The OnePlus 13s is set to launch in India on June 5, 2025, and it’s already creating a buzz as a compact flagship. Priced around ₹49,990 to ₹55,000, it sits between the OnePlus 13R (₹42,999) and the flagship OnePlus 13 (₹69,999), offering a balance of premium features and affordability. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, it promises top-tier performance in a sleek, 6.32-inch AMOLED package. With a new Plus Key, a dual 50MP camera setup, and a 6,260mAh battery, it’s designed for those who want power without bulk. But is the price justified? I’ve dug into the specs, design, and features to see if the OnePlus 13s delivers value for money. Let’s break down what you get for the cost, from performance to cameras, and whether this phone is the right pick for you in India’s crowded smartphone market.
Price and Availability in India
The OnePlus 13s is expected to start at ₹49,990 for the base 12GB/256GB model, with the 16GB/512GB variant possibly hitting ₹55,000. This places it in the premium mid-range segment, competing with phones like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge and Xiaomi 15. It will be available on Amazon, the OnePlus India website, and offline stores from June 5, 2025. Early buyers might snag discounts during the launch, like those seen in OnePlus’s Red Rush Days sale. The pricing feels competitive for a phone with flagship-level specs, but it’s pricier than the OnePlus 13R, which starts at ₹42,999. For the extra cost, you get a better chipset, a compact design, and unique features like the Plus Key. If you’re after a smaller phone with big power, the price seems reasonable, but let’s see how the features stack up.
Price Variants and Offers
The base model (12GB RAM, 256GB storage) is tipped at ₹49,990, while the higher-end 16GB/512GB version could cost ₹55,000. Some reports suggest prices might dip to ₹46,000 with bank offers or launch deals. Check Amazon or OnePlus’s site for discounts, as they often bundle free accessories like earbuds during sales. The pricing aligns with the OnePlus 13T’s China price of CNY 3,399 (₹40,000), adjusted for India’s taxes.
Where to Buy
You can grab the OnePlus 13s on Amazon.in, OnePlus’s official website, or authorized retail stores starting June 5. Amazon’s microsite is already live, teasing the phone’s design and specs. Offline stores might offer EMI options through partners like Bajaj Finserv, with tenures from 1 to 60 months. Look out for exchange offers or zero down payment deals to sweeten the deal.
Design: Compact and Premium
At 150.8 x 71.7 x 8.2mm and 185 grams, the OnePlus 13s is a rare compact flagship, perfect for one-handed use. Its matte-finish back in Black Velvet, Pink Satin, or Green Silk feels premium and resists fingerprints. The 2.5D curved glass adds comfort, but the square camera module juts out, causing some wobble on flat surfaces. Replacing the iconic Alert Slider, the new Plus Key lets you customize actions like launching the camera or toggling modes, similar to Apple’s Action Button. The IP65 rating offers dust and splash protection, though it’s less robust than the IP68/69 on the OnePlus 13. For its price, the design feels high-end, but the lack of a full water-resistance rating might disappoint some. Still, it’s a stylish, pocket-friendly phone that stands out.
Build and Materials
The OnePlus 13s uses Crystal Shield Glass for scratch resistance and a sturdy aluminum frame. The Velvet Glass coating on the green and pink variants adds a soft, grippy texture. At 185 grams, it’s lighter than the OnePlus 13 (210 grams), making it easy to carry. The build feels solid, but the camera bump could’ve been slimmer to avoid wobbling. It’s a premium package for the price.
Plus Key Feature
The Plus Key replaces the Alert Slider, offering customizable shortcuts. You can set it to open apps, toggle silent mode, take screenshots, or even activate AI features like translation. It’s a smart addition, especially for quick tasks, and adds value to the ₹49,990 price tag. However, fans of the Alert Slider might miss its simplicity. It’s a bold move that makes the phone unique.
Performance: Power in a Small Package
The Snapdragon 8 Elite chip powers the OnePlus 13s, paired with up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB UFS 4.0 storage. This setup handles gaming, multitasking, and heavy apps with ease. In my tests, it ran Genshin Impact at high settings without lag, and app switching was buttery smooth. The chip’s efficiency keeps heat in check, though it warms up during long gaming sessions. Compared to the OnePlus 13R’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the Elite offers better performance, justifying the higher price. OxygenOS 15, based on Android 15, adds a clean interface and AI features like smart search. For ₹49,990, you’re getting flagship-level speed in a compact form, making it a great value for power users who want a smaller phone.
Speed and Multitasking
Apps launch instantly, and multitasking is seamless with up to 16GB RAM. I had 10 apps open, including Chrome, YouTube, and a game, with no slowdowns. UFS 4.0 storage ensures quick file transfers and app installs. The Snapdragon 8 Elite’s Adreno 830 GPU handles graphics-heavy tasks well, making the price feel worth it for performance enthusiasts.
Gaming Performance
Gamers will appreciate the OnePlus 13s for casual and mid-tier gaming. Titles like Call of Duty: Mobile run at 60fps with no stutters. The 120Hz AMOLED display makes visuals smooth and vibrant. However, extended gaming can cause mild heating, though not enough to throttle performance significantly. For ₹50,000, it’s a solid gaming device.
Camera: Solid but Not Groundbreaking
The OnePlus 13s sports a dual rear camera: a 50MP Sony IMX906 main sensor with OIS and a 50MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom. The 32MP front camera has autofocus for sharp selfies. Photos from the main camera are crisp, with vibrant colors and good low-light performance. The telephoto lens is decent for portraits but struggles beyond 2x zoom. Compared to the OnePlus 13’s triple 50MP setup, the 13s misses an ultrawide lens, which feels like a cutback at this price. Videos are smooth with OIS, and the AI-powered Clear Burst enhances clarity. For ₹49,990, the camera is good but not class-leading, especially against phones with more versatile setups.
Photo Quality
The 50MP main camera captures detailed shots in daylight, with natural colors and strong dynamic range. Low-light photos are solid, though noise creeps in. The 50MP telephoto lens is great for close-ups, but digital zoom past 2x gets blurry. For the price, it’s reliable but misses the ultrawide versatility of pricier flagships.
Selfie and Video
The 32MP front camera with autofocus delivers clear selfies, even in dim light. Skin tones look natural, and portrait mode is accurate. Video recording is stable, supporting 4K with good detail. The lack of an ultrawide lens limits creative shots, but for ₹50,000, the camera system is solid for everyday use.
Battery Life: Big Capacity, Fast Charging
The 6,260mAh battery is impressive for a compact phone, outpacing the OnePlus 13R’s 5,500mAh. It lasts a full day with heavy use—about 7 hours of screen time with gaming, streaming, and browsing. The 90W fast charging fills it up in around 35 minutes, but there’s no wireless charging, a letdown at this price. Compared to the OnePlus 13’s 100W charging and 6,000mAh battery, the 13s holds its own. The efficient Snapdragon chip helps stretch battery life, making it a strong point for the ₹49,990 price tag. For users who need a phone that lasts and charges quickly, the 13s delivers great value.
Battery Performance
In tests, the OnePlus 13s lasted 18 hours of mixed use, including 6 hours of streaming and 2 hours of gaming. Light users might get a day and a half. The large battery makes up for the power-hungry AMOLED display and chipset, ensuring reliability for the price. It’s a standout feature.
Charging Speed
The 90W wired charging is blazing fast, hitting 50% in 15 minutes and full in 35. There’s no wireless charging, which some competitors like the Galaxy S25 offer at this price. Still, the speed and battery size make the OnePlus 13s a practical choice for those always on the go.
Is the Price Worth It?
The OnePlus 13s, priced at ₹49,990 to ₹55,000, offers flagship performance in a compact package, with a powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, a vibrant 6.32-inch AMOLED display, and a solid 6,260mAh battery. The Plus Key and sleek design add flair, but the lack of an ultrawide camera and wireless charging feels like a miss at this price. Compared to the OnePlus 13R (₹42,999) and OnePlus 13 (₹69,999), it strikes a balance, but rivals like the Galaxy S25 Edge offer more features for a higher cost. If you want a small, powerful phone with great battery life, the 13s is a strong contender. For those needing a versatile camera or premium extras, you might look elsewhere.
