OnePlus 11 Review: A Game-Changer in the Flagship Market
written By Alvi Hosain | August 11, 2024 10:58 PM
OnePlus is at a crossroads. The company that started with the exciting “flagship killer” is now better known for its humdrum budget phones instead. But OnePlus is ready to change that, and its new flagship phone, the OnePlus 11 5G, is the first big step in that direction. The OnePlus 11R is another great offering that demonstrates the company’s commitment to quality. The OnePlus 11R excels with its premium design and strong performance. It features an AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and 10-bit color depth, similar to its predecessor.
OnePlus 11 Review Specifications
- Body: 74.1 x 163.1 x 8.53mm, 205 grams, Glass front/back, Aluminum frames, IP64 dust
- Display: 6.7-inch E4 AMOLED, LTPO 3.0, 10-bit colors, 120Hz refresh rate, Up to 1000Hz touch sampling rate, Gorilla Glass Victus, Dolby Vision
- Color Options: Eternal Green, Titan Black
- Rear Camera: Triple (with LED flash)
– 50MP, f/1.8 Sony IMX890 primary– 48MP, f/2.2 Sony IMX581 ultrawide – 32MP, f/2.0 Sony IMX709 telephoto, 2x optical zoom - Front Camera: 16MP, f/2.45 (hole-punch cutout)
- Audio: Built-in stereo speakers, No 3.5mm headphone jack
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 5G (4nm mobile platform)
- Memory: 8/12/16GB LPDDR5X RAM, 128GB (UFS 3.1), 256/512GB UFS 4.0 storage
- Software & UI: Android 13 with OnePlus’ OxygenOS 13 on top
- Security: In-display fingerprint sensor (optical)
- Other Properties: 800 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (HDR) brightness
- Resolution: 2K QHD (3216 x 1440 pixels), 552 PPI, 20.1:9 aspect ratio,
- Battery: 5000mAh with 100W SuperVOOC charging (100W adapter provided)
OnePlus 11 Display
The 11 Pro boasts a huge 6.7” QHD+ display with a 2K resolution and LTPO 3.0 technology, featuring a dynamic refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz, effectively conserving battery. Additionally, it supports Dolby Vision, making it one of the few Android phones, alongside Xiaomi, to offer such compatibility.
While the Pro may lack certain features found in other models, it excels in providing an immersive viewing experience with its brightness reaching 1300 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright conditions. OnePlus has consistently delivered impressive displays, and this time, they’ve earned a notable certification: a 4-year, 48-month TUV certification for fluidity, guaranteeing smooth swipe, touch, and overall user experience for the device’s lifespan.
OnePlus 11 Camera
The 11 Pro features a triple-camera setup on the rear, all equipped with Sony sensors. Among them is a 50MP primary sensor with OIS, complemented by a 48MP ultrawide sensor and a 32MP telephoto sensor. Following their partnership announcement with Hasselblad two years ago, the tuning from Hasselblad is notably impressive for the first time.
The resulting photos exhibit exceptional sharpness, marking a significant improvement over the past two to three years. Dynamic range, which was previously a concern, has now greatly improved. Telephoto capabilities offer 2x zoom, ensuring quality images even at a distance. When capturing photos in portrait mode, there may be instances of overly warm tones, but this is expected to improve with updates.
Furthermore, the presence of three different sensors may lead to subtle color shifts, particularly noticeable with the 48MP ultrawide sensor, which surprisingly offers autofocus and facilitates easy macro photography. This advancement represents a notable departure from previous OnePlus camera performance and marks a substantial positive leap forward..
selfie camera and videography
The front-facing camera utilizes Sony’s reliable IMX471 16MP sensor, which has been in use for the past 4-5 years. It consistently produces good-quality photos with pleasing skin tones. A detailed camera review will further delve into its capabilities.
For videography, the primary sensor supports recording in 8K at 24FPS and 4K at 60FPS, while the ultrawide sensor enables shooting in 4K at 30FPS, all complemented by OIS for stabilization. However, the selfie camera is limited to 1080p resolution, although it maintains FHD quality, whereas the rear cameras offer 4K and 8K options.
Thanks to the Hasselblad partnership, colors remain natural and vibrant across all modes, including portraits. Notable features include HDR video recording and a 480FPS slow-motion mode, along with the inclusion of a Pro mode for advanced control over settings.
OnePlus 11 Performance
Let’s discuss performance in detail. The 8th Gen 2 is finely tuned for robust performance, prioritizing either full capacity or battery conservation based on requirements. Unlike some other models, such as the OnePlus 11, which leans towards battery preservation, it doesn’t compromise performance. This balance allows for smooth operation even at the highest settings, reflected in its impressive AnTuTu score of 1.23M.
With 16GB of RAM, the device can efficiently handle multitasking, accommodating up to 44 apps running simultaneously in the background, thanks to meticulous optimization. This optimization is evident in the snappy responsiveness of apps, both in opening and closing them. Additionally, the inclusion of features like Always-On Display and various unlocking methods—such as in-display fingerprint sensor, face unlock, and optical in-display fingerprint sensor—enhances user convenience.
Connectivity options are equally noteworthy, with support for 5G and 13 bands, dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi calling, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.3, including compatibility with the latest Bluetooth codecs. Furthermore, OnePlus has pledged to introduce Wi-Fi 7 through an OTA update, demonstrating their commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements.
OnePlus 11 OS UI
The OS UI offers a near-stock Android experience, a rarity among flagships, ensuring a clean interface without any bloatware. Notably, Google’s essential apps, like Snapseed, are pre-installed without any additional bloatware, contributing to a streamlined user experience.
OnePlus has committed to providing four years of major updates and five years of security updates, a commendable gesture that ensures long-term software support and security. Additionally, the device comes with Android 13 out of the box, ensuring users have access to the latest features and improvements from the get-go.
OnePlus 11 Battery
OnePlus has equipped the device with a sizable 5000mAh battery, ensuring it can last comfortably for 1-1.5 days on a single charge, a crucial aspect for many users. The inclusion of 100W charging is particularly noteworthy, considering the large battery capacity. With this feature, the phone can fully charge in just 25 minutes, an impressive feat.
However, it’s important to note that rapid charging can generate some heat during the process. As a precaution, it’s advisable not to place the device on soft surfaces like pillows or sheets while charging to prevent overheating issues.
Source & Image Credit: GadgetByte
Alvi Hosain
I am a tech enthusiast with over 1.5 years of experience in phone reviews and gadgets. Passionate about making technology easier for everyone, I focus on creating smartphone reviews and detailed tech guides. Whether exploring the latest devices or providing tips on how to get the most out of your gadgets, I love helping others navigate the world of technology. Known among my friends for solving phone-related problems, I enjoy discussing technology and staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends.