Tiny Phone, HUGE Surprise: The OnePlus 13S Is a BEAST!

In a world where flagship smartphones keep getting larger, the new OnePlus 13S dares to break the trend. While the industry may have declared the end of compact phones with the legendary Zenfone 10, OnePlus has developed a compelling alternative. Measuring just 6.3 inches, the OnePlus 13S offers top-tier performance in a sleek, smaller footprint. But is it the best small flagship phone in 2025? Let’s explore.

Redefining Small: What Does Compact Mean in 2025?

Gone are the days when a 5.8-inch phone was considered small. In 2025, 6.3 inches is now the new benchmark for a compact flagship. With phones like the iPhone 16 (6.1″), Galaxy S25 (6.2″), and Xiaomi 15 (6.3″), the OnePlus 13S comfortably fits into this new compact category.

The OnePlus 13S isn’t just small for its sake. It offers a more reachable, lightweight, and comfortable design, making it a top pick for users who want powerful specs without the bulk.

Flagship Specs Without Compromise

Despite its smaller size, the OnePlus 13S packs serious hardware:

• Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Elite chipset
• 12GB LPDDR5X RAM
• Up to 512GB UFS 4.0 Storage
• 6.3-inch AMOLED LTPO Display (Almost 1440p)
• 1600 nits peak brightness
• 1.1 nits low brightness with PWM dimming

These are flagship-level specs found in the best phones of 2025, all housed in a compact body.

️ Display That Shines Bright (Literally)

The OnePlus 13S features a vibrant 6.3-inch AMOLED display with an impressive 120Hz refresh rate. The symmetrical bezels and flat-screen design are visually pleasing and ergonomically sound.

With up to 1600 nits brightness, the screen remains crisp and clear even in direct sunlight. At the same time, PWM dimming down to 1.1 nits ensures it’s easy on the eyes in low light.

Whether watching YouTube, gaming, or reading, this display excels in every condition.

Monster Battery in a Mini Body

Here’s where the OnePlus 13S truly breaks the mould: a 5,850mAh battery.

Yes, you read that right. This tiny device houses a larger battery than many bulkier phones. Combined with software optimization, it provides up to two days of battery life under regular usage. High refresh rate, high brightness, multitasking? No problem.

You also get:

• 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging
• Full charge in under 40 minutes
• All-day power, even with heavy use

This isn’t just the best-in-class battery life for compact phones — it’s better than most big phones.

Camera: Functional but Not a Selling Point

Let’s be honest — OnePlus phones have never been camera champs, and the 13S is no exception.

It comes with:

• 50MP primary sensor (same as in ROG Phone 9 & Moto Edge 50)
• 2x telephoto lens

The absence of an ultrawide camera and the use of a telephoto lens instead is a head-scratcher. The image quality is acceptable for daily use, but don’t expect Galaxy S25-level camera performance here.

If photography is your top priority, you should look elsewhere.

AI-Powered Features – Smart, But Not Game-Changing

The OnePlus 13S introduces AI capabilities through its new Plus Key:

• Customizable smart button
• “Mind Space” for organizing screenshots and notes
• AI photo editing (unblur, remove reflections, delete background objects)
• Live translation in the native Translate app

While these features are cool and functional, they’re not exclusive or revolutionary. Similar tools exist on Pixel, Samsung, and Apple devices. However, having them built into Oxygen OS is a convenient touch.

The Plus Key – A Mixed Bag

The traditional alert slider is gone, replaced by a Plus Key. It acts like the iPhone’s Action Button, allowing users to assign various shortcuts like:

• Launching the camera
• Saving content to Mind Space
• Triggering translations or voice memos

The catch? It doesn’t sync across devices. So, while the idea is promising, its lack of cross-platform integration limits its usefulness.

Little Things That Matter

Using the OnePlus 13S daily revealed a few quirks:

• Optical fingerprint reader (instead of ultrasonic)
• No double-tap power button for quick camera access
• Sleek flat-edge design with satin back
• Super smooth OxygenOS 15 experience

There’s a thoughtful icon pull-down gesture that brings app icons to the bottom of the screen — an underrated and handy feature for one-handed use.

Availability: Not in the US (Officially)

Here’s the downside: the OnePlus 13S isn’t officially available in the US.

It lacks full network band support, which may affect performance on US carriers. Enthusiasts can still import it, but it’s not a seamless experience.

However, the Chinese variant comes with:

• A smaller 16MP selfie cam
• Silicon Carbon Battery (6,260mAh capacity!)

This version is even more efficient, pushing the boundaries of compact battery life.

Price: Flagship Value Without the Flagship Price

At an estimated USD 650 (equivalent), the OnePlus 13S delivers incredible value:

• Elite processor
• Massive battery
• High-end display
• Premium build quality

You’re getting flagship-level specs for hundreds less than mainstream competitors. That’s a win for budget-conscious buyers.

Conclusion: Is the OnePlus 13S Worth It?

Absolutely — if you don’t care about cameras and don’t live in the US.

The OnePlus 13S redefines what a small flagship should be in 2025. It’s compact yet powerful, feature-rich yet straightforward. The battery life is unrivalled, the screen is gorgeous, and the build quality is premium.

Sure, it makes a few compromises:

• Average cameras
• No wireless charging
• Limited US support

But if those aren’t dealbreakers, the OnePlus 13S could be your dream compact flagship phone.

Best for:

• Power users who prefer smaller phones
• People who value battery life and smooth performance
• Fans of minimalist and flat-edge phone designs

Not ideal for:

• Mobile photographers
• Wireless charging enthusiasts
• US users needing full LTE/5G support

Selva Ganesh

Selva Ganesh is the Chief Editor of this Blog. He is a Computer Science Engineer, An experienced Android Developer, Professional Blogger with 8+ years in the field. He completed courses about Google News Initiative. He runs Android Infotech which offers Problem Solving Articles around the globe.