We might never see a phone like the OnePlus 13 again. A perfect storm allowed the OnePlus 13 to become arguably the best Android flagship of all time. Qualcomm’s groundbreaking Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, a stunning and unique design, a pro-caliber camera system, a sharp eye-friendly display, and mature OxygenOS software combine to make the last-generation OnePlus handset a complete package.
It’ll be hard for Samsung or Google to beat it in 2026. OnePlus itself couldn’t even beat it. The OnePlus 15 is an upgrade in just three major ways — processor, battery capacity, and display refresh rate — and a downgrade in many others. I’m absolutely convinced I’d pick the OnePlus 13 over the OnePlus 15. For that matter, I doubt I’d choose the Google Pixel 11 Pro XL or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra over it, either.
Is the OnePlus 13 the most well-rounded phone ever?
It has a lot of power, a giant battery capacity, and great cameras
OnePlus should partly thank Qualcomm for why the OnePlus 13 continues to be my recommendation for the most versatile Android flagship. With any other chip at the core, I’d probably worry about a year-old processor slowing down over time. That isn’t an issue with the OnePlus 13 and Snapdragon 8 Elite. This mobile platform is so consistent and blazing fast that it’ll last for years to come. The newer Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is impressive too, but it’s an incremental upgrade over the gigantic leap that was Snapdragon 8 Elite.
The combination of an elite processor and either 12GB or 16GB of memory inspires my confidence in the OnePlus 13 for the long haul. Compare the OnePlus 13 spec-for-spec with the competition, and it just keeps winning. A 6,000mAh battery capacity makes multi-day battery life a real possibility. When you do need a recharge, you can do so at up to 80W wired or 50W wireless speeds.
The display is my favorite aspect of the device. The 6.82-inch AMOLED panel is flat, but the edges of the glass covering have a slight curve. It’s a QHD+ display that can hit 4,500 nits of brightness while delivering 120Hz variable refresh rates. The display is better for people who have pulse-width modulation (PWM) sensitivity, and there’s a built-in blue light filter for eye safety. It’s the most crisp and vibrant smartphone display I’ve ever used.
The design is another tick in favor of the OnePlus 13. Every phone model is starting to look somewhat the same these days, including the OnePlus 15, which has an iPhone-like look. The OnePlus 13’s curved front and back, polished aluminum side rails, and blue vegan leather back make it stand out in a crowded market. It’s easily the best-looking phone I’ve ever held, and it’s also one of the most durable, complete with an IP69 certification. Rounding out the hardware is the camera system, with a trio of 50MP rear sensors and a 32MP selfie camera.
The camera hardware on the OnePlus 15 was downgraded, and the Hasselblad processing was dropped. The same goes for the display resolution, because it’s no longer QHD+. That striking design? It’s gone too. Everything that made the OnePlus 13 great, the OnePlus 15 seems to have lost.
My OnePlus 13 Has This Amazing Feature That More Android Phones Really Need
An underrated feature I didn’t know I was missing until I had it.
OxygenOS is incredibly smooth and fun to use
OnePlus stole the best of Android 16… and iOS 26
Another win for OnePlus is OxygenOS. The phone shipped with Android 15, but OnePlus has already upgraded it to the Android 16-based OxygenOS 16. I really like the design — it’s stolen features done right. The brand didn’t just copy features from iOS 26 or Android 16, it packed the best of both into this operating system. You’ll see clear remnants of Google’s Material 3 Expressive throughout, as well as Apple-inspired quirks like a Dynamic Island clone.
I’ve never been against brands “borrowing” features from each other. A rising tide lifts all ships. The trouble is taking inspiration from others while keeping an independent identity, and OnePlus manages to do that here. Longtime OnePlus fans might miss the older, simplistic version of OxygenOS. This implementation makes phones like the OnePlus 13 way more approachable to those coming from a Pixel or Galaxy phone, though.
What it would take for Samsung or Google to do better
Barring a massive year-over-year upgrade, I don’t see it happening
I’m usually always itching for the latest gadget, but for once, I’m content with the OnePlus 13. I’ve thoroughly reviewed the OnePlus 15’s specs, and there’s nothing enticing me to upgrade. In fact, all things equal, I’m choosing the OnePlus 13 over the new model. The attractive design, higher-quality display, and better hardware camera moves the needle in favor of the OnePlus 13 for me.
So, if OnePlus can’t top the OnePlus 13, can anyone else? I don’t think so. The rumors and leaks surrounding the soon-to-be-released Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra seem to suggest Samsung is playing it safe for yet another year. While I expect the Pixel 11 series to continue being great for the right buyer, Google Pixel phones are the antithesis of the OnePlus 13. Google puts the overall experience and optimization ahead of raw hardware and specs, while OnePlus does the opposite.
With all that in mind, if you’re looking for the most fully-featured Android flagship in 2026, the OnePlus 13 is still the best option until proven otherwise.
- SoC
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite
- Display
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6.8-inch LTPO 4.1 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR Vivid, 4500 nits
- RAM
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12/16GB
- Storage
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256, 512, 1TB
- Battery
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6,000mAh
- Brand
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OnePlus
The OnePlus 13 remains an excellent all-rounder Android phone. While the newer model makes sacrifices for the sake of gaming and battery life, the OnePlus 13 is the epitome of balance. It features a great display, long battery life, superb performance, and Hasselblad-tuned cameras. It’s still relevant as an option in 2026 — and beyond.