OnePlus 11

OnePlus 11 Review: A Return to Form with a Focus on Value

I've spent the past few weeks thoroughly testing the OnePlus 11, and I have to say, it feels like a significant return to form for the company. At a starting price of around $700, it squarely targets the upper-midrange market, and after putting it through its paces, I have some strong opinions about who should, and perhaps shouldn't, consider this device.

My testing involved daily use as my primary phone, including heavy social media consumption, numerous phone calls, extensive photography in various lighting conditions, and indulging in some pretty demanding mobile gaming. I also paid close attention to battery life under different workloads and the overall software experience.

My initial impressions were positive. The phone feels premium, the display is vibrant, and the performance is undeniably snappy. However, as with any piece of tech, the devil is in the details, and the OnePlus 11 has both its strengths and a few areas where compromises were made.

Market Context: Finding Its Place

The OnePlus 11 arrives at an interesting time. The premium smartphone market is dominated by giants like Samsung and Apple, and OnePlus has been navigating its identity within this landscape. This phone feels like a conscious effort to deliver flagship-level performance and key features without breaking the bank. It’s a strategic move that positions OnePlus as a strong contender for users who want a high-end experience without the absolute top-tier price tag.

From my perspective, OnePlus is smart to focus on value. While the "flagship killer" moniker might be a thing of the past, the ethos of delivering excellent specs for the price certainly feels present here. The price point feels competitive, especially when you look at the internal components and the overall feature set. It undercuts many comparable devices from Samsung and Google, making it an attractive proposition for the discerning buyer.

Design & Hardware: Refined and Solid

Picking up the OnePlus 11, the immediate impression is one of quality. My review unit is the Titan Black, and while it might not be the most adventurous color, it exudes a subtle elegance. The weight, at 205 grams, feels substantial and premium, and the 8.5mm thickness provides a comfortable grip. It doesn't feel cheap or flimsy in the hand.

The rear camera module is a distinctive circular design that, while potentially polarizing, has grown on me. It's certainly a statement piece. The materials feel high-quality, with a smooth glass back that, while a fingerprint magnet, contributes to the overall premium feel. I appreciate the inclusion of the alert slider, a signature OnePlus feature that remains incredibly useful for quickly switching between silent, vibrate, and ring modes.

While I haven't intentionally subjected it to rigorous drop tests (and I wouldn't recommend you do either!), the Gorilla Glass Victus protection on the display offers a degree of reassurance against everyday scratches. However, I do always recommend a good case for any phone investment.

Display: A Visual Delight

The 6.7-inch QHD+ (3216 x 1440) AMOLED display on the OnePlus 11 is undoubtedly one of its standout features. In my experience, the colors are vibrant and punchy without being oversaturated, and the blacks are inky deep, thanks to the OLED technology. The 120Hz refresh rate, with its LTPO 3.0 implementation, makes scrolling and animations incredibly smooth, enhancing the overall user experience.

The brightness levels are excellent. I’ve used the phone extensively outdoors in bright sunlight, and visibility has never been an issue. The panel can reach up to 1300 nits peak brightness, ensuring content remains legible even under harsh conditions. Media consumption is a joy on this display. Videos and movies look fantastic, with excellent detail and dynamic range. Gaming is also a visual treat, with smooth frame rates and vibrant colors adding to the immersion. Even for daily tasks like browsing and reading, the clarity and smoothness of the display make a noticeable difference.

Performance: Powerhouse Performance

Under the hood, the OnePlus 11 packs the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, and in my testing, it lives up to the hype. This is a powerhouse processor that handles everything I've thrown at it with ease. Navigating the interface is fluid and responsive, apps launch quickly, and multitasking is a breeze. I've seamlessly switched between numerous apps, including demanding games and productivity tools, without experiencing any lag or stuttering.

Gaming sessions on the OnePlus 11 have been exceptional. I've played graphically intensive titles like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty: Mobile at their highest settings with consistently smooth frame rates. The phone handles sustained gaming sessions without becoming excessively hot, although some warmth is noticeable. The thermal management seems to be well-optimized.

I haven’t encountered any significant performance quirks during my time with the device. It simply performs consistently well across the board, making it a truly enjoyable phone to use.

Camera System: A Step Up

The camera system on the OnePlus 11 is a significant improvement over its predecessors and offers a versatile shooting experience. The triple-camera setup, co-developed with Hasselblad, includes a 50MP main sensor (Sony IMX890), a 48MP ultrawide sensor (Sony IMX581), and a 32MP telephoto lens (Sony IMX709).

My actual photo-taking experience has been largely positive. The 50MP main sensor captures images with excellent detail, good dynamic range, and natural-looking colors. I've been particularly impressed with the low-light performance. Images taken in dimly lit environments retain detail and clarity, with noise being well-controlled. I vividly remember taking some shots of cityscapes at night, and the phone managed to capture the ambiance without turning everything into a blurry mess.

The ultrawide lens is useful for capturing expansive landscapes or group shots, although there's a slight drop in detail compared to the main sensor. The telephoto lens offers a 2x optical zoom, which is great for getting closer to subjects without significant loss of quality. While it doesn't have the extreme zoom capabilities of some competitors, it's a practical focal length for everyday use.

Video recording is also impressive, with the phone capable of capturing crisp 4K footage at 60fps with excellent stabilization. I've used it for recording casual videos, and the results have been smooth and detailed. Compared to other phones in this price range, the OnePlus 11 holds its own and, in some areas like low-light photography, even surpasses expectations. It's a camera system I feel confident relying on for capturing important moments.

Battery & Charging: Endurance and Speed

Battery life is a crucial factor for any smartphone, and the OnePlus 11 doesn't disappoint. The 5000mAh battery consistently gets me through a full day of moderate to heavy use. In my testing, even with extended periods of gaming, video streaming, and social media browsing, I've rarely had to worry about running out of juice before the end of the day.

The 100W SuperVOOC fast charging is a game-changer. In my tests, I’ve been able to charge the phone from near-empty to full in around 25-30 minutes. This is incredibly convenient and eliminates the need for overnight charging in many cases. A quick top-up during a coffee break can provide a significant amount of battery life. While it lacks wireless charging, which some might miss, the sheer speed of the wired charging more than compensates for this omission in my opinion. The power management also seems effective, with the phone sipping battery efficiently when idle.

Software: Clean and Functional

The OnePlus 11 runs on OxygenOS 13 (based on Android 13), and my daily usage experience has been smooth and intuitive. The interface is clean and uncluttered, with a focus on performance and customization. OnePlus has dialed back some of the more aggressive customizations of previous versions, resulting in a more refined and closer-to-stock Android feel, which I appreciate.

The included features are generally useful and don't feel like unnecessary bloat. The overall experience is fast and responsive, mirroring the excellent hardware performance. OnePlus has also committed to a solid update policy, promising four major Android updates and five years of security updates, which is a significant plus for long-term ownership.

Value Analysis: Hitting the Sweet Spot

Analyzing the OnePlus 11 from a value perspective, it's clear that OnePlus is aiming for the sweet spot between premium features and a reasonable price. For the asking price, you get flagship-level performance, a stunning display, a capable camera system, and incredibly fast charging.

I believe this phone is ideally suited for users who prioritize performance and a smooth user experience without wanting to spend the exorbitant prices of the absolute top-tier flagships. Gamers, media consumers, and those who appreciate a clean and fast software experience will find a lot to love here.

However, if wireless charging is a must-have feature for you, or if you need the absolute best-in-class camera system with extensive zoom capabilities, then you might need to look elsewhere, likely at more expensive options. The lack of an official IP rating for water and dust resistance (though some tests suggest it has some level of protection) might also be a concern for some.

Compared to competitors in this price range, the OnePlus 11 offers a compelling package. It often outperforms devices from other manufacturers in terms of raw processing power and charging speed, making it a strong contender.

Conclusion: A Worthy Contender

Overall, the OnePlus 11 is a fantastic phone that delivers on its promise of providing a near-flagship experience at a more accessible price. My personal recommendation is a definite yes, especially for those who value performance, a great display, and fast charging. It's a well-rounded device that gets the important things right.

If you're looking for a powerful and enjoyable smartphone experience without breaking the bank, the OnePlus 11 should be high on your list. It's a testament to OnePlus's ability to deliver exceptional value in a competitive market, and it's a phone I’ve genuinely enjoyed using.