Rumours are already hotting up for Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series with whispers the devices will launch in January 2025, but one Samsung rival has just confirmed when its new device is hitting UK shores and it could beat the S25 to market and steal some of the limelight.
Android phone maker and long-time Samsung rival OnePlus has announced it will launch its brand new OnePlus 13 flagship smartphone in the UK on 7 January 2025, a date that is very likely to come before Samsung’s Galaxy S25 launch, which is rumoured to be taking place on 22 January.
We’re excited, as the OnePlus 12, which we reviewed here, was a superb phone in 2024 that matched the S24 Ultra in many areas but cost hundreds of pounds less.
Described as “the first phone to be revealed from the OnePlus 13 Series”, meaning we will likely see another device announced soon, OnePlus says the OnePlus 13 “features a slim design, an elegant camera layout following the golden ratio, and three stunning new colourways: Black Eclipse, Arctic Dawn, and Midnight Ocean.”
While the black and arctic variants will be glass sandwich designs, the blue midnight version is “the first phone to feature micro-fibre vegan leather”, according to OnePlus.
Before we dive into more details, there’s an odd but familiar thing at play here. As a Chinese brand, OnePlus has taken to launching its high-end phones in China weeks or months before it brings them to the UK and Europe. So, even though OnePlus has today revealed information about the OnePlus 13 prior to its launch for British fans, the phone has been on sale in China since October, so these details are hardly a secret.
The OnePlus 13 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and has a 2K resolution 6.82-inch screen with a variable refresh rate and peak brightness of 4,500 nits.
One big difference is that in China, OnePlus phones run Android using ColorOS, which is the software also used on Oppo phones. That’s because OnePlus and Oppo are owned by the same company. But in markets outside of China, OnePlus uses a slightly different Android skin called OxygenOS, which will be on the OnePlus 13 as OxygenOS 15 based on Android 15, the latest version.
OnePlus says OxygenOS 15 “integrates advanced AI features designed to deliver a lighter, smarter, and smoother experience”, and will have an improved search function, AI photo tools and other AI smarts.
The phone will also be the first OnePlus device to have an IP68 and IP69 water and dust resistance rating, making it one of the most resilient phones in the business.
OnePlus has not announced how much the OnePlus 13 will cost, but the price will likely be revealed on 7 January. The launch is happening at 4:30pm CET, which is 3:30pm UK time. Pre-orders will probably also go live that day.
If you want to get your hands on the OnePlus 13 on 7 January itself, there will be a OnePlus pop-up store event happening in London’s Covent Garden at 40 Earlham Street, WC2H 9LH from 1pm. As well as being able to purchase the new phone, the first 20 people through the door will receive a pair of OnePlus Buds Pro 3 and a OnePlus backpack “filled with goodies”.
