OnePlus 13s Launch in India: A Compact Flagship Powerhouse

The smartphone market in India is buzzing with excitement as OnePlus prepares to launch its latest offering, the OnePlus 13s, on June 5, 2025. Positioned as a compact flagship, the OnePlus 13s is designed to cater to the growing demand for smaller, high-performance devices without compromising on premium features. This blog dives deep into the launch details, specifications, design, and what makes the OnePlus 13s a game-changer in the Indian market.

Launch Details: When and Where to Expect the OnePlus 13s

OnePlus has officially confirmed that the OnePlus 13s will make its India debut on June 5, 2025, at 12 PM IST. The launch event is expected to be a grand affair, with teasers already circulating on platforms like X and the official OnePlus India website. A dedicated microsite on Amazon and OnePlus’ official store has gone live, allowing users to sign up for “Notify Me” updates, signaling that the phone will be available for purchase soon after the unveiling.

The OnePlus 13s is likely a rebranded version of the OnePlus 13T, which was recently launched in China. However, OnePlus has tailored the 13s specifically for the Indian market, potentially with tweaks to suit local preferences. Priced competitively between the OnePlus 13R (?42,999) and the flagship OnePlus 13 (?69,999), the OnePlus 13s is expected to retail around ?45,000 to ?55,000, making it an attractive option for those seeking flagship performance in a compact form.

Design: Sleek, Compact, and Modern

OnePlus has always been known for its premium design language, and the 13s is no exception. The phone sports a sleek, compact design with a matte-finish back panel and a metal frame, offering a premium in-hand feel. Weighing approximately 185 grams and measuring 8.15mm in thickness, it’s one of the lightest and slimmest offerings in the OnePlus 13 series, making it ideal for users who prefer smaller devices.

The rear features a vertically aligned dual-camera setup housed in a subtle, elevated camera island, accompanied by an LED flash. The front sports a punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera, with minimal bezels for a modern, edge-to-edge display. OnePlus has introduced a new customizable Plus Key, replacing the iconic alert slider. This button allows users to quickly launch apps, toggle sound profiles, or perform other customizable actions, drawing inspiration from similar features on competing devices like the iPhone’s Action Button.

The OnePlus 13s will be available in three stunning color variants: Cloud Ink Black, Morning Mist Gray, and Powder Pink. The pink option, in particular, has garnered attention for its unique appeal, with some speculating it’s targeted toward female users due to its vibrant aesthetic and compact size.

Display: Compact Yet Vibrant

The OnePlus 13s features a 6.32-inch 1.5K 8T LTPO AMOLED display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, delivering smooth scrolling and vibrant visuals. The display supports a 1600 nits peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright sunlight. Protected by Oppo’s Crystal Shield Glass (or Ceramic Guard in some regions), the screen offers enhanced durability against scratches and drops.

While smaller than the 6.82-inch display on the OnePlus 13, the compact size of the 13s makes it a perfect fit for one-handed use, addressing the demand for smaller flagships in India. According to a Counterpoint survey commissioned by OnePlus, 74% of Indian smartphone users are interested in compact devices that don’t compromise on performance, and the 13s aims to fill this gap.

Performance: Powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite

At the heart of the OnePlus 13s lies the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, paired with an Adreno 830 GPU. This cutting-edge processor, built on a 3nm process, delivers exceptional performance for gaming, multitasking, and AI-driven tasks. The phone comes with 12GB or 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage, ensuring lightning-fast app launches and ample storage for media and apps.

Running on OxygenOS 15 based on Android 15, the OnePlus 13s offers a clean, bloatware-light experience with a suite of AI-powered features, including AI Detail Boost, AI Unblur, AI Reflection Eraser, and AI Notes. The integration of Google’s Gemini LLM further enhances the phone’s intelligent capabilities, such as real-time search and content management via Plus Mind. OnePlus promises 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of security patches, ensuring long-term software support.

Camera: Simplified Yet Powerful

The OnePlus 13s opts for a dual-camera system, a departure from the triple-camera setups on other OnePlus flagships. The rear setup includes:

• 50MP Sony IMX906 primary sensor with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)
• 50MP 2x telephoto lens (OIS support unconfirmed in some leaks)

While the absence of an ultra-wide lens may disappoint some users, the focus on a high-quality main and telephoto lens ensures excellent performance for portraits and zoomed shots. The front camera is a 32MP sensor with 4K video recording support, a significant upgrade from the 16MP front camera on the OnePlus 13T, catering to selfie enthusiasts and vloggers.

The camera system is tuned with Hasselblad’s expertise, offering improved color accuracy and dynamic range. AI enhancements like AI Unblur and AI Reflection Eraser make it easier to capture professional-grade photos with minimal effort.

Battery and Charging: Compact but Long-Lasting

Despite its smaller size, the OnePlus 13s packs a 5,850mAh silicon-carbon battery (some sources suggest 6,260mAh for the 13T in China), which is impressive for a compact device. The silicon-carbon technology allows for higher energy density, enabling a larger battery capacity without increasing the phone’s size. It supports 80W SUPERVOOC wired charging, capable of charging the device from 0 to 100% in under 40 minutes. However, the absence of wireless charging is a notable omission for a flagship device.

Additional Features and Durability

The OnePlus 13s comes with an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance, which is less robust than the IP68/IP69 ratings on the OnePlus 13. While it can handle splashes and light rain, it’s not designed for full submersion. Other features include:

• Dual stereo speakers for immersive audio
• In-display fingerprint scanner for secure unlocking
• IR blaster and NFC for added functionality
• Omni-directional antennas with Smart Link for faster, more stable connectivity

OnePlus has also introduced a lifetime display green line warranty under its Project Starlight initiative, addressing a common issue with AMOLED displays. Users experiencing green line issues can avail of free screen replacements, provided the damage isn’t caused by external factors.

Pricing and Availability

While official pricing is yet to be confirmed, leaks suggest the OnePlus 13s will be priced around Rs46,000 to Rs50,000 in India, making it a compelling mid-range flagship. In China, the OnePlus 13T’s base variant (12GB + 256GB) is priced at approximately Rs39,700, so the 13s may carry a slight premium due to import duties and market-specific tweaks. It will be available via Amazon, the OnePlus India website, and select offline retailers.

Why the OnePlus 13s Stands Out

The OnePlus 13s is a strategic move by OnePlus to capture the Indian market’s growing demand for compact smartphones. With 74% of Indian users expressing interest in high-performance compact devices, the 13s delivers flagship-grade specs in a pocket-friendly form factor. Its combination of a powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, a vibrant AMOLED display, and a capable camera system makes it a strong contender against rivals like the Google Pixel 9a and Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge.

The introduction of the Plus Key and AI-driven features like AI Call Assistant and Plus Mind further enhance its appeal, catering to tech-savvy users who value customization and intelligence. However, the lack of an ultra-wide camera, wireless charging, and a lower IP65 rating may be drawbacks for some.

Final Thoughts

The OnePlus 13s is poised to redefine the compact flagship segment in India. With its sleek design, powerful performance, and thoughtful features, it’s a device that balances style, functionality, and affordability. Whether you’re a gamer, a photography enthusiast, or someone who simply wants a premium smartphone that’s easy to handle, the OnePlus 13s is worth keeping an eye on. Stay tuned for the official launch on June 5, 2025, to see how it stacks up in the competitive Indian market.

For the latest updates, visit the OnePlus India website or Amazon india, and let us know in the comments what you think about the OnePlus 13s’ compact powerhouse approach!

--Posted By : santosh