OnePlus 13 vs 13R Refurbished (UK): Which Should You Buy in 2026?

For most UK buyers, the refurbished OnePlus 13R is the better buy. It has the same 6,000mAh battery capacity as the OnePlus 13 and the same security update end date, 7 January 2031, according to OnePlus UK. In Very Good condition it costs from £412.99, against £522.99 for a 256GB OnePlus 13 (both checked 5 October 2026).

The OnePlus 13 earns its extra £110.00 if you want the stronger camera system, with a 50MP 3x telephoto and a 50MP ultrawide tuned with Hasselblad, plus 50W wireless charging, IP68 and IP69 ratings and the newer Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. The 13R suits people who mainly want speed and battery life for less money. Two limitations apply to both: there is no charger in the box, and OnePlus has stopped launching new products in Europe, although it says existing phones keep their updates and after-sales support.

Quick decision: OnePlus 13 or 13R?

• Best for: choose the OnePlus 13R when you want flagship-level speed, a big battery and updates into 2031 at the lowest price. Choose the OnePlus 13 when you take a lot of zoomed photos, charge on a wireless pad, or want the highest water and dust rating OnePlus offers.
• Choose something else when: a lower price with a long update promise matters more than charging speed. A refurbished Google Pixel can cost less, as the Pixel section below shows.
• Check before buying: that you own a fast USB-C charger, because neither phone ships with one; whether you need eSIM, which OnePlus lists for the 13 but not on the 13R's UK spec sheet; and that you understand the 1TB OnePlus 13 is not a UK model.

OnePlus 13 vs 13R: buying facts at a glance

The first table uses OnePlus UK's published specifications, which describe each phone as manufactured.

The second table shows what The Tech Gadgets lists for each refurbished phone.

What is the difference between the OnePlus 13 and 13R?

The OnePlus 13 is the full flagship and the 13R is the lower-priced performance model. The 13 adds Snapdragon 8 Elite, a sharper QHD+ screen, a 3x telephoto and 50MP ultrawide with Hasselblad tuning, wireless charging and IP68/IP69. The 13R keeps the 6,000mAh battery, a 120Hz LTPO screen, a flagship-class chip and the same update end date.

That last point changes how you should read the price gap. Paying more for the 13 doesn't buy extra years of support, because OnePlus lists the same security end date for both. The extra money goes on hardware, so the question is whether you will use it.

Performance and storage

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the 13R was Qualcomm's flagship chip for 2024, the same one OnePlus used in the OnePlus 12, so the 13R is no budget phone. The Snapdragon 8 Elite in the 13 is the newer generation. Both use LPDDR5X memory and UFS 4.0 storage, with no memory card slot. The 13R comes with 12GB of RAM and 256GB only; the 13 offers 12GB/256GB or 16GB/512GB, plus a 1TB version from another market. If you copy large videos to a computer by cable, note that OnePlus lists USB 3.2 Gen 1 for the 13 and USB 2.0 for the 13R.

Screen and size

Both screens refresh at 1–120Hz with LTPO 4.1 and share a 4,500-nit peak brightness figure from OnePlus. The 13's 6.82-inch QHD+ panel has 510 pixels per inch and Ceramic Guard cover glass; the 13R's 6.78-inch panel has 450 pixels per inch and Gorilla Glass 7i. The 13R is also slightly smaller and lighter: 161.72 x 75.77 x 8.02mm and 206g, against 162.9 x 76.5 x 8.5mm and 213g for a Black Eclipse or Arctic Dawn OnePlus 13 (Midnight Ocean is 8.9mm and 210g).

Which has the better camera, the OnePlus 13 or 13R?

The OnePlus 13. All three of its rear cameras are 50MP, including a 3x telephoto with optical stabilisation, and the system carries OnePlus's fifth-generation Hasselblad Camera for Mobile tuning. The 13R has a capable 50MP main camera and a 50MP 2x telephoto, but its ultrawide is only 8MP, and OnePlus doesn't market it with Hasselblad branding.

Here is how the camera hardware lines up, using OnePlus UK's specification pages.

The 13R's 2x lens suits portraits. The 13's 3x lens reaches further for school sports, gigs and wildlife, where the 13R would be cropping digitally. The ultrawide gap is bigger still: an 8MP sensor has far fewer pixels than a 50MP one, so wide shots of rooms and landscapes hold less detail. If you rarely leave the main camera, the 13R gives up less than the spec sheet suggests.

How do the OnePlus 13 and 13R compare on battery and charging?

Both are rated at 6,000mAh. The OnePlus 13 charges at up to 100W wired with SUPERVOOC and 50W wireless with AIRVOOC, using compatible OnePlus chargers. The 13R charges at up to 80W wired and has no wireless charging. Neither refurbished phone comes with a charger, so budget for one if you want those headline speeds.

OnePlus builds the 13's battery from two 3,000mAh cells; the 13R uses a single 6,000mAh cell. Any USB-C charger will top either phone up, but the quoted speeds need a compatible OnePlus SUPERVOOC charger, and only the 13 can use a Qi wireless pad. Every Like New, Excellent and Very Good unit is dispatched with at least 85% battery health, so a 13R and a 13 at the same reading hold a similar charge.

Is the OnePlus 13R waterproof?

Not to the same standard as the OnePlus 13. OnePlus rates the 13R at IP65, which it describes as protection in torrential rain, while the 13 carries both IP68 and IP69. These ratings describe the phones as manufactured. After a previous owner and refurbishment, don't rely on either phone being watertight, and remember that liquid damage isn't covered by the warranty.

The 13R was designed for rain and splashes, not submersion. On a refurbished 13, treat the higher ratings as a margin of safety rather than a reason to take it swimming.

How long will the OnePlus 13 and 13R get updates?

OnePlus's UK Product Security Update page lists 7 January 2031 as the end of security support for both phones, about 51 months from 5 October 2026. OnePlus has also said both will receive four major Android upgrades after the Android 15 they launched with, which takes them to Android 19. OnePlus lists both as compatible with OxygenOS 16.

You can check the dates yourself on OnePlus's UK Product Security Update page, which OnePlus publishes for the UK's product security rules. For buyers, the equal dates mean the 13R's lower price buys exactly the same software runway. Spread over the 51 months left, a Very Good 13R costs about £8.10 per month of security support, against about £10.25 for a Very Good 256GB OnePlus 13.

Is it still safe to buy a OnePlus in the UK after the 2026 announcement?

For the 13 and 13R, yes, based on what OnePlus has published. Its UK website carries a Notice of Business Adjustment saying it has concluded product rollouts in Europe and North America. The same notice says existing devices keep their software updates, security patches and after-sales support, and that warranties are honoured. The 7 January 2031 date still appears on its UK security page.

The notice, confirmed in July 2026, adds that once ColorOS 17 is released, eligible OnePlus phones will be offered an optional switch from OxygenOS to ColorOS, OPPO's Android skin, with a route back. It doesn't list the eligible models. You can read it on OnePlus UK's business adjustment page. Your purchase from The Tech Gadgets also carries its own 12-month warranty.

Is there a OnePlus 13 Pro?

No. OnePlus hasn't released a OnePlus 13 Pro, so searches for one usually lead to the OnePlus 13 itself. The 13 is the top model of this pair, with the triple 50MP Hasselblad camera, wireless charging and the higher water rating. The 13R is the lower-priced model. If you expected a bigger Pro version, the OnePlus 13 is the phone to look at.

OnePlus 13 price: refurbished prices by grade and storage

This table shows the cheapest price for each grade and storage size on 5 October 2026; colour doesn't change the price on either listing.

The OnePlus 13 price premium over the 13R depends on the grade. In Very Good, a 256GB OnePlus 13 at £522.99 minus a 13R at £412.99 is £110.00. In Excellent, £574.99 minus £452.99 is £122.00. In Like New, £617.99 minus £486.99 is £131.00. Moving the OnePlus 13 from 256GB to 512GB in Very Good adds £84.00 (£606.99 minus £522.99) and brings 16GB of RAM.

A Fair option is listed for both phones, but the grading page doesn't define it, so ask the team about its condition before ordering. On these two listings Fair costs the same as Very Good, so it saves nothing anyway. For most buyers, Very Good is the value grade: the screen is in good shape and the marks are on the body, where a case covers most of them.

Should you buy a Pixel, Samsung or OnePlus 12 instead?

Choose a Google Pixel if a lower price and a long, clearly published update promise matter more than charging speed. The refurbished Pixel 8 Pro starts at £276.99 in Very Good 128GB (checked 5 October 2026), and Google promises it seven years of OS and security updates from its US launch, taking it into 2030. Choose Samsung if you prefer One UI.

The Pixel 8 Pro costs £136.00 less than a Very Good 13R (£412.99 minus £276.99), and its support runs to within a few months of the OnePlus pair's. In return you give up the 6,000mAh battery and the fast charging. Our guide on which refurbished Google Pixel to buy sets out each Pixel's update date, and the Samsung vs Pixel vs OnePlus vs Nothing comparison covers the brand choice if you are undecided.

The older OnePlus 12 makes the 13R look stronger still. A Very Good 256GB OnePlus 12 costs £431.99, £19.00 more than a 13R, and OnePlus lists its security support ending on 1 February 2029, nearly two years earlier, though it adds a 3x periscope camera and wireless charging. Our OnePlus 12 vs 12R comparison covers when it still makes sense, and the overview of all four refurbished OnePlus models puts every model side by side.

Refurbished condition, stock origin and what to check on arrival

Every OnePlus 13 and 13R here has had a previous owner. The grade describes cosmetic condition only: Like New means no visible marks on the screen or body, Excellent means light signs of use that are hard to spot at arm's length, and Very Good means visible marks on the body with the screen in good shape. Every grade is fully working, tested and cleaned, and you can read how we test and grade refurbished phones before choosing.

Both listings are titled Refurbished (UK). The 256GB and 512GB OnePlus 13 match the configurations OnePlus sold in the UK. The refurbished OnePlus 13 listing says the 1TB version wasn't a UK model, so it may carry a different model code and box, and OnePlus UK may not repair it under manufacturer warranty; message the team before ordering if you need its exact model code or network bands. The listing also says eSIM support can differ on non-UK units. The OnePlus 13R in Astral Trail or Nebula Noir takes two nano-SIMs, and its listing asks you to message before ordering if you need eSIM.

Checks to make in the first few days

• Set the phone up straight away. If it asks for a previous owner's Google or OnePlus account, contact the team; a phone you can't set up is faulty.
• Compare the body and screen with the grade you paid for, in daylight.
• Search Settings for “battery”. If your software version shows a battery health percentage, it should read 85% or more on a Like New, Excellent or Very Good unit.
• Try every rear camera, including the telephoto, and the front camera.
• Charge with your own charger, and on a OnePlus 13, test a wireless pad if you plan to use one.
• Make a call, use mobile data and check 5G and Wi-Fi Calling on your network and plan.

For a fuller routine, our used-phone checklist is written for Samsung but the account, screen and network checks apply to a OnePlus too.

Warranty, returns and delivery

Both phones come with a 12-month warranty from The Tech Gadgets, starting on delivery, covering faults that develop in normal use (not accidental or liquid damage). The warranty policy lists battery defects and reduced capacity as exclusions, so check battery health when the phone arrives; a faulty battery within 30 days is still covered by your Consumer Rights Act right to reject. You also get change-of-mind returns within 30 days if unused and complete (you pay return postage), plus your 14-day right to cancel. The details are in our returns and warranty policy, and our guide to your rights when buying refurbished explains how they fit together.

Orders placed by 3pm Monday to Friday are dispatched the same day from Manchester. Standard delivery takes 1–3 working days and is free on orders of £50 or more, which covers either phone; Special Delivery for the next working day is £9.99. See the dispatch and delivery details for bank holiday timings.

OnePlus 13 vs 13R: buyer FAQ

Is the OnePlus 13 a 5G phone?

Yes. Every OnePlus 13 supports 5G, so there is no separate OnePlus 13 5G model to look for. Our refurbished units are unlocked for EE, O2, Vodafone, Three and other UK networks. Whether you actually get 5G depends on your plan and local coverage, and the listing asks you to message the team about network bands if you choose the 1TB non-UK variant.

Does the OnePlus 13R have wireless charging?

No. The OnePlus 13R charges by cable only, at up to 80W with a compatible OnePlus SUPERVOOC charger. If you already use a wireless pad at your desk or bedside, the OnePlus 13 is the one to choose: OnePlus rates it at up to 50W wireless with its own AIRVOOC charger, and standard Qi pads will charge it more slowly.

Do refurbished OnePlus phones come with a charger?

No. A refurbished OnePlus 13 or 13R from The Tech Gadgets comes with the phone, a USB-C charging cable, a SIM ejector pin and protective packaging, with no mains plug. Any USB-C charger will work, but the 100W and 80W speeds need a compatible OnePlus SUPERVOOC charger. OnePlus didn't include a charger in the UK box when these phones were new, either.

Does the OnePlus 13R support eSIM?

OnePlus UK's spec sheet for the 13R lists a dual nano-SIM slot and doesn't list eSIM, while the OnePlus 13's sheet lists eSIM subject to your carrier. If you use an eSIM-only plan, choose the OnePlus 13 in 256GB or 512GB, or message the team before ordering a 13R. Both phones take physical nano-SIMs from any UK network.

Will a OnePlus 13 case fit the 13R?

No. The phones have different dimensions: the OnePlus 13 measures 162.9 x 76.5mm and the 13R 161.72 x 75.77mm, and the 13R is thinner at 8.02mm. Their camera layouts also differ. Buy a case made for your exact model, and if you choose a Midnight Ocean OnePlus 13, note that OnePlus lists it as 8.9mm thick rather than 8.5mm.

Which grade should I choose?

Very Good gives the best value on both phones, because the screen is in good shape and wear is limited to the body. Choose Excellent or Like New if you plan to use the phone without a case or want it to look new. Skip Fair here: it costs the same as Very Good on both listings and has no published definition.

Where can I buy a refurbished OnePlus in the UK?

The Tech Gadgets sells refurbished OnePlus phones unlocked for UK networks, graded Like New, Excellent or Very Good, with a 12-month warranty and same-day dispatch from Manchester on weekday orders placed by 3pm. You can browse every refurbished OnePlus we stock, including the OnePlus 12 and 12R, and compare grades and prices on one page.

Verdict: which refurbished OnePlus should you buy?

Buy the OnePlus 13R if you want the most phone for the money. It has the same battery capacity, the same 7 January 2031 security date and a fast, flagship-class chip, and in Very Good condition it costs £110.00 less than a 256GB OnePlus 13. Most people who mainly use the main camera, charge by cable and keep their phone in a case won't miss what the 13 adds.

Buy the OnePlus 13 if the camera is the reason you're upgrading, if you rely on wireless charging, or if you want more storage than 256GB. The 512GB model with 16GB of RAM is the sensible step up; consider the 1TB version only if you have confirmed its model code and network bands with the team.

Who should not buy either: anyone on an eSIM-only plan who is set on the 13R, anyone who wants the cheapest phone with a long update promise (a refurbished Pixel costs less), and anyone who wants a phone they can submerge, because neither refurbished phone should be relied on for water resistance.