In 2024 , OnePlus made a breakthrough with the 12R. Despite having stick with the style of launch R - series headphone for several generation prior without any significant impingement , OnePlus finally seem to find the perfect lineament blend that qualifies as an excellent value for money and revive the same set up former generations of OnePlus phones had .
TheOnePlus 12R was rightly dubbed spectacularin our review last yr , and the OnePlus 13R is a stair in the same direction , except it improves — at least , on paper — in areas where the former could n’t instill us . The tv camera is one of those aspect , and OnePlus brag the 13R to be importantly better . Ourreview of the OnePlus 13Ralso angle towards a similar stopping point , calling the 13R ’s cameras “ truly solid . ”
In this article , we will take a more in - depth look at the dead on target improvements that the OnePlus 13R ’s cameras bring compared to the OnePlus 12R , explore through a serial of lineal comparisons . But first , here ’s what the OnePlus 13R brings on paper .
How different is OnePlus 13R’s camera
TheOnePlus 13R behave the same emotional state as the OnePlus 12R. Although the $ 100 price hike might twinge , the OnePlus 13R forthwith prove its particular value . On the outside , the two telephone set look different , with the OnePlus 13R adopting a flatter styling for its mid - underframe , the screen , and the back . You would n’t have any trouble telling the two phones apart . The flat edges are in line with Apple , and later on Samsung , drop dead for that esthetic and root on the entire industry to swivel from curves .
In contrast , the camera on the back of the two phones appear mostly similar . In fact , it is the most discernible face win over us of their affinity . deep down , too , the cameras are n’t starkly dissimilar . The OnePlus 13R retains the 50 - megapixel primary and the 8MP ultrawide angle camera from the 12R. The lens system , too , continue unmoved .
The third television camera , however , have a much - need upgrade . OnePlus ditches the bootless consecrated macro tv camera , put back it with a 2X telephotograph alternatively . It ’s not as mighty as the 3X or 5X shooter on more premium phones like the OnePlus 13 , Galaxy S25 Ultra , or theiPhone 16 Pro , so its purpose rightfully is n’t to capture subjects at a longer length . However , it is truly beneficial for portraiture , lead in a natural and smoother bokeh essence , and you will remark in the effigy that come after .
While maintain the same ironware , OnePlus claims to have make over the tv camera algorithm , especially gain the elementary shooter . The primary camera now getsOnePlus 13‘s Snapshot functionality . While the exact working is a bit complex , OnePlus says the tv camera now does twice the work in the same time , charm twice the selective information with each image it takes . This lead in better details , more consistent lighting across the frame , and in force HDR . This improvement , paired with a unexampled processor , which includes a unspoiled look-alike signaling CPU or ISP , and faster tup and storage , should contribute to slightly well image with the OnePlus 13R. Whether that translates to better picture taking in real life is something we will evaluate in a aggregation of icon below .
How cameras on OnePlus 13R and 12R compare in real-life
With a series of comparing shot taken with the OnePlus 13R and the 12R , I will highlight the subtle yet meaningful difference the cameras on the two phones have . I will also establish common traits among image from the same phone but in dissimilar modes .
Each of the comparisons below has two images : 1 hire with the OnePlus 13R on the left and those bring on the 12R on the right . have us start with the principal tv camera .
Primary camera has some surprises
Even though both sound use the same physical sensor for the 50MP primary photographic camera , the remainder are vastly patent . Despite not having any factual difference of opinion in terms of point , the image taken with the OnePlus 13R appears sharper , in the main for its good saturation , high contrast , and a close to neutral whitened balance .
The image on the right , the one I took with the OnePlus 12R , has a haze over the black role and a warm tone over the entire trope . And despite the fog , shadow on this picture are n’t starkly brighter . These aspects make it a piffling less toothsome .
In the next shot from a junkyard , many section of the tattered bus enjoy roughly the same level of point in both trope . However , the gloomy picture on the image shot with the OnePlus 12R is immediately plain .
The OnePlus 13R ’s shot has bright dark that lend to some visibility on the insides of the ragged ceiling — even though it does n’t really illume them . department of the bus , such as the departed mudguard and the front axle are slimly more seeable in the image on the left , too .
While the leave-taking on the tree are twist on both picture , the I on the left seem greener , reinforcing the depression that the OnePlus 13R enamour skilful apparition .
The next set affirms that belief further . Despite both images take like details in both image , the shot from the 13R retains more light around subdivision and vine . The icteric mustard plants on the back also appear somewhat well light on the left wing , while those on the right looking at pallid in comparison .
I would n’t fret over these bits if I see the image on the right alone . However , comparing the two make it significantly unmanageable to overlook them .
Next , let ’s search if we see something similar with the ultrawide shot on both the headphone .
Ultrawide doesn’t disappoint
The first set of picture below is also taken with the principal cameras with the intent to allow a two - way comparability between the primary wide - angle and the ultrawide slant cameras on the same earpiece and between the two phones . In line with the images above , the first hardening has undecomposed saturation and contrast in the image shoot on the OnePlus 13R , even though they have comparable item .
A similar trend is seen in the ultrawide dig taken with the two phones . The ultrawide image captured on the OnePlus 13 more vividness and a visibly higher dividing line . The finer divergence we saw antecedently , such as that between the shadow , are n’t too visible when taking images with the ultrawide cameras .
In add-on to better saturation in shots liken to the OnePlus 12R , both cameras on the OnePlus 13R fork out consistent people of color , even though we do n’t needs see good detail . This holds even though neither the primary coil nor the ultrawide detector get any special discussion such as color tuning from Hasselblad .
Next , countenance us bet at the most impactful alteration on the OnePlus 13R ’s photographic camera : the new telephotograph setup .
Zoom is the welcome addition
Before taking a aspect at what the sensor does for portrait , however , here ’s a quick comparison of how it perform with inanimate topic . Take for instance , these 2X shots captured on the OnePlus 13R ( left ) and the 12R. At the 2X magnification , the OnePlus 12R continues to expend the master detector by digitally zooming — and therefore , clip into the physique . The OnePlus 13R , on the other hand , switches over to the dedicated sensor , allow it to seize a crisper snapshot of the red flower on the banana tree tree diagram .
The dedicated sensor with a longer focal range also allow a naturally shallow depth of field . This leads to a strong bokeh , even when shoot without the portraiture modal value . The only requisite is that there must be a sane distance between the primary subject and its background .
Besides , the telephotograph has other benefits , such as take more or less clear shots even at high zoom levels , such as the follow one at 5X zoom . snap with the dedicated 2X camera on the OnePlus 13R results in a much precipitous figure of speech than the one guessing with the OnePlus 12R ’s basal 1X photographic camera .
While the telephoto tv camera is evidently useful , it also vex a disadvantage in terms of kindling due to the minuscule aperture and an deficient detector . Despite the edge , the image appear darker — with dimmer phantom domain , unless a strong Christ Within shines over . But , I would volitionally make this via media for crisper shots of far-off objects in daylight , but may pause in low light .
Portraits are exceptional
start the Portrait Mode understandably boosts the depth of field artificially over the already enhanced deepness of the 2X detector . This is illustrate by the undermentioned blastoff , where a undivided flower come out clearly in focus for an artsy mite .
The 2X sensor ’s tenacious focal compass admit us to capture the same topic with detail without ever really getting too closelipped to them . This can be ready to hand while focalize on vicious plant , ornate insects , exotic creature , or other thing we ’re expected to stay away from .
Like objects , the detector also helps with acute focussing on faces that may not necessarily be human . While both images captured using the portraiture mode have ample details and a practiced bokeh , the one shot with the OnePlus 13R captures a shade flake more detail , especially around my dog ’s neck , neb , and hair .
to boot , the colors on the OnePlus 12R ’s crack expression washed out and less pleasing than what the OnePlus 13R captured .
But what about factual human faces captured with the portrayal mode on both phones ? The next division get the picture deeply into that .
Human faces look great… sometimes
Even though the 2X telephoto on the OnePlus 13R is better befit for portrait , it ’s not the only option to choose . you’re able to use both 1X and 2X cameras to shoot down portrayal . Meanwhile , the OnePlus 12R , which lack a consecrated telephoto solely , also shoots at 1X and 2X zoom but using the same primary camera .
To learn how Portrait modes on both phones compare at different focal lengths , I examine them under both condition . First , let ’s compare portraits shoot on the primary cameras .
Like the rest of wide - slant shaft compared above , the OnePlus 13R shabu up the saturation in portrayal mode . But to my surprise , the prototype here feel more saturated than likeable . The prototype photograph with the OnePlus 13R leans has more warmheartedness , which makes it less pleasing than the OnePlus 12R. For a variety , the OnePlus 12R really recreates more natural colors , especially around the face .
The OnePlus 13R does entrance brighter shadow in this case , but the excessive fondness makes me angle in the 12R ’s favor . As with other shot using the primary tv camera , both picture have a very similar level of details .
However , the balance peak back in the 13R ’s favor when shooting at 2X zoom . The consecrated telephoto allows for a more urbane bokeh , almost reduplicate the same as high shots .
The OnePlus 12R does artificially plaster a bokeh over the background signal , almost resembling a phone from a high-pitched price bracket . My skin and face fungus have a more seeable grain on the OnePlus 13R ’s shot while the OnePlus 12R tot a flatter , more pasty look to my face . The details on my cardigan are also more accurate , and these factors make the OnePlus 13R is clearly the more convincing option for facial portraiture .
Night portraits are meh
In low light , I find a lot less positive about either phone ’s ability to take good portrayal , specially at 1X zoom . Even though both the OnePlus 13R and the 12R manage to capture notable details , they , quite understandably , lack the same appeal as daylight shots .
But switching over to the 2X genus Lens makes the differences more evident . While the portrayal still are n’t anywhere closelipped to those from daytime , the OnePlus 13R ’s shot captures more or less more details , including respectable textures on the face and the perspirer . Meanwhile , the OnePlus 12R go bad to get the precise texture and alternatively has an vegetable oil painting effect over the face and the letters on the perspirer .
The edge of the wall and the fake lily in the background also count well blurred in the shot on the left wing , make the shot on the left comparatively intimately .
The only caveat Charles Frederick Worth pointing out is that you could not adjust the deepness of line of business from the Photos app after guide the photograph on the OnePlus 13R. This is probably just a bug as all previous phones offer the functionality , and I hope OnePlus would fix this in an update soon .
What about moon shots
Discounting its less than telling performance in low spark , the freshly include telephoto has a clear reward . But what if we turn down the light further and focalize on a single object , like the moonlight in a morose sky ?
It is as far - fetched to accept these mid - range phone would touch to flagship such as the Galaxy S25 Ultra or the OnePlus 13 for capturing shot of the moon . So , I replaced the existent moon with a cheap moonshine lamp that supposedly reduplicate the same structure as the moonshine . While I failed to trigger any moon mode with AI - generated overlays of the moon , I derive to an interesting observation .
At 1X , both phones capture the scene with corresponding dexterity . The well-lighted incision of the human body have some detail , but both shot have plenty of chromatic straining or fringes along dimly light edges . A substantial five on 10 , I would say .
However , when I move away and switch to zooming on the images , I see a weird dark-green hue on the OnePlus 13R as it essay to pay for the warm white lighter derive from the globe . At 5X , the OnePlus 13R ’s shot is technically sharp , but the colors put me off and or else inspire me to like the OnePlus 12R ’s blast well . This is perhaps another bit OnePlus could iron out in a software update .
Useful macros, finally
at last , we come to the OnePlus 12R ’s consecrated macro sensing element that was waive in this generation to refine a big mistake . That is because the 2MP macro instruction camera has limit usefulness because of its unpleasant picture calibre , further exasperate by its lack of autofocus .
On the OnePlus 13R , macro shots are now becharm using the principal camera , which allows the phone to focus substantially on a bantam object , such as this bunch of wildflowers .
The melioration to macro picture taking are immediately unmistakable from the pic . However , OnePlus removed the dedicated style , and you now solely calculate on an automatic macro instruction mood that does not now spark off , peculiarly in low light . I wish OnePlus identifies and rectify this too .
OnePlus 13R’s cameras are steps ahead
The OnePlus 13R pass water notable spring over the OnePlus 12R , particularly with improved cameras . While the new telephoto detector is a gross improvement , it is easy to recommend the OnePlus 13R for expert photographic camera modes overall . The 13R ’s improved camera algorithms result in well color in most of the scenario , though a few exceptions , such as facial portraits at 1X or long - range shots at night , by all odds involve some more committal from OnePlus .
While it is delusive to anticipate anyone who already owns the OnePlus 12R to kick upstairs to a 13R , it makes clear sense to spend the $ 100 extra and get the OnePlus 13R over the 12R if you need becoming cameras — while also enjoying other rise that the 13R offers .
