OnePlus 13R Launches at ₹42,999: 4 Big Reasons to Love It and 1 to Think Twice

With a price tag starting at ₹42,999, the OnePlus 13R is making waves as the latest addition to the "flagship killer" lineup. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and boasting a massive 6,000mAh battery, it promises impressive performance without the flagship price tag. But does it truly live up to the hype? Here’s a detailed breakdown of the top four reasons to buy the OnePlus 13R and one factor that might give you pause.

Top 4 Reasons to Buy the OnePlus 13R

1. A Display Designed for Everyday Comfort

The OnePlus 13R is all about delivering practical design enhancements. It features a 6.78-inch flat AMOLED display with a 1.5K resolution and a buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring vibrant visuals for gaming and streaming. Unlike the curved screens of its predecessors, the flat display eliminates corner glare and reduces accidental touches — a subtle but impactful change for everyday users.

Moreover, Glove Mode steals the show, enabling effortless touchscreen use with gloves. Whether you’re braving winter commutes or enjoying outdoor activities, this feature ensures you stay connected without exposing your hands to the cold.

"I never needed to remove my gloves during morning commutes. It’s that effective," notes one reviewer.

2. Cutting-Edge Performance with Thermal Management

Equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, up to 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage, the OnePlus 13R delivers snappy performance. Whether multitasking or gaming, the phone handles it all seamlessly.

The flat panel design further enhances the gaming experience by preventing accidental touches, while the upgraded thermal management system ensures the phone stays cool even under heavy loads — a critical feature for marathon gaming sessions or extended productivity.

3. Battery Life That Goes the Distance

Battery performance is where the OnePlus 13R truly shines. It comes with a 6,000mAh silicon-carbon battery that offers a significant boost in endurance compared to the previous generation’s lithium-ion battery. On a single charge, the device lasts 1.5 days, even with heavy usage.

While the charging speed is slightly reduced to 80W, the difference is negligible in real-world usage. The phone charges to 100% in about 50 minutes, and the slower charging ensures better battery health over time — a smart trade-off for longevity.

4. OxygenOS 15: Smooth, Intuitive, and Future-Proof

Running OxygenOS 15 on Android 15, the OnePlus 13R offers a seamless user experience enriched with AI-driven tools. Features like AI Notes, AI Unblur, and AI Reflection Eraser in the gallery app add a layer of convenience to daily use.

OnePlus backs this with an industry-leading commitment to software updates, promising 4 years of OS upgrades and 6 years of security patches — an assurance that your phone will stay relevant for years to come.

1 Reason to Skip: The iQOO 12 Could Be a Better Value

While the OnePlus 13R excels in many areas, the iQOO 12 presents a strong alternative at nearly the same price. With Amazon offering a ₹3,000 discount, the iQOO 12 matches the 13R’s price but delivers superior hardware.

Key highlights of the iQOO 12 include:

144Hz refresh rate display (vs. 120Hz on the 13R)Triple 50 MP cameras, including a periscope lens with 3x optical zoom8K video recording capabilities120W fast charging (vs. 80W on the 13R)

For photography enthusiasts and gamers, the iQOO 12’s hardware is hard to beat. Its bypass charging feature also keeps the device cool during long gaming sessions, which is a notable advantage for power users.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy the OnePlus 13R?

The OnePlus 13R is a stellar choice for users who prioritize battery life, software stability, and practical features like Glove Mode. It’s a well-rounded device that combines premium specs with an affordable price, making it an excellent pick for most users.

However, if gaming performance or camera quality is a top priority, the iQOO 12 might offer better value at the same price point.

When choosing between these two, it boils down to what matters most to you: smooth software and longer battery life (OnePlus 13R) or hardware superiority (iQOO 12).