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| OnePlus 11 5G |
OnePlus 11 5G, Introduction
However, this shift
didn't yield the desired results. As a result, OnePlus has returned to its
familiar formula with the OnePlus 11 5G, which features a large screen, a
top-tier chipset, and a competitive price that undercuts many flagship
competitors.
Overall, the OnePlus
11 5G is a successful device. It delivers fast and smooth performance, and its
price of $699 aligns well with its features.
OnePlus has also
addressed some of the shortcomings of its previous devices. The phone is
compatible with 5G networks from all major US carriers, a feat that OnePlus
struggled to achieve in the past.
Additionally, the
company promises four Android OS updates and five years of security updates,
matching the strong policy set by Samsung for its flagship phones.
However, the OnePlus
11 does have some drawbacks. It lacks wireless charging, which is commonly
found in phones in this price range. Instead, it offers the company's renowned
fast wired charging, reaching an impressive 80W in the US.
The camera system has
seen some improvements but still falls slightly behind the competition. The
device also carries an IP64 rating, which provides some protection but falls
short of the more robust IP68 water resistance offered by other phones in its
class.
While the OnePlus 11
represents a step forward for the company, it may not necessarily be the best
choice for everyone due to its limitations in terms of wireless charging,
camera performance, and water resistance.
Pros
High-end design
Fast charging
Strong primary camera
Cons
Macro photography
may be difficult.
Can throttle while
working
While the default setting
doesn't enable the maximum resolution of 1440p, users have the option to adjust
it accordingly.
The display is
exceptionally sharp, providing a visually appealing experience. Furthermore,
the screen's brightness is sufficiently high, allowing comfortable usage even
in bright daylight conditions.
Overall, the OnePlus
11's display leaves no room for complaints, delivering a visually pleasing and
responsive viewing experience.
This technology allows the display to reduce its refresh rate to as low as 1Hz when the always-on display is active. This optimization significantly contributes to the efficiency of the device's 5,000mAh battery.
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| OnePlus 11 5G |
In practical usage,
the battery performs admirably, easily lasting a full day with moderate use
that includes activities like photo-taking, video conferencing, and social
media browsing.
OnePlus, known for its
emphasis on fast charging, includes impressive wired charging capabilities with
the OnePlus 11.
In the US, the device
supports 80W charging, while international versions offer even faster 100W
charging. To achieve these speeds, it is necessary to use the provided charging
brick and cable, as other chargers, such as those from MacBook Pro, won't
deliver the maximum charging performance.
However, with
the correct equipment, the charging speeds are remarkable. While the OnePlus
10T charges a bit faster at 125W, the OnePlus 11's 80W charging is still
capable of fully charging the battery from zero to 100 percent in under 30
minutes.
This level of speed
renders overnight charging optional, as even from a 25 percent battery level,
you can quickly charge it to full before completing a household chore like
folding and putting away laundry.
This feature provides
peace of mind, particularly for individuals who tend to delay charging or
frequently travel and have limited time near a power outlet.
While fast wired
charging is undoubtedly advantageous, it is important to note that the OnePlus
11 lacks wireless charging—a feature commonly found in phones within this price
range.
Wireless
charging offers a convenience factor that appeals to a broader audience. Some
users might prefer the ability to share a Qi charging pad with other devices in
their life, even if it means sacrificing charging speed. Additionally, for
those who have already established a routine of overnight charging, fast
charging loses some of its allure.
OnePlus 115G Build and performance
In terms of raw
power, it rivals any modern Android phone but at a more affordable price point.
For comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, which uses a similar chipset,
includes 8GB of RAM in its $1,199 base model. The OnePlus 11 also offers double
the storage with 256GB compared to the Galaxy S23 Ultra's 128GB, making it an
appealing option for those seeking similar hardware at a lower cost.
The OnePlus 11performs exceptionally well, even when handling demanding tasks. It
effortlessly runs graphics-intensive games like Genshin Impact, delivering a
smooth experience comparable to phones costing around $1,000.
The phone doesn't
aggressively close apps in the background, and when they are put to sleep, they
reload quickly. While the review unit boasts 16GB of RAM, the 8GB version is
expected to deliver impressive performance given its price.
One standout feature
on OnePlus phones is the super-quick fingerprint scanner. In side-by-side
tests, it consistently outperforms the fingerprint scanner on the Samsung
Galaxy S23 Ultra, registering and accepting fingerprints faster.
This may seem like a small detail, but for users who unlock their phones numerous times throughout the day, the slight advantage adds up over time.
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| OnePlus 11 5G |
According to OnePlus
product manager Jonathan Yeung, the OnePlus 11 is designed for individuals who
want a device that stands out from the crowd.
The phone's design
accomplishes that goal, as some people have compared the prominent circular
camera bump to an eyeball, which isn't necessarily seen as a compliment.
While the appearance
is subjective, the OnePlus 11 features Gorilla Glass 5 on the back panel and
Victus on the front, giving it a premium feel and improved scratch resistance.
However, the glossy
back panel tends to attract fingerprints easily. The phone has an IP64 rating,
offering protection against dust and water spray, but it falls short of the
IP68 rating found in many competitors at a similar price point, which indicates
full submersion water resistance. The lack of complete water resistance is adrawback of the OnePlus 11.
The three-stage alert
slider, which was absent in the OnePlus 10T, makes a return and is a highly
appreciated feature.
It allows users to
easily switch between different volume settings, such as activating media
volume for watching videos and then muting all sounds with a simple flip. The
convenience of physical controls like the alert slider is a joy to experience.
Alongside the OnePlus
11, OnePlus is launching the OnePlus Buds Pro 2, a new pair of earbuds. Having
tested them alongside the phone, there are no complaints about their
performance.
The noise cancellation
feature effectively blocks out plane noise, making it possible to enjoy
podcasts even in noisy environments.
The only minor issue
encountered was the slightly slippery case, which made one-handed opening a bit
challenging.
Overall, the OnePlus
Buds Pro 2 serve as a great companion to the OnePlus 11.
Initially, OnePlus
phones only supported 5G on T-Mobile, as the carrier directly sold previous
OnePlus models.
However, gaining 5G
certification on the other two major carriers, AT&T and Verizon, has been
inconsistent. For instance, the OnePlus 10 Pro received 5G certification from
AT&T five months after its launch.
However, things have
changed with the OnePlus 11. This year, the OnePlus 11 will support 5G right
out of the box on all three major US carriers.
This is excellent
news, particularly with the increasing availability of better mid-band 5G
coverage on all three networks.
Unlike in previous
years, where 5G capabilities held less significance, the OnePlus 11 ensures
compatibility with these networks both presently and in the future as they
continue to enhance their 5G infrastructure.
It's a positive
development that addresses a longstanding concern for OnePlus users.
The OnePlus 11 comes
with OxygenOS 13, which bears similarities to OxygenOS 12 and leans towards
Oppo's ColorOS in terms of design.
This departure
from OnePlus' traditional minimalist aesthetic has not been well-received among
longtime OnePlus users. If you fall into that category, I have some unfortunate
news about OxygenOS 13.
However, I don't find
it too bothersome, and there are some minor tweaks in this year's update that I
appreciate.
In OxygenOS 12,
swiping down from the top right of the screen would activate the Shelf, a
customizable page with widgets and quick information like weather.
This gesture
sometimes caused issues for users trying to access the notification shade since
nearly every other Android phone reserves that gesture for pulling down
notifications.
In OxygenOS 13,
swiping from either side of the top of the screen brings up the notification
shade, aligning with standard Android behavior.
The Shelf feature is
still available, accessed by swiping down from the middle of the home screen,
and it now loads much faster.
Although OnePlus has
come a long way from its origins, I still prefer the Oppo-influenced OxygenOS
over Samsung's One UI.
It doesn't come
bundled with duplicate app stores, virtual wallets, or cluttered assistants.
OxygenOS remains true to the Android experience, albeit with a touch of Oppo's
influence. It could be worse.
Additionally, OnePlus
has improved its software support policy, promising four Android OS updates and
five years of security updates. This is a significant upgrade that matches
Samsung's flagship devices and even provides one additional OS upgrade compared
to Google's Pixel phones.
Considering the
long-term return on investment in terms of software support, the OnePlus 11's
competitive price becomes even more appealing.
Overall, the OnePlus
11's compatibility with all major US carriers' 5G networks, along with its
software support and OxygenOS tweaks, make it a compelling choice for
consumers.
- Main camera: 50 megapixels f/1.8 with optical image
stabilization (OIS)
- Telephoto: 32 megapixels f/2.0 (without OIS)
- Ultrawide: 48 megapixels f/2.2
- Selfie: 16 megapixels f/2.45 with fixed focus
Additionally, there is
a spectral imaging sensor located next to the flash. This sensor can detect 13
color channels, compared to the typical six to eight channels of a regular image
sensor. Its purpose is to improve white balance accuracy, although its
effectiveness is hard to determine.
Some side-by-side comparisons with the OnePlus 10 Pro show the OnePlus 11 making better choices in challenging lighting conditions. However, covering or uncovering the spectral sensor doesn't seem to make a noticeable difference in photos.
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| OnePlus 11 5G |
One significant
improvement in image quality is attributed to the revamped color calibration.
Colors and contrast captured by the main camera appear much better compared to
the OnePlus 10 Pro, which tended to overly brighten indoor images.
The OnePlus 11
produces vivid colors without appearing overly saturated, particularly in
bright and contrasting lighting conditions.
However, at
times, it can be a bit aggressive with HDR, although this is a common issue
among many phone manufacturers.
The OnePlus 11's
ultrawide camera continues to perform well, retaining detail and exhibiting low
noise even in low-light environments.
On the other
hand, the 2x telephoto camera presents some challenges. White balance tends to
vary significantly when switching between the main and telephoto cameras,
especially indoors.
In such instances,
images from the telephoto camera may appear softer and brighter, which may not
be preferable.
OnePlus claims that
this year's portrait mode is designed to emulate specific Hasselblad lenses. In
good lighting conditions, portraits exhibit better background blur with a more
gradual falloff, avoiding the "cardboard cutout" effect.
However, due to the
small sensor size of the telephoto camera, it struggles to maintain a high
enough shutter speed indoors, resulting in slightly blurry images, even when
the subject is relatively still.
Other manufacturers
are opting to use a crop from the high-resolution main sensor for telephoto
portraits, and it's worth considering if OnePlus would benefit from adopting
this approach.
The OnePlus 11 can
shoot video in up to 8K at 24p, although the practicality of viewing 8K video
remains limited for most users.
The phone also offers
4K and 1080p options at 30p and 60p. Video quality is satisfactory, and there's
an AI Highlight setting available for the main camera, which enhances detail in
low-light and high-contrast scenes.
However, some may find
that enabling this setting indoors results in videos appearing overly bright
and saturated.
Overall, the OnePlus
11 represents a significant leap forward for the company, addressing previous
weaknesses and offering notable improvements.
It matches
Samsung's strong software support policy, provides five years of security
updates, and offers compatibility with all major US carriers' 5G networks right
out of the box.
The phone delivers
excellent performance, boasts a top-notch display, and features impressive fast
charging capabilities.
However, there are
still a few drawbacks to consider, such as the lower water resistance rating,
lack of wireless charging, and some image quality issues.
While the OnePlus 11's
price is more reasonable compared to other flagship devices, $699 is still a
considerable amount, especially considering that the phone is not available
through any major carriers in the US.
This limits its
potential audience significantly. As for loyal OnePlus users, it's uncertain
how many have remained on board for the journey to the OnePlus 11.
Those who have stayed
and don't mind the software experience influenced by Oppo will find a fantastic
deal on this device. However, likely, many others have already moved on to
other options.
There might be a case
for considering the OnePlus 11 if you specifically desire a device with a
large, high-quality screen and prefer to pay a bit less than what Samsung
charges for their flagship phones. Alternatively, you might be the type of
person OnePlus is targeting — someone seeking a "something different"
phone. It's reassuring to have a viable alternative to Samsung and Google with
the OnePlus 11. However, despite our affinity for underdogs, most individuals
would probably find what they need from those established brands and should
look no further.
