn't miss the OnePlus 13R in the upcoming sale â€' and one reason you might want to skip it. Reason 1: Stunning display
The OnePlus 13R comes with a 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with up to a 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of 4,500 nits. When we reviewed the phone, we saw that the 13R offers excellent visibility for bright outdoor use, HDR content, and good colour contrast. The device features a flat display â€' compared to the curved screen of the OnePlus 12R â€' which also provides better durability and delivers punchy colours with deep blacks. Whether you're binge-watching shows, gaming, or browsing social media, the OnePlus 13R's screen is vibrant, fluid, and enjoyable throughout. Reason 2: Flagship-level performance and reliable battery
Under the hood, the OnePlus 13R is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset â€' the same processor seen in the flagship OnePlus 12. The chipset is capable and delivers consistently smooth performance, whether multitasking, gaming, or running demanding apps. Paired with up to 16GB RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, the phone stays cool and snappy even under heavy loads.
What makes this performance even better is the large 5,500mAh battery with 100W SUPERVOOC fast charging. In our usage, the phone comfortably lasted a full day on a single charge, even with heavy use, and it charged from 1 per cent to 100 per cent in under 30 minutes. Reason 3: Reliable camera system
While not on par with what the ultra-premium flagships offer, the OnePlus 13R's camera system holds its own â€' and is definitely an upgrade from its predecessor, the OnePlus 12R. The 50-megapixel Sony IMX890 main sensor with OIS captures sharp, detailed shots in daylight, with natural colours and a solid dynamic range.
We also tested night photography, and the sensor performed well with night mode with its tuning similar to what we see in more expensive OnePlus models. The 8MP ultra-wide lens and 2MP macro camera are passable for occasional use, but the primary sensor is where this phone really shines. Reason 4: Discount and free OnePlus Buds 3
As part of OnePlus Summer Sale 2025, the company is also bundling the OnePlus Buds 3 with the 13R at no additional cost. This is a solid deal, as you're not only saving on the phone but also getting the Buds 3 for free â€' which we've also reviewed and found to be one of the best OnePlus audio products in its price segment.
In our review, the Buds 3 impressed us with balanced audio, effective active noise cancellation, and long battery life. Paired with the 13R, the combo offers a compelling multimedia experience. 1 reason to skip: Not the most compact design
This year, we're seeing brands moving towards more compact designs. While the OnePlus 13R ticks most boxes, one area where it might not appeal to everyone is its form factor. It's a large phone, both in screen size and in-hand feel. The boxy design also isn't particularly striking â€' some might even find it a bit boring. At nearly 207 grams, it's not particularly light.
That said, it's a durable device â€' with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection on the front and an IP64 rating for splash resistance. If you prefer compact or lightweight phones, the OnePlus 13R might not woo you. But if durability matters more, this won't be a deal-breaker. And under Rs 40,000 with free earbuds, this phone an appealing preposition.
Summer is heating up and phone discounts are bubbling. E-commerce sites including Amazon India and OnePlus India are gearing up for their summer sales, bringing big deals on smartphones. OnePlus will kick off its Summer Sale on May 1 on its website and across platforms including Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, the OnePlus Store app, and retail chains like Croma, Vijay Sales, Reliance Digital, and more. As we wait for the sales to begin, one smartphone that is being highlighted for May discounts is the OnePlus 13R.
During the Summer sale, the OnePlus 13R will be available for as low as Rs 39,999. But the best bit is not just the discount. It is what OnePlus is bundling for free with the phone. The company is going to give free OnePlus Buds 3 with the OnePlus 13R as part of a promotional offer. Buyers will also get an option to avail up to 6 months of no-cost EMI and up to Rs 4,000 exchange bonus at regular retail stores.
The OnePlus 13R was launched earlier this year alongside the flagship OnePlus 13. However, it's been a while, and many more phones across brands have since been launched in this segment. So, is the 13R still worth buying? The answer is a straight yes.
We've used both the OnePlus 13R and the OnePlus Buds 3 â€' which will be offered for free during the sale â€' for months. And based on our experience here are four compelling reasons why you shouldn't miss the OnePlus 13R in the upcoming sale â€' and one reason you might want to skip it. Reason 1: Stunning display
The OnePlus 13R comes with a 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with up to a 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of 4,500 nits. When we reviewed the phone, we saw that the 13R offers excellent visibility for bright outdoor use, HDR content, and good colour contrast. The device features a flat display â€' compared to the curved screen of the OnePlus 12R â€' which also provides better durability and delivers punchy colours with deep blacks. Whether you're binge-watching shows, gaming, or browsing social media, the OnePlus 13R's screen is vibrant, fluid, and enjoyable throughout. Reason 2: Flagship-level performance and reliable battery
Under the hood, the OnePlus 13R is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset â€' the same processor seen in the flagship OnePlus 12. The chipset is capable and delivers consistently smooth performance, whether multitasking, gaming, or running demanding apps. Paired with up to 16GB RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, the phone stays cool and snappy even under heavy loads.
What makes this performance even better is the large 5,500mAh battery with 100W SUPERVOOC fast charging. In our usage, the phone comfortably lasted a full day on a single charge, even with heavy use, and it charged from 1 per cent to 100 per cent in under 30 minutes. Reason 3: Reliable camera system
While not on par with what the ultra-premium flagships offer, the OnePlus 13R's camera system holds its own â€' and is definitely an upgrade from its predecessor, the OnePlus 12R. The 50-megapixel Sony IMX890 main sensor with OIS captures sharp, detailed shots in daylight, with natural colours and a solid dynamic range.
We also tested night photography, and the sensor performed well with night mode with its tuning similar to what we see in more expensive OnePlus models. The 8MP ultra-wide lens and 2MP macro camera are passable for occasional use, but the primary sensor is where this phone really shines. Reason 4: Discount and free OnePlus Buds 3
As part of OnePlus Summer Sale 2025, the company is also bundling the OnePlus Buds 3 with the 13R at no additional cost. This is a solid deal, as you're not only saving on the phone but also getting the Buds 3 for free â€' which we've also reviewed and found to be one of the best OnePlus audio products in its price segment.
In our review, the Buds 3 impressed us with balanced audio, effective active noise cancellation, and long battery life. Paired with the 13R, the combo offers a compelling multimedia experience. 1 reason to skip: Not the most compact design
This year, we're seeing brands moving towards more compact designs. While the OnePlus 13R ticks most boxes, one area where it might not appeal to everyone is its form factor. It's a large phone, both in screen size and in-hand feel. The boxy design also isn't particularly striking â€' some might even find it a bit boring. At nearly 207 grams, it's not particularly light.
That said, it's a durable device â€' with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection on the front and an IP64 rating for splash resistance. If you prefer compact or lightweight phones, the OnePlus 13R might not woo you. But if durability matters more, this won't be a deal-breaker. And under Rs 40,000 with free earbuds, this phone an appealing preposition. Join our WhatsApp Channel