Summary of Oneplus 13 - Long term review - The Great, The Good, Areas of Improvement & the Ugly!

OnePlus 13 Long-Term Review Summary

Product Overview:

The reviewer has used the OnePlus 13 as a daily driver for about 3.5 months, specifically the top-end model with 1TB storage and 24GB RAM. The review is structured into four categories: things loved, good features, areas for improvement, and disliked aspects.

Main Features & Highlights

Performance:
- Powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, offering top-tier performance for gaming and general use.
- 24GB RAM (in the reviewed variant) ensures smooth multitasking.
- UFS 4.0 storage enables very fast data transfer speeds, outperforming iPhones in this regard.
Battery:
- Large 6000mAh battery split into two 3000mAh cells with silicon carbide technology.
- Supports 100W fast wired charging, allowing quick top-ups (e.g., 10 minutes charging can last a day).
- Reverse wireless charging available, useful for charging other devices in a pinch.
- Battery longevity is managed by charging between 20% and 80%, with occasional full charges for long days.
Display:
- Peak brightness up to 1600 nits, making outdoor visibility excellent.
- Screen is slightly curved (2.5D), not fully flat, which the reviewer finds less ideal for tempered glass application.
Build & Design:
- Available in black (glass back), white, and blue (with leather back).
- Reviewer prefers the leather back for durability and scratch resistance; wishes the black variant had leather too.
- IP68/69 rating offers strong water and dust resistance, providing peace of mind for durability.
Additional Features:
- IR Blaster included, allowing the phone to control TVs, ACs, and other appliances—a feature the reviewer finds very useful and underrated.
- “Share to iPhone” feature integrated into the system, enabling easy file transfers between OnePlus and iPhones, similar to Apple’s AirDrop.
- Picture-in-picture mode supported on more apps than competitors, allowing multitasking during video playback.
- Vibration motor is high quality, reportedly better than Apple's in some ways.
- Reasonably priced extended warranty (OnePlus Care) covering breakage and spillage for two years at about 6,000 rupees, cheaper than iPhone’s equivalent.

Pros

Excellent performance with flagship chipset and ample RAM.
Very fast charging (100W), changing user habits around charging.
Large battery capacity for peace of mind.
Bright, vibrant display with great outdoor visibility.
Useful IR Blaster feature for remote control functionality.
Integrated file sharing with iPhones simplifies cross-platform use.
Reverse wireless charging adds convenience.
Good speakers and strong vibration motor.
Competitive pricing, especially for higher storage variants (smaller price jump compared to iPhone/Samsung).
Durable with IP68/69 rating.
Good value extended warranty available.

Cons / Areas for Improvement

Back Material:
- The black glass back is prone to scratches and breakage; leather back (available only on blue variant) is preferred.
Display Curve:
- Screen is not fully flat, making tempered glass application tricky; reviewer prefers flat screens like iPhone or Samsung S25 Ultra.
Camera:
- Good but not best-in-class; rated around A or B+ tier.
- Lacks cinematic mode like iPhone.
- Can reduce f-stop for blurred background only at 1080p, not at 4K, limiting video quality options.
MagSafe Equivalent:
- No built-in magnetic attachment system; reviewer uses a case with MagSafe-like feature for mounting and wireless charging convenience.
Charging Compatibility:
- Proprietary fast charging is best with OnePlus charger; PD chargers work but slower.

User Experience & Comparisons

The reviewer appreciates the balance of battery life and fast charging, preferring fast charging if forced to choose.
Compared to iPhones, OnePlus offers better storage upgrade pricing and faster storage speeds.
The “Share to iPhone” feature is a standout for users with mixed-device ecosystems.
The IR Blaster is a nostalgic and practical feature missing from many modern phones.
The phone handles gaming (PUBG) without issues.
Picture-in-picture functionality is better supported than on iPhone or Samsung for certain apps.

Pricing

Purchased for approximately 85,000 rupees with discounts for the 1TB/24GB RAM variant.
Storage upgrade pricing is more reasonable than iPhone/Samsung, saving around 5,000 rupees per tier upgrade.
Extended warranty is affordable and adds value.

Overall

Notable Quotes

— 04:49 — « So many times in my friend circle I've been that guy who's helped someone charge their phone just by putting it over my phone. It sounds like a party if I'm being honest, but it's good, it's nice, it's helpful. »

— 05:36 — « I would take faster charging over battery life if I had to choose one or the other. If you're getting me this has both, but if I had to choose between great battery life and quick wired charging, I would choose quicker wired charging. »

— 06:01 — « Before you get ready, you can plug it in for 10 minutes and that's all the power you need through the day. »

— 08:40 — « Just having that IP69 rating which is one higher than what we ever had, just having that durability kind of gives you the peace of mind. »

— 09:34 — « Even that 5,000 rupees difference in going higher in storage makes a difference. You can use that 5 or 6,000 rupees to get OnePlus and you have peace of mind for 2 years. »