The OnePlus 13 debuted globally initially of the 12 months, and it continues to be top-of-the-line telephones you should buy in 2025. The brand new design makes it simpler to carry and use, and I just like the distinctive leather-based texture that is out there with the blue shade possibility. The digicam housing seems to be cleaner as effectively this time, and the very best half is that the cellphone has a much bigger 6,000mAh silicon battery that simply lasts over a day.
Mix that with unbelievable cameras, the very best {hardware} out there immediately, and a vibrant AMOLED with helpful additions, and it is not onerous to see why the OnePlus 13 continues to promote so effectively. I examined the OnePlus 13 for a month when it launched, and went again to the gadget a number of instances over the course of 2025. I used all iterations of OxygenOS going again to the very first beta construct that debuted again in 2015, and I might prefer to assume I do know my means across the pores and skin. So if you happen to’re simply getting began with the OnePlus 13, this is how I arrange my cellphone.
Arrange the pull-down gesture
OxygenOS has loads of annoyances, and one which ranks extremely is the worldwide search that exhibits up as an alternative of the notification pane if you pull down anyplace on the display screen. Fortunately, you may swap this again to the notification pane with out an excessive amount of of a trouble.
Simply pull down anyplace after you arrange the cellphone, and you will get a dialog field asking if you would like to make use of world search or entry the notification pane. Choose the notification pane and hit verify, and you will as soon as once more entry the notification shade with a pull-down gesture.
Swap again to the traditional notification shade
Speaking in regards to the notification shade, OxygenOS lately switched to a cut up notification pane with the toggles in their very own part, and notifications getting a standalone pane. That is just like iOS, and whereas different Chinese language producers additionally do that — you, Xiaomi — I am not a fan of the cut up shade. I like having notifications and toggles in the identical shade, and you may return to this mode.
Simply head to your cellphone settings, go to the Notifications & Fast Settings menu, choose Fast Settings, and select the Traditional possibility. Doing so will swap the shade again to a unified type.
By no means miss a notification
Among the best issues about OxygenOS is the power to wake display screen everytime you get a notification. I like this as an alternative of the always-on mode, because it permits me to view any incoming notifications with out worrying about any undue battery use.
Whilst you’re there, it’s best to choose enhanced notifications as effectively; doing so offers you Android’s urged actions, and makes issues that a lot simpler.
Make the AMOLED panel shine
The OnePlus 13 has a vibrant AMOLED panel, and it’s set to Pure out of the field. I just like the mode; it has good colours with out going overboard with the saturation, and if you happen to like higher calibration, you may swap to the P3-D65 shade gamut by choosing the Professional mode. And if you’d like vibrant colours with elevated saturation, the Vivid mode is the one to decide on.
There’s additionally the choice to manually alter the colour stability, so if you happen to just like the tonality to be on the hotter or cooler facet, you may simply achieve this.
Mitigate eye pressure
The OnePlus makes use of a BOE panel with 2,160Hz PWM dimming, and it makes a real distinction if you happen to’re switching from an iPhone, Pixel, or Galaxy gadget. If you happen to’re delicate to PWM dimming, I might suggest enabling the Extremely anti-flicker mode within the settings.
There’s additionally a bedtime mode that routinely adjusts colours at evening, enabling hotter hues to stop blue mild. I simply set it to auto, however if you’d like a customized tint or schedule, you may simply configure it.
Unlock the best decision
Much like the final two years, the OnePlus 13 will get a decision of 3168 x 1440. However to take advantage of out of the panel, you may want to enter the settings and alter the decision manually — it is set to Commonplace (2376 x 1080) out of the field. However when you set it to Excessive, it’s going to unlock the QHD+ decision. Doing so makes use of extra battery, so if you wish to eke out battery life, I might recommend toggling the Auto-select mode.
Equally, you may wish to change the refresh fee to Excessive to make sure the gadget allows 120Hz mode wherever attainable. Most video games are nonetheless locked to 60fps, however switching to 120Hz in every day use makes an enormous distinction.
Tailor the cellphone simply the best way you prefer it
OxygenOS all the time exceled at customizability, and that is no totally different with the OnePlus 13. If something, you get an excellent higher set of controls this time, together with a number of gorgeous always-on kinds, intensive icon tweaking, capability to vary accent colours by way of Materials You dynamic shade picker, and so forth.
Principally, you get all of the options you’ll want to make sure the gadget is about up simply the best way you want, and all of those choices are positioned inside the similar sub-menu.
Arrange the house display screen
Persevering with with customization, the OnePlus 13 allows you to alter the house display screen to an honest extent. There is a search capsule you may choose to point out on the backside — identical to on Pixels. You can even arrange visible results, they usually make navigating the UI simply that bit higher.
There nonetheless is not a option to disable the leftmost pane, and it’s set to Google Uncover by default — you do not get the choice to make use of anything. Aside from that quibble, I haven’t got any points with the house display screen as such. OxygenOS does job with folders generally, and the power to launch apps with out having to increase a folder is a pleasant bonus.
In an analogous vein, OnePlus did a radical job overhauling the UI, and the animations are fluid out of the field. Even so, choosing Enhanced animations makes the interface that little bit smoother.
Regulate lock display screen settings
The OnePlus 13 does job with lock display screen customization as effectively, and also you get the usual raise-to-wake mode. If you happen to use the media participant so much, having it present up on the lock display screen is kind of helpful.
Much like iOS and One UI 7, you get the power to regulate the font, arrange widgets, change the sizing of the textual content, and even add a fluted sample or liquid glass results to the background on the lock display screen. It’s achieved effectively, and whereas I might have appreciated elevated widget choice — you simply get the climate and exercise rely — it is a respectable begin.
Get stay alerts
Android 16 is slated to get real-time notification updates within the latter half of 2025, however you needn’t wait till then — the OnePlus 13 has this characteristic baked in out of the field. Dubbed Dwell Alerts, the characteristic means that you can view real-time notifications within the digicam cutout space on the entrance, just like Dynamic Island on iPhones.
It’s restricted to Indian meals supply utilities Swiggy and Zomato, however you get a notification when taking part in music by way of Spotify and YouTube Music as effectively. The built-in music participant and different utilities do job integrating the characteristic too, and it’s a respectable addition.
Make your gadget theft-proof
Google made loads of modifications to safety and privateness in Android 15, and the OnePlus 13 consists of all of those options. You get a collection of anti-theft options, together with theft detection lock and routinely locking your cellphone when it goes offline. Distant Lock allows you to remotely erase knowledge, and you will have to toggle these options inside the Gadget unlock sub-menu.
Your cellphone by no means sounded this good
OxygenOS overhauled its system sounds and ringtones two years in the past, they usually’re fairly good now. The ringtones and notification sounds are based mostly on nature, and also you get vary of sounds out there. There’s additionally a Holo Sound characteristic that allows spatial sound, and it makes a distinction if you happen to’re utilizing earbuds.
You additionally get top-of-the-line vibration motors round, and the haptic engine is excellent — what I like essentially the most is the power to regulate the suggestions. Pretty much as good as these options are, what’s annoying is that DND mode continues to be flawed; you may mute calls and notifications in a single go, however they don’t seem to be of their distinct classes not like each different cellphone.
Lengthen battery longevity
The OnePlus 13 will get a 6,000mAh silicon battery, and in my use, I simply obtained over a day with none points. OxygenOS has built-in instruments to increase battery longevity; you may set a cost restrict that ensures the battery is just stuffed to 80%, and the interface has good charging that estimates charging wants based mostly in your utilization habits.
In the end, the OnePlus 13 is a standout cellphone that highlights simply what’s attainable on this class, and it in some way manages to value lower than Google and Samsung rivals.
OnePlus did all the proper issues with the OnePlus 13, and 6 months after its launch, it continues to be top-of-the-line telephones out there.
