Global tech giant OnePlus is about to reveal its first compact flagship, the OnePlus 13s, during a live event tomorrow, June 5, 2025, at 12 noon IST. Exclusively targeted at the Indian market, the launch will be streamed live on OnePlus India’s YouTube channel. With this new model, OnePlus is stepping into a new territory—offering high-end performance and advanced AI features within a more pocket-friendly, user-friendly design crafted for one-handed operation.
The primary goal behind the OnePlus 13s is simple: deliver flagship-level power in a smaller, more manageable size. For those who find today’s flagship phones too large or clunky, this could be a breath of fresh air. It’s about striking a balance between portability and performance, something that’s often been difficult to achieve with compact phones.
Flagship Power in a Smaller Package
At the heart of the OnePlus 13s is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform. This powerhouse chipset ensures top-tier performance, handling everything from multitasking to high-demand gaming, and even running advanced on-device AI processes. OnePlus claims that this could be the most affordable smartphone in India to feature this particular high-performance processor—a statement that will definitely attract attention once the device hits the market.
To prove the phone’s durability, OnePlus put it through a stress test using Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI)—a notoriously demanding game. The results were impressive: the OnePlus 13s maintained a stable frame rate for an entire seven-hour gaming session, running from a full charge to zero. The takeaway? Exceptional battery life that OnePlus claims is the best ever for a compact phone.
But what about heat? High-end phones often struggle with overheating, especially in compact designs. The OnePlus 13s addresses this with an advanced cooling system, ensuring smooth performance without excessive warmth.
- Cryo-Velocity Vapor Chamber: The phone features a massive 4400mm² vapor chamber—one of the largest available in this category—to efficiently dissipate heat away from the processor.
- Back Cover Cooling: In a unique move, the device integrates an additional cooling layer into its back cover, a first in the industry. This feature keeps the phone’s surface temperature in check, even during long gaming or video sessions.
The Introduction of OnePlus AI
The OnePlus 13s isn’t just about hardware—it also introduces the company’s brand-new suite of AI tools, known as OnePlus AI. This includes a nifty new hardware addition: the Plus Key. A replacement for OnePlus’s signature Alert Slider, this customizable button lets users quickly access AI functions or any other actions they use regularly. You can program the Plus Key to:
- Switch between sound profiles
- Open the camera app
- Activate Do Not Disturb mode
- Start voice recording
- Launch translation tools
A central part of this AI experience is Plus Mind, a productivity assistant designed to streamline your life. With a simple press of the Plus Key or a three-finger swipe, users can capture on-screen content—anything from text on a website to event details or restaurant addresses. The AI then organizes these details in a dedicated space, called Mind Space.
Plus Mind doesn’t stop there. It analyzes captured content and, if it identifies things like dates or times, it will automatically integrate them into your apps—like syncing an event to your calendar. OnePlus is also working on other AI tools, including AI VoiceScribe for transcription, an AI Call Assistant, and real-time AI Translation.
A Focus on Design and Ergonomics
When it comes to design, the OnePlus 13s takes a minimalist approach, focusing on comfort and usability. The flat glass panels on both the front and back, paired with a sleek middle frame and gently rounded edges, make for a clean and elegant look. What really stands out, though, is how well the phone is designed for one-handed use. At just 8.15mm thick and weighing only 185 grams, the phone is impressively slim and lightweight. The 50:50 weight distribution ensures it feels secure and comfortable in your hand.
The device will be available in three distinct colors:
- Black Velvet: A timeless, understated option.
- Pink Satin: A soft, muted pink for those who want something subtle yet stylish.
- Green Silk: An India-exclusive shade inspired by the olive tree, symbolizing growth and harmony.
The Pink and Green variants feature a new material called Velvet Glass. This soft-touch finish mimics the feel of skin, giving it a premium texture that also resists fingerprints—a nice bonus for users who prefer a clean-looking device.
Advanced Connectivity for Modern Networks
The OnePlus 13s is also built with top-tier connectivity in mind. It boasts a 360° antenna system made up of 11 individual antennas, three of which are optimized for gaming and video streaming. The phone also includes a special four-mode ultra-wideband low-frequency antenna to improve reception in challenging environments. Additionally, the device’s self-developed signal-balanced mode enhances reception by up to 60%, minimizing interference caused by how you grip the phone.
For wireless performance, the phone features the OnePlus-exclusive G1 Wi-Fi chipset, which OnePlus claims is India’s first independently integrated Wi-Fi solution. This chip is designed to ensure fast, stable connections, even in tricky situations like on a moving metro or inside an elevator. The device also supports 5.5G networks, offering more reliable connections through advanced signal slicing and multi-cell connectivity.
Flagship-Level Camera System
As expected, the OnePlus 13s also features a flagship-level camera system. While exact details will be revealed at the launch event, OnePlus has confirmed that the 13s will come with a high-quality rear camera setup. But it’s the front-facing camera that stands out: a 32MP sensor with an autofocus lens, something that’s often missing from other flagship phones. This ensures that selfies and video calls are sharper and clearer, even in less-than-ideal lighting conditions.
Full details about the camera and other features will be unveiled during the live launch tomorrow, but it’s safe to say that the OnePlus 13s is shaping up to be a device that delivers on both design and performance.
All in all, the OnePlus 13s looks set to make waves in the compact phone market. With its premium features, compact design, and innovative AI tools, it could be exactly what many Indian consumers have been waiting for. Keep an eye out for the official release tomorrow!
