OnePlus 11R review: Good Phone, Better Price

I recently got my hands on both the vanilla OnePlus 11 and the new OnePlus 11R 5G, and I wanted to share my personal review with you. While I already posted my thoughts on the OnePlus 11, I'm excited to focus on the more budget-friendly OnePlus 11R 5G.

Let me tell you, this phone really impressed me. For its price point, it boasts some amazing specs. The 120Hz curved AMOLED display is huge and stunning, and the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset is powerful and speedy. The 50 MP main camera takes great shots, and the 5000mAh battery with 100W fast charging is solid and reliable. Overall, I think the OnePlus 11R 5G is definitely worth considering if you're looking for a quality phone that won't break the bank.

OnePlus 11R price in India

OnePlus 11R price in India starts from Rs 39999 for the base model and Rs 44999 for the top model.

OnePlus 11R comes in two colour options, which are Galactic Silver and Sonic Black.

Design

With my limited time with the new OnePlus 11 series, and I have to say, I'm loving the fresh design they've brought to the table. It looks just like the OnePlus 11, with a gorgeous glass back that has a sleek matte finish. Holding it in my hands, I definitely feel like I'm using a premium device.

The camera module on the back is definitely the standout feature. It's a shiny, circular unit that blends in seamlessly with the frame. I opted for the blue colour option, but the phone is also available in black, both of which have the same non-smudge finish on the back. And of course, I'm thrilled to see the return of the beloved alert slider.

The only downside is that the phone doesn't come with an IP rating, but overall, I think the OnePlus 11 series is a solid choice if you're looking for a phone with both style and substance.

Display

The OnePlus 11R boasts a stunning FHD+ curved Super AMOLED display, measuring at a sizable 6.74 inches. It's got a refresh rate of 120Hz and can reach up to 1,450 nits of peak brightness, making for a truly premium and immersive user experience.

I was especially impressed with how bright the display gets in outdoor settings, and had no trouble using it even in direct sunlight. The quality of the screen makes it perfect for enjoying all kinds of content - I even tested it out by watching some episodes of Ozark, and the dark scenes were especially impressive.

Overall, the display is really punchy and vibrant, and it definitely enhances the gaming experience on the OnePlus 11R. If you're looking for a phone with a top-notch display that can keep up with your multimedia needs, this one's definitely worth considering!

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the OnePlus 11R is powered by last year's flagship Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset, which is still more than capable of handling whatever tasks you throw at it. Paired with up to a massive 16GB of LPPDR5X RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 internal storage, this phone can easily keep up with even the most demanding user.

In day-to-day use, the phone runs smoothly and even intensive apps like Instagram and Snapchat open up quickly. I didn't experience any noticeable shutter or lag while navigating through the phone or switching between apps.

For gamers out there, the OnePlus 11R is definitely a capable choice. It handled graphic-intensive games like Apex Legends Mobile and Genshin Impact with ease, running smoothly on high settings.

The phone comes pre-installed with the OxygenOS 13 skin, which is based on the latest Android 13 operating system. While there are plenty of customization options and features to explore, I have to admit that I do miss the old OnePlus Oxygen OS here.

Overall, the OnePlus 11R has a lot of power and performance packed into a sleek and stylish design, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a high-performing smartphone.

Camera

The OnePlus 11R boasts a triple camera setup on the rear, including a 50MP OIS main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro sensor. On the front, there's a 16MP selfie camera.

In daylight conditions, the main camera captures impressive shots that are well-detailed and punchy, with a wide dynamic range. While the images may appear a bit saturated, they are still pleasing to the eye.

Portrait shots are also impressive, with good edge detection and a natural-looking blur effect. The ultra-wide shots are clear, but the colours may appear a bit faded when compared to those taken with the main camera.

The macro lens, however, only has a low resolution and takes average shots in good lighting conditions. Macro shots lack detail, and the quality deteriorates as light levels drop.

On the front, the 16MP camera takes sharp and vibrant selfies in daylight. Skin tones look natural and the images are crisp. Overall, the camera setup on the OnePlus 11R performs well, especially in daylight conditions.

Battery

The OnePlus 11R boasts a hefty 5000mAh battery which supports 100W fast charging. With regular use, the phone can last for over a day without needing a charge. I spent hours scrolling through Instagram, watching YouTube videos, and playing games to drain the battery. Even after all that, I still managed to get around 6-7 hours of screen-on time. For light users, the phone could even last up to two days without requiring a charge.

But when you do need to charge, the 100W charger is lightning-fast. It can fully charge the phone from 0 to 100 percent in just 26 minutes. Even a quick 10-minute charge can get the battery up to nearly 50 percent.

Verdict

In my opinion, OnePlus has truly outdone themselves with the 11R, a superb mid-range flagship smartphone. The design is not only elegant but the performance is top-notch, accompanied by an impressive display and a battery life that won't disappoint, thanks to the 100W fast charging.

I was thoroughly impressed by the main camera's capability in various settings. Of course, like all smartphones, it has its limitations, such as the lack of an IP rating and average secondary cameras.

But if these downsides don't bother you, then the OnePlus 11R is a great choice. It's an excellent value for money proposition and I would definitely recommend it to anyone in the market for a new phone.