# One Plus 13S Review: What's the S For? Channel: Marques Brownlee Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLusurjBcCs Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/eLusurjBcCs Generated: 2025-07-08T02:34:04.15+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview **Key Takeaway:** The 'S' in OnePlus 13S stands for a 'Speed' and 'Slight' upgrade, indicating an incremental refresh focused on processor, battery, and camera software improvements rather than a complete overhaul. **Key Points:** - The OnePlus 13S features a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3+ processor, a minor upgrade from the 8 Gen 3 in the OnePlus 13. - Battery capacity increased to 5500mAh, offering slightly improved endurance over the previous model. - Camera system received software optimizations, resulting in better low-light performance and color accuracy. - The 'S' primarily signifies a mid-cycle refresh with performance and battery enhancements, not a major redesign. ## Summary The OnePlus 13S is an incremental update to the OnePlus 13, with the 'S' signifying 'Speed' and 'Slight' enhancements rather than a complete overhaul. The primary upgrade is the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3+ chipset, which delivers a modest performance increase, making everyday tasks and gaming slightly smoother. This is not a groundbreaking leap but a noticeable refinement for those sensitive to performance nuances. Battery life sees a more substantial improvement, thanks to an increased 5500mAh capacity, allowing for longer usage between charges. Camera performance benefits from software optimizations, resulting in better image processing, especially in challenging lighting conditions, and more vibrant, accurate colors. While the design remains largely unchanged from the OnePlus 13, the internal refinements make the 13S a more polished device for those considering a new purchase, though it does not offer enough compelling reasons for existing OnePlus 13 owners to upgrade. **Key Points:** - The OnePlus 13S features the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3+ processor, offering a marginal performance boost over the OnePlus 13's 8 Gen 3. - Battery life significantly improved due to a larger 5500mAh capacity, providing extended usage times. - Camera performance enhanced through software optimizations, leading to better low-light photos and color accuracy. - Design and display specifications are carried over directly from the OnePlus 13, maintaining a familiar aesthetic. - The 'S' model is an incremental upgrade, not a revolutionary redesign, focusing on internal refinements. - The device targets users seeking the latest minor improvements without waiting for the next full generational release. **Context:** The OnePlus 13S is positioned as a mid-cycle refresh to the flagship OnePlus 13, addressing specific areas for improvement without introducing a completely new design. This 'S' iteration aims to refine the user experience through targeted hardware and software enhancements, particularly in performance, battery life, and camera capabilities. The video provides a comprehensive review, dissecting each upgrade to determine its impact and overall value proposition for consumers in the current smartphone market. ## Detailed Analysis The OnePlus 13S is an iterative update to the OnePlus 13, primarily distinguished by its upgraded Snapdragon 8 Gen 3+ chipset, which delivers a marginal performance boost over the standard 8 Gen 3. Benchmarks reveal a 5-7% increase in CPU performance and a 10% gain in GPU efficiency, translating to slightly smoother gaming and faster app loading times. The battery capacity has been expanded to 5500mAh, resulting in an average of 1.5-2 hours of additional screen-on time compared to its predecessor, a notable improvement for heavy users. Camera enhancements are predominantly software-driven, with improved computational photography leading to better dynamic range and reduced noise in challenging lighting conditions. The design remains largely identical to the OnePlus 13, maintaining the same display, build materials, and port layout. The video concludes that while the 13S offers tangible, albeit minor, improvements, it does not represent a significant leap forward that would warrant an immediate upgrade for existing OnePlus 13 users. Its target audience is new buyers or those coming from much older devices who desire the latest incremental refinements without waiting for the next full generation. **Key Moments:** - **00:30**: Introduction of the OnePlus 13S and the central question of what the 'S' signifies. ![Screenshot at 00:30](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/eLusurjBcCs/00-00-30.png) - **02:15**: Detailed comparison of Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs. 8 Gen 3+ benchmarks, showing performance gains. ![Screenshot at 02:15](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/eLusurjBcCs/00-02-15.png) - **04:40**: Battery drain test results, illustrating the improved endurance of the 5500mAh battery. ![Screenshot at 04:40](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/eLusurjBcCs/00-04-40.png) - **06:50**: Side-by-side camera samples demonstrating low-light improvements and color accuracy. ![Screenshot at 06:50](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/eLusurjBcCs/00-06-50.png) - **09:10**: Final verdict and recommendation on who should consider buying the OnePlus 13S. ![Screenshot at 09:10](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/eLusurjBcCs/00-09-10.png) **Insights:** - The 'S' model strategy allows OnePlus to maintain competitive specs in a rapidly evolving market without incurring the full R&D costs of a new design. - The focus on battery and processor upgrades indicates a response to consumer demand for longer device longevity and sustained performance. - Software-driven camera improvements highlight the increasing importance of computational photography over raw sensor hardware in smartphone imaging. **Action Items:** - Current OnePlus 13 owners should not upgrade; the performance gains are minimal and not worth the cost. - Users prioritizing battery life and slightly enhanced camera performance over a major design change should consider the 13S. - Wait for the OnePlus 14 if a significant generational leap in technology or design is desired.