After its launch in China in late 2024, OnePlus has now released its flagship OnePlus 13 globally. While the design of the OnePlus 13 closely resembles the OnePlus 12, several key differences set them apart in terms of performance, battery life, and durability. Let’s break down the main upgrades and whether the OnePlus 13 is worth the upgrade.
Performance: A Notable Boost in Speed
The OnePlus 13 offers a significantly stronger performance compared to the OnePlus 12. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the OnePlus 12 is efficient for multitasking and gaming, but it’s outpaced by the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor in the OnePlus 13. The new chip delivers up to a 45% increase in CPU speed, 40% improvement in GPU performance, and 45% faster neural processing (NPU), alongside better power efficiency.
In Geekbench 6 tests, the OnePlus 13 scored 9494 points in multi-core, while the OnePlus 12 scored 5054 points, confirming the substantial performance leap.
Design: Slimmer, Lighter, and More Durable
While the overall design is similar, the OnePlus 13 features a flatter frame, reminiscent of the iPhone 16 and Samsung Galaxy S24. Unlike the OnePlus 12, it has no curved edges, giving it a more refined look. Additionally, the OnePlus 13 is thinner (8.5mm vs 9.2mm) and lighter (210g vs 220g).
In terms of durability, the OnePlus 13 has an IP68/69 rating for water and dust resistance, and the Aqua Touch feature allows for touchscreen use even when the device is wet.
Battery: Bigger and Longer-Lasting
The OnePlus 13 comes with a 6000mAh battery, compared to the 5400mAh battery in the OnePlus 12, offering longer battery life. Combined with the efficient Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, the OnePlus 13 outperforms its predecessor in battery longevity.
Both phones support 100W wired fast charging and 50W wireless charging.
Camera: Slight Upgrades
Both models feature a triple-lens camera system (wide, telephoto, and ultra-wide), but the OnePlus 13 offers a 50MP telephoto lens (down from 64MP in the OnePlus 12), with a larger sensor size for better performance. The main 50MP and ultra-wide 50MP lenses have also been slightly improved, providing better clarity and detail.
AI Features: Smarter Experience
Running on OxygenOS 15 based on Android 15, the OnePlus 13 introduces exclusive AI-powered features like:
- Smart Search to find files and notes easily.
- Instant Translation supporting over 20 languages.
- AI-based photo editing tools to enhance your pictures.
Price Comparison
- OnePlus 12: Priced at $800 for the 16GB RAM, 512GB storage model.
- OnePlus 13: Priced at $1000 for the same RAM and storage configuration.
Is the OnePlus 13 Worth the Upgrade?
The OnePlus 13 offers significant improvements, especially in performance, design, battery life, and AI features. However, if you already own the OnePlus 12, the differences may not be compelling enough to justify the upgrade. On the other hand, if you’re using an older device, the OnePlus 13 is an excellent choice for those seeking a new flagship phone with top-tier performance and advanced features.
