If you’re looking for a solid phone without breaking the bank, the OnePlus 13R might just be what you need. OnePlus has always been about offering great value, and the 13R is no different. It’s like a budget-friendly version of the Pixel 9, with a few key features that could make it the perfect choice for some.
At $599, the OnePlus 13R follows a simple approach: take some of the best features from premium phones, cut back on a few things, and drop the price. And it works! The phone feels nice to hold with its glass and metal design, and the “Astral Trail” color looks sleek. It’s a bit slippery, though, so you might want to use the included “Sandstone” case.
When you turn the phone on, the 6.78-inch OLED display stands out. It’s super vibrant, with a peak brightness of 4,500 nits, making everything look great. The fingerprint sensor works well, though it would’ve been even better if it had an ultrasonic sensor like some other flagship phones.
Running on OxygenOS 15 (based on Android 15), the OnePlus 13R offers a smooth experience. It’s a bit customized, but not in a bad way. The device gets 4 major Android updates, so you won’t have to worry about it getting outdated anytime soon. The phone uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, which might sound like a downgrade from the OnePlus 13’s newer Snapdragon 8 Elite, but in real use, there’s barely a difference. It runs pretty smoothly, even with heavy apps and games.
Battery life is another highlight. It lasts a full day easily, and with fast charging up to 80W (though the included charger offers 55W), you can quickly juice it up.
The camera is also a big plus for the price. The main camera, powered by a Sony LYT-700 sensor, takes sharp, clean photos with great colors. The secondary cameras, including an 8MP ultrawide and a 50MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom, work well too.
Now, the Pixel 9 is known for being an all-around great phone, and the OnePlus 13R falls into the same category. It has the best features of a flagship phone, but with some smart cuts to keep the price lower. While the Pixel 9 is for just about everyone, the OnePlus 13R is for people who want great performance, long battery life, or need to save a few bucks.
At $599, the OnePlus 13R gives you a lot of what you’d get from a flagship OnePlus 13, but at $300 less. It even competes with the Pixel 9 on most fronts, while saving you $200. For me, I’d still prefer the Pixel 9’s better hardware and cameras, but if you’re after value, the OnePlus 13R is definitely worth considering.