OnePlus 13S: Redefining the Small Flagship - A Full Review
Table of Contents
Redefining the "Small Flagship"
The era of truly small, sub-6-inch flagship phones, like the legendary Xen Phone 10, appears to be over. Manufacturers have shifted their focus, and with that, the definition of a "small flagship" has evolved. For 2025, the new benchmark seems to be set at screens under 6.3 inches. In this exciting new landscape, phones like the iPhone 16 (6.1-inch), Galaxy S25 (6.2-inch), and Xiaomi 15 (around 6.3-inch) now lead the charge for compactness.
Enter the OnePlus 13S. At precisely 6.3 inches, it positions itself as one of the best contenders in this newly defined category. For many, this device could be the spiritual successor to the Xen Phone 10, resurrected for the modern smartphone user. This One Plus 13S Smartphone unboxing and review will delve into what makes this phone a standout, despite its limited availability in certain markets like the US.
The Battery Beast: Unrivaled Endurance
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the OnePlus 13S is its absolutely incredible battery. Packed inside this compact device is a massive 5,850 mAh battery. To put that into context, many flagship phones barely touch 4,000 mAh, with 5,000 mAh being considered excellent. The 13S blows these figures out of the water.
This translates to an easy two-day battery life with normal usage, reminiscent of the long-lasting performance once offered by the Zen Phone series. Even under heavy use, with high brightness and high refresh rates, the phone simply keeps going. As the cherry on top, it supports blazing-fast 80-watt wired charging, meaning a quick plug-in for a few minutes every couple of days is all you need to stay powered up.
Initially, such a massive battery in such a small phone led to assumptions of silicon-carbon battery technology, which allows for higher energy density in smaller spaces. Surprisingly, the global version of the OnePlus 13S achieves this incredible feat with a conventional lithium-ion battery. This is genuinely shocking and a testament to engineering optimization.
For the Chinese market, however, there's an even more intriguing variant. This version reportedly swaps out the 32MP selfie camera for a smaller 16MP unit and *does* incorporate a silicon-carbon battery, boosting the capacity to an astonishing 6,260 mAh. The thought of that phone's battery life is truly mind-boggling.
Camera Performance: A Familiar Story
As mentioned earlier, if cutting-edge camera performance is your top priority, the OnePlus 13S might not be the ideal choice. The cameras are "fine" and "passable," a sentiment often echoed for past OnePlus devices. It utilizes the same main sensor found in phones like the ROG Phone 9 and Moto Edge 50. Peculiarly, this main sensor is paired with a 2x telephoto lens, rather than a more versatile ultrawide or a stronger zoom, which limits its photographic flexibility compared to competitors.
For example, an S25 with its triple-camera setup or even other dual-camera phones featuring an ultrawide lens will generally offer more versatile and often superior photographic results. The OnePlus 13S's camera won't disappoint for casual shots in good lighting, but it won't win any awards for innovation or low-light prowess.
OnePlus AI and the New "Plus Key"
OnePlus has officially joined the AI bandwagon with the integration of its own AI features on the 13S. These features are designed to be either fully embraced or completely ignored, depending on user preference.
A significant change marking this AI integration is the replacement of the beloved alert slider with a new, customizable button called the "Plus Key." Similar to Apple's Action Button, this key can be configured to perform various actions. By default, it's set to save content to "Mind Space," an AI-organized memory bank for screenshots and other information, allowing for easy retrieval and action later. This concept is quite similar to Nothing Phone's Essential Space and can be quite useful for capturing information like concert posters from screenshots.
However, a notable drawback is Mind Space's lack of multiplatform sync, meaning data is locked to the phone and cannot be accessed or triaged on other devices like a laptop. This breaks a fundamental rule for organizational software.
Beyond Mind Space, the OnePlus AI suite includes:
- An AI editor in the photos app capable of unblurring moving objects, erasing reflections from glass, and removing background objects.
- A dedicated translate app offering live audio translations for multilingual conversations.
While these AI functionalities are not groundbreaking or unseen on other phones, it's a positive step for OnePlus to integrate them natively rather than relying solely on Google's solutions. These AI features are also expected to arrive on the standard OnePlus 13 via a software update, though that phone will still retain the alert slider, requiring a three-finger swipe-up gesture to access AI functions.
Price and Other Notable Features
The OnePlus 13S is positioned competitively, with a rough US equivalent price of around $650. This pricing further solidifies its "Xen Phone reincarnated" vibe, offering flagship-level experience without breaking the bank.
During the One Plus 13S Smartphone unboxing and review, a few minor observations were made:
- Fingerprint Reader: The under-display fingerprint reader is optical rather than the faster ultrasonic type. While not a deal-breaker, it's a common compromise at this price point.
- Camera Quick Launch: The lack of a default double-tap power button shortcut for the camera is an odd omission, as it's a standard feature on most Android phones. However, users can remap the new Plus Key for quick camera access.
- Oxygen OS 15 Gesture: A genuinely clever feature in Oxygen OS 15 is the "icon pull-down gesture." This allows users to simply drag all home screen icons to the bottom corner for easy, one-handed access, a particularly useful innovation for larger phones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What defines a "small flagship" in 2025?
A: In 2025, a small flagship phone is generally considered to have a screen size under 6.3 inches. The OnePlus 13S fits this new definition perfectly at 6.3 inches.
Q: Does the OnePlus 13S have wireless charging?
A: No, the OnePlus 13S does not feature wireless charging. This is consistent with some past OnePlus devices.
Q: How good is the battery life on the OnePlus 13S?
A: The OnePlus 13S offers exceptional battery life, boasting a 5,850 mAh battery that can easily last two days with normal use. It also supports 80W fast wired charging.
Q: Is the OnePlus 13S camera system good?
A: The camera system on the OnePlus 13S is considered "passable" or "fine" for casual use, but it's not its strongest feature. It's comparable to sensors found in phones like the ROG Phone 9 and Moto Edge 50, and lacks a dedicated ultrawide lens.
Q: What is the "Plus Key" on the OnePlus 13S?
A: The "Plus Key" is a new customizable button that replaces the traditional alert slider. By default, it's linked to "Mind Space" for AI-organized memory banking, but it can be remapped for other functions like a camera quick launch.
Q: Is the OnePlus 13S available in the US?
A: According to the review, the OnePlus 13S is not expected to be officially released in the US market and may not have all the necessary network bands for optimal performance there.
Conclusion
The OnePlus 13S emerges as a compelling contender in the redefined "small flagship" segment. It delivers a full-fledged flagship experience in a remarkably compact and ergonomic package. Its standout feature is undeniably the extraordinary battery life, offering two days of usage and lightning-fast 80W charging, a true highlight in this One Plus 13S Smartphone unboxing and review.
While the cameras remain merely adequate and the absence of wireless charging is a minor ding, the smooth Oxygen OS 15 software, strong performance, and integrated AI features (accessed via the new Plus Key) round out a highly attractive device. If your priority is a powerful, compact smartphone with unparalleled endurance, the OnePlus 13S is undoubtedly the phone to consider, assuming you can get your hands on it.
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