OnePlus 13, OnePlus 13R now on sale: which one to buy?
OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R are now on sale in India. If you’re confused about which premium phone you should buy, here’s a quick guide.
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The OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R have officially gone on sale in India, offering consumers two strong contenders in the premium smartphone segment. While both devices offer solid value proposition, the significant difference of Rs 30,000 between the two models has left some buyers wondering which option offers better value for money. Although the OnePlus 13R – which costs much less – brings impressive performance to the table, the OnePlus 13 offers a lot more that justifies its higher price. If you find it difficult to choose between the two, this article will break down the main differences and help you decide which OnePlus device best suits your needs.
-OnePlus 13R price starts at Rs 42,999
-The price of OnePlus 13 has been fixed at Rs 69,999.
OnePlus 13 vs OnePlus 13R: Which one should you buy?
If budget constraints are the primary factor for you, the OnePlus 13R is an excellent choice. However, if you’re willing to stretch your budget for the best possible experience, the flagship OnePlus 13 is a better option. Why? It’s not just about price; Performance, build quality and additional features make a big difference in the overall experience.
OnePlus 13 vs OnePlus 13R: A big difference in performance
Let’s start with the performance. While the OnePlus 13R is equipped with the previous generation flagship chipset, the OnePlus 13 is powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. The new chip delivers fast, smooth performance, especially for power users who demand top-tier efficiency from their smartphones.

The benchmark numbers clearly show a big performance difference between the two phones. In our Antutu tests, the OnePlus 13 achieved an astonishing score of 1.1 lakh in GPU score, while the 13R recorded a score of 7.9 lakh – commendable but clearly ahead. Similarly, in CPU performance, the OnePlus 13 achieved a score of 2.5 million, while the 13R achieved a score of 1.7 million. On Geekbench, the OnePlus 13 scored over 9,000 in the multi-core test, compared to the OnePlus 13R’s 6,572. In real-world usage, both phones perform well, but the OnePlus 13 is the first choice for users who demand extreme performance, especially for gaming and intensive multitasking. Having said that, for its price segment, the OnePlus 13R still competes very strongly with rivals like the iQOO 12 and Oppo Reno 13 Pro.
Additionally, the OnePlus 13 offers 100W fast charging, as opposed to 80W support on the 13R. While this difference in charging speed may not be a problem for many, those who prioritize the fastest performance in every aspect will appreciate it.
OnePlus 13 vs OnePlus 13R: Other key differences
Apart from the performance, there are several features that set the OnePlus 13 apart from its more affordable sibling. Firstly, the OnePlus 13 sports a higher IP rating (IP68/IP69), which offers better dust and water resistance than the OnePlus 13R (IP65). Additionally, the flagship model comes with wireless charging support, a premium feature that the 13R lacks.

When it comes to photography, the OnePlus 13 has the upper hand. Its camera system offers better dynamic range, details and more accurate color reproduction. The telephoto lens on the OnePlus 13 supports 3x zoom compared to 2x zoom on the 13R, making it a better choice for portrait photography due to the better quality. Additionally, the OnePlus 13 supports 4K video recording on both its ultrawide and selfie cameras, while the 13R is limited to 1080p resolution.
In terms of construction, both phones feature solid builds, but the OnePlus 13 stands out with its use of Crystal Shield ultra-ceramic glass, which offers better drop resistance than the Gorilla Glass 7i used on the 13R. Another notable difference is the availability of a vegan leather back option for the OnePlus 13, which is not offered on the 13R.
Both phones feature vibrant OLED displays with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support. However, the OnePlus 13’s display is slightly larger at 6.82 inches and offers a sharper QHD+ resolution than the 13R’s 6.78-inch 1.5K display. For everyday use, the difference in display quality may not be significant for most users, but those who prefer higher pixel density and better sharpness will appreciate the OnePlus 13’s superior panel.
Is the OnePlus 13R the best phone under Rs 45,000?
Looking at the OnePlus 13R in itself, it is undoubtedly a top-tier device within its price category. For Rs 42,999, you are getting a powerful flagship chipset to be used by many ultra-premium smartphones in 2024. It also has a massive 6,000mAh battery, which combined with the efficient chip, provides up to seven hours of screen-on time. Ensuring a full day of use. The 120Hz LTPO display is vivid and bright for outdoor use, and you’re getting the same display experience as the OnePlus 13 at a more accessible price.
In terms of design, the OnePlus 13R has a trendy boxy design with a flat panel, and its camera performance is strong within its price category, consistently delivering good shots with the primary sensor in good lighting conditions. Additionally, the stereo speakers are loud and clear for a good media experience. In the sub Rs 45,000 segment, the OnePlus 13R offers an overall solid package.

Advantages of buying OnePlus 13 compared to OnePlus 13R:
– High IP rating
– fast performance
– fast charging support
– Improved camera quality, including 4K video support for ultrawide and selfie cameras
– Fast charging and wireless charging support
– More premium construction with better drop resistance
– slightly better zoom capabilities
– Large, sharp display with high resolution
Key benefits of buying OnePlus 13R?
– Powerful 2024 flagship chipset for excellent speed and multitasking
– Large 6,000mAh battery for long-term use
– Bright and vibrant 120Hz LTPO OLED display
– Trendy boxy design with flat panel
– Good camera performance in its price range
– Stereo speakers with clear, loud audio
– Great value for money in the sub Rs 45,000 segment