Rumors are swirling in the tech world that OnePlus is gearing up to surprise fans with an unexpected mid-year release: the OnePlus 13s. While the company’s flagship OnePlus 13 is still fresh in consumers’ minds after its early 2025 debut, insiders claim a refined “s” variant could hit markets as soon as late June. If true, this would mark a strategic shift for OnePlus, which has historically reserved its “s” models for incremental upgrades in alternate years.
The Leaks: Powerhouse Specs and Android 16
According to a recent report from GSMGotech, the OnePlus 13s is rumored to pack significant hardware upgrades over its predecessor. Leaked specs suggest a Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset, paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and a staggering 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage. The device is also said to feature a 6.8-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 2K resolution, positioning it as a direct competitor to Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Adding fuel to the fire, a follow-up leak from GSMGotech claims the 13s will debut with Android 16 out of the box. This aligns with Google’s timeline for its next OS iteration, which is expected to enter beta in May. OnePlus has reportedly collaborated closely with Google to optimize features like AI-driven battery management and enhanced multitasking for the device.
India Launch Timeline Confirmed
While global availability remains unclear, an exclusive report by Smartprix confirms that the OnePlus 13s will prioritize the Indian market, with a launch slated for late June. Industry analysts speculate this move aims to capitalize on OnePlus’s strong foothold in the region, where it competes aggressively with Xiaomi and Realme. Pricing is rumored to start at ₹69,999 (~$840) for the base model, undercutting rivals by nearly 10%.
Why a OnePlus 13s?
The sudden emergence of the 13s has left fans puzzled. One theory suggests OnePlus is accelerating its release cycle to counter recent launches like the Nothing Phone 3 and Xiaomi 14 Pro. Others speculate the 13s could serve as a testbed for features planned for the OnePlus 14, such as a graphene-cooling system or periscope telephoto camera.
“The ‘s’ branding has always been about refinement, not revolution,” said a source close to OnePlus’s R&D team. “This device addresses feedback from OnePlus 13 users, particularly around thermal performance and low-light photography.”
What’s Next?
With OnePlus remaining tight-lipped, all eyes are on the company’s social media channels for an official announcement. If the rumors hold, the 13s could redefine expectations for mid-year flagship releases—and give Samsung a run for its money.
Would you buy a OnePlus 13s, or is the standard 13 enough? Let us know in the comments. 🔥