OnePlus 13R Review Highlights Battery Life and Screen but Lags Behind Pixel 9A

The OnePlus 13R is positioned as a midrange smartphone that borrows heavily from its flagship counterpart, the OnePlus 13. It offers a compelling combination of features, particularly excelling in battery life and display quality, but it falls short in certain areas that affect its mass appeal.

Display and Battery Performance

The phone features a large 6.78-inch OLED screen with a sharp 1264 x 2780 resolution and a variable refresh rate up to 120Hz. This makes it one of the best displays available in the midrange segment in the US, offering bright visibility even in direct sunlight. Battery life is a standout feature, with the device easily lasting two days under typical usage scenarios, including heavy app use and fitness tracking.

Performance and Hardware Considerations

Equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB storage, the 13R delivers smooth and reliable performance for everyday tasks and gaming. However, it lacks wireless charging, offering only fast wired charging at 55W. This omission is notable given the phone’s price point and competitors offering wireless charging.

Water Resistance and Software Updates

The OnePlus 13R carries an IP65 rating, providing dust resistance and splash protection but lacking full water immersion protection found in IP68-rated devices like the Pixel 9A and iPhone 16E. On software support, OnePlus promises four major OS upgrades and six years of security updates, which is an improvement but still less than the Pixel 9A’s seven years of OS updates.

Camera and Pricing

The phone’s triple rear camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP 2x telephoto lens, and an 8MP ultrawide lens. Image quality is generally good with bright, vivid photos, though fine details can appear slightly soft. The 2x telephoto is a welcome upgrade over previous models. Pricing is complex: the MSRP is $599 but currently discounted to $499, which aligns better with its feature set.

In summary, the OnePlus 13R is a strong contender for users who prioritize battery longevity and a large, high-quality display. However, its lack of wireless charging, limited water resistance, and shorter software support compared to competitors like the Pixel 9A may deter some buyers. Those seeking a balanced midrange phone with long-term software updates and better durability might find the Pixel 9A a more compelling option.