OnePlus has a lot of different things in the oven right now, and a newly-leaked roadmap suggests there could be a new device in April, May, October, and November. The leak comes via Oneline Technology on Weibo and seems to confirm several expected launches, including the OnePlus 13 Mini as the OnePlus 13T.
We like big batteries and cannot lie, the OnePlus 13 Mini can’t deny
The OnePlus 13 Mini is set to be a compact, pocket-friendly device, but it doesn’t sacrifice battery capacity in the process. According to Digital Chat Station, the OnePlus Mini 13 might feature a 6,000mAh battery. That’s absolutely monstrous capacity, especially when compared to the Samsung Galaxy S25’s mere 4,000mAh battery.
The tipster goes on to suggest that this battery size is just a preview, and that OnePlus and Oppo could debut handsets with 7,000mAh batteries by the end of the year. The battery is likely silicon-carbide, allowing for a significantly higher energy density in the same amount of space.
Battery size has held back phones for years now. Everything from processors to cameras has advanced by leaps and bounds, but the battery life has remained stagnant due to size limitations. By swapping to a new type of battery technology, manufacturers can greatly increase the longevity of phones. It also benefits the introduction of AI into most handsets, as that feature hogs a lot of power.
The OnePlus 13 Mini is expected to launch sometime around April, according to earlier rumors. It’s unclear whether the Mini will release to global markets or if it will be a China-only launch.
As for why this is the “Mini,” we just have to look at its size. The handset is tipped to have a 6.31-inch screen versus the OnePlus 13’s 6.82-inch screen. There’s also a chance that the OnePlus Mini 13 might go by another name — perhaps the OnePlus 13T, although that suffix hasn’t been seen since the OnePlus 10T.
Unlike the OnePlus 13, the Mini is expected to have fewer cameras on the back. The exact number is unknown, although leaks suggest it could arrive with a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 50MP telephoto camera.
The Vivo V50 shows even budget devices can have big batteries
The Vivo V50 just launched, and though this budget-friendly handset hasn’t seen many changes from its previous generation, it does come with a much larger battery: a 6,000mAh one, to be precise. It also gets 90W wired charging to help top off the monster of a battery.
The introduction of silicon-carbide batteries has led to something of a revolution in battery technology. Manufacturers can now pack much more battery life into the same design, and this means that small phones and lower-price options can offer a more streamlined design without sacrificing performance or going with a bulky design.
Aside from the battery improvements, the Vivo V50 has a lot in common with the Vivo V40. It has a 6.77-inch OLED display, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a slight curve on all four sides that give it a more modern look. The V50 does feature Diamond Shield Glass, and that should give it a bit more resistance to butter-fingered owners.
The V50 can reach 4,500 nits — far more than enough to be usable in direct sunlight. Just remember to turn it down in the evenings (or enable ambient brightness) to avoid searing your retinas the next time you open TikTok.
You can get up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, and the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset lies at the heart of it all. The rear of the device sees a trio of 50MP cameras, as well as a 50MP selfie-cam on the front.
So far, the Vivo V50 is available in several Asian markets. There is no confirmation yet on whether it will be available in western markets. If it does make its way to the United States, it would likely be priced at $500 or below.
The Honor Magic V4 could soon become the world’s thinnest foldable
Currently, the Honor Magic V3 is the world’s thinnest foldable. However, that’s about to change with the imminent arrival of the OPPO Find N5. That phone, expected to launch on Thursday, could itself soon be overtaken as the world’s thinnest in just a few weeks.
According to reliable Chinese tipster Fixed Focus Digital “via Android Headlines”, the Honor Magic V4 could be announced in May or June.
Little is known about that phone to date. However, assuming it could be thinner than its predecessor and the OPPO Find N5 wouldn’t be much of a leap. When unfolded, the Honor Magic V3 is 4.35mm thick compared to the OPPO Find N5’s incredibly thin 4.2mm.
The Honor Magic V4 will likely feature Qualcomm’s leading Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, just like the OPPO Find N5 and Samsung Galaxy S25 series. It’s also expected to offer a 6,000mAh battery.
One of the most significant drawbacks of foldable phones in recent years has been their size and durability. As we observed in 2023, early Samsung foldables faced numerous durability issues. However, technological advancements have improved newer models, such as the Galaxy Z Fold 6, making them more reliable.
Thinner foldable phones alone aren’t necessarily better than older models. However, they become superior when combined with improved internals and more flexible displays.
The coming years are expected to be significant as foldable phones gain popularity. Alongside the new models mentioned above, Samsung is anticipated to unveil the Galaxy Z Fold 7 this year. Furthermore, next year, Apple is expected to introduce its first foldable iPhone.
