OnePlus recently celebrated its tenth anniversary, marking a decade of innovation since the launch of its first smartphone on April 22, 2014. Over the years, the brand has built a passionate and loyal fanbase, thanks to its bold approach to design and cutting-edge technology.
We've seen OnePlus experiment with various form factors—venturing into foldable phones, tablets, smartwatches, and wireless earbuds. Despite these forays, it's their smartphones that remain the heart of the brand. Now, all eyes are on the upcoming OnePlus 13, with rumors hinting at significant changes. Speculation includes a revamped camera array, the surprising removal of wireless charging, and the inclusion of the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset. Let’s dive into what could be the next big leap for OnePlus.
The OnePlus 12 retained much of the design language from the OnePlus 11, featuring the same 6.8-inch curved-edge display and signature round camera module. However, OnePlus did introduce wireless charging to the OnePlus 12, addressing a key omission from its predecessor. Intriguingly, rumors suggest that the upcoming OnePlus 13 will take a different route, potentially removing wireless charging in favor of a larger 6,000 mAh battery.
For context, the OnePlus 12 houses a 5,400 mAh battery, already an impressive capacity. However, according to prominent Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station, the OnePlus 13 is set to feature an even more substantial battery, surpassing the 5,000 mAh standard seen in devices like the Samsung Galaxy series.
Despite the larger battery, this upgrade might not necessarily result in longer battery life. The rumored Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset that could power the OnePlus 13 is expected to be quite demanding, potentially requiring the larger battery to compensate for its energy consumption.
In addition to battery improvements, Digital Chat Station claims that the OnePlus 13 will sport a subtly curved display on all four edges, maintaining the familiar 6.8-inch size. Interestingly, this display may be housed in a ceramic body, marking a shift from the glass material used in previous models. Furthermore, the device is said to feature a custom 2K OLED display from BOE, enhancing visual quality.
Renowned tipster Yogesh Brar supports many of these claims, adding that the OnePlus 13 will adopt the "micro-quad curved display" from the upcoming OPPO Find X8 Ultra. This design choice suggests that the OnePlus 13 will retain curved displays, albeit more subtle, giving it a near-bezel-less look on all four sides without the frustrations typically associated with curved displays. Both leakers have a solid track record, so we're confident we will see a OnePlus 13 with practically no bezels.
Digital Chat Station revealed on Weibo that the upcoming OnePlus 13 will feature a triple-camera array, each equipped with 50MP sensors. This marks a significant shift from the OnePlus 12, which boasts a 50MP main camera, a 64MP periscope zoom lens, and a 48MP ultra-wide sensor. According to DCS, all three of the OnePlus 13's 50MP cameras will offer a 3x zoom range, hinting at a more unified and versatile camera system.
If OnePlus makes this lens swap, we can expect the new 50MP sensors to be larger and more advanced, likely delivering better performance in low-light conditions. However, there's still some speculation, as the same leaker also suggested that the OnePlus 13 might retain the same camera setup as the OnePlus 12. Only time will reveal which of these rumors holds true.
One thing we can count on is the continuation of OnePlus's collaboration with Hasselblad, ensuring that the brand will maintain its reputation for delivering stunning photography experiences across its devices.
It's evident that OnePlus is planning to shake up the camera housing design on the OnePlus 13. Rumors suggest the camera array could shift from its current position on the left side of the phone’s back to a more central location, or potentially adopt a new shape entirely. According to tipster Yogesh Brar, who shared a sketch on Twitter, the OnePlus 13 will likely retain its circular camera housing, while the OnePlus 13R is expected to feature a rectangular camera module positioned on the left side.
However, conflicting reports from a Weibo leaker suggest that both models may feature rectangular camera housings on the left side of the device. With such differing claims, we'll have to wait and see which design direction OnePlus ultimately chooses.
What’s more certain is that the OnePlus 13 will likely be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset. Given the impressive performance of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the OnePlus 12, the next generation chip could push the boundaries even further, especially in terms of gaming performance.
--If OnePlus retains the vapor chamber cooling system from the OnePlus 12, this could easily become one of the most formidable gaming phones on the market.
