Nowadays, if you are not interested in purchasing a top-notch smartphone from Google or Samsung, and you do not want to deal with Apple’s enclosed ecosystem, then your best option would probably be OnePlus.
Despite starting as a startup, OnePlus has expanded and gained popularity among Android enthusiasts, eventually reaching carrier stores such as T-Mobile.
With a new year, comes a new smartphone release, and OnePlus has already launched its flagship device for 2023. The OnePlus 11 5G builds upon the success of last year’s OnePlus 10 Pro and OnePlus 10T, featuring a refreshed design, an entirely new processor, and some new exciting features. Below are some of the things we know so far about the OnePlus 11. However, if you want a more comprehensive overview, make sure to read our OnePlus 11 review.
OnePlus 11 Design and Specifications
OnePlus’s naming conventions for their smartphone models can be perplexing. Take, for instance, the N200 and N20 5G, which were both sold simultaneously in the Nord series. Additionally, the N300 was the successor to the N200. Even the flagship models were affected by this naming pattern.
The OnePlus 10 Pro was released without a standard model, while the OnePlus 10T was initially planned as a mid-range device.
In summary, OnePlus’s device plans can be unclear. In early 2023, they will release only one flagship phone: the OnePlus 11 5G. As for other OnePlus devices that may come later in the year, and whether or not there will be a “Pro” model follow-up, we do not yet know. However, we do know that there will not be a OnePlus 11 Pro, as confirmed by the president of OnePlus China in response to questions on Weibo, a social network.
Despite the lack of a suffix, the OnePlus 11 5G still boasts high-end specs and more power than its predecessor in the T-series. While the naming scheme may be confusing, it could prove beneficial for the company in the long run if they stick to it.
Last year, OnePlus employed a similar design for both the 10 Pro and 10T, with a stovetop-like camera layout on the back. However, this year, the company intends to mix things up by replacing the squared-off camera bump with a rounded module bordered by a ring. It’s an intriguing appearance, but it’s bound to be polarizing.
The camera lens grid and flash are still present, though, connecting the design between generations.
The company released official renders more than a month prior to its worldwide launch, revealing everything we needed to see. These pictures emphasize how the metal frame bleeds into the back of the phone, reminiscent of recent Google and Samsung phones, as well as the OnePlus 10 Pro. However, with such a significant gap between the device’s edge and its camera module, it may appear too extreme for some buyers.
The official renders exhibit the two primary colors for the OnePlus 11: matte black, which has the smooth sandstone finish the brand is famous for, and glossy green.
In this particular image, it’s hard to discern the green shade appears almost frosted – but the final version is reflective, which implies it’s considerably more slippery and is susceptible to fingerprints.
| SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| Display | 6.7″ 1440p OLED, 120Hz |
| RAM | 8GB, 16GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB |
| Battery | 5,000mAh |
| Operating System | Oxygen OS 13, Android 13 |
| Rear cameras | 50MP f/1.8 primary, 48MP f/2.2 ultrawide (115˚), 32MP f/2.0 telephoto with 2x optical zoom |
| Front camera | 16MP f/2.4 |
| Colors | Titan Black, Emerald Green |
| Charging | 80W (US), 100W (international) |
| IP rating | IP64 |
| Price | From $700 |
The upcoming OnePlus 11 has undergone some design changes compared to its predecessor. Instead of the square camera bump, the new phone features a rounded module with a ringed border.
The camera layout has stayed the same, though. The phone comes in two colors: matte black with a sandstone finish and glossy green, which attracts fingerprints easily.
The OnePlus 11 boasts a 6.7″ QHD+ AMOLED display, making it ideal for gaming and streaming. It also comes with 8GB or 16GB of RAM and a base storage of 128GB, ensuring that it’s a future-proof device. There’s also a 512GB version in China, but it’s unclear whether it will be available in other markets.
OnePlus fans will be pleased to know that the alert slider is back in the OnePlus 11. Despite the lack of “Pro” in its name, the phone is poised to be one of the most powerful flagships of 2023, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. OnePlus confirmed that the phone would feature this chipset, which builds on the success of Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1.
A limited edition version of the OnePlus 11 may also be released, with rumors suggesting a ceramic edition of the device. The phone comes with a 5,000mAh battery, 100W fast-charging, Wi-Fi 7, and UFS 4.0 storage capable of reaching read and write speeds as fast as 4,200MB/s and 2,800MB/s, respectively.
These features make it an excellent phone for recording high-quality 4K videos. It’s refreshing to see the company release new versions of its latest smartphone in 2023, rather than just releasing another hardware iteration.
OnePlus 11 Camera & Feature
OnePlus has been improving its photography capabilities over the years, although it has never been the company’s strong suit.
However, with a partnership with Hasselblad, OnePlus has been able to provide a unique color tuning for its smartphones that sets them apart from other modern devices.
This branding was absent from the OnePlus 10T, but it has made a comeback for the 2023 OnePlus 11, with the Hasselblad logo prominently displayed in the middle of the phone’s lens grid.
The upcoming OnePlus 11 is expected to feature a 50MP Sony IMX890 primary sensor along with a 48MP ultra-wide lens and a 32MP telephoto lens capable of 2x zoom.
While the optical zoom might seem weaker compared to Samsung and Google devices, the OnePlus 11 might utilize software features to improve its performance. However, the success of the phone’s camera system will heavily depend on its software, as last year’s OnePlus 10 Pro was inconsistent in capturing shots.
With the company’s partnership with Hasselblad, the OnePlus 11 is expected to have unique color tuning among modern smartphones. The Hasselblad branding will be back for the OnePlus 11, appearing in the middle of the lens grid.
OnePlus 11 Software & Android version
The update process for OnePlus smartphones has sometimes been slow, but this year the Android 13 update has gone smoothly.
All recent flagships, from the OnePlus 10T to the OnePlus 8 series, are now running the latest version of Android. Although we can’t be certain if this pace will continue indefinitely, we do know that the OnePlus 11 ships with OxygenOS 13 based on Android 13 straight out of the box. It’s also receiving security patches, which bodes well for its stability.
Additionally, the OnePlus 11 comes with a new update schedule that ensures it will receive four major OS upgrades and five years of security patch support, making it the first device from the brand to offer this level of support.
This means that owners of the OnePlus 11 can expect to receive updates up to Android 17 in 2028, starting with Android 14 later this year. This new level of support is a significant improvement for OnePlus and shows the company’s commitment to keeping its devices up to date for an extended period.
OnePlus 11 Release Date & Price in 2023
OnePlus phones are no longer priced as flagship killers, with the Nord series taking over as the budget option. The company now prices its phones similarly to its competitors. For example, the 10 Pro was priced at $900, while the 10T, which had downgraded specs, was priced at a more reasonable $650.
The OnePlus brand has deviated from its former flagship-killer pricing model, with the Nord series taking over as the more budget-friendly option in carrier stores. Generally, OnePlus now prices its phones similarly to the competition, with the 10 Pro starting at $900 and the 10T starting at $650, reflecting its downgraded specs.
However, the OnePlus 11 surprised us with a lower cost, more in line with the 10T than the 10 Pro, with a starting price of just $700. This is only $50 more than its predecessor, despite having a much more impressive specs sheet.
Even the top-tier version with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage costs just $800, whereas the equivalent Samsung Galaxy S23 comes with 12GB of RAM for the same price.
Following a global reveal on February 7th, 2023, and a China-only reveal in January of the same year, the phone went on sale in the US on February 16th. Currently, it is only available through Amazon, Best Buy, and the company’s website. At launch, no carriers will sell the OnePlus 11.
For T-Mobile customers looking to upgrade, alternative shopping options will be necessary. Although OnePlus phones can see considerable discounts, even during the first year of their release, we have a selection of the best OnePlus 11 deals for those eager to purchase.
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