OnePlus 13s Review: Answers the need of a compact flagship smartphone without skimping on anything
Any mention of the top 3 smartphone brands in India is incomplete without OnePlus. The company has rightfully earned its place in the market, and its product range supports it. Seeing the rise in interest in compact phones, OnePlus has come up with its first-ever compact flagship, the OnePlus 13s. The latest palm-fitting phone from the company is looking to shake up the 50K price segment and, to some extent, challenge its own sibling OnePlus 13R.
The phone is positioned to intrigue users with its power-packed features in a compact form. So, let's find out what unique aspects the latest OnePlus 13s has to offer.
Design
It's always refreshing when a major brand like OnePlus decides to go back to the compact form factor. The OnePlus 13s embraces minimalism with a sleek, flat frame and rounded corners, all packed into a lightweight body. The device stands out for being comfortably small — it's just 8.15mm thick and weighs only 185g, with perfect 50:50 weight distribution. This compact profile received many compliments, with people even confusing it for an iPhone until they caught sight of the distinct camera layout.
The in-hand experience is excellent — the design feels balanced and premium. The size sits nicely in the same league as the Pixel 9a and Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, yet OnePlus manages to squeeze in a slightly larger display. With its ultra-thin 1.34mm side bezels and compact 71.7mm width, the phone offers a big-screen feel in a smaller footprint.
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Interestingly, the signature Alert Slider is gone, replaced by the Plus Key — a new customisable button that can be programmed to toggle sound modes, turn on DND, launch the camera, torch, screen recorder, translation tool, or take a screenshot. It's smartly integrated into the OnePlus AI system and adds real utility. On the right, you have the power and volume buttons. The bottom houses the SIM tray, USB-C port, and speaker grille.
Display
The OnePlus 13s features a 6.32-inch 1.5K LTPO ProXDR AMOLED display with a resolution of 2640 x 1216 at 460ppi. The dynamic 1–120 Hz refresh rate ensures smooth transitions while preserving battery. It's capable of hitting up to 1,600 nits of brightness in high brightness mode, which means excellent visibility under harsh sunlight, and dimming down to 1.1 nits for nighttime comfort.
The panel supports 10-bit colour depth, Dolby Vision, and 2160 Hz PWM dimming, delivering true flagship-grade visuals. With Aqua Touch 2.0, even wet hands won't compromise usability, and the newly added Glove Mode further enhances interaction in extreme conditions.
OS and AI
The OnePlus 13s runs on OxygenOS 15, based on Android 15, and brings with it some serious AI capabilities — not just gimmicks, but genuinely thoughtful tools. Leading the charge is AI Plus Mind, a personal assistant that lets you save on-screen content instantly by pressing the Plus Key or swiping up with three fingers. Everything saved is organised in Mind Space, which intelligently suggests actions like adding calendar entries or offering contextual recommendations.
AI is also deeply integrated across other layers. AI Search can find documents, calendar entries, or settings using natural language, while AI VoiceScribe records and transcribes meetings or calls in real time — even translating across 20+ languages. Features like screen and camera translation, real-time call summaries, and photo AI tools (like AI Reframe, Unblur, and Reflection Eraser) all make the OS feel smart and intuitive without being overwhelming.
Performance
Performance has always been a pillar for OnePlus, and the 13s continues that legacy with the Snapdragon 8 Elite mobile platform. It's not just any chip — it delivers a 45% improvement in CPU performance and 40% GPU performance boost over the previous gen. Paired with 12 GB LPDDR5X RAM and up to 512 GB UFS 4.0 storage, the phone ensures blazing speed and smooth multitasking.
Benchmarks validate the real-world feel: Geekbench scores hit 2862 (single-core) and 8418 (multi-core), while the GPU score is 17923. On AnTuTu, it pulls an impressive 2408425. What's even better is the sustained performance. With a 4,400mm² 3D Cryo-Velocity Vapor Chamber and graphite-layered back cover, the phone keeps cool even under heavy loads.
The 13s shows its power in the gaming section. From BGMI at 120fps to smooth HDR visuals with pass-through charging, this compact phone is a gaming powerhouse. I also liked the network stability of the phone as it maintained consistent connection in the underground metro.
Camera
Switching to the OnePlus 13s from the OnePlus 13, I was curious if the imaging prowess would hold up. Turns out, it does. The phone sports a 50 MP Sony LYT-700 main camera, a 50 MP telephoto lens, and a 32 MP front-facing shooter — a flagship setup tailored for clarity and detail.
Images in daylight were excellent — rich colours, sharp focus, and balanced exposure. In fact, in many instances, the results were comparable to what I'd expect from the Pixel 9a.
At night, the phone's algorithm kicks in to preserve details, and Night Mode brings out brighter, less noisy results without looking artificial.
Where the experience dips slightly is in portrait mode. While the camera delivers crisp edge detection, the framing is fixed, which feels limiting — there's no zoom adjustment or alternate view. It makes wide portraits a challenge and reduces creative flexibility.
On the selfie front, the 32 MP sensor with autofocus delivers sharp images with natural skin tones. Whether you're snapping selfies or hopping onto video calls, the front cam holds its own. For video lovers, the rear cameras offer 4K 60fps Dolby Vision, along with Ultra Steady support for smoother handheld shots.
Battery
Battery life is another area where OnePlus has crushed expectations. Despite its small size, the OnePlus 13s houses a massive 5,850 mAh battery. And it's not just for show. The phone manages to last a day quite comfortably. Topping up the phone is fast too, thanks to 80W SUPERVOOC charging and Bypass Charging for cooler performance during gaming. With all these optimisations, you're looking at all-day power with just a few minutes of charging.
Verdict
The OnePlus 13s reminds me of the OnePlus 7T — a one-of-a-kind sibling that dares to be different. It's not just another compact phone — it's a compact flagship. It answers the market's need for smaller devices without skimping on power, battery, or features.
From its top-tier processor and flagship display to intelligent AI features and robust camera system, the OnePlus 13s offers a rare blend of usability and power. So yes, it does stand apart — and if you've been waiting for a compact phone with no compromises, the latest OnePlus 13s will be the answer.
OnePlus 13s starts at ₹54,999.
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'That means they will have a trend in mind and they will buy that trend without caring about the brand, unlike millennials who will buy from the same five-six brands and hesitate to experiment." For the sake of comparison, I asked 10 millennials (aged 29-41), the generation that came before, about their approach to fashion trends. Many were keen to know what styles were trending, but they weren't that interested in following them. 'They weren't so many trends when I was growing up. In school, the popular kids used to copy either Bollywood stars or each other," recalls a college professor, 41, in Pune. 'The concept of fast fashion entered our lives a little later." (Indian consumers got the taste of fast fashion with the entry of Zara in 2010.) Would they repeat an outfit? 'Hell yeah," says a software engineer in Hyderabad. 'If I like something, why will I not wear it again?" Trends-first buying is also fuelled by Gen Z discovering their own spending power. Every second Gen Z will be earning by the end of this year, according to The $2 Trillion Opportunity: How Gen Z is Shaping the New India by social media network Snap Inc. and BCG. Sanghi was one of the authors of this 2024 report. '… this generation wields a total spending power of $860 billion. (Of this), approximately $200 billion comes from direct spending—money they earn and spend themselves—while $660 billion comes from influenced spending, which includes purchases influenced by their recommendations or preferences," says the report. By 2035, their direct spending is estimated to reach $1.8 trillion, implying that every second rupee of consumer spend in 2035, will be driven by India's Gen Z. Gen Z shops a lot more than any generation before. Gen Z's purchase frequency is eight to nine times a year, compared to the national average of five to six, according to a recent report. Small wonder then, brands, fast and slow, have their eyes set on the Indian Gen Z consumer. While the likes of Christian Louboutin and Tod's are launching India-focused collections to target the young, international fast fashion mega houses such as Shein and Savana are spreading their wings here. Homegrown brands are not far behind either. Tata-owned Zudio, which offers clothes as low as ₹ 99, for instance, is expanding its base to metros after mushrooming in tier-2 cities. Emerging brands like Myntra's M-Now and NewMe are ensuring the market stays competitive, by offering trendy clothes at your doorstep in 30-90 minutes. A growing number of online-only clothing brands, meanwhile, are marketing themselves with one promise: 'If it's trending, you will find it here". According to a 2024 report by Redseer Strategy Consultants, India's fast fashion segment expanded 30-40% in 2023-24. The country's $10 billion fast fashion segment will hit $50 billion by 2031, it adds. MORE IS IN 'What makes Gen Z's pull stronger is that their influence goes beyond their wardrobe," says Sanghi. 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That's besides the fact that mobile connections weren't that great then, but the most we did was show clothes to our parents and a close friend after buying them." Also read: The lives of India's baby influencers Every generation has revelled in trends—whether it was the hippie culture of the 1970s or the cyber-inspired elements of Y2K. But never before have trends appeared only to disappear in a week. Fast fashion introduces over 50 trends in a year compared to the three traditional cycles—spring/summer, fall/winter, and a holiday collection. Nor have new clothes 'dropped" every 7-10 days in store and on shopping apps. Like, swipe, buy, wear—fast-fashion brands are trying every trick in the book to ensure the distance between you and the next hot piece of clothing shrinks by the hour. The likes of Savana and NewMe, for instance, drop new collections every week. Cherry App, a Myntra-style marketplace, on the other hand, only allows people with over 1,000-plus Instagram followers to shop on their platform. If you tag Cherry and the clothing brand you've bought, you get a cashback. For the brands, it's free, 'authentic" marketing. It's a win-win. WHEN QUANTITY MATTERS Cocktail dresses for ₹ 300, ₹ 150 kurtas and ₹ 99 T-shirts might not deliver on quality but they do on trend—something Indore-based Ishika Sharma, 22, is glad about. 'I am more of a quantity person than quality," says Sharma, who has three full-size wardrobes dedicated to 200-plus summer outfits. She's completing an MBA degree online. 'I will invest ₹ 1,500 in jeans since you get more wear out of it. But with tops and dresses, I like having more options. So then I do the girl math." That's internet-speak for buying more at lower prices. Fast fashion may not deliver on quality, but it's cheap and ecommerce platforms often deliver trendy clothes in a day or less. 'I am more of a quantity person than quality,' says Ishika Sharma, 22, who lives in Indore, and buys new clothes every two weeks. In the past four years, since she started earning money by teaching Kathak and doing wedding choreography, Sharma has become more mindful about her spending. She shops once in two weeks, spending about ₹ 4,000-5,000 each time on clothes from brands like Westside, H&M, NewMe, or any other new website she discovers while scrolling her social media feed. When her parents were paying the bill, shopping was a weekly exercise. Also read: Why fashion loves influencers She doesn't mind breaking the two-week rule for special occasions, though. Like the other day when Sharma was packing for a quick Delhi trip, she realised she didn't have anything quite fun. So, she bought a frayed denim top for ₹ 600. 'People don't say it out loud but you can feel they are thinking 'she doesn't have new clothes' (if I repeat clothes)," she explains. 'I wanted to wear this one dress for my birthday but I couldn't because I had posted it a few weeks before in my (Instagram) Stories. So I ordered four new ones because I had to post something on my birthday." INSTANT 'VIBES' Sumit Jasoria calls Gen Z 'Generation Instant". He is one of the four co-founders of NewMe, a three-year-old Gen Z-focused Bengaluru-based startup that offers new styles on its app and retail stores every week. Their clothes are produced in India as well as China. 'They want everything instantly. Instant trends, instant clothes, instant mileage, instant likes. Fashion has become instant as well. Open the phone, and there are always trending trends." He's not exaggerating. Want to take part in a collective 'moment"? Add a labubu or any other similar small stuffed toy to your bag or belt. Feel like channelling the 1990s since you didn't experience it the first time? Buy some butterfly jewellery that your favourite influencer wore the other day. Fancy looking rich? Go for neutral shades. NewMe, like most fast-fashion brands, wants to cash in on the relentless cycle of trends. Its online trial stores are carefully designed with a beautiful, well-lit backgrounds. The trick is to ensure that when a Gen Zer video-calls or shares a Snap with their friends for outfit approval, they get convinced easily. Low prices (the most expensive stuff on their platform is about ₹ 2,500) are the other obvious pull, plus marketing via content creators or through shout-outs by customers. Also read: That viscose shirt is harming the planet They deliver clothes in Delhi and Bengaluru in about 30 minutes, relying on a network of dark stores and zonal hubs. But it's not just delivery time they're cutting. They hope to shorten the production time from creating the design to production even further—from two months to two days. Jasoria is certain that's possible with artificial intelligence (AI). 'We've studied the fantastic models of Shein, Zara, H&M our learnings have come from how they operate. But my question is when we are making clothes for such big international companies here in India, why can't a company as big as Shein or bigger emerge from our own country—clothes made in India by an Indian company and sold across the world? That's what we are working towards." Arrsh Rehani, 19, doesn't care whether his clothes are made in India, Cambodia, China, Vietnam, Pakistan or Morocco. They just need to be trendy and fit his 6ft frame. His experimentation is rather limited compared to the rest of the people I spoke with for this story. 'I just got a (Ralph Lauren) Polo sweater with an embroidered teddy bear since a lot of my friends were talking about toycore (an aesthetic around toys, especially stuffed animals and mini-figures; the viral labubus are part of this) but that's the most experiment I will do," says Rehani, who recently moved to Australia from Noida for further studies. He's more interested in experimenting with footwear—he has over 20 pairs. So much so that he keeps searching for limited-edition Nikes, special collab adidas Sambas and latest Balenciagas on social media apps and resale websites. 'Most of my stuff comes from the brands I see on Instagram," says Rehani, who rarely posts photos on social media. 'I think I use it more as a place to get style ideas from." Also read: Young India's new therapist: The fortune-teller Social media shapes a much of Gen Z's style. 'You have to keep up with trends otherwise you'll get FOMO,' says Umar Shaikh, 19, who follows content creators like Wisdm and actor Shah Rukh Khan for style inspiration. So does Umar Shaikh, 19, who follows content creators like Wisdm and actor Shah Rukh Khan for style inspiration. Often when Shaikh and his friends at a Mumbai college meet, the first thing they discuss is whether their outfit looks like they have put in effort. 'We all exchange notes," says Shaikh, who describes his style as trendy streetwear—think baggy jeans, oversized hoodies, logo T-shirts. He sometimes borrows his elder sister Zee's clothes; the siblings are fans of the unisex style. 'You have to keep up with trends otherwise you'll get FOMO. Everybody wants to be different and also fit in; it doesn't matter whether you are posting on social media or not." THE GREAT PARADOX Various studies attest that Gen Z is more concerned about climate change, excessive consumption and over capitalism. But for every Licypriya Kangujam and Greta Thunberg, there are thousands chasing trends by stuffing their wardrobes with fast fashion. Studies show fast fashion is responsible for 10% of global CO2 emissions—more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. Gen Z is concerned about climate change, excessive consumption and over capitalism, but for Licypriya Kangujam and Greta Thunberg, there are thousands stuffing their wardrobes with fast fashion. 'I care about the environment... but if my polyester top comes within my budget and I like it, I will buy it,' says Esha Gambhir, 20, from Ghaziabad. Esha Gambhir, a 20-year-old philosophy student in Ghaziabad, doesn't care as much about the pollution as she does about whether the clothes will complement her. 'I care about the environment but it is the last thing on my list," she says. 'I don't have the money to buy a linen top, which I think is also not very environment-friendly (she's not wrong). If my polyester top comes within my budget and I like it, I will buy it." Zee, Shaikh's sister, on the other hand, would like to care more about the environment, but she 'also wants to look cool". Zee Shaikh says she would like to care more about the environment, but she 'also wants to look cool'. Gen Z is aware of the impact of fast fashion and that it is responsible for 10% of global CO2 emissions but they don't think their consumption patterns contribute to it.. Shaikh doesn't believe his fast-fashion shopping habit is big enough to hurt the environment. Rehani, on the other hand, has heard of how wasteful fast fashion is but he doesn't buy into the idea. 'That whole notion that Gen Z is much more mindful in terms of consumption is a lot of talk," clarifies Sanghi. 'If you talk to them, they will say, of course, we care about the environment, but they don't follow it in practice." Kathuria, too, would like to reduce her consumption, but not for now. 'Maybe once I am older? I don't think the trend-chasing will ever stop. My Gen Z is still a little aware of what fast fashion is doing to our planet. Imagine what will happen when the next lot (Gen Alpha) will start shopping? If we are trends-obsessed, they will be trend freaks." Also read: Fashion industry's biggest contradiction: sustainable clothes Topics You May Be Interested In
