OnePlus 13T Smartphone Review: The Compact Powerhouse You Might Be Missing

Struggling to find a flagship phone that doesn’t feel like a mini-tablet in your hand? Well, if you’re like me and appreciate a powerful phone that’s actually comfortable to use with one hand, then the OnePlus 13T just might be the answer you’ve been searching for. This phone, officially launched on April 24, 2025, steps onto the scene as OnePlus’s “compact flagship,” aiming to deliver top-tier performance in a more manageable size. It’s not just a smaller version of the OnePlus 13. it’s got its own identity with some clever design choices and a price tag that makes it super appealing. In this review, we’ll break down everything that makes the OnePlus 13T tick, from its sleek design and stunning display to its camera capabilities and long-lasting battery, helping you decide if this is the right phone to add to your pocket. If you’re already thinking about upgrading, check out some new Android smartphones or OnePlus phone accessories to get a head start.

A Fresh Take on Design: Small, Yet Mighty

When you first pick up the OnePlus 13T, you’ll immediately notice that it’s designed with comfort in mind. Gone are the days when smaller phones meant compromising on specs. This device is marketed as a “compact flagship,” and it definitely lives up to that. It sports a 6.32-inch flat screen with narrow bezels, which is a big deal for anyone who finds today’s massive phones unwieldy. Its body is just 71.7mm wide, making it much easier to grip compared to typical flagship phones that usually hover around 77mm.

OnePlus really put thought into the ergonomics here. The phone weighs 185g and is 8.16mm thick, which is a good balance for a compact device, even with a big battery inside. The design features a premium “Coral Velvet Glass” on the back, giving it a unique texture that feels great in hand and resists fingerprints surprisingly well. The sides are made of frosted aluminum, and the camera module also has a matte finish, contributing to a clean, fresh look that doesn’t scream for attention like some super shiny phones.

Now, for a bit of a change for long-time OnePlus fans: the iconic alert slider is actually gone on the 13T. In its place, you get a new shortcut key that’s customizable. You can set it to mute, vibrate, or ring with one click, or even assign it to other functions, which is pretty neat. This thoughtful design focuses on a balanced, comfortable feel, making it enjoyable to use without a case, even for those of us with sweaty or oily hands. If you’re looking for extra protection or to switch up the look, you can always explore a wide range of stylish phone cases.

Display That Pops: A Smooth Visual Experience

The screen on the OnePlus 13T is a real treat for your eyes, especially if you appreciate vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. It features a 6.32-inch flat display with a crisp 1200×2780 pixels 1.5K resolution at 450 pixels per inch. This is an LTPO AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, meaning everything from scrolling through your social media feeds to playing games feels incredibly fluid and responsive. Uniq Design Lyden DS Magnetic Card Holder Review: Your Wallet & Stand Combo Examined

While the OnePlus 13 boasts a “record-breaking 2K ProXDR Display” with a whopping 4,500 nits peak brightness and an industry-first DisplayMate A++ rating, the 13T’s display is still exceptionally good. OnePlus generally excels in display quality, with their screens known for excellent color accuracy and brightness. Even if the 13T doesn’t hit the extreme brightness peaks of its larger sibling, it’s still very capable for outdoor use, ensuring good visibility under bright sunlight. Plus, the display is usable when wearing gloves or with wet fingers thanks to something like Aqua Touch technology, which is super convenient. To keep that beautiful screen safe, consider investing in some smartphone screen protectors.

Performance Powerhouse: Snapdragon 8 Elite Under the Hood

Underneath that sleek exterior, the OnePlus 13T packs a serious punch with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite mobile platform. This is a top-tier processor that ensures the phone runs incredibly fast and smoothly, no matter what you throw at it. Whether you’re jumping between apps, editing photos, or into graphic-intensive games, the phone handles it all without breaking a sweat.

In real-world tests, this chipset, often paired with 12GB or 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM with some regions potentially seeing a 24GB/1TB variant for the OnePlus 13, implying similar high-end options for the T-series, delivers exceptional performance. For gamers, this means games like Genshin Impact and PUBG Mobile run at high frame rates with impressive stability and surprisingly low temperatures for a compact phone. One reviewer noted that the 13T’s gaming performance “outperform the Xiaomi 15” and its temperatures are “shockingly low,” even dare to host an outdoor esports tournament under the midday sun due to its cooling capabilities. It even features gaming-centric additions like bypass charging and AI-assisted controls, which are usually found in dedicated gaming phone accessories.

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The Snapdragon 8 Elite also brings improved AI capabilities, powering features within OxygenOS 15 and integrating with Google AI tools like Circle to Search. While it might not have all the AI bells and whistles of a Pixel or iPhone, the implemented AI features on the OnePlus 13T are practical and enhance the user experience, like the AI Plus Mind feature for quickly filing information.

Camera Capabilities: Focusing on Key Moments

The camera system on the OnePlus 13T is an interesting one, designed to capture your everyday moments with clarity, but it’s important to understand its specific setup for this “compact” model. Unlike the triple 50MP system found on the larger OnePlus 13, the 13T features a dual-camera setup on the rear. It comes with a 50MP main camera, reportedly using a Sony IMX906 sensor with OIS Optical Image Stabilization, and a 50MP telephoto lens with a 49mm equivalent focal length that offers 4K zoom without loss of quality.

What’s noteworthy here, and something to keep in mind, is that according to some sources, the OnePlus 13T does not include a dedicated ultrawide lens. This is a departure from many flagships, including its OnePlus 13 sibling which features a 50MP ultrawide. So, while you get a powerful main sensor and a versatile telephoto for zooming in, wide-angle shots might be less expansive than on other phones. The front camera is a 16-megapixel sensor, ready for clear selfies and video calls.

OnePlus continues its partnership with Hasselblad for color tuning, which usually results in bright, punchy, and natural-looking photos. The camera app itself is known for being smooth and responsive, with no lag or jitter when you open it. Video recording is capable, with the main camera supporting features like 4K video. If you’re a content creator or just love taking photos, the OnePlus 13T offers a solid experience, especially for standard shots and optical zoom. For those who want to expand their mobile photography, external smartphone camera lenses could be an interesting addition.

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Battery Life & Blazing Fast Charging: Keeping You Going

One of the standout features of the OnePlus 13T is its impressive battery setup. This phone packs a hefty 6260mAh battery, which is a significant bump in capacity, even surpassing many other flagships in its category. For a compact device, this is absolutely fantastic and translates to truly exceptional battery life. Reviewers of similar OnePlus models like the 13 and 13R with 6000mAh have noted that they easily last for two full days of average use on a single charge. The OnePlus 13 itself approached the 20-hour mark in battery tests. You can expect the 13T to deliver similar, if not slightly better, endurance.

And when you do need to top up, the charging speeds are simply phenomenal. The OnePlus 13T supports 80W wired fast charging. What’s great is that it often comes with the necessary SUPERVOOC charger in the box in many regions. With this, you can expect to go from empty to around 50% charge in just about 13 minutes, and a full charge takes approximately 40 minutes. This kind of speed means you barely have to think about charging. a quick plug-in during your morning routine or a coffee break is enough to get you through most of the day.

Now, for a small trade-off in this compact model: the OnePlus 13T does not support wireless charging. While the OnePlus 13 offers 50W wireless charging, the 13T focuses purely on wired speed and battery capacity. This might be a factor for some users who rely on wireless charging pads. However, for many, the blazing-fast wired charging more than makes up for it. If you need a powerful charger to keep your devices juiced up, check out these USB-C fast chargers.

Software Experience: OxygenOS 15 & The Road Ahead

The OnePlus 13T runs on Android 15 with OxygenOS 15 or ColorOS 15 in China. For years, OxygenOS has been praised for its clean, near-stock Android feel, blending fluidity with useful features. The current iteration, OxygenOS 15, maintains that smooth and responsive experience. Users often highlight its fast, clean, and highly customizable interface, which feels incredibly fluid in daily use. Password manager for rxo

OnePlus is also pretty good with software support for its flagships. For devices like the 13T, you can generally expect four major Android OS updates and six years of security updates. This is a solid commitment, ensuring your phone stays current with new features and security patches for a long time, giving you viable use out of the device for years.

However, some recent feedback on OxygenOS 15 for similar models mentions a few areas that could be improved. There might be an increased amount of pre-installed apps bloatware compared to previous versions, and some users find the system notifications for battery optimization to be a bit insistent. Despite these minor gripes, the overall functionality is strong, with features like floating windows for file sharing and good stability. The integration with Google Gemini is also improving, expanding its capabilities within OnePlus apps. While not as heavy on AI as some Pixel or Samsung phones, the OnePlus 13T offers practical AI features that enhance the user experience. If you’re looking to get the most out of your Android phone, exploring new Android apps & games is always fun.

Is OnePlus a Good Phone Brand? Reliability and Longevity

“Is OnePlus a good phone brand?” is a common question, and based on market trends and user experiences, the answer is generally a resounding yes, especially for those who prioritize performance and value. In 2025, OnePlus secured the ninth position in the market, holding a 4.4% market share in India and contributing to OPPO’s 9% global share. They’ve built a reputation for delivering “flagship-grade performance, a smooth OxygenOS experience, and a premium design”.

When it comes to longevity, “do OnePlus phones last long?” is another important consideration. Many users report that OnePlus flagships can easily last 3-4 years without significant slowdowns, and with a battery replacement or a factory reset, you can often push that to 5-6 years. This is backed by their commitment to software updates, typically offering four major Android upgrades and six years of security patches. This means your OnePlus 13T will remain secure and functional for a substantial period, making it a reliable investment. While some rivals like Google and Samsung might promise slightly longer OS updates, six years of viable use is more than enough for most people. OnePlus phones are seen as a strong alternative to Apple and Samsung, often offering comparable or superior hardware specs at a more competitive price point. Best Password Manager Review 2023: Keep Your Digital Life Secure!

Pricing & Value: What You Get for Your Money

The OnePlus 13T hits a sweet spot in the market, especially considering its “compact flagship” positioning. It launched in China with a price of 3399 Yuan, translating to around £350 in the UK and up to $466 in the USA. This is significantly more affordable than its larger sibling, the OnePlus 13, which starts at $899.99 / £899.

For that price, you’re getting a phone powered by the top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite, a beautiful 120Hz AMOLED display, a massive 6260mAh battery with incredibly fast 80W wired charging, and a capable dual-camera system with Hasselblad tuning. While it makes some trade-offs, like the lack of a dedicated ultrawide camera, wireless charging, and an IP65 rating instead of the 13’s IP68/69, these compromises are understandable for its compact size and competitive price.

Ultimately, the OnePlus 13T offers excellent value for users who want flagship-level performance and battery life in a comfortable, one-handed design without spending nearly a grand. It’s a compelling choice if you appreciate raw power, fast charging, and a refined software experience, and you’re okay with a focused camera system and no wireless charging. It truly embodies the spirit of a “flagship killer” for its specific niche of compact, high-performance smartphones.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the OnePlus 13T and the OnePlus 13?

The OnePlus 13T is designed as a “compact flagship” with a smaller 6.32-inch flat display compared to the OnePlus 13’s 6.82-inch screen. While both are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, the 13T has a dual-camera setup 50MP main + 50MP telephoto and reportedly lacks a dedicated ultrawide lens, whereas the OnePlus 13 boasts a more versatile triple 50MP Hasselblad camera system main, ultrawide, telephoto. Additionally, the 13T features an IP65 rating and no wireless charging, while the OnePlus 13 offers IP68/IP69 water resistance and 50W wireless charging. The 13T also comes in at a much lower price point.

Does the OnePlus 13T have wireless charging?

No, the OnePlus 13T does not support wireless charging. It relies on its incredibly fast 80W wired SUPERVOOC charging, which can get the phone to 50% in about 13 minutes and fully charged in around 40 minutes. Password manager for rsa

How long will the OnePlus 13T receive software updates?

The OnePlus 13T, running on Android 15 with OxygenOS 15, is expected to receive four major Android OS updates and six years of security updates. This ensures your device stays current and secure for a substantial period.

What is the battery life like on the OnePlus 13T?

The OnePlus 13T features a large 6260mAh battery, which translates to excellent battery life. Users can expect it to comfortably last for at least a full day of heavy use, and often up to two days with moderate usage.

Is the OnePlus 13T good for gaming?

Absolutely! With its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and generous RAM options 12GB/16GB, the OnePlus 13T delivers exceptional gaming performance. It handles demanding games like Genshin Impact and PUBG Mobile at high frame rates with good stability and surprisingly low temperatures, even featuring gaming-centric software enhancements.

What kind of display does the OnePlus 13T have?

The OnePlus 13T sports a 6.32-inch flat LTPO AMOLED display with a 1200×2780 pixels 1.5K resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. It’s designed for a vibrant and fluid visual experience.

Does the OnePlus 13T have an ultrawide camera?

No, the OnePlus 13T reportedly features a dual-camera system on the rear, consisting of a 50MP main camera and a 50MP telephoto lens, but it does not include a dedicated ultrawide lens. Password manager for rps