The OnePlus 13 debuted globally at first of the yr, and it continues to be among the best telephones you should purchase 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 colour choice. The digicam housing seems to be cleaner as properly this time, and the very best half is that the telephone has an even bigger 6,000mAh silicon battery that simply lasts over a day.
Mix that with unimaginable cameras, the very best {hardware} out there at this time, and a vibrant AMOLED with helpful additions, and it is not exhausting to see why the OnePlus 13 continues to promote so properly. I examined the OnePlus 13 for a month when it launched, and went again to the machine a number of occasions 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 wish to suppose I do know my manner across the pores and skin. So for those who’re simply getting began with the OnePlus 13, here is how I arrange my telephone.
Arrange the pull-down gesture
OxygenOS has loads of annoyances, and one which ranks extremely is the worldwide search that exhibits up as a substitute of the notification pane if you pull down wherever on the display screen. Fortunately, you possibly can change this again to the notification pane with out an excessive amount of of a trouble.
Simply pull down wherever after you arrange the telephone, 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 affirm, and you will as soon as once more entry the notification shade with a pull-down gesture.
Change again to the basic notification shade
Speaking in regards to the notification shade, OxygenOS lately switched to a break up notification pane with the toggles in their very own part, and notifications getting a standalone pane. That is much like iOS, and whereas different Chinese language producers additionally do that — you, Xiaomi — I am not a fan of the break up shade. I like having notifications and toggles in the identical shade, and you’ll return to this mode.
Simply head to your telephone settings, go to the Notifications & Fast Settings menu, choose Fast Settings, and select the Basic choice. Doing so will change the shade again to a unified fashion.
By no means miss a notification
Top-of-the-line issues about OxygenOS is the flexibility to wake display screen everytime you get a notification. I like this as a substitute 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, you must choose enhanced notifications as properly; doing so provides you Android’s advised 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 for those who like higher calibration, you possibly can change to the P3-D65 colour gamut by deciding on the Professional mode. And in order for you vibrant colours with elevated saturation, the Vivid mode is the one to decide on.
There’s additionally the choice to manually regulate the colour steadiness, so for those who just like the tonality to be on the hotter or cooler facet, you possibly can simply accomplish that.
Mitigate eye pressure
The OnePlus makes use of a BOE panel with 2,160Hz PWM dimming, and it makes a real distinction for those who’re switching from an iPhone, Pixel, or Galaxy machine. In the event you’re delicate to PWM dimming, I might advocate enabling the Extremely anti-flicker mode within the settings.
There’s additionally a bedtime mode that mechanically adjusts colours at night time, enabling hotter hues to forestall blue gentle. I simply set it to auto, however in order for you a customized tint or schedule, you possibly can simply configure it.
Unlock the very 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 counsel toggling the Auto-select mode.
Equally, you may wish to change the refresh charge to Excessive to make sure the machine allows 120Hz mode wherever attainable. Most video games are nonetheless locked to 60fps, however switching to 120Hz in day by day use makes an enormous distinction.
Tailor the telephone simply the best way you prefer it
OxygenOS all the time exceled at customizability, and that is no completely different with the OnePlus 13. If something, you get a good higher set of controls this time, together with a number of gorgeous always-on types, in depth icon tweaking, skill to vary accent colours by way of Materials You dynamic colour picker, and so forth.
Principally, you get all of the options you must make sure the machine is ready 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 enables you to regulate the house display screen to an honest extent. There is a search capsule you possibly can choose to indicate on the backside — similar to on Pixels. You may also arrange visible results, they usually make navigating the UI simply that bit higher.
There nonetheless is not a approach to disable the leftmost pane, and it’s set to Google Uncover by default — you aren’t getting the choice to make use of the rest. Aside from that quibble, I haven’t got any points with the house display screen as such. OxygenOS does an excellent job with folders on the whole, and the flexibility to launch apps with out having to increase a folder is a pleasant bonus.
In an analogous vein, OnePlus did an intensive job overhauling the UI, and the animations are fluid out of the field. Even so, deciding on Enhanced animations makes the interface that little bit smoother.
Alter lock display screen settings
The OnePlus 13 does an excellent job with lock display screen customization as properly, and also you get the usual raise-to-wake mode. In the event you use the media participant quite a bit, having it present up on the lock display screen is kind of helpful.
Much like iOS and One UI 7, you get the flexibility 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 finished properly, and whereas I’d have favored elevated widget choice — you simply get the climate and exercise depend — it is a first rate begin.
Get dwell alerts
Android 16 is slated to get real-time notification updates within the latter half of 2025, however you need not wait till then — the OnePlus 13 has this function baked in out of the field. Dubbed Dwell Alerts, the function permits you to view real-time notifications within the digicam cutout space on the entrance, much 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 properly. The built-in music participant and different utilities do an excellent job integrating the function too, and it’s a first rate addition.
Make your machine 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 set of anti-theft options, together with theft detection lock and mechanically locking your telephone when it goes offline. Distant Lock enables you to remotely erase knowledge, and you will must toggle these options inside the System unlock sub-menu.
Your telephone 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 an excellent vary of sounds out there. There’s additionally a Holo Sound function that allows spatial sound, and it makes a distinction for those who’re utilizing earbuds.
You additionally get among the best vibration motors round, and the haptic engine is excellent — what I like essentially the most is the flexibility to regulate the suggestions. Pretty much as good as these options are, what’s annoying is that DND mode continues to be flawed; you possibly can mute calls and notifications in a single go, however they are not of their distinct classes not like each different telephone.
Prolong battery longevity
The OnePlus 13 will get a 6,000mAh silicon battery, and in my use, I simply bought over a day with none points. OxygenOS has built-in instruments to increase battery longevity; you possibly can set a cost restrict that ensures the battery is simply stuffed to 80%, and the interface has good charging that estimates charging wants based mostly in your utilization habits.
Finally, the OnePlus 13 is a standout telephone that highlights simply what’s attainable on this class, and it one way or the other manages to value lower than Google and Samsung rivals.
OnePlus did all the suitable issues with the OnePlus 13, and 6 months after its launch, it continues to be among the best telephones out there.
