Joe Maring / Android Authority
Although they haven’t always been perfect, OnePlus phones have been among our favorite Android handsets over the last few years. The OnePlus 13 is almost a year old, but it still stands out as one of the better Android phones you can buy — thanks to its excellent design, superb cameras, and outstanding battery life.
We’ve talked a lot about the OnePlus 13 throughout 2025, and I’ve recommended buying it in multiple articles, as well. But at this point in late October, you absolutely should not buy a new OnePlus phone.
OnePlus 15 vs. OnePlus 13: Which would you rather buy? 115 votes OnePlus 15 66 % OnePlus 13 34 %
Why you shouldn’t buy a OnePlus phone
OnePlus
Why the sudden change in buying advice? OnePlus launched the OnePlus 15 in China earlier this week. No, you didn’t blink and miss the OnePlus 14 — this is the direct successor to last year’s excellent OnePlus 13.
Similar to previous OnePlus releases, the OnePlus 15 is launching exclusively in China before expanding to global markets (including the US). Last year, the OnePlus 13 was released in China on November 1, 2024, before its international release on January 7, 2025. However, OnePlus may dramatically shorten that China-only window for the OnePlus 15, as reports indicate an international release on November 13 for this year’s phone.
Assuming the November launch rumors are true (which they appear to be), it doesn’t make sense to buy the OnePlus 13 now when the OnePlus 15 is likely just a few days away.
In general, buying a new phone when you need it, rather than basing it around a new product launch, is the right advice. Indeed, you can always wait around for the “next big thing” to be released and end up never upgrading. But when we’re at this point in a phone’s life cycle, with its predecessor right around the corner, hanging on just a bit longer is a smart move.
... continue reading