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Making The Decision: Is The OnePlus 11 5G Your Perfect Match?

The OnePlus 11 5G, launched at the start of 2023, marks the company's first true flagship smartphone of the year. It brings a range of exciting features, including a sleek and updated design, a high-powered processor, and rapid charging capabilities, all contributing to its deserving status as a flagship device.

Simultaneously, the OnePlus 11 does not represent a big shift from last year's very outstanding OnePlus 10 Pro. Its architecture stays mostly unchanged, and the massive boost of power, possibly needless, makes little effect. Even the new camera setup, while commendable, does not represent a significant advancement.

The OnePlus 11 5G stands out as a swift and efficient performer, aligning well with its range of features. Furthermore, the company has addressed certain deficiencies observed in previous devices. Additionally, OnePlus commits to delivering four Android OS updates and five years of security updates, a policy on par with Samsung's for flagship phones, which is widely regarded as one of the most durable among Android OEMs.

Featuring a generous 6.7-inch LTPO OLED screen with a variable refresh rate ranging from 1 to 120Hz and a 1440p resolution (although the highest resolution is not the default setting but rather an optional choice), it offers outstanding sharpness. The display is characterized by its smooth visuals, responsive touch, and ample brightness, making it easily usable even in bright daylight conditions. There are no issues or concerns with this aspect.

However, the OnePlus 11 falls short of being a complete success. It lacks wireless charging, a feature commonly found in smartphones of its price range. In its place, it offers the company's trademark fast wired charging, delivering a blazing 65W. While the camera system has seen some enhancements, it still doesn't quite measure up to the competition. The IP64 rating, while better than nothing, doesn't match the strong IP68 water resistance found in other devices of this caliber.

In sum, the OnePlus 11 represents a step forward for the company, but it may not be the top choice for everyone.

OnePlus 11 5G Software And Hardware Specifications

In Pakistan, the OnePlus 11 5G is available in two colors: Titan Black and Emerald Forest. Both colors are sleek and attractive, and they nicely match the phone's clean design. The Titan Black color is a timeless and subtle option, whilst the Emerald Forest color is more daring and eye-catching. 

The OnePlus 11 5G delivers top-notch specifications, aligning with the expectations for an Android flagship device. It features the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, offering powerful performance. While the SoC is not customized specifically for the phone, OnePlus has incorporated a larger vapor cooling system to enhance heat dissipation and sustain performance. Additionally, the phone supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, compatibility with 13 5G bands, and includes the standard array of sensors and satellite navigation systems. Furthermore, it houses a substantial 5,000mAh battery, stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, an optical in-display fingerprint sensor, and NFC capabilities.

Regarding its water and dust resistance, the OnePlus 11 5G follows a similar pattern to its predecessor, the OnePlus 10 Pro 5G. While it does not hold an official IP rating, OnePlus assures that it offers IP64-equivalent ingress protection. However, this signifies a downgrade from the previous IP68 rating, meaning the phone should be handled with more care, as it's no longer suitable for submersion in water.

The OnePlus 11 5G operates on OxygenOS 13, which is based on Android 13. Notably, the user interface has evolved to resemble Oppo's ColorOS, which could be viewed positively or negatively based on personal preferences. It retains the familiar features of OxygenOS and introduces new ones like RAM-Vita, designed to optimize RAM allocation for active apps that require it most. Furthermore, the OnePlus 11 5G is committed to receiving four years of Android updates and five years of security updates.

Display Advancements And Features

The OnePlus 11 5G's design closely resembles that of the OnePlus 10 Pro 5G from the previous year, and this continuity isn't a drawback. The most noticeable change is the shift from a square to a circular rear camera module. Additionally, beneath the camera module's glass, there's a new texture that becomes visible from specific angles. The Hasselblad logo has been repositioned horizontally, now positioned between the four camera lenses rather than to one side.

The phone's overall dimensions, build quality, and in-hand feel remain quite similar to those of the 10 Pro 5G. While the OnePlus 11 5G is marginally slimmer at 8.53mm, it has gained a bit of weight at 205g. The curved sides of the aluminum frame contribute to its comfort when holding the phone, but its smooth back panel, made of Corning Gorilla Glass 5, can make it slippery when held in one hand. 

As for the display of the OnePlus 11 5G, it now offers Dolby Vision HDR playback support, but it remains otherwise very much in line with the OnePlus 10 Pro. Featuring a 6.7-inch QHD+ AMOLED panel with a variable refresh rate ranging up to 120Hz (capable of dropping to 1Hz), it is shielded by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. It's worth noting that the phone comes with a pre-applied scratch guard, a feature that may be bothersome to some users. The display and back panel maintain the curved edges seen in previous models, contributing to a premium aesthetic.

Performance Excellence Of The OnePlus 11 5G With Impressive Battery Life

The OnePlus 11 5G showcases impressive performance suitable for everyday use and proves capable of handling demanding tasks, including gaming. Over the past few weeks of usage, the phone has consistently delivered exceptional performance, remaining free of overheating or interface lag. Notably, the fingerprint sensor is both swift and accurate, 5G connectivity functions seamlessly, and the display's brightness remains sufficient, even under bright daylight conditions.

The stereo speakers on the OnePlus 11 5G offer sturdy audio output, reaching high volumes and delivering good sound quality. While there's a slight imbalance in stereo separation, with the main speaker being slightly louder than the earpiece, this is a common occurrence. The phone handles graphics-intensive games like Call of Duty Mobile smoothly, even at the highest graphics and frame rate settings. During gaming, the back of the device may become slightly warm. Moreover, viewing HDR videos on the device provides a satisfying experience.

The OnePlus 11 5G offers an option to automatically adjust the display resolution between full-HD and QHD+ depending on the app or content. When combined with the display's ability to lower its refresh rate to 1Hz when not in active use, such as for the Always-on display, it leads to impressive battery life. Even during extended gaming and camera usage, the phone easily lasts a full day on a single charge.

OnePlus 11 5G Camera Innovations

OnePlus has made significant changes to the camera setup of the OnePlus 11 5G. The primary camera now utilizes a slightly smaller Sony IMX890 sensor but features higher resolution at 50 megapixels. While the focal length has increased by 1mm, the aperture remains at f/1.8. The ultra-wide camera sees substantial improvements, having a 48-megapixel Sony IMX581 sensor with a narrower field of view but now supporting autofocus, enabling macro mode. The third rear camera is a 32-megapixel Sony IMX709 sensor with 2X optical zoom and a wider f/2.0 aperture. Surprisingly, despite the resolution increase, the maximum zoom level is limited to 20X, a decrease from the OnePlus 10 Pro 5G's 30X capability with an 8-megapixel telephoto camera. For selfies, OnePlus has reverted to its previous 16-megapixel Sony IMX471 sensor, which represents a downgrade from the OnePlus 10 Pro 5G's front camera.

The OnePlus 11 5G's photos are subject to Hasselblad's "natural" color treatment, but the camera app offers an "AI scene enhancement" toggle that can artificially boost colors in scenes and objects. Special filters in Photo and Portrait modes were co-developed by Hasselblad brand ambassadors, and the app supports capturing 10-bit color photos for professional workflows.

Images captured with the main camera in daylight display vivid yet not oversaturated colors, effective HDR processing, and reliable autofocus. Distant objects in landscape shots show slightly improved detail compared to the OnePlus 10 Pro 5G. Close-up shots maintain sharpness and present a smooth background blur. In low-light conditions, the OnePlus 11 5G takes automatic long-exposure shots that maintain detail with minimal noise.

The ultra-wide camera delivers clearer and more vibrant colors and textures, even in low light. The camera app automatically switches to the ultra-wide camera for macro shots when close to an object, although this feature can be disabled. Macro shots look good, although occasional focusing issues and a looser focusing distance compared to the iPhone 13 Pro were noted. The telephoto camera also shows slight improvements, offering better details, textures, and color representation at all magnification levels. In low light, the camera app typically resorts to digital zoom through the main camera unless there's ample lighting. Night mode remains effective even at 2X magnification.

The selfie camera delivers usable results in both daytime and low-light conditions, as long as excessive cropping isn't applied. Various filters and skin retouching tools are available for users who desire additional enhancements. However, selfies taken with the OnePlus 11 5G tend to show paler skin tones and weaker textures.

The OnePlus 11 5G is capable of recording video at up to 8K 24fps. It's important to note that all magnification levels, except for 1080p 30fps, are achieved digitally through the main camera rather than the telephoto lens. The video stabilization is effective, delivering detailed footage in daylight conditions. Low-light videos are decent but may put forward  some noise, and recording while moving can introduce slight jitter in the footage. The "AI Highlight" video feature works at 4K, but it limits zoom functionality during recording. While it may not have a significant impact during the day, it assists in brightening videos taken in extremely low-light situations, although with added noise.

Considering The OnePlus 11 5G?

If you're in search of a high-performance smartphone to handle gaming, video streaming, and all your daily needs, the OnePlus 11 is a strong contender. It offers the resilient capabilities necessary for tasks in the Google Play store, delivers an appealing design, and ensures that battery life isn't a concern with its rapid charging feature. Additionally, the extended five years of security support is a valuable extra benefit.

While it may not possess the most outstanding camera system available, it's more than capable of capturing memorable moments during your precious events, which you'll be eager to share with a wider audience.

What truly sets the OnePlus 11 apart is its price; it ranks among the most affordable flagship options on the market. It even undercuts competitors like the Pixel 7 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S23. If your primary focus isn't on photography, but you do seek exceptional performance for on-the-go gaming, the OnePlus 11 definitely deserves your attention.

Have a glance at some additional features that make it a stand-out smartphone:

In-display fingerprint sensor for fast and secure unlocking.

NFC support for contactless payments and other features.

5G connectivity for superfast mobile data speeds.

OxygenOS 13, which is a clean and fast version of Android with a number of useful features, such as a dark mode, a one-handed mode, and a customizable gaming mode.

Zen Mode, which is a digital detox feature that locks you out of your phone for a set period of time.

OnePlus Switch, which is an app that makes it easy to transfer data from your old phone to your new OnePlus phone.

Pricing And Availability

The pricing and availability of the OnePlus 11 5G in Pakistan can vary based on the retailer. Nonetheless, here are some approximate price ranges:

6GB RAM + 128GB storage: Rs. 127,999

8GB RAM + 128GB storage: Rs. 137,999

12GB RAM + 256GB storage: Rs. 147,999

16GB RAM + 512GB storage: Rs. 240,000

The OnePlus 11 5G is accessible through various retail channels in Pakistan, including OnePlus authorized dealers, online retailers, and mobile phone stores.

It's essential to keep in mind that the OnePlus 11 5G is a relatively new release, so pricing can fluctuate due to demand. Comparing prices from multiple retailers is advisable before making a purchase.