OnePlus has decided not to release its newest phone, the OnePlus 13T, in the United States or Europe. The compact budget phone will stay exclusive to China, India, and other countries, leaving fewer options for Android phone buyers in the U.S.

The phone was first launched in China and later in India as the 13S, but its absence from Western markets is a big shift in strategy that could have long-term effects on the company. The 13T has several appealing features, such as a fairly compact design and an unusually large battery. Celina Shi, OnePlus Europe’s chief marketing officer, and North America’s head of marketing Spenser Blank told The Verge that it will not sell in the U.S. or Europe.

This is pretty disappointing if you are interested in the phone. This is one of the few smaller, high-end phones, as the mobile market seems to be letting bigger screens become the norm. The OnePlus 13T stands out with its 6.3-inch display, smaller than the OnePlus 13 and 13R (around 6.8 inches), yet it includes a huge 6,260mAh battery.

Apparently, the battery life is extended by improved silicon-carbon technology, making it last longer than even bigger flagship phones like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (5,000mAh) and the standard OnePlus 13 (6,000mAh). It also far exceeds the iPhone 16’s 3,561mAh battery. Beyond the battery, the 13T has strong specs, including the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, up to 16GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and a redesigned dual 50-megapixel rear camera setup with a main lens and a 2x telephoto lens. It also supports fast 80W wired charging.

Interestingly, OnePlus has made a noticeable change by removing the signature alert slider and replacing it with a customizable shortcut button, a move already seen in the Oppo Find X8 Ultra. This change is expected to become standard in future OnePlus models.

While a 6.3-inch screen might still seem large to some, compared to other OnePlus phones, it marks a shift toward smaller, more user-friendly devices. When placed next to rivals like the iPhone 16 and Samsung Galaxy S25, which have smaller screens but much weaker battery life, the 13T’s balance of size and battery power makes it an attractive option. In China, the phone’s starting price is around $466, making it much cheaper than the standard OnePlus 13.

Despite its appealing features and clear interest from users in Europe and North America, OnePlus’s choice not to release the 13T in these regions seems to enforce the idea that smaller phones are losing popularity. The industry is moving toward bigger screens as manufacturers focus on making phones multimedia devices instead of just communication tools.

Another factor could be OnePlus’s positioning in the market. The company may see the 13T as a better fit for regions where price and specs matter more, allowing it to stand out without competing directly in crowded Western markets. While the phone offers a great mix of size and battery life, it may not be worth the money and workforce it would take OnePlus to market and sell.

Source: The Verge