Getting hot in summer and the discount of the phone is bubbling. E-commerce sites including Amazon India and OnePlus India are gearing up for their summer sale, bringing big deals on smartphones. OnePlus will shut down its summer sales on platforms including its website and retail chains like Amazon, Flipkart, Mynatra, OnePlus Store app and Croma, Vijay Sales, Reliance Digital, and more on 1 May. As we wait for sale, a smartphone that is being highlighted for May exemption is OnePlus 13R.

During summer sale, OnePlus 13R will be available for low as Rs 39,999. But the best bit is not just a discount. This is the one who is bundling for free with OnePlus phone. The company is going to offer free OnePlus Buds 3 with OnePlus 13R as part of a publicity proposal. Buyers will also get an option to avail an exchange bonus of up to Rs 4,000 on no-cost EMI and regular retail stores for 6 months.

OnePlus 13R was launched earlier this year with the Flagship OnePlus 13. However, it is a little late, and there are many more phones in the brands launched in this segment. So, is 13R still worth buying? The answer is a straight yes.

We have used both OnePlus 13R and OnePlus Buds 3 – which will be offered for free during sale – for months. And based on our experience, there are four compelling reasons why you should not miss OnePlus 13R in upcoming sales – and one reason you want to leave it.

Reason 1: Amazing Performance

OnePlus 13R comes with a 6.78-inch 1.5k AMOLED display, which has a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak of 4,500 notes. When we reviewed the phone, we noticed that 13R provides excellent visibility for bright outdoor uses, HDR materials and good colors. The device has a flat display compared to the curved screen of OnePlus 12R – which provides better durability and porous color with deep blacks. Whether you are browsing Bing-Watching shows, gaming, or social media, the screen of OnePlus 13R is vibrant, liquid and pleasant.

Reason 2: Flagship-level performance and reliable battery

Under the hood, OnePlus 13R Snapdragon 8 is powered by 2 chipset – the same processor seen in Flagship OnePlus 12. The chipset is capable and consistently performs smooth, whether multitasking, gaming, or running demanding apps. The 16GB RAM and UFS are paired with 4.0 storage, the phone is also cool and staggering under heavy load.

This makes this performance even better, 100W Supercoke is a larger 5,500mAh battery with fast charging. In our use, the phone comfortably lasted at the same charge for a full day, even with heavy use, and it charged from 1 percent to 100 percent within 30 minutes.

Reason 3: Reliable camera system

While the onePlus 13R camera system is on its own-and of course an upgrade from its predecessor, OnePlus 12R, while not on the summer with the offer of ultra-pramium flagship. 50-megapixel Sony IMX890 main sensor with OIS captures fast, wide shots in daylight with natural colors and a solid dynamic range.

We also tested the night photography, and the sensor performed well with night mode, with its tuning we see in the more expensive OnePlus model. The 8MP ultra-wide lens and 2MP macro cameras are inactive to timely use, but the primary sensor is the place where this phone really shines.

Reason 4: Discount and Free OnePlus Buds 3

As part of the OnePlus Summer Sale 2025, the company is bundling OnePlus Buds 3 with 13R even without any extra cost. This is a solid deal, because you are not only saving on the phone, but also Buds 3 is also received for free – which we have also reviewed and its price segment has been found to be one of the best OnePlus audio products in its price section.

In our review, Buds 3 impressed us with balanced audio, effective active noise cancellation and long battery life. Added with 13R, the combo provides a compelling multimedia experience.

1 reason for leaving the reason: not the most compact design

This year, we see brands moving towards more compact designs. While OnePlus 13R ticks most boxes, an area where it cannot appeal to all is its form factor. This is a large phone, both screen size and in-hand feel. Boxy design is also not particularly striking – some can also find it a little boring. At about 207 grams, it is not particularly lighter.

He said, it is a durable tool – Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front with safety and an IP64 rating for splash resistance. If you like compact or light phones, OnePlus 13R cannot entice you. But if durability matters more, it will not be a deal-breaker. And under Rs 40,000 with free earbuds, this phone is an attractive offer.