New Delhi, India – OnePlus has officially announced that its upcoming compact flagship smartphone, the OnePlus 13s, is set for a launch in India on June 5. The reveal was made on Monday, May 19, 2025, signaling the brand’s strategic expansion of its portfolio in the crucial Indian market.
Positioned as a direct extension of the existing and popular OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R models, the OnePlus 13s aims to cater to users seeking a high-performance device in a more manageable form factor. This marks the company’s foray into the ‘compact flagship’ segment, a move anticipated to resonate with a segment of the market prioritizing ergonomics and single-handed usability without sacrificing top-tier specifications.
A Strategic Portfolio Expansion
The introduction of the OnePlus 13s underscores OnePlus’s commitment to offering a diverse range of devices within its flagship lineup. By building upon the foundation of the OnePlus 13 and 13R, the new ‘s’ variant seeks to provide a distinct option that retains core performance capabilities while differentiating itself through design and a refined user experience. The company confirmed that the OnePlus 13s will be available to consumers in India in a selection of three distinct color variants: Black Velvet, Pink Satin, and Green Silk, offering aesthetic choices to suit various preferences.
Design and Ergonomics
A central focus of the OnePlus 13s is its design, emphasizing a compact and comfortable feel in hand. The device boasts a slender 8.15mm profile and weighs in at approximately 185 grams, positioning it among the lighter and thinner flagships available. This ergonomic design is further enhanced by a curved 2.5D design implemented on both the front display glass and the rear panel. This subtle curvature not only contributes to a sleek visual aesthetic but also allows the phone to feel more seamless and comfortable when held and operated.
Core Performance and Cooling
Underpinning the compact exterior is a robust performance engine. The OnePlus 13s is confirmed to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite platform. While specific configurations were not detailed in the initial announcement, this platform represents a leading-edge mobile processor, promising swift performance for demanding applications, multitasking, and graphic-intensive gaming. Ensuring sustained performance under load, the device incorporates an advanced thermal management system. A 4400mm² Cryo-Velocity vapor chamber is integrated to facilitate efficient heat dissipation, crucial for preventing thermal throttling and maintaining optimal performance during extended usage periods, whether gaming, streaming, or utilizing intensive AI functions.
The Innovative ‘Plus Key’
Perhaps the most distinctive new feature introduced with the OnePlus 13s is the new Plus Key. This component is presented as a customizable alternative to the traditional Alert Slider, a signature feature on many OnePlus devices. The Plus Key offers enhanced functionality, providing users with one-press access to a variety of essential functions. This includes rapid toggling between Sound, Vibration, and Do Not Disturb profiles, similar to the Alert Slider. However, the Plus Key expands its utility by also offering quick access to designated AI tools and other user-defined functions, adding a layer of customization and convenience previously unavailable through the standard slider mechanism.
Connectivity Advancements
In addition to its core processing and unique physical controls, the OnePlus 13s features a notable advancement in connectivity. The device is equipped with a G1 Wi-Fi chipset. According to OnePlus, this is the only independently integrated Wi-Fi chipset for smartphones in India, highlighting its unique position in the market. The inclusion of this dedicated chipset is aimed at providing users with exceptionally stable and fast Wi-Fi connectivity, a critical factor for streaming, online gaming, and overall internet usage experience in an increasingly connected digital environment.
Market Context and Outlook
The introduction of a compact flagship like the OnePlus 13s arrives at a time when the Indian smartphone market continues to grow and evolve. While large-screen devices remain dominant, there is a persistent demand for premium, high-performance phones that are also comfortable for prolonged use and easier to handle. By offering the OnePlus 13s alongside its larger siblings, OnePlus is strategically positioning itself to capture market share across different user preferences within the premium segment.
The official launch event on June 5 in India is expected to reveal comprehensive details regarding the full specifications, pricing across different variants, storage options, and specific availability dates and channels. Industry observers will be closely watching the pricing strategy for the OnePlus 13s, as it will play a significant role in its competitive positioning against other flagship and premium devices in the vibrant Indian market.
The OnePlus 13s represents a calculated move by OnePlus to diversify its offering and innovate on familiar features like the Alert Slider while packing high-end performance into a more pocketable and ergonomic design for Indian consumers.
