‘Speed’. OnePlus devices have become synonymous with our need for speed and buttery smooth performance. No nonsense devices that cut the clutter and focus on the stuff that we need for everyday performance. Whether you’re a gamer who needs to push your smartphone over the edge or a hardworking executive who needs exceptional battery performance well beyond standard working hours. We’ve almost come to expect these performance parameters with every OnePlus flagship. The OnePlus 11, the brand’s 2023 flagship is no exception; it’s a hardware powerhouse. But does it offer more than just lightning quick performance? Read on.

Unsurprisingly fast

Let’s get the performance question out of the way first. We always enjoy pushing OnePlus flagships really hard. Our Geekbench results validate the device’s hardware might. The OnePlus 11 scored an impressive 4695 in our Geekbench (Multi-core) test; it’s one of the best we’ve seen on any smartphone. At its heart is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset that we’ve also experienced on the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (stay tuned for our deep-dive). We tested the 16GB/256GB hardware variant. The OnePlus 11 is also available in an 8G/128GB option.

It’s not just scrolling, gaming and multi-tasking. Charging is ultra-quick too. There’s a 100W in-box Super VOOC charger that powers this device in about 25 minutes flat. Just what you need on a Manic Monday. Battery performance is a win. I didn’t reach out for the charger even on days when I used the phone extensively for videos, gaming and snapping images. You should comfortably manage a day with the 5000 mAh battery under the hood. There’s no wireless charging though. This might be a personal preference. I do not use wireless charging on any device and prefer the convenience of fast charging to ditching wires.

Hasselblad certified

The OnePlus 10 Pro was one of our favourite smartphones from 2022. It was the rear camera design that was one of the device’s distinct features. It’s the same for the OnePlus 11. We totally dig the placement of the rear cameras in a circular design with the Hasselblad logo emblazoned right in the centre. It also highlights OnePlus’ partnership with the Swedish brand that has improved the camera performance on OnePlus flagships over the last couple of years. This year’s rear cam includes a 50MP Primary lens, a 48MP ultra-wide lens and 32MP telephoto lens. In our extensive tests across lighting scenarios we found the OnePlus 11 outdid its predecessor even though it doesn’t wear a ‘Pro’ tag. The improvements were particularly significant with the ultra-wide lens. The device isn’t in the same league as the Pixel 7 Pro or Samsung’s Ultra series with zoom photography.

The best of OnePlus

We’ve enjoyed using OnePlus devices for its clutter free OS and design approach. The OnePlus 11 brings these elements to the fore. It comes with Android 13 out of the box, OnePlus sweetens the deal with four years of OS updates and 5 years of Security updates. The device also sports an immersive display, one of our favourite features of this phone. The 6.7-unch Fluid AMOLED Display (3216 x 1440 pixels / 525 PPI) is one of the boldest on any smartphone and is ultra-smooth with its 120Hz refresh rate. The variable refresh rate also optimises battery performance. The OnePlus 11 misses out on wireless charging and can’t be dunked into a pool. There’s no official IP rating but the device can withstand more than the occasional splash. But aside from these features that may not be critical for many users, the OnePlus 11 represents a significant leap over last year’s OnePlus 10 Pro. It’s easy to recommend for OnePlus diehards who haven’t upgraded for a couple of years and for anyone looking for an Android device with flagship performance under Rs 60,000.

The OnePlus 11 comes in Eternal Green and Titan Black. The 8GB/128 version costs Rs 56,999 while the 16GB/256GB is priced at Rs 61,999. There are multiple launch offers including a cashback on ICICI cards.