3 reasons I'm looking forward to the forthcoming OnePlus 13S

      When the OnePlus 13T was introduced in China last month, I was curious because it offers a higher battery capacity than the OnePlus 13 while being more compact. Now, the company has hinted at a new phone named OnePlus 13S, which resembles the 13T and carries the tagline “Powered up. Sized down” in its promotional material.

      The term “sized down” doesn't imply a phone akin to the iPhone mini. If it is a successor to the OnePlus 13T, it will feature a 6.3-inch display, which is considerably larger than the iPhone 12 mini’s 5.42-inch screen. However, in 2025, when the biggest iPhone display reaches 6.9 inches, a 6.3-inch device can be seen as compact by comparison.

      The OnePlus 13S is expected to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. This top-tier Qualcomm SoC is known for delivering fast and seamless performance in flagship devices like the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Xiaomi 15 Ultra, OnePlus 13, among others. Yet, all these models are typically large. Their smaller variants, such as the Galaxy S25 and Xiaomi 15, are more compact but offer similar performance. The OnePlus 13S may be a comparable device, potentially even surpassing the rest.

      While OnePlus has not officially set a launch date, I'm genuinely enthusiastic about the 13S since it could provide an ideal mix of power and portability, similar to the Xiaomi 15, but infused with OnePlus’ distinct style. Here are three reasons why the next OnePlus phone deserves attention.

      An uncompromising display

      Louis Lee – Weibo / Weibo

      The OnePlus 13S is likely to sport a 6.3-inch AMOLED display with an LTPO panel capable of a refresh rate as low as 1Hz. This feature allows for unmatched efficiency, which is crucial for compact phones. If the OnePlus 13 is any guide, we can anticipate a bright and vibrant display that supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+.

      I hope the OnePlus 13S retains the Aqua Touch Display technology found in its siblings, the OnePlus 13 and 13R. This is one reason I particularly enjoy using a OnePlus device. Initially introduced with the OnePlus 12, Aqua Touch enables precise touch recognition even when the screen is wet. If you’ve used any iPhone, you’re aware of how unresponsive the display can be when droplets of water are present – that’s an issue for OnePlus flagships.

      All the power without added bulk

      OnePlus 13T Weibo / Weibo

      The OnePlus 13T is smaller than Google’s Pixel 9 yet has a similarly sized screen, a larger battery, and a more powerful processor. The OnePlus 13S will likely be quite similar. Based on the 13T’s specifications, you can expect flagship performance in a form factor that easily fits in any pocket.

      Thanks to advancements in battery technology, we have silicon-carbon batteries, and OnePlus is exploring more compact designs. You can anticipate a battery capacity of 6,000mAh or greater that charges at 80W while fitting into a size smaller than the Pixel 9. I appreciate that I won’t have to compromise on performance or settle for the largest phone in order to get a device that lasts an entire day.

      The combination of flagship performance and a large battery in the OnePlus 13S will distinguish it from its competitors. Many compact flagship phones currently available sacrifice battery life, whether it's the premium flip phones or models like the Galaxy S25 and Pixel 9. The Xiaomi 15, with its 5,240mAh battery, stood out by lasting a full day on a single charge, but the OnePlus 13S could elevate that with its 6,200mAh battery.

      The OnePlus 13T weighs 185 grams, which isn't the lightest, but I’m eager to see Qualcomm’s flagship performance combined with an efficient display and a substantial battery in a device under 200 grams. It sounds impressive, at least on paper.

      An adept camera system

      OnePlus

      The OnePlus 13S will come with a new camera module that houses two capable sensors, neither of which will be inferior. I hope the company incorporates the same optics as the OnePlus 13T and doesn’t exchange one sensor for a less impressive macro camera or an 8MP ultrawide-angle lens.

      For reference, the OnePlus 13T has two 50MP cameras. The main sensor is a 1/1.56” 24mm wide camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) and an f/1.8 aperture. The second is a 1/2.76-inch telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom and an f/2.0 aperture.