The OnePlus 11 has a lot of responsibility ahead of it. It has to recover the brand’s reputation after the OnePlus 10T, which had a poor software experience,  and had an underwhelming camera, making it undesirable. The OnePlus 11 has to be both an exceptional phone and a top-notch OnePlus device.

I have found the OnePlus 11 to be a comprehensive device with its dependable software and mighty processor with 16GB of RAM. Additionally, the Hasselblad-powered camera has provided me with vivid, if slightly oversaturated images of the autumnal scenery. It has even held its own when compared to the iPhone 14 Pro and Pixel 8, though not quite to the level of the OnePlus 10 Pro.

I have been very pleased with the OnePlus 11 as it has done everything I need it to do and the battery life is exceptional, lasting two days with regular use. In addition, charging time is lightning fast. I cannot find any faults with the phone and the unique design has won many admirers. However, when compared to the other phones that are available at the same price, the OnePlus 11 appears to be somewhat uninteresting.

The Google Pixel 8 is priced the same and features a better software that will be supported for longer periods of time with an obviously better camera. Both the Apple iPhone 15 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 are similarly priced to the OnePlus 11, yet they are highly desirable devices. Last but not least, the Motorola Razr (2023) is a folding phone which can be purchased at the same cost as the OnePlus 11.

It must be noted that the OnePlus 11 remains a viable option to purchase, however upon its launch the level of competition was not as comprehensive, exciting, or desirable as phones with the same cost. So I would advise you to consider all your options before making a selection. Buying the OnePlus 11 right now should not be regretted, but if you wait a few months, it’s plain features and conventional design may make it seem very outdated.

The Design

The OnePlus 11 has a beautiful appeal to it. The sleek glass combined with the distinctive camera module creates an eye-catching device, while the textured alert slider provides a pleasant tactile experience that gives the phone a unique character.

At 8.5mm thick and 205 grams in weight, this device is definitely on the slim side. I haven’t been using it with a case, and it is quite slippery. Be careful if you’re using it on a smooth surface, as it’s liable to move around. I’m a big fan of its dimensions; it’s perfectly proportioned for my hand, the edges have been expertly crafted so they don’t dig into my skin, and the curved screen makes it possible to swipe the screen with only one hand with ease.

The blend of angular lines and arcs around the camera felt unusual at first, but I grew to appreciate it after a few days. It’s much more interesting than the boxy unit of the OnePlus 10 Pro, the glint around the lenses stands out in the sunlight, and even the Hasselblad branding isn’t too obtrusive.

Expressing dissatisfaction, one might point out that the IP64 rating of the iPhone 15, the Galaxy S23, and the Pixel 8 Pro are all IP68, while OnePlus does not prioritise long-lasting quality or environmental sustainability. The device features Gorilla Glass 5 on the rear and Gorilla Glass Victus on the display.

Elsewhere, Samsung has invested in Armour Aluminum and is utilising Gorilla Glass Victus 2, while also proudly advertising their use of recycled materials. In contrast, OnePlus has not been as forthcoming in their pursuit of sustainability and continues to include chargers in the box. This comparison highlights the fact that when other companies emphasize long-term use, it is much more noticeable when another brand does not.

Putting the IP64 rating to the side, the OnePlus 11 is a much bigger improvement over the OnePlus 10T. It takes after the OnePlus 10 Pro and OnePlus 9 Pro in a big way. When you take the OnePlus 11 in your hands, it’s like greeting an old friend; you’ll feel familiarity and comfort. Even so, it’s still a good idea to get a OnePlus 11 case to accompany your purchase.

Display and Audio

The OnePlus 11 features a 6.7-inch Super Fluid AMOLED display with LTPO 3.0 technology to reduce eye strain, a dynamic 1 to 120Hz refresh rate, 1,300 nits of maximum brightness, and Dolby Vision support. Several image and color enhancement options are available, with the resolution set to 2412 x 1080 pixels by default and the capability to switch up to 3216 x 1440 pixels. The phone is also equipped with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support.

The OnePlus 10 Pro’s display is not a drastic change, which is actually not bad. It boasts a very bright and clear image with the traditional deep blacks that AMOLED is known for. It may not be as pure as an iPhone’s color selection or as warm, but if you don’t have them side by side it won’t be noticeable.

The audio quality of the OnePlus 11 is satisfactory, though there is a lack of bass and at louder volumes the sound is not great. This is not a fault of the phone, but rather a common issue with smartphone speakers. If you keep the volume at a moderate level, the sound is tolerable. I have also used the phone with the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 headphones, which are stellar for music, however it is unfortunate that you have to delve into many settings to make adjustments.

Software

The OnePlus 11 is equipped with OxygenOS 13, which is derived from Oppo’s ColorOS 13. Although not everyone was pleased with the combination of the two platforms, I long for the days when OxygenOS was a challenger to Android on Pixel phones. Still, OxygenOS 13 is a big improvement compared to OxygenOS 12 in terms of looks and practicality.

The new version of the OS is much more fluid with fewer interruptions and helpful notifications, and the default icon set is eye-catching and well-crafted. The Settings menu retains a familiar layout, but with slight adjustments that make it easier to navigate. Animations run without a hitch and have caused no issues while running apps. From my experience with ColorOS 13, OxygenOS 13 is similarly unhindered and a pleasure to use.

Fortunately, the OnePlus 11 is the first cellphone to fall in line with the brand’s pledge to provide four years of significant Android OS updates and five years of security updates. This commitment is on par with Samsung’s and surpasses Google’s shorter promise. Even though it may not stand up to the competition in terms of sturdiness, the software update assurance makes up for it.

OnePlus 11 was greatly assisted by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM. According to OnePlus, this has resulted in the phone being 30% faster and 15% more power efficient than the OnePlus 10 Pro. Not only that, the phone is smooth and appears to not stutter no matter what task is being done.

There are two storage variations available: 16GB RAM and 256GB storage, and 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. OnePlus evaluates that 44 applications can work in the background on the higher model without any results, so if you need to do numerous things at the same time, it might be a smart thought to pick the more expensive option.

I had not expected much improvement from the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 proved me wrong. It’s a powerful device and an excellent reason to upgrade to the OnePlus 11 if you have a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or earlier phone. Evaluated for its performance capabilities, the OnePlus 11 is undeniably a top-tier smartphone.

The Camera

The collaboration between OnePlus and Hasselblad has resulted in software improvements to the 50-megapixel main camera, 48MP wide-angle, and 32MP Portrait Tele camera. Sony IMX890 has been equipped with both optical and electronic image stabilization, while the wide-angle offers a 115-degree field of view. Additionally, the 13-channel Accu-spectrum Light Color Identifier sensor is utilized for precise color reproduction.

I have used a Hasselblad-tuned camera phone for the first time, and have noticed that my photos have more vibrant colors. I believe it is due to the combination of the Natural Color Calibration technology and the Accu-spectrum Light Color Sensor that Hasselblad has implemented. Recently, I have seen the even more advanced sensor, Spectricity’s S1 Color Spectral Image Sensor, in action. The colors look more natural, the white balance is more precise, and the photos are exposed better than what I have seen with the OnePlus 10 Pro.

When it comes to taking close-up photos, the OnePlus 11 is not the best option. There is an automatic macro mode which can be used, however, this strips any color and depth of field from the photo. If this mode is turned off, the OnePlus 11 may struggle to focus, resulting in an unclear image. Additionally, there is no dedicated telephoto camera, and while the 2x zoom is satisfactory, trying to increase it to the OnePlus 10 Pro’s 3.3x zoom will produce pixelated images.

The OnePlus 11 has a portrait-enhancing camera that has been refined by Hasselblad to imitate bokeh portraits from its XCD 30mm and 65mm camera lenses, yet it is not the same as a telephoto camera with a great zoom mode. Portraits taken with the camera are clear and vivid, but the edge recognition algorithm is not always accurate, so you cannot be sure of the results. It is still clearly an artificial effect and it cannot accurately reproduce a natural bokeh.

I am pleased with the uniformity between the primary and wide-angle camera, and I am looking forward to testing out the various Masters Mode filters supplied by Hasselblad. These filters do provide a unique feel to your pictures, and I find them more engaging and helpful than the Photographic Styles on the iPhone 14 Pro. Although, that may not be the opinion of everyone. The OnePlus 11 camera has a lot to offer, and I feel the Hasselblad collaboration is finally providing a camera that is worth using.

The Battery

A average amount of usage with the OnePlus 11’s 5,000mAh battery will give two full days of power, and even if you use it for gaming, music streaming, or video streaming for extended periods, it will almost reach the end of the second day before needing a recharge. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor is very energy efficient, as I was pleasantly surprised to find that an hour of browsing Chrome and using Twitter barely caused a dent in the battery, with it still at 100%.

Gaming with Asphalt 9: Legends for a half-hour drained 8% of the battery, while a 45-minute program on Disney+ at the highest brightness and resolution only took 4%. In comparison, streaming a Global Player radio station for an equivalent amount of time had only a small impact, with only a 3% reduction in power. The phone performed remarkably well, even with its heavy usage.

In order to take advantage of the fast charging times, you must enable the Smart Rapid Charging option in the Settings menu. In the U.S., the OnePlus charging kit comes with an 80W block that can get the battery to full capacity in 30 minutes. In the U.K., the 100W SuperVOOC system takes 25 minutes to do the same.

The OnePlus 11 does not come with wireless charging as a feature, which may be a disappointment for those expecting a phone of its caliber. Yet, the 31-minute full charge time makes its exclusion from the device less of a hassle in the long run. It is worth noting that despite its absence, the fast charging is more than enough to cover the majority of users’ day-to-day needs.

I have been thoroughly taken aback by the battery life of the OnePlus 11. For me, it can last two days with it being powered off overnight, and the speedy charging means no concern about the battery dropping to 10% during the day. If it does, it can be back up to 100% in just 25 minutes. This is a feature that has been game-changing for me, and I haven’t even felt the need for wireless charging or constantly thinking about charging the phone. It automatically charges when it needs, and doesn’t disturb my day. This is something you don’t get with a Pixel 7, Galaxy S23, or iPhone 14.

If you are looking for a phone with great battery life and quick charging time, the OnePlus 11 is the perfect choice for you. No need to schedule extra time to charge it.

The OnePlus 11 is a well-crafted and attractive phone. It produces attractive photos that have their own distinctive style, and which could be put to great use with the help of an expert editor. Moreover, its battery life is outstanding, and its fast-charging capability is sure to be a popular feature among users.

The OnePlus 11 has returned to its former glory, bringing back the beloved OxygenOS to a much better version than before. As expected, the phone even has an alert slider, a hallmark of the OnePlus brand. We can confidently say that this device is a great choice and we highly recommend it.