OnePlus 13 vs OnePlus 13R: Which One Should You Choose in 2025?

OnePlus is starting 2025 with a bang, launching not one, but two exciting new smartphones: the OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R. Both devices promise a premium experience with top-notch performance, eye-catching designs, and impressive cameras, but with significant differences between them, how do you decide which one is right for you? Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a casual user, or someone looking for an affordable flagship, we've got you covered with a detailed comparison of these two powerhouse devices.


Overview: OnePlus 13 vs. OnePlus 13R

The OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R are both fantastic options for users looking for cutting-edge technology and performance. However, the OnePlus 13R is designed to be a more budget-friendly choice without sacrificing too much in terms of performance, making it a strong contender for those looking to get the most value for their money. Meanwhile, the OnePlus 13 offers a premium experience with the latest features and an enhanced camera system for those who want the absolute best.


Key Differences Between OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R

1. Design & Durability: Which One Stands Up to the Elements?

  • OnePlus 13: The OnePlus 13 features a sleek, premium design with a ceramic and glass build and IP68/IP69 certification, making it resistant to dust and water. This makes the OnePlus 13 an excellent choice for those who need a phone that can withstand the elements, especially if you plan on using it in outdoor environments.

  • OnePlus 13R: While the OnePlus 13R offers a similar aesthetic, its IP65 rating provides only basic protection against dust and water splashes. If you’re looking for a device that can handle rough conditions, the OnePlus 13’s higher durability rating might be worth the extra investment.

2. Display: Bigger, Better, Brighter?

  • OnePlus 13: The OnePlus 13 offers an impressive 6.82-inch LTPO OLED display with QHD+ resolution (3168 x 1440 pixels), delivering a pixel density of 515 ppi. It also supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+, ensuring vibrant, true-to-life colors. With a peak brightness of 4,500 nits, the display can reach excellent visibility even in direct sunlight, making it a top contender for multimedia consumption.

  • OnePlus 13R: The 6.78-inch AMOLED screen on the OnePlus 13R offers a 1.5K resolution (2780 x 1264 pixels) with a pixel density of around 453 ppi, slightly lower than the OnePlus 13. While it still delivers crisp visuals, the OnePlus 13 takes the lead in resolution and overall sharpness. The OnePlus 13R supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, but its peak brightness is slightly lower at 4,500 nits.

3. Performance: Power in Your Pocket

  • OnePlus 13: Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, the OnePlus 13 provides exceptional performance for gaming, multitasking, and power-intensive tasks. This new chip brings improved energy efficiency, better AI performance, and faster GPU speeds, ensuring that this phone will handle anything you throw at it. It comes with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage for smooth performance and plenty of space for apps, photos, and media.

  • OnePlus 13R: The OnePlus 13R features the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, which, while still powerful, is slightly behind the Snapdragon 8 Elite in terms of GPU performance and efficiency. With up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, the 13R will perform admirably in day-to-day tasks, multitasking, and even some light gaming. In synthetic benchmarks, the Snapdragon 8 Elite consistently scores higher, but in real-world use, both devices are extremely fast and responsive.

OnePlus 13
4. Camera Performance: Taking Your Shots to the Next Level

  • OnePlus 13: The OnePlus 13 is equipped with a flagship 50MP Sony LYT-808 sensor (f/1.8 aperture, 1/1.28-inch sensor) with OIS for sharp, detailed shots even in low-light conditions. It also features a 50MP ultra-wide sensor and a 50MP periscope telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS, giving you versatile shooting options. The 32MP front camera ensures sharp and vibrant selfies, while Hasselblad’s camera tuning delivers natural, accurate colors. The camera system supports 8K video recording, offering professional-level videography features.

  • OnePlus 13R: The 50MP main sensor (f/2.0 aperture) in the OnePlus 13R is still an excellent performer, but it doesn’t have the 1/1.28-inch sensor or the Hasselblad tuning found on the OnePlus 13. The 13R also includes a 50MP telephoto lens (2x optical zoom) and an 8MP ultra-wide lens, making it a solid choice for portrait and wide-angle shots. While it doesn't match the OnePlus 13 in terms of camera versatility (no periscope lens), the 13R is still a very capable camera phone that delivers stunning results, especially in well-lit conditions.

5. Battery and Charging: Fast, Faster, Fastest

  • OnePlus 13: With a 6,000 mAh battery, the OnePlus 13 offers all-day power. It supports 100W wired charging, which can charge the phone from 0 to 100% in just 30 minutes, as well as 50W wireless charging, which can fully charge the device wirelessly in about an hour. The large battery and fast charging make it an excellent option for users who need their phone to last throughout the day and recharge quickly.

  • OnePlus 13R: The 13R also has a 6,000 mAh battery, but it supports 80W wired charging instead of 100W. It takes about 35 minutes to charge from 0 to 100%, which is still impressively fast but not quite on the level of the OnePlus 13. The 13R retains 50W wireless charging, offering a similar wireless charging experience to the OnePlus 13.

6. Software and Additional Features: A Refined Experience

  • OnePlus 13: The OnePlus 13 runs on Android 15 with the new OxygenOS 15 interface, offering a clean, customizable experience with enhanced multitasking and AI features. It also includes 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, and an under-display ultrasonic fingerprint reader for faster, more secure unlocking.

  • OnePlus 13R: The OnePlus 13R also runs on Android 15 with OxygenOS 15, offering a similar software experience to the OnePlus 13, with minor tweaks in functionality. It features 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and NFC, as well as the under-display fingerprint reader.


Which One is Right for You?

  • OnePlus 13: If you’re after the ultimate flagship experience with a stunning display, pro-level camera features, and top-tier performance, the OnePlus 13 is the clear winner. Whether you're a gamer, content creator, or someone who simply wants the best of the best, this phone delivers on every front, with a price tag starting at $899.

  • OnePlus 13R: For those who want strong performance, solid cameras, and all the essential features at a more affordable price, the OnePlus 13R is an excellent choice. With a starting price of $599, it offers excellent value for money without compromising on the core features that make OnePlus phones great.


Final Thoughts

Both the OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R are fantastic devices that cater to different user needs. The OnePlus 13 is for those who demand the very best in terms of performance, display, and camera, while the OnePlus 13R offers a more budget-friendly option with most of the key features found in the flagship model.

Which one should you choose? If you're after top-tier performance and don't mind spending more, the OnePlus 13 is the obvious choice. If you're looking for a great phone at a lower price point without compromising on the essentials, the OnePlus 13R delivers solid performance and great value for money.


What do you think? Let us know in the comments below which OnePlus 13 model you're leaning towards. Don't forget to share this post with friends and fellow OnePlus fans! 

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