I used the OnePlus 13s, and it feels just like the Pixel 9 killer we by no means bought

The compact flagship smartphone market within the US has been getting more and more aggressive. There are some nice choices on the market, together with the Pixel 9, Samsung Galaxy S25, and Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro. Nonetheless, as with different flagship telephones, we do not get to get pleasure from as many choices as the remainder of the world.

One such smartphone is the OnePlus 13s. It launched in June 2025 in choose Asian markets, after initially debuting in China because the OnePlus 13T in Might 2025. Nonetheless, the corporate confirmed the system won’t be available in the US or Europe.

I’ve had an opportunity to make use of the OnePlus 13s for the previous month, and each time I decide it up, I hold pondering: this could’ve been the Galaxy S25 and Pixel 9 killer that deserved a US launch.

OnePlus 13s delivers a flagship really feel with out the value tag

It nails the necessities with out attempting too arduous to be flashy

Ask any Android lover, and most will need a smartphone as compact because the iPhone 16 Pro, with an environment friendly but highly effective chipset, a battery that lasts all day, and quick charging when wanted.

You get most of this with the Pixel 9 and the baseline Galaxy S25, apart from the battery and charging. However the OnePlus 13s affords all of it, and does so fairly properly, all whereas protecting a beginning worth of $650.

The OnePlus 13s is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, at present Qualcomm’s finest processor. It additionally packs a large 5,850 mAh cell with assist for 80W quick charging, which is greater than sufficient to simply energy you thru a full day.

I’ve spent a month with this cellphone, and it has by no means slowed down, hiccupped, or lagged with something I’ve thrown at it. It has dealt with my every day use, which incorporates a mixture of texting, social media scrolling, YouTube streaming, emailing, and informal gaming, all with ease.

By way of battery life, the OnePlus 13s is likely to be the most effective smartphone I’ve used this 12 months. The massive battery has simply lasted me all day, typically ending with over 40% left. And after I want a fast top-up, the 80W quick charging has come in useful many occasions.

By way of design and type issue, the OnePlus 13s retains issues small and compact. It has a construct that is shorter, narrower, and thinner than the Pixel 9, but it homes a battery almost 20% bigger than what you get on the Google smartphone. Furthermore, regardless of the larger cell, it manages to weigh lower than the Pixel 9, and I by no means had points holding it for lengthy hours.

On the entrance, you get an enormous and vivid 6.3-inch AMOLED show with the same old 120Hz refresh price, HDR10+ assist, and over 460 PPI. It does not get as vivid because the Pixel 9’s show, peaking at 1600 nits, however I by no means had bother studying textual content on it even in direct daylight. It additionally options the premium glass-metal sandwich construct (although Gorilla Glass safety specifics are unknown) discovered on different flagship smartphones.

On the again, you get a clear design with the OnePlus emblem within the middle and a digicam module that appears impressed by the Pixel 9 Professional Fold.

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The Google Pixel 9 nonetheless wins in a few essential areas

Digital camera consistency and software program polish give it the sting

All of that mentioned, the OnePlus 13s is not fairly a transparent winner when in comparison with the Google Pixel 9. There are some omissions that begin to really feel a bit a lot whenever you use the system — just like the absence of the most recent Gorilla Glass and its decrease IP65 water and dirt resistance ranking in comparison with the Pixel 9 — however two areas the place the Pixel clearly pulls forward are digicam and software program.

The OnePlus 13s incorporates a dual-camera setup with a 50MP major sensor (f/1.8, OIS) paired with a 50MP telephoto lens providing 2x optical zoom. The Pixel 9, in contrast, sports activities a 50MP major digicam and a 48MP ultra-wide, which, for my part, is a extra versatile setup for a dual-camera system.

The omission of an ultra-wide lens on the OnePlus 13s turns into noticeable whenever you’re out capturing diversified pictures. The telephoto sensor on the OnePlus feels considerably redundant since most fashionable major cameras already assist 2x zoom, and software-based portrait modes supply respectable background blur.

Nonetheless, evaluating the first cameras alone, it is arduous to beat the consistency and shade accuracy delivered by the Pixel. The OnePlus 13s is not a nasty shooter, however the Pixel persistently affords extra dependable output. Under are just a few picture samples taken from each units for instance the distinction:

Picture 1,3,5 (OnePlus 13s) vs Picture 2,4,6 (Google Pixel 9)

After which there’s the software program. The OnePlus 13s runs OxygenOS 15 primarily based on Android 15. Whereas it is optimized for velocity and effectivity, I choose the clear, inventory Android expertise you get on Pixel telephones — and that is lacking right here.

What additionally issues to me is longevity: regardless of launching almost a 12 months earlier, the Pixel 9 will get 7 years of OS updates, whereas the OnePlus affords solely 4 main Android updates. To not point out, Android 16 is already obtainable on the Pixel 9, whereas the OnePlus remains to be ready. In the event you, like me, care about quick Android updates, the Pixel is all the time a strong selection.

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Telephones just like the OnePlus 13s deserve a US launch

We want extra strong mid-flagships outdoors of Asia

Nonetheless, regardless of my reward for the Pixel 9 sequence, I am nonetheless dissatisfied that the OnePlus 13s hasn’t made it to the US. The system nails many of the fundamentals compact smartphone lovers search for — the show, dimension, battery, charging, and AI options — and with that price ticket, it might’ve significantly made manufacturers like Samsung and Google sweat.

Certain, there’s room for enchancment, particularly within the digicam division, however the OnePlus 13s would’ve been a strong Pixel 9 different for Android customers right here.

It is unclear why OnePlus skipped launching the 13s in Europe or North America, particularly because the firm did launch the OnePlus 13 and the OnePlus 13R in these markets. I genuinely hope OnePlus brings its sequel to the States — particularly if it could actually enhance on this already hard-to-beat system.

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