OnePlus dumps its famous Alert Slider but it's for one very good reason
Now though, the button has been axed, starting with the OnePlus 13s which will be available in India after a 5 June launch.
This phone isn't coming to the US or Europe, though it will have implications for countries outside India since it's the first OnePlus phone to replace the Alert Slider with a new button – known as the Plus Key. And to avoid any confusion, the company confirmed it will be coming to 'all OnePlus smartphones launching this year.'
However, the main use for it is to add webpages, messages and other bookmarkable info to a baked-in feature known as the Plus Mind. Nothing also has something similar, known as Essential Space.
Essentially, it's a bit like a catalog for all your key info, an alternative to saving things in apps like Google Keep or Microsoft OneNote. Much like other vendors, OnePlus is toting this as increasing personalisation.
This transition is very similar to the Action Button change on Apple's iPhone and like that button you can also choose its function (so you can keep using it to silence your phone if you want), start the camera or begin translation.
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And, if you map the button to an alternative use, you can swipe up with three fingers to add things to your Plus Mind instead. This gesture means that Plus Mind will also come to the OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R as well (since there is obviously no dedicated Plus Key) via a software update.
You're also able to use the feature to extract information. So it could use it to extract event info from an image and add it to your calendar for example.
Of course, this is all part of OnePlus AI – the company's somewhat belated push into AI features. But while it might be somewhat later than many rivals, it is offering a lot of the same features as others. And aside from some image editing shortcuts, there's no real evidence that AI tricks are proving a hit with consumers.
Additional OnePlus AI features coming this year
AI VoiceScribe: Enables users to record, summarise, and translate calls and meetings directly within popular messaging, video, and online meeting applications.
AI Call Assistant (coming to India only for now): On the OnePlus 13s, the OnePlus Dialer will offer options for automatic Call Summaries or real-time Call Translation during calls.
AI Translation: Consolidates all translation capabilities – text, live voice, camera-based, and screen translation – into a single, intuitive app, making it easier to understand foreign languages and connect globally.
AI Search: AI Search enables conversational, natural language queries, seamlessly searching local files, settings, notes, and calendars for contextually relevant results. Integrated with AI Plus Mind, it enhances productivity through intuitive, interactive searches.
AI Reframe: Intelligently analyses photo scenes, identifies the subject, and adjusts composition, generating multiple creative framing options for users to choose from.
AI Best Face 2.0 (coming this summer through an update): Enhances group photos by automatically detecting and correcting issues like closed eyes or suboptimal expressions for more polished results. This feature supports images with up to 20 individuals and works even with photos captured on other devices.
OnePlus is also adding Google Gemini integration, similar to parent company Oppo and it will work across OnePlus' own apps as well as Google's ones.
On device AI processing is prioritised where more sensitive information is used, although the company states that its own private cloud will keep data private.
The company also says it recently rolled out support for Oppo's O+ Connect for the OnePlus 13R which enables uses to do file transfers and more between their OnePlus device and MacOS computer, either through the O+ Connect app, or via a drag and drop interface in the Finder.
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The Android interface feels instantly responsive, apps open rapidly, multi-tasking was never a chore, and my current rotation of mobile games all played at a smooth frame rate. Unless you're using your phone to churn out 4K video edits on the regular, there's zero reason to feel short-changed over the choice of processor. Nothing Phone 3 benchmark scores Geekbench 6 single-core 2093 Geekbench 6 multi-core 6485 Geekbench AI 3670 3DMark Wild Life Extreme 4156 3DMark Solar Bay 7902 The one area I thought the Phone 3 did underwhelm a bit was battery life. Nothing has adopted silicon carbide chemistry, but stated conservative on capacity, so you're getting a 5150mAh cell. Or if you pick up the Indian variant, 5500mAh. No, I don't know why either. The global model's battery is a fair bit bigger than Phone 2's was, sure – but it's still a long way short of slightly more expensive rivals like the OnePlus 13, with its sizeable 6000mAh. While I did manage to last all day from a full charge, it was touch-and-go by bedtime and needed the power saving mode enabled. That was with a mix of video streaming, photography, social scrolling and gaming, but largely sticking to Wi-Fi. On a travel day with more 5G connectivity and some GPS navigation thrown in for good measure, I had to plug in mid-afternoon to guarantee I'd make it through to the end of the night. I saw similar with the Pixel 9 and Galaxy S25, but if longevity is a must-have the OnePlus 13 can manage two days per top-up for not a lot more cash. Things did improve after a couple of days of testing, but most days still ended in the high 20% range. 65W wired charging is quicker than anything Google or Samsung will sell you, and good for 0-50% in less than twenty minutes. And while the rear panel doesn't incorporate a charging coil into its design any more, there definitely is one underneath; it'll manage 15W top-ups from a compatible pad. Nothing Phone 3 verdict This is comfortably Nothing's highest-end handset to date, but is that enough to make the Phone 3 a true flagship? It isn't trying to challenge the Ultras and Pro Maxes on the hardware front: the chipset isn't quite top-tier enough for that. Or rather it isn't for anyone who puts a lot of stock in spec sheets. Personally, I don't see that as a stumbling block. There's ample everyday performance here, with well-optimised and highly customisable software to match. The rear cameras take engaging photos and the battery can go all day. The alternatives might have more muscle, last even longer, or have superior snappers – but few have them all at once for this kind of cash. Without the buying power of megacorps like Samsung, Nothing has carefully picked components to make this a competent everyman underneath the flashy glyph features. The divisive looks aren't going to be for everyone, end of story. But if you like your tech to stand out, it's a tempting left-field alternative to the major players. Stuff Says… Score: 4/5 Phone 3 takes Nothing's distinctive design to extremes, for better or worse. It's not the textbook definition of a flagship handset, but the capable all-rounder has a fun side you just don't see anywhere else. Pros Powerful and long lasting enough to earn flagship billing Capable rear camera trio Glyph matrix LEDs are fun and functional NothingOS software as slick as ever Cons Not everyone will be able to see past the unique styling Rivals either have more power, longer batteries or better cameras Nothing Phone 3 technical specifications Screen 6.67in, 2800×1260 AMOLED w/ 30-120Hz CPU Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 Memory 12/16GB RAM Cameras 50MP, f/1.7 w/ PDAF, OIS + 50MP, f/2.2 ultrawide + 50MP, f/2.5 telephoto w/ 3x optical zoom, PDAF, OIS rear 50MP, f/2.2 front Storage 256/512GB Operating system Android 15 w/ NothingOS 3.5 Battery 5150mAh w/ 65W wired, 15W wireless charging Dimensions 161x76x9mm, 218g
