This midrange OnePlus phone is such a good deal, I struggle to recommend pricier flagships

The OnePlus 13R boasts an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance, which, while not as robust as the OnePlus 13's IP69 rating, still offers decent protection against splashes. Just remember, it's not a good idea to take a swim with it or accidentally drop it into the toilet. In terms of security, the OnePlus 13R sticks with an optical fingerprint scanner, which is quick and reliable. Unless you've experienced an ultrasonic scanner, you probably won't notice much difference.

On the front, the OnePlus 13R sports what I believe is the best display in its class. It's a 6.78-inch AMOLED panel that supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+, perfect for enjoying your favorite movies and shows. The dynamic refresh rate ranges from 1Hz to 120Hz, ensuring smooth scrolling and energy efficiency. Plus, it's protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, which adds an extra layer of scratch resistance.

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The display is impressively bright, reaching up to 1,600 nits, and can hit 4,500 nits for HDR content. The colors are vibrant and eye-catching, and I didn't need to tweak any settings to enjoy them.

I'm particularly impressed with the OnePlus 13R's Aqua Touch technology. It's a game-changer for using your phone in the rain or even in the shower without mistaking water droplets for touches. And if you're wearing gloves during the colder months, the display still registers your touches effortlessly.

A performance champion for $600

The OnePlus 13R is powered by the same processor as the OnePlus 12 from last year, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, paired with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. This setup ensures smooth performance in everyday tasks. I've been juggling social media apps like X and Instagram, work tools like Slack and Teams, and messaging on WhatsApp, and everything runs seamlessly. The camera has been a frequent companion during my tests, and the animations feel snappier than ever. No lag or stutter here.

Gaming on the OnePlus 13R is a delight, even without native 120fps support. Games like *Battlegrounds Mobile* can hit 120fps through frame interpolation, and most titles run smoothly at 60fps. The phone does get warm during long gaming sessions, but it never forced me to close apps or games due to overheating.

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The OnePlus 13R runs on Android 15-based OxygenOS 15, with a promise of four years of OS updates and six years of security updates, matching the OnePlus 13. The software is clean, with minimal pre-installed apps. You also get a suite of AI features like AI Detail Boost, AI Unblur, AI Eraser, and AI Reflection Eraser to enhance your photos. Plus, there are Google's AI enhancements like Circle to Search and Gemini.

Battery life is stellar, easily lasting a full day on a single charge. When it's time to recharge, the 6,000mAh battery supports 80W fast charging with the included charger, getting you from zero to full in just over 30 minutes. Unfortunately, there's no wireless charging option.

Improved cameras

Last year's OnePlus 12R had a solid primary camera but weaker auxiliary sensors. The OnePlus 13R steps up with a 50MP Sony LYT-700 sensor for the main camera, a 50MP telephoto with 2x optical zoom, and an 8MP ultra-wide lens. All three can shoot 4K60fps videos, and there's a new live photos feature to capture those fleeting moments.

The main camera excels in daylight, delivering detailed photos with good dynamic range and accurate white balance. The 2x telephoto, while not as versatile as the OnePlus 13's 3x sensor, offers a significant improvement over the OnePlus 12R. The photos are sharp, and the colors match well with the primary camera, which is impressive at this price point. The ultra-wide camera tends to be more saturated, though.

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Portraits are generally well-executed with decent edge detection. However, in low light, the images can lose detail and appear softer. Overall, the OnePlus 13R's camera system is a step up and delivers great value for the price. I would have loved a 3x optical zoom, but the telephoto sensor is a welcome addition.

ZDNET's buying advice

At $600, the OnePlus 13R offers the best display in its class, along with quality-of-life features, top-notch performance, all-day battery life, and a smooth software experience. Its closest competitor, the Google Pixel 9a, is priced below $500 and is a good choice for many, but it's smaller and less powerful in terms of hardware.

When stacked against flagship smartphones, the OnePlus 13R's value is undeniable. The lack of wireless charging might be a downside for some, but the extended battery life more than compensates for it.

When will this deal expire?

According to OnePlus, this deal will end on April 13, 2025.

Deals can sell out or expire at any time, but ZDNET is dedicated to finding, sharing, and updating the best product deals to help you save. Our team regularly checks the deals we share to ensure they're still available. If you miss out on a deal, don't worry—we're always on the lookout for new savings opportunities and share them with you on ZDNET.com.

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