OnePlus 13R Camera Review: A Closer Look at Its Capabilities
The OnePlus 13R has entered the smartphone market with a significant buzz, boasting premium specifications at a price point that challenges established competitors. One of the standout features often highlighted is its camera setup. But does it live up to the expectations of photography enthusiasts and everyday users alike? Let’s dive into an in-depth review of the OnePlus 13R’s cameras, analyzing its strengths, weaknesses, and overall performance in various scenarios.

OnePlus 13R Camera
Pricing and Camera Overview
The OnePlus 13R is priced at ₹43,000 for the 256GB variant and ₹50,000 for the 512GB variant (with card offers available). At this price, buyers expect a smartphone that delivers exceptional value, especially when it comes to camera quality. The camera setup includes:
- 50MP Primary Camera: Equipped with advanced sensors for improved light capture.
- 8MP Ultra-Wide Lens: Designed for capturing expansive landscapes.
- 50MP Telephoto Lens (2x Optical Zoom): Focused on close-up details.
- 16MP Front Camera: For selfies and video calls.
While the specifications look promising on paper, real-world performance is where it truly matters. Let’s explore how the OnePlus 13R’s cameras fare in different conditions.
Camera Interface and Features
The camera interface on the OnePlus 13R is similar to its predecessor, the OnePlus 13, offering:
- Simple Layout: Intuitive and easy to navigate for both beginners and seasoned users.
- Various Shooting Modes: Night Mode, Portrait, Pro Mode, and HDR are readily available.
- Processing Power: Despite being powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, there is a slight shutter lag noticeable during use, which might frustrate users aiming to capture fast-moving subjects.
Primary Camera Performance: 50MP Lens
The 50MP primary sensor is the heart of the OnePlus 13R’s camera setup. It delivers solid performance in various lighting conditions, but there are nuances to consider:
Daylight Photography
- Sharpness and Detail: The primary camera excels in capturing sharp images with a high level of detail in well-lit environments.
- Color Reproduction: While the colors are vibrant, they tend to lean toward over-saturation. This may appeal to users who prefer punchy colors for social media but might disappoint those seeking natural tones.

Low-light and Night Photography
- Exposure Control: The camera handles shadows and highlights effectively, maintaining good detail even in challenging low-light conditions.
- Noise Management: While low-light shots are decent, noticeable noise creeps in, particularly in ultra-wide images.
- Night Mode: Activating Night Mode enhances exposure and reduces noise, but the results aren’t on par with flagship competitors like the Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy S series.
Dynamic Range
- The primary camera performs adequately with dynamic range, but there’s room for improvement in handling extreme contrasts between bright and dark areas.
Ultra-Wide Camera Performance: 8MP Lens
The 8MP ultra-wide lens is often a weak point in many mid-range smartphones, and the OnePlus 13R is no exception.
- Sharpness: Images captured with the ultra-wide lens lack the sharpness and detail seen in the primary camera.
- Corner Distortion: Edge distortion is noticeable, which could impact landscape photography.
- Color Consistency: Colors appear less vibrant and slightly muted compared to the primary lens.
This lens is suitable for casual wide-angle shots but doesn’t deliver the same quality as higher-end smartphones.
Telephoto Lens Performance: 50MP with 2x Optical Zoom
The 50MP telephoto lens provides decent zooming capabilities with 2x optical zoom. Here’s how it performs:
- Zoom Quality: While 2x optical zoom is effective, the lack of higher optical zoom options (e.g., 3x or 5x) puts it behind competitors in the same price range.
- Portrait Mode: The telephoto lens is leveraged in portrait mode, delivering pleasing bokeh effects. However, edge detection can sometimes falter, particularly in complex backgrounds.
- Versatility: This lens works well for close-up shots but doesn’t offer the versatility seen in smartphones with periscope zoom.
Selfie Camera: 16MP Front Lens
The front camera of the OnePlus 13R is designed for selfie enthusiasts and performs adequately in daylight but struggles in low-light scenarios.
Daylight Selfies
- Detail and Clarity: Selfies captured in natural light are sharp and detailed.
- Skin Tones: The camera tends to beautify skin tones slightly, which might appeal to some users but could feel unnatural to others.
Low-Light Selfies
- Performance Drop: Without adequate lighting, the front camera struggles, resulting in grainy and less detailed images.
- Missing Features: The lack of 4K recording and autofocus on the front camera is a notable drawback.
Video Recording Capabilities
The OnePlus 13R supports video recording at up to 4K resolution with the rear cameras. Here are the highlights:
- Stabilization: Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) ensures steady footage, but it’s not flawless.
- Dynamic Range: Videos show good dynamic range in daylight but can struggle in complex lighting scenarios.
- Front Camera Video: Limited to 1080p recording, which feels outdated compared to competitors offering 4K front camera recording.
Special Features
- AI Scene Recognition: Enhances photos by automatically adjusting settings based on the scene.
- Pro Mode: Allows users to fine-tune settings like ISO, shutter speed, and focus for professional-grade shots.
- Flash Performance: The flash does a decent job of illuminating subjects in pitch-dark environments.
Real-World Usage: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Primary Camera Performance: Delivers sharp and vibrant images in daylight.
- User-Friendly Interface: Simplified camera app makes it easy for anyone to use.
- Portrait Mode: Good bokeh effect and subject separation in most cases.
Cons
- Ultra-Wide Camera Limitations: Lacks sharpness and struggles with dynamic range.
- Telephoto Restrictions: Limited to 2x optical zoom, which feels underwhelming.
- Selfie Camera Shortcomings: No 4K recording or autofocus.
- Over-Saturation: Colors, especially skin tones, appear unnatural in certain scenarios.
Comparison with Competitors
At its price point, the OnePlus 13R faces stiff competition from brands like Google, Samsung, and iQOO. Here’s how it stacks up:
Feature | OnePlus 13R | Google Pixel 7a | Samsung Galaxy A74 |
---|---|---|---|
Primary Camera | 50MP | 64MP | 50MP |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 8MP | 12MP | 12MP |
Telephoto Lens | 2x Optical | None | 3x Optical |
Front Camera | 16MP (1080p) | 13MP (4K) | 32MP (4K) |
Starting Price (₹) | 43,000 | 43,999 | 45,000 |
While the OnePlus 13R holds its own in some areas, it’s clear that competitors offer better camera setups in certain aspects, particularly in ultra-wide and telephoto performance.
Conclusion: Is the OnePlus 13R Camera Worth It?
The OnePlus 13R’s camera setup delivers a mixed bag of results. While the primary camera stands out with its sharpness and vibrant output in daylight, other lenses fall short of expectations, particularly for users seeking versatility and high-end performance.
For casual users who prioritize a reliable primary camera for everyday photography, the OnePlus 13R is a solid option. However, for photography enthusiasts or those who require advanced features like higher optical zoom or superior ultra-wide performance, alternatives like the Google Pixel 7a or Samsung Galaxy A74 might be worth considering.
Ultimately, the OnePlus 13R’s camera system is good but not exceptional. It’s a worthy contender in the mid-range segment but leaves room for improvement in key areas to truly stand out in a competitive market.