by The OnePlus 13R, which goes on sale on January 14, is without a doubt a major advance over its 12R predecessor, and Oppo is bringing back its mid-range phones for 2025.
If you’re a budget-conscious buyer, the new OnePlus 12R should be on your wishlist after Techopedia got a chance to test it out at CES 2025. A significantly improved camera system and a massive 6,000mAh battery that can run it all day are among the best features.
Hands-on: OnePlus 13R: Features, Design, and Specifications
Although the 13R’s 6.8-inch, 120Hz screen is comparable in size to the flagship OnePlus 13 (albeit with a lower resolution, at 1.5K), there is one major way in which you might prefer its appearance over the more expensive model.
In addition to being flatter, the metal rails are more resistant to smudging and scratches. They’re more manageable than the rounded 12R, and I like the way they appear, especially in the silver and white Astral Trail colorway.
A slightly enhanced IP65 water resistance should enable the new Gorilla Glass 7i, which sits on the front and back, to withstand basic water jets (but not hot or forceful jets, and no immersion). It should also help lower the likelihood of cracks and scratches.
You won’t be bringing the 13R into the pool, but you shouldn’t be concerned if someone unintentionally showers you with a garden hose.
The upgraded camera system is the focal point of the hardware improvements. Better low-light shooting is promised by the upgraded Sony sensor used in the primary 50-megapixel camera.
More significantly, OnePlus has replaced its blatantly useless 2MP macro camera with a 50MP telephoto lens that offers a 2X magnification. The 8MP ultrawide is still in use.
The OnePlus 13R’s camera array was available for me to test. Although it is obviously inferior to the new Oppo 13 in the majority of shooting scenarios, especially in low light, it is now much more practical for daily photography, including instances where a 2X digital crop would not be sufficient.
However, since you won’t actively use the ultrawide camera, I would only describe it as workable.
Similar to the 12R, the 13R has 12GB of RAM instead of the previous model’s maximum of 16GB, but it still employs the high-end Qualcomm chip from the previous year—in this case, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Regarding responsiveness and memory-related behavior, I have no grievances.
As it increased from 5,400mAh to 6,000mAh, the battery is the most significant internal modification. It should comfortably last at least a full day, as it did in my hands.
Wireless charging is not available, but Beacon Link audio communication works up to 656 feet away and is similar to a walkie-talkie. As with the 13, OnePlus guarantees four years of OS updates.
The OnePlus 13R with 256GB of storage is available for pre-order for $600 as of right now. On January 14, general sales start.
Given its price, it might be a better investment than the Google Pixel 8a and Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, which both have slower processors and less versatile (albeit occasionally superior) cameras.
Based on my own experience, if you’re worried about battery life and performance but still want a good camera, the OnePlus 13R is the phone you should get.
