OnePlus has unveiled an exciting new initiative for customers in India with a free 180-day replacement policy for the recently launched OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R smartphones. This offer, available to those who purchase the devices before February 13, 2025, is part of OnePlus’s Rs 6,000 crore “Project Starlight.” The program aims to improve product durability and customer service, offering a seamless experience for buyers.

Key details of the replacement program

OnePlus’s new program promises a no-questions-asked, free replacement for any hardware-related issues during the first 180 days of owning the device. This replacement covers major components such as screens, back covers, batteries, and motherboards, ensuring peace of mind for users.

The offer will be available to buyers from January 10 to February 13, 2025. After this period, customers can opt for an optional paid protection plan priced at Rs 2,599 for the OnePlus 13 and Rs 2,299 for the OnePlus 13R. This plan extends coverage for an additional three months, providing continued security for users even after the initial 180-day window.

Robin Liu, CEO of OnePlus India, emphasized the company’s commitment to quality, stating, “The 180-day phone replacement plan for the OnePlus 13 series reflects our confidence in the reliability of our products and our ongoing care for users. We are proud to introduce this protection plan, further enhancing the user experience.”

A quick review of the OnePlus 13 series

Launched just days ago, the OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R have made waves in the smartphone market with their premium features and specifications. Whether you are looking for the best in performance or a budget-friendly option, the OnePlus 13 series has something for everyone. Here’s a quick look at what makes these smartphones standout:

Performance: The OnePlus 13 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, paired with up to 24GB of RAM for top-tier performance. On the other hand, the OnePlus 13R boasts the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, offering solid performance for budget-conscious buyers.

Display: Both the OnePlus 13 and 13R come with vibrant AMOLED displays. The OnePlus 13 features a 120Hz ProXDR AMOLED display with a peak brightness of 4500 nits. Meanwhile, the OnePlus 13R offers a 1.5K LTPO AMOLED display that also supports 120Hz refresh rates and delivers a peak brightness of 4,500 nits for fluid visuals.

Camera Setup: The OnePlus 13 series is all about photography, with the flagship OnePlus 13 equipped with the fifth-generation Hasselblad camera system. This setup includes a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 50MP 3x telephoto lens with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). The OnePlus 13R also offers impressive photo quality with a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP telephoto lens, and an 8MP ultrawide camera.

Battery Life: Both phones are equipped with a substantial 6,000mAh battery that promises long-lasting power. The OnePlus 13 features faster charging capabilities, allowing users to get more done without waiting long for a recharge.

Design: The OnePlus 13 sports a sleek, premium design with a glass back and several color options, including Midnight Ocean, Arctic Dawn, and Black Eclipse. Both the OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R are also rated for water and dust resistance with IP69+ and IP68 ratings, making them suitable for everyday use.

Software Experience: The OnePlus 13 series runs on OxygenOS 15, a refined software experience designed to enhance multitasking, battery management, and privacy. OxygenOS 15 adds to the seamless experience that OnePlus phones are known for.

Gaming & Performance: With their powerful processors and enhanced cooling systems, both phones excel at gaming. The OnePlus 13, for instance, features a Cryo-velocity cooler to maintain optimal temperatures even during demanding gaming sessions.

Pricing: The OnePlus 13 is available in three storage variants: 12GB RAM with 256GB storage (Rs 69,999), 16GB RAM with 512GB storage (Rs 76,999), and 24GB RAM with 1TB storage (Rs 89,999). The OnePlus 13R is priced more affordably, starting at Rs 42,999 for the 12GB RAM + 256GB variant and Rs 49,999 for the 16GB RAM + 512GB storage version.

The 180-day free replacement program is a bold move by OnePlus to enhance customer satisfaction and product reliability in India. This initiative complements the advanced features of the OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R, making them highly attractive options for users seeking a premium yet affordable smartphone experience.

For anyone looking to upgrade their phone, the OnePlus 13 series is worth considering, especially with the added peace of mind that comes with this replacement offer.

Samsung is gearing up for the launch of its highly anticipated Galaxy S25 series, which is expected to be unveiled at the Galaxy Unpacked 2025 event on January 22. Ahead of its release, a new report has emerged suggesting that the flagship model, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, may include a car crash detection feature similar to those offered by Apple and Google. This feature is said to function via a virtual composite sensor integrated into the device, providing a new layer of safety for users.

Crash Detection Technology on the Galaxy S25 Ultra

According to a report from Android Authority, several leaked files have hinted at the inclusion of a car crash detection feature in the upcoming Galaxy S25 Ultra. The feature, reportedly powered by a composite sensor, would analyze and combine data from various sensors, including an accelerometer and GPS, to detect if the user has been involved in a car crash. While this feature is not yet active in the current One UI builds, references to it have been found as early as One UI 5.1.1, suggesting that it may be in the works for future updates.

Interestingly, similar references to the crash detection feature have been spotted in other Samsung devices, including the Galaxy S24 series and the company’s latest foldable smartphones. A hidden app system called MoccaMobile is believed to be part of the OS, containing code for activating and deactivating the virtual sensor, though it currently lacks a user interface (UI).

Rivals already offering Crash Detection

Samsung’s move to incorporate crash detection into its flagship device comes as no surprise, given that rivals Apple and Google have already introduced similar features in their smartphones. Apple first debuted crash detection with the iPhone 14 series in 2022, utilizing a dual-core accelerometer and high dynamic range gyroscope to identify crashes and alert emergency services. Google’s Pixel smartphones also offer a crash detection feature, powered by AI-driven Activity Recognition. This system uses data from the Pixel’s accelerometer, GPS, and microphone, comparing it against real-world and simulated crash scenarios to detect accidents and call for help when necessary.

With the Galaxy S25 Ultra potentially joining the ranks of smartphones equipped with car crash detection, Samsung could be adding another significant safety feature to its already impressive lineup of innovations. While the feature is not yet fully operational, it signals the company’s intention to provide enhanced security for its users. The Galaxy S25 series is expected to become available for pre-order on February 4, 2025, following its official launch on January 22.

A Meta-owned messaging platform, WhatsApp is all set to introduce a new feature that allows Android users to share files with another user nearby. According to reports, the feature will be developed similar to Apple’s AirDrop.

The file sharing feature nearby is not currently available for beta testers. However, according to a report from WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo, it seems that the feature will soon be introduced. The report reveals a screenshot that shows an option within the app stating, to share files with people nearby, along with a list of nearby users.

It is interesting to note that users can choose to be visible to others without disclosing their phone numbers to people who are not their contacts. In order to share files with other users, one needs to wait for nearby users to accept their request. The process involves a unique interaction, where nearby users can shake their device to receive incoming share requests. It is important to note that this feature is designed with end-to-end encryption to ensure user privacy.

In the upcoming update, WhatsApp is expected to introduce a nearby file-sharing feature. However, the current beta version for Android, which is 2.24.2.20, has addressed a camera issue. Some Android beta testers have reported difficulties in launching the camera within the app after the 2.24.2.13 update. Upon launching, users were presented with an error message that said, can’t start camera, please restart your device. This issue persisted even after restarting the device or relaunching the app.

The latest beta update of WhatsApp, located at 2.24.2.20, has fixed the camera bug. This allows users to launch the camera within the app and share photos and videos with their contacts without any interruptions. As WhatsApp continues its efforts to improve its features and address bugs, users can expect a better messaging experience on the platform.