For less than $500, the OnePlus 13T is a small flagship that offers great performance, an amazing battery life, and high-end features. Learn why it is 2025’s sleeper hit.
What You Need to Know
With the recent release of the OnePlus 13T, I must say that it is revolutionary for those of us who want flagship performance without the heft. The new specs must make the customer feel like they’re scrolling on ice because of its smooth 120Hz refresh rate and 6.32-inch OLED display, which strikes the ideal mix between being neither too small nor too tablet-like.
The battery, which was crammed into this little design with 6,260mAh, was what startled me the most. Even more than the Galaxy S25 Ultra, that is. It is obvious that the improved silicon-carbon technology is working. What about 16GB of RAM, a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, and an incredible 1TB of storage? Yes, it is punching far more powerfully than its size.
Additionally, the new customisable shortcut key offers a tonne of functionality even though the famous alert slider is no longer there.
What Does “T” Stand For in OnePlus?
I will admit that I once assumed it meant for “Turbo” or something. In actuality, OnePlus has not provided a formal response. However, it is widely acknowledged that it is their method of stating that “this is the upgraded version”. Better specs, similar vibes to Apple’s “S” devices.
Is OnePlus Better Than Samsung?
That depends on what you want. Samsung offers wireless charging, more features, and generally superior cameras. However, OnePlus? improved value for money, speedier updates recently, and a cleaner user interface. In my opinion, OnePlus is the sensible option, while Samsung is the ostentatious one.
For me, the Android experience with less pre-installed apps and near-stock is preferable. And this battery life? It is better than a 200MP camera that I seldom use.
Will the OnePlus 13 Have Wireless Charging?
The base OnePlus 13? Yes. The 13T? Nope. And yeah, I was a little bummed too (Based on what I understood from the information shared). But with 80W wired charging, you go from zero to hero in under 30 minutes.
If you’re used to plopping your phone on a wireless pad, you’ll miss it. But if speed is your thing, this is no biggie.
Does the OnePlus 13 Heat Up?
The short answer is ‘rarely. It hardly warmed up, even when I was simultaneously running GPS, hotspotting, and streaming Spotify to my laptop. It gets a little hotter while gaming, but not significantly.
Under the hood, the Snapdragon 8 Elite is managing heat quite effectively. Well done.
Does the OnePlus 13 Have a Magnet?
This is not MagSafe. However, if you add a magnetic plate to your case, universal mounts function flawlessly. Mine adheres to an automobile vent quite well.
OnePlus maintains simplicity. And I sort of adore that.
Does the OnePlus 13 Have a Good Camera?
The 13T has two 50MP cameras: a primary camera and two telephotos. Very clear clarity, particularly in well-lit areas. It is also good in night mode. Overall, I have been impressed, however the lack of ultra-wide is unfortunate when you want that wide BBQ shot.
Compared to Samsung’s heavily Photoshopped photos, it feels more natural. And pictures? Much excellent than anticipated.
Is It Worth Buying the OnePlus 13?
Absolutely, if you want flagship specs, a crazy battery, and a portable design for less than $500. It cuts out the nonsense and gets all the fundamentals right.
Yes, there is no ultra-wide lens or wireless charging. But everything else is good. Anyone looking for a dependable, quick phone without going over budget should get this, in my opinion.
Gaming & AI Power
This thing flies through games. Genshin, PUBG, you name it—it runs smooth. Barely any heat, and no lag. The AI features are wild too—voice transcription, image cleanup, smart battery optimization—it’s all in there.
And that new shortcut key? I set it to toggle Game Mode. Instant immersion.
The ‘Small’ OnePlus 13T Packs a Big Battery
We’re talking 6,260mAh. In a phone that fits in your jeans pocket. I imagine if you took something like this to camping with no charger, it would still last for more than two days.
It’s the best battery I’ve had on a phone since… ever. And that’s saying something.
OnePlus 13T Full Specifications
Design & Build
- Dimensions: 157.8 × 71.7 × 8.2 mm
- Weight: 185g
- Materials: Metal frame with glass or vegan leather back
- Colors: Morning Mist Gray, Heartbeat Pink, Cloud Ink Black
- Water & Dust Resistance: IP68/IP69 certified
- Special Features: Customizable shortcut key replacing the traditional alert slider
Display
- Size: 6.32-inch AMOLED flat display
- Resolution: 2772 × 1240 pixels (1.5K)
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz LTPO 4.0
- Peak Brightness: Up to 4500 nits
- Screen-to-Body Ratio: 93.8%
- Bezels: 1.2mm ultra-narrow
Performance
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm)
- CPU Configuration: 2× 4.32GHz + 6× 3.53GHz
- GPU: Adreno 830
- RAM: 12GB or 16GB LPDDR5X
- Storage Options: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB UFS 4.0
- Operating System: ColorOS 15 based on Android 15
- AnTuTu Benchmark Score: Approximately 3,035,060
Battery & Charging
- Capacity: 6,260mAh (dual-cell silicon-carbon battery)
- Wired Charging: 80W SUPERVOOC (full charge in ~30 minutes)
- Wireless Charging: Not supported
- Battery Life: Up to 20 hours of 1080p video playback
Camera System
- Rear Cameras:
- Main Sensor: 50MP Sony IMX906 with OIS
- Telephoto Lens: 50MP with 2x optical zoom
- Front Camera: Details not specified
- Video Capabilities: Supports high-resolution video recording
Cooling & Gaming Features
- Cooling System: ‘Glacier’ cooling with 10,124mm² VC chamber
- Thermal Conductivity: 2100W/m·K with advanced graphite layers
- Gaming Engine: Custom ‘WindChaser’ game engine integrated at the chipset level
- Performance Metrics:
- Average Frame Rate: ~59.9 fps in demanding games
- Peak Temperature: ~43.5°C during extended gaming sessions
Connectivity & Additional Features
- MagSafe Compatibility: Supports magnetic accessories (e.g., chargers, wallets)
- Audio: Stereo speakers with high-fidelity sound
- Sensors: In-display fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, compass
- Shortcut Key Functions: Customizable for actions like flashlight, screenshot, voice recording, translation, and more.
Pricing & Availability
- Starting Price: CNY 3,399 (~$466) in China
- International Availability: To be announced
Conclusion
The OnePlus 13T is an obvious choice if you prefer a stylish appearance, excellent battery life, and seamless operation to bells and whistles. It forgoes some luxuries, such as wireless charging, but delivers unadulterated, daily usability that never fails. This is for you if you are a heavy user, gamer, or simply tired of $1,000 phones.
Great things do come in smaller packages, as the 13T demonstrates from the first swipe to the final charge of the day.
