OnePlus 11 5G Review: Speed and Style
OnePlus 11 5G offers powerful performance, unique design, and stunning photography, making it a standout affordable flagship.
OnePlus 11 provides outstanding performance and value, but there are some significant trade-offs. If you’re a OnePlus fan or thinking about switching from another manufacturer, this phone is an interesting option—but there are a few things to consider.
OnePlus 11 stands out with its affordable price: $699 (base model). It’s cheaper than the iPhone 14 or Samsung Galaxy S23, but still boasts a large display and a bigger battery. The camera system, developed with Hasselblad, focuses on artistic photography, though it may not be as user-friendly as those on rival devices.
The large battery offers great longevity and fast charging, but there’s no wireless charging option. A downside is the lack of water resistance—while other flagship phones have IP68 ratings for water protection, OnePlus 11 only resists heavy rain. This means it’s not safe for water submersion.
OnePlus 11 is a good pick for people who can deal with its restrictions while still appreciating its performance and value. However, if water resistance is important to you, this phone may not be the best option.
Table of Contents
OnePlus 11 5G Specification
| Feature | OnePlus 11 |
|---|---|
| 📱 Display | 6.7″ AMOLED, 3,216×1,440, 120Hz Adaptive |
| 🔍 Pixel Density | 525 ppi |
| 📏 Dimensions (in) | 2.92 x 6.42 x 0.33 |
| 📏 Dimensions (mm) | 74.1 x 163.1 x 8.5 |
| ⚖️ Weight | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| 📂 OS | Android 13 |
| 📸 Rear Cameras | 50MP (wide), 48MP (ultrawide), 32MP (telephoto) |
| 🤳 Front Camera | 16MP |
| 🎥 Video Capture | 8K |
| ⚙️ Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| 💾 RAM/Storage | 8GB/128GB, 12GB/256GB |
| 📂 Expandable Storage | None |
| 🔋 Battery/Charging | 5,000mAh, 80W (US), 100W (UK) |
| 🔐 Fingerprint Sensor | In-display |
| 🔌 Connector | USB-C |
| 🎧 Headphone Jack | None |
| ⭐ Special Features | 5G, IP64, dual batteries, fast charging |
| 💲 Price (US) | $799 (8GB/128GB) |
| 💷 Price (UK) | £729 (8GB/128GB) |
| 💵 Price (AU) | AU$1,270 (8GB/128GB) |
OnePlus 11 Price and availability
- Price: Starts at $699 / £729 / AU$1,199
- Available directly from OnePlus or major retailers, no carrier sales
- Pre-order starts on February 7, available in stores on February 16
OnePlus 11 offers great specs at a competitive price, with a starting cost $200 lower than the OnePlus 10 Pro. The base model comes with 128GB storage and 8GB RAM, while the higher model offers 256GB storage and 16GB RAM for $799 / £799 / AU$1,399.
This phone is less expensive than flagship versions like the iPhone 14 and Galaxy S23, but it has a larger display, making it a fantastic value if you want more screen space. However, if you prefer smaller displays, you might need to look elsewhere.
In the US, OnePlus isn’t selling through carriers like T-Mobile. You can buy it directly from OnePlus.com or select retailers like Amazon. It works with all major US carriers, but its water resistance rating is only IP64, which may be why T-Mobile is not selling it.
OnePlus 11 Design
OnePlus 11 sports a glossy surface that appears elegant but might be slippery. It lacks IP68 water resistance, which means it can only withstand a short spray of water and not submersion. It is not suitable for those who may drop it in water, such as a bathtub or toilet. Most flagship phones have better water resistance, which helps them last longer.
Phone’s design is stylish but not as refined as an iPhone or Samsung Galaxy. It has some noticeable seams and thicker bezels. Camera bump is large but shiny, giving it a sporty look.
OnePlus users will appreciate the return of the physical mute switch, which is easy to use and tactile. Phone also has a USB-C port and a SIM card slot, supporting dual-SIM and eSIM.
OnePlus 11 Display
OnePlus 11 has a 6.7-inch display, which is larger than most competitors including pricier models like the iPhone 14 Pro. The screen is vivid, bright, and colorful, making it great for gaming and watching movies. It has a high refresh rate, which works well with the Snapdragon performance, making it better for these activities than some other phones.
Despite its size, display is sharp with 525 pixels per inch (ppi), beating iPhone 14’s 460 ppi. It’s not the brightest screen, but it offers great contrast and vibrant colors. The OnePlus 11 also supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+ for better dynamic range.
Phone uses LTPO display technology, which helps save battery by adjusting the refresh rate and supporting an always-on display without draining power.
OnePlus 11 Camera
OnePlus 11’s cameras are designed for photographers who appreciate color and lighting, with a style inspired by Hasselblad cameras. While it’s great for portraits and landscapes, it doesn’t excel at telephoto zoom or close-up macro shots. Camera’s longest zoom is only 2x, compared to other phones with better zoom options.
It captures beautiful, natural-looking photos with superb lighting and color, but sometimes lacks fine detail. It creates a more artistic, prime-lens look rather than aiming for realism. However, zoomed-in shots can become blurry and portrait mode doesn’t always work perfectly, with some background details lost.
This phone is perfect for those who love artistic photography, but it’s not as versatile or detailed as some other high-end cameras. While it doesn’t replace a DSLR, it offers unique, cool photography for those who enjoy creating photos, not just taking them.
OnePlus 11 Software
It runs Oxygen OS, which is based on Android 13. It has a clean, modern design similar to Google’s Pixel 7, but you can customize it with extra features like screen transitions and gestures. OnePlus also kept useful features that Google removed, such as the ability to organize the app drawer.
There are many hidden features in the settings, built over time by OnePlus and its community. For example, you can use the selfie camera while screen recording, allowing you to add a reaction shot to gameplay videos. It’s a fun and simple way to create reaction videos without complicated setups, and even teens will find it impressive.
OnePlus 11 Performance
It is very fast, thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 CPU. It handles gaming, photo editing, and regular use with ease, resulting in a seamless experience. For example, when playing Marvel Snap, the OnePlus 11 presented smooth visuals without trouble, however the iPhone 14 Pro failed to achieve the same level of detail and performance.
Even in demanding titles such as Call of Duty Mobile, the OnePlus 11 ran at 90fps in Ultra mode, ensuring a smooth gaming experience. The phone can even do 8K video editing without trouble, giving it a powerful device that performs well in all circumstances.
OnePlus 11 Battery
It supports a big 5,000 mAh battery that can last all day, depending on usage. Heavy performance & gaming can deplete the battery faster, but it recharges swiftly. In just 10 minutes, it can obtain 40-45% charge, and a full charge takes less than 30 minutes. However, the European model charges to 100% in 25 minutes.
It comes with a special charger, but there’s no wireless charging, which some may miss, but the fast wired charging compensates for that. Battery size is comparable to other flagship phones, offering great power for long usage and quick recharging.
Pros and Cons of OnePlus 11
| ✅Pros | ❌Cons |
|---|---|
| 📸 Unique camera features | 🧴 Slippery design |
| ⚡ Smooth performance | 🌊 No water resistance |
| 🧑💻 Simple interface | 📷 Limited camera options |
Conclusion
OnePlus 11 is a great, low-cost option for individuals looking for a distinctive phone with artistic smartphone photography. However, the lack of durability may be a worry.
