OnePlus 13 vs. OnePlus 12: Worth the upgrade?

One of the most anticipated new smartphones is now available: the OnePlus 13. This device is set to replace the highly regarded OnePlus 12, which has been praised for its performance, camera quality, and overall user experience, making it one of the top phones of 2024.

If you currently own a OnePlus 12, your decision to upgrade to the OnePlus 13 will largely depend on how vital the new features are to you. If you’re seeking the latest mobile technology advancements, this upgrade may be worthwhile. However, if your OnePlus 12 still meets your needs, you might wait for the next model. Let’s look at the specific differences and features to help you make an informed decision.

OnePlus 13 vs. OnePlus 12: specs

OnePlus 13 vs. OnePlus 12: design and display

OnePlus is recognized for its innovative phone designs, evident in the OnePlus 13. While the new phone maintains the distinctive OnePlus identity, it introduces several noteworthy differences compared to the previous model. One significant change is the phone’s flat sides, reminiscent of the Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy phones, and Google Pixel. This design contrasts with the OnePlus 12, which features curved sides, potentially offering improved grip. Additionally, the OnePlus 13 boasts a slightly slimmer and lighter body, and its IP69 rating indicates enhanced resistance to water and dust.

Our review noted that the OnePlus 13 features a Crystal Shield Ultra Ceramic Glass instead of Corning’s Gorilla Glass, which some might expect. However, OnePlus ensures that its glass offers excellent drop and impact resistance. During our tests, the review unit accidentally dropped, and while the screen protector was ripped, the screen remained completely unharmed.

The phone is visually appealing on the outside and technologically advanced on the inside, which is exactly what we desire. We particularly admire the quad-curve glass over the screen and the polished metal chassis, which effectively eliminates the bezel, giving the OnePlus 13 a modern and high-quality appearance.

The differences in display between the OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 12 are subtle but noteworthy. Both phones feature a 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a sharp 1440p resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering vibrant colors and deep blacks.

One key improvement in the OnePlus 13 is its typical brightness, which reaches 800 nits, compared to 600 nits on the OnePlus 12. Additionally, the OnePlus 13 utilizes the newer BOE X2 OLED panel technology, promising enhanced visual quality. However, both models maintain the same peak brightness of 4,500 nits.

OnePlus 13 vs. OnePlus 12: performance

The OnePlus 13 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, a step up from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 found in the OnePlus 12. This updated chipset features an Adreno GPU, which promises smoother gaming and improved graphics performance. Early benchmarks from AnTuTu reveal that the OnePlus 13 achieves 58% better overall performance, while GeekBench 6 shows a 36% increase in single-core performance. These enhancements should lead to noticeable improvements in everyday tasks and general usage.

In practice, the chipset delivers an excellent user experience. It stays cool during regular use and light gaming sessions, ensuring no concerns about overheating under typical conditions. However, we did observe that when pushed to handle more demanding tasks, the metal frame became warm to the touch, while the back of the phone remained cool.

While it’s hard to assert that the OnePlus 13 is faster than its competitors with the Snapdragon 8 Elite, the combination of this chipset and the sleek design of OxygenOS 15 provides an impressive user experience. Everything runs seamlessly, with no lag or stuttering; each app opens instantly and operates flawlessly. This reliability fosters a sense of confidence, call quality is excellent, and Wi-Fi and cellular connections remain reliable.

OnePlus 13 vs. OnePlus 12: battery and charging

Another noticeable change made on the OnePlus 13 is its larger battery. Where the OnePlus 12 includes a 5,400mAh battery, the one on the OnePlus 13 is 6,000mAh. The larger battery capacity is thanks to silicon-carbon battery technology that allows for more energy storage in a smaller space. This should mean longer battery life, although that depends on what you’re doing.

Depending on your display settings and usage, the OnePlus 12 can probably last up to two full days on a single charge. When more intensive tasks are added to the mix, that drops to around a day of use between charges.

The OnePlus 13’s larger battery capacity should allow it to outperform its successor, offering improved performance in demanding tasks and potentially better longevity since the battery will undergo fewer charging cycles. In real use, it showcased outstanding longevity, with a single charge being capable of lasting up to three days with low use, and definitely lasting into two with heavier use.

One area where you won’t see a difference between the two phones is when it comes to actual charging. OnePlus did not enhance the charging speeds for wired or wireless charging. Like its predecessor, the OnePlus 13 supports 100W fast charging, 50W wireless charging, and reverse charging up to 10W. The OnePlus 12 was restricted to 80W charging speeds in the U.S., though, and it remains to be seen whether the OnePlus 13 echoes this limitation.

OnePlus 13 vs. OnePlus 12: cameras

Historically, OnePlus cameras have been reliable but often fell short compared to industry leaders like Samsung and Google. However, following the partnership with Hasselblad that began with the OnePlus 9 series, there have been significant improvements in camera performance.

The OnePlus 13 features an impressive triple-camera setup, with each camera boasting a 50-megapixel sensor. The main camera uses a state-of-the-art Sony sensor, known for its exceptional light-gathering capabilities. It also includes a 50MP ultrawide lens with a 120-degree field of view, perfect for capturing expansive landscapes, and a 50MP telephoto lens that offers 3x optical zoom for closer shots without sacrificing image quality. These advancements enhance image quality, particularly in low-light conditions.

Initial testing indicates that the OnePlus 13 produces detailed, vibrant photos, excelling in low-light scenarios without overexposing images or applying excessive smoothing. The 6x zoom, while hybrid, performs admirably, with only slight digital enhancement noticeable upon close inspection. The consistency between the primary and wide-angle cameras is commendable, although the zoom does struggle in low light.

OnePlus has also introduced various shooting modes, such as burst and action modes for video, which record at 60 frames per second. While the camera performed adequately for capturing fast-moving subjects, results can vary depending on the specific scenario.

OnePlus 13 vs. OnePlus 12: software and updates

The OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 12 both operate on OxygenOS, OnePlus’ custom Android interface. However, their software and update policies differ significantly.

The OnePlus 13 comes with OxygenOS 15, based on Android 15, meaning you will have access to the latest Android features and security updates right from the start. In contrast, the OnePlus 12 requires an upgrade to obtain the same features.

A major distinction lies in software support. OnePlus guarantees four major Android updates and five years of security updates for the OnePlus 13. In comparison, the OnePlus 12 is supported with three major Android updates and four years of security updates.

OnePlus 13 vs. OnePlus 12: price and availability

The OnePlus 13 was initially launched in China and is now available internationally. The base model of the OnePlus 13 starts at $900 in the U.S. and features 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. This version is exclusively offered in Black Eclipse. There is also a model with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, priced at $1,000, which comes in Black Eclipse, Midnight Ocean, and Arctic Dawn. Notably, these prices are $100 higher than those of the OnePlus 12 at its launch.

The OnePlus 12, similar to the newer model, offers options for 256GB or 512GB of storage and 12GB or 16GB of RAM. It is available in Silky Black and Flowy Emerald.

OnePlus 13 vs. OnePlus 12: Is it worth the upgrade?