This thing packs the same punch as the original OnePlus 13, just in a smaller, more compact body. And yep, it already popped up on Geekbench, flexing scores that suggest it is ready to go head-to-head with powerhouses like the Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max. That is not a small deal!
But raw power aside, what really caught my eye is the way it looks. With the Snapdragon 8 Elite under the hood, up to 16GB of RAM and a rumored 6,000mAh battery, it is a beast for sure – but it is also just a better-looking one (at least to me).
And that is exactly what I want to talk about: the fresh design of the OnePlus 13T and why I think OnePlus made the right call by switching things up from the regular 13.
A design that follows the trend
The OnePlus 13 is a great phone but its design is not my cup of tea. | Image credit – PhoneArena
Now, don’t get me wrong – the OnePlus 13 is a powerhouse and easily one of the best Android phones out there right now. But that massive circular camera bump on the back? Yeah… not my favorite. As good as the phone is, the design just doesn’t click with me. It kind of turns me off from the whole package.That is why I’m really into what OnePlus is doing with the 13T. Even though it shares a lot of the same specs as the main model, it is rocking a completely different look. And honestly, that is a smart move. I mean, what is the point of launching two phones that are almost the same on the inside and outside – aside from a slightly smaller screen and a tweaked camera setup?
The 13T has a different design language. | Image credit – OnePlus
The OnePlus 13T is expected to come with two 50 MP cameras and a more compact 6.3-inch display, compared to the 13’s 6.8-inch screen and triple 50 MP camera setup (main, ultra-wide, and telephoto), all jammed into that oversized circular island.
But with the 13T, OnePlus is going with a cleaner rectangular camera module, which instantly makes me think of the iPhone 16 and the upcoming Galaxy S25 Edge. In terms of design language, the 13T feels way more in sync with those flagships than with its own sibling.
Put them side by side and, yeah, they are clearly different phones, but there is still a familiar vibe there when you look at them from the back. It is pretty obvious where the trend is heading, right?
The upcoming OnePlus 13T (first image), iPhone 16 (second image) and the upcoming Galaxy S25 Edge (third image).
And OnePlus has definitely taken some cues from Apple in the past and it is not just about the design. For example, OnePlus has its own version of Apple’s Dynamic Island. And now, with the removal of the Alert Slider and the addition of a customizable new button – kind of like the Action Button on the iPhone – it is just more evidence that OnePlus is playing in Apple’s playground again.
That being said, props to OnePlus for mixing things up a bit. For anyone who wants that flagship experience without the giant circle on the back, the 13T is looking like the more stylish option.
Power is here – but where is it going?
OnePlus 13T will debut it three different colors. | Image credit – OnePlus
Looks aside, the OnePlus 13T isn’t just a pretty face. This thing means business. It recently popped up on AnTuTu and scored a jaw-dropping 3,006,913 points – beating out the Vivo X200 Pro and leaving compact rivals like the Galaxy S25 and Pixel 9 playing catch-up. So yeah, this smaller phone isn’t holding back.
Bands n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n77, n78, n258, n260, n261, Sub-6, mmWave
Bands n1, n2, n5, n7, n25, n28, n41, n66, n71, n258, n260, n261, SA, NSA, Sub-6, mmWave, 5G Ready
Bands n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n71, n75, n77, n78
Now, the downside – it is only confirmed for a launch in China… for now. Still, I find it hard to believe this beast is meant to stay locked away in just one market.
If history is any hint (and it usually is), the regular OnePlus 13 also launched in China first before making its way across the globe. So I’m hoping – and kind of expecting – the same rollout strategy here, too.
Maybe OnePlus will move even faster this time and bring the 13T to global markets as early as May. And hey, wouldn’t it be perfect timing?
That is exactly when Samsung is rumored to drop the sleeker Galaxy S25 Edge. So, if OnePlus wants to steal a bit of that spotlight, May might just be the moment to go big with a global release.
