OnePlus 13S: The Compact Flagship Phone We’ve Been Waiting For

Smartphone sizes have been creeping up over the years, but not everyone wants a giant phone in their pocket. In 2025, any phone with a 6.5-inch or smaller display is considered compact — and that category has become increasingly rare.

Despite strong demand, many compact phones come with compromises. They either lack flagship features or carry a hefty price tag. Take the iPhone 16, for example — it still has a single camera and a notch, and costs around ₹60,000. The Galaxy S25 offers plenty but suffers from a small battery and slow charging. Even Xiaomi’s excellent 15 model is priced at ₹65,000, putting it out of reach for many.

This is where the upcoming OnePlus 13S steps in, potentially solving the problem of compact phones that deliver top-tier features at a more affordable price.

What to Expect from the OnePlus 13S

OnePlus has confirmed that the 13S will soon launch, and it’s essentially the global version of the OnePlus 13T already available in China. The phone will be available in gray and pink color variants, with a premium design featuring glass on the front and back, and a metal frame — making it both stylish and durable.

Powerful Performance

Under the hood, the OnePlus 13S is set to pack the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Elite chipset. That means it’s likely to come with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, offering blazing-fast speeds and smooth multitasking.

One challenge compact phones often face is heat buildup during use, which can lead to performance throttling. Fortunately, the 13T model in China includes a vapor cooling chamber, and we expect the 13S to feature the same system to keep things cool.

Big Battery, Fast Charging

Battery life has been a common weakness in compact phones. The OnePlus 13S, however, is rumored to have a 6,260 mAh battery, one of the largest in its class. Combined with 80W fast charging — and yes, the charger included in the box — users should enjoy impressive battery life and quick top-ups.

It’s worth noting that a large battery doesn’t automatically mean great endurance, but early signs are promising, and we’ll have to wait for real-world tests to know for sure.

Compact, Lightweight, and Premium

Despite its strong battery and flagship internals, the OnePlus 13S is expected to be lightweight, coming in under 190 grams. It also retains a slim profile, making it easy to handle with one hand — a rarity these days.

Camera and Display

OnePlus has made an interesting decision with the camera setup. Instead of the usual ultra-wide secondary lens, the 13S offers a primary camera paired with a 2x telephoto lens. This setup could appeal to users who want better portrait and zoom shots, though we’ll have to see how it performs in practice.

On the front, the phone sports a 6.32-inch OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, high peak brightness, and slim bezels. Best of all, it features a flat panel, which many users prefer over curved screens.

Goodbye Alert Slider, Hello Action Button

OnePlus is swapping its classic alert slider for a new iPhone-style action button. This customizable button will let users set different shortcuts, offering more flexibility.

Expected Pricing

Based on OnePlus’ pricing history, the 13S is likely to slot between the OnePlus 13R and OnePlus 13. We expect a price around ₹55,000, possibly even lower with launch offers. This would make it an outstanding value compared to rivals like the Galaxy S25, Pixel 9, Xiaomi 15, and iPhone 16.

The Verdict

There’s clearly a market for compact flagship phones — in fact, a recent survey showed that 88% of users would choose a smaller phone if it offered the same features and performance as larger models. The OnePlus 13S seems poised to deliver just that: flagship power, a stunning display, great cameras, and premium design, all without breaking the bank.

If OnePlus hits the right price point, the 13S could be one of the most exciting phone launches of 2025.