OnePlus 13 could launch two months early — but only in China

OnePlus 12 IR blaster.
(Image credit: Future)

We’re not expecting the OnePlus 13 to launch outside of China until sometime in early 2025, following the phone’s launch in its home country. Normally the new OnePlus flagship launches in China in December, but a new report claims that the OnePlus 13 could pull a Google Pixel 9 and arrive two months earlier than normal.

Digital Chat Station claims the OnePlus 13 may make its Chinese debut in October, or early November at the latest. Not only does this mean we’ll get our first glimpse at the phone earlier than normal, it also puts the phone dangerously close to the launch of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset — which is set to launch at some point in October.

OnePlus flagships are often some of the first phones to feature the newest Snapdragon chip. But by releasing the next phone much closer to the Gen 4 chip’s launch event, the more likely it is that the OnePlus 13 will be the first time we get to see the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 in action.

Granted that will be the Chinese version of the phone, which will have a number of key differences compared to the global model. Like the fact it won’t have any access to Google apps or services, for instance. 

The question we have is whether an early Chinese debut will affect the global launch of the OnePlus 13. The OnePlus 12 arrived in late January earlier this year, following the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S24. Considering Samsung’s launch came right after CES, it doesn’t give OnePlus much room to bring that launch event forward. Not unless it wants to go head to head with Samsung or one of the biggest consumer tech shows on Earth. 

There’s a lot we still don’t know about the OnePlus 13, though rumors suggest we could see a 2K OLED display panel this time round, alongside a 6,000 mAh battery.

OnePlus could reveal the phone before the end of the year, but that wouldn’t make a lot of sense either. Unless you have a product that will be on sale before the holidays, it makes more sense to leave that whole period well alone. But that’s just my take, OnePlus might have different ideas — especially since it’s grown to become a major player in the Android phone market.

There’s a lot we still don’t know about the OnePlus 13, though rumors suggest we could see a 2K OLED display panel this time round, alongside a 6,000 mAh battery. However, that same battery rumor claims that OnePlus will pull out one of its old tricks again, and pull wireless charging away from the phone — something OnePlus seems to love doing every other generation for reasons unknown. 

We’ll be finding out more once the OnePlus 13 launches in China later this year. While the hardware may not be 100% identical, typically there’s little difference between the regional versions of the phone. Until then be sure to check out our OnePlus 13 hub for all the latest news and rumors about the phone.

More from Tom's Guide

Category
Arrow
Arrow
Back to Mobile Cell Phones
Brand
Arrow
Storage Size
Arrow
Colour
Arrow
Condition
Arrow
Price
Arrow
Any Price
Showing 10 of 91 deals
Filters
Arrow
Our Review
1
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB
Verizon
(256GB 12GB RAM)
Our Review
2
SAMSUNG Galaxy S24 Ultra...
Amazon
Our Review
3
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 512...
Samsung
(512GB)
Our Review
4
OnePlus - 12 512GB (Unlocked)...
Best Buy
Our Review
5
Google Pixel 8 Pro 128 GB in...
Visible
(128GB)
Our Review
6
Pixel 8 Pro Obsidian 128GB...
Google Store NA
(256GB Blue)
Our Review
7
iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB (with...
Straight Talk
Our Review
8
Google Pixel 8 Pro - 128 GB
AT&T Mobility
(256GB Silver)
Our Review
9
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra...
Walmart
(Black)
Our Review
10
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra -...
Total Wireless
Show more
Tom Pritchard
UK Phones Editor

Tom is the Tom's Guide's UK Phones Editor, tackling the latest smartphone news and vocally expressing his opinions about upcoming features or changes. It's long way from his days as editor of Gizmodo UK, when pretty much everything was on the table. He’s usually found trying to squeeze another giant Lego set onto the shelf, draining very large cups of coffee, or complaining about how terrible his Smart TV is.

Read more
OnePlus 13
OnePlus 13: 5 biggest questions I have ahead of the January 7 launch event
OnePlus 13 cameras
OnePlus phones could be about to get an all-new look
OnePlus 13, OnePlus 13R and OnePlus Buds Pro 3
OnePlus 13R chip and key features just leaked by Amazon — here's what we know
OnePlus 13, OnePlus 13R and OnePlus Buds Pro 3
OnePlus 13R is coming in January — and it could be the best value phone of 2025
OnePlus Open held in the hand.
OnePlus Open 2 could launch way later than expected — rumor points to late 2025
OnePlus 13 back
Major OnePlus leak claims OnePlus 13 Mini is actually OnePlus 13T — here's the specs
Latest in OnePlus Phones
Oppo Find N5 from the top, partly open
OnePlus Open 2 could have been the best foldable of the year — so why is it not happening?
OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R
OnePlus reportedly developing massive smartphone batteries — what we know
Oppo Find N5 partly open, from behind
We won't be getting the OnePlus Open 2 this year
OnePlus 13 back
Major OnePlus leak claims OnePlus 13 Mini is actually OnePlus 13T — here's the specs
OnePlus 13R main interface
I left my OnePlus 13R alone for a week — and I was shocked at what happened when I returned
oppo find 5 teaser images showcasing thickness
OnePlus Open 2 images reveal just how thin this foldable phone could be
Latest in News
3D printed model of alleged iPhone 17 Air design
iPhone 17 Air — these 5 big revelations have me excited for the first truly new iPhone in years
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Tuesday, March 18 (#646)
Igor
The Roku Channel is streaming one of my favorite kids' movies for free
A person on a laptop converting a PDF to a DOC
FBI issues warning over free online file converters that infect your PC with malware
The Find my People feature
Android Find My can now track your friends and family — here's how to use it
Foldable iPhone concept image
Are you sitting down? Here’s what the foldable iPhone could cost