OnePlus 13s: The Compact Flagship Set to Redefine India’s Smartphone Market
TECHNOLOGY
In a world where smartphones keep getting bigger, OnePlus is taking a bold step in the opposite direction with the OnePlus 13s—a compact flagship that’s creating waves in India even before its official launch. Teased as the brand’s first compact device in nearly a decade since the OnePlus X, the 13s promises to blend top-tier performance with a sleek, pocket-friendly design. With its launch expected by the end of May 2025, let’s dive into what makes the OnePlus 13s a device worth waiting for and why it might just be the game-changer India’s smartphone market needs.
A Compact Powerhouse: Design and Display
The OnePlus 13s is all about breaking the mold. Sporting a 6.32-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 1.5K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, this phone is designed for those who crave a smaller form factor without sacrificing quality. The screen supports HDR10+ and hits a peak brightness of 1600 nits, ensuring vibrant visuals whether you’re streaming videos or gaming on the go. Its slim bezels and punch-hole camera cutout give it a premium, modern look, while the flat OLED panel keeps things sharp and practical.
Weighing just 185 grams, the 13s is a featherweight compared to bulkier flagships. It’s available in three eye-catching colors: Black Velvet, Pink Satin, and a newly teased Green hue, as revealed by OnePlus India on X on May 15, 2025. The metallic frame adds a touch of elegance, making this device as much a style statement as it is a tech marvel. For Indian consumers who often juggle their phone as their primary device for work, entertainment, and more, the 13s offers a refreshing option that’s easy to handle without compromising on screen real estate.
Performance That Packs a Punch
Under the hood, the OnePlus 13s is a beast. It’s powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, built on a 3nm process, ensuring top-notch efficiency and performance. Geekbench leaks shared on X show impressive scores of 2862 in single-core and 8528 in multi-core tests, hinting at a device that can handle anything from heavy multitasking to high-end gaming. Paired with the Adreno 830 GPU, up to 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and UFS 4.0 storage options up to 512GB, the 13s is built to deliver seamless performance.
Running on Android 15 with OxygenOS 15, the 13s promises a smooth, bloat-free software experience. OnePlus has also committed to 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security patches, ensuring the device stays relevant for years to come. For a compact phone, this level of power is rare, making the 13s a standout in a market dominated by larger flagships.
The Plus Key: A Game-Changing Feature
One of the most talked-about features of the OnePlus 13s is the introduction of the “Plus Key,” a customizable button that replaces the iconic Alert Slider. Inspired by the iPhone’s Action Button, the Plus Key allows users to set shortcuts for tasks like launching the camera, toggling the flashlight, or opening apps—all with a single press. OnePlus India teased this feature on X with the tagline “one key to rule them all,” and it’s already generating buzz for its potential to enhance one-handed usability.
While the removal of the Alert Slider has sparked some debate among fans, the Plus Key’s versatility could win over skeptics. It’s a smart move by OnePlus to adapt to modern user needs, offering a fresh take on device interaction that feels both innovative and practical, especially for a compact phone designed for quick, on-the-go use.
Camera and Battery: No Compromises Here
The OnePlus 13s doesn’t skimp on photography either. It features a dual rear camera setup with a 50MP IMX906 main sensor with OIS for sharp, stable shots, paired with a 50MP telephoto lens offering 2x optical zoom and up to 20x digital zoom. For selfies and video calls, a 16MP front camera (some reports mention a 32MP sensor) ensures you’re always ready to capture the moment. This setup might not compete with the ultra-wide lenses of larger flagships, but for a compact device, it’s more than capable of delivering stunning photos.
Battery life is another highlight. The 13s packs a 6,260mAh battery—impressive for its size—supporting 80W fast charging. At just 185 grams, this capacity is a feat of engineering, ensuring you can go all day without needing a recharge. Plus, OnePlus is offering a lifetime display warranty to address the common “green line” issue on AMOLED screens, a move that’s been praised for showing the company’s commitment to user satisfaction.
Pricing and Availability: A Flagship for the Masses?
The OnePlus 13s is expected to launch in India by the end of May 2025, with some reports suggesting a price range of Rs 52,000 to Rs 55,000—though earlier leaks hinted at a lower Rs 46,000 starting price. Positioned between the OnePlus 13R (Rs 42,999) and the OnePlus 13 (Rs 69,999), the 13s aims to offer flagship-grade features at a more accessible price point. It’s already listed on Amazon India with a “Notify Me” option, signaling an imminent release.
However, the 13s won’t be available in North America or Europe, as confirmed by OnePlus, making it a treat primarily for the Indian market (and possibly a few other regions). This exclusivity adds to its appeal for Indian consumers, who are getting a device tailored to their needs—compact, powerful, and stylish.
The Compact Comeback: Why It Matters
The OnePlus 13s arrives at a time when compact smartphones are making a comeback. As OnePlus India noted, many users in markets like India want a phone that’s powerful yet easy to use with one hand, without compromising on performance. The 13s answers that call, offering a device that’s as capable as its larger siblings but in a form factor that feels more manageable. It’s a nod to the past—reminiscent of the OnePlus X from 2015—while embracing the future with cutting-edge tech like the Snapdragon 8 Elite and the Plus Key.
This launch also reflects OnePlus’s “Never Settle” philosophy, as highlighted by the company. By catering to the demand for compact flagships, OnePlus is addressing a gap in the market that competitors like Samsung and Xiaomi have largely ignored in favor of larger devices. The 13s could set a new standard for what a compact phone can be, potentially inspiring other brands to follow suit.
Challenges and Expectations
Despite the excitement, the OnePlus 13s isn’t without potential hurdles. The removal of the Alert Slider has disappointed some longtime fans, and the lack of an ultra-wide camera might be a drawback for photography enthusiasts. Additionally, its IP65 rating (dust-tight but only splash-resistant) is less robust than the IP68 standard on many flagships, and the USB 2.0 port feels outdated for a device of this caliber.
Still, the 13s has the makings of a hit. Its combination of a compact design, flagship performance, and thoughtful features like the Plus Key and lifetime display warranty positions it as a strong contender in India’s competitive smartphone market. It’ll face rivals like the upcoming Vivo X200 FE and Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, but its unique selling points could give it an edge.
Conclusion
The OnePlus 13s is more than just a smartphone—it’s a statement. By bringing back the compact flagship category, OnePlus is catering to a growing demand for devices that are powerful yet practical. With its stunning design, top-tier performance, and innovative features, the 13s has the potential to redefine what Indian consumers expect from a smartphone. As we await its launch later this month, one thing is clear: the OnePlus 13s is ready to turn heads and prove that good things really do come in small packages. Will it live up to the hype? Only time will tell, but for now, it’s one of the most exciting devices of 2025.