OnePlus 13R review

Design and ergonomics

The OnePlus 13R adopts a new design that's in line with the OnePlus 13 and it's more similar to the recently released Oppo Find X8 series. That means we got a flat back and front, and a flat side frame as opposed to the curved panels and side from the previous generation.

The front panel is still protected by Gorilla Glass 7i, the side frame is aluminum, and the back is still glass, although the concentric, slightly roughened pattern may make you believe otherwise. It feels more like metal or plastic, to be honest.

Moving away from the curvatures means the grip is different. The anodized aluminum side frame and the glass back aren't the best materials for a secure grip, but the sharp edges and flat side frame make it more bearable.

On the other hand, some people will find the flat chassis uncomfortable to hold.

Anyway, the IP64 ingress protection is here to stay, and so is the Alert Slider.

We aren't very happy with the fingerprint placement, though. It works well and is responsive and reliable, but it is placed too close to the bottom edge of the screen, making it slightly awkward to reach with your thumb.

All in all, we like the design. It feels premium and rather fresh, but we can see how it can be polarizing. The off-centered camera island and the flat design may not be everyone's cup of tea. We wish it had higher ingress protection too.