Are you in the market for a new smartphone? Look no further than the OnePlus 11R 5G, the latest “value flagship” from the beloved phone brand. This device is quickly gaining attention, perhaps even overshadowing the flagship OnePlus 11 5G, which was announced simultaneously.
What sets the 11R 5G apart is, commitment to the OnePlus philosophy of offering premium features at a disruptive price. This is a refreshing change of pace from what we’ve seen in the smartphone industry lately. 11R 5G is a major upgrade from last year’s 10R 5G and doesn’t sacrifice many features to achieve its price.
So, what exactly does the OnePlus 11R 5G have to offer? It boasts a flagship-grade processor and the same primary camera found in the OnePlus 11 5G. Plus, with very quick charging capabilities, this phone delivers an impressive combination of features starting at just Rs. 39,999 in India. Few other phones on the market can match this value.
Of course, specs on paper only tell part of the story. The real question is, does the OnePlus 11R 5G live up to the hype? Stay tuned for a hands-on review to find out!
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OnePlus 11R 5G price in India
If you’re considering purchasing the OnePlus 11R 5G, two variants are available. The base model comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, while the higher-end variant offers 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage at a price of Rs. 44,999 in India.
For most users, the base model should provide ample storage and speed. However, if you require more storage the upgraded model is still reasonably priced. It’s worth noting that this year, we’re seeing a trend among phone manufacturers to skip the 12GB RAM option and instead offer a 16GB RAM option.
For our review, OnePlus provided us with the top-of-the-line variant of Sonic Black. This variant is also available in Galactic Silver, giving users a choice of color options. Buy here by Amazon:
OnePlus 11R 5G design
The OnePlus 11R 5G closely resembles the more expensive OnePlus 11 5G in design, with only a few subtle differences such as the lack of a Hasselblad logo on the rear camera module and no visible antenna bands on the frame. The centrally placed selfie camera is also a distinguishing feature. Despite these differences, both phones share similar dimensions, weight, and curved-edge display designs. The 11R 5G also features the signature OnePlus ‘Alert slider’ and a first-ever infrared (IR) emitter, which allows users to control home electronics with the IR Remote app. The black variant of the 11R 5G has a matte texture on the glass back that resists fingerprints but offers minimal grip.
The 11R 5G boasts a 6.74-inch curved-edge display that’s slightly narrower at the top and bottom compared to the 11 5G. The in-display fingerprint sensor is positioned lower on the screen, which may be slightly inconvenient. The AMOLED panel has a 1.5K resolution (2772 x 1240 pixels) and a 120Hz peak refresh rate. It supports HDR video playback (excluding Dolby Vision) and uses Dragontrail glass for scratch protection. The back glass is made of Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
OnePlus 11R 5G specifications and software
OnePlus 11R 5G features a powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6, NFC, and multiple satellite navigation systems. It supports nine 5G bands in India, has stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos enhancement, a 5,000mAh battery, and 100W fast wired charging. It lacks wireless charging and an official IP rating but has basic water and dust seals.
The OnePlus 11R 5G runs OxygenOS 13 based on Android 13, with customization options, gestures, and Zen Mode. It has minimal bloatware, but a redundant Internet browser app cannot be uninstalled. The phone is promised three years of Android and four years of security updates.
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OnePlus 11R 5G performance
The OnePlus 11R 5G’s performance is impressive with fast authentication for the fingerprint and reliable face recognition. The interface and animations are smooth with no noticeable lag. The software is packed with features, but there are no unwanted notifications.
11R 5G’s display has an adaptive refresh rate of 40Hz-120Hz based on content. The interface runs at 120Hz and drops to 60Hz if there’s no touch input. Certain apps run at a lower refresh rate. Unlike LTPO panels, the refresh rate doesn’t vary based on input. Smooth scrolling may impact battery life.
Gaming and multimedia performance are excellent, even for demanding games like Asphalt 9: Legends. The OxygenOS gaming tools menu can be accessed during gameplay with a quick swipe, allowing you to monitor temperature and adjust features like anti-aliasing.
During gaming, the OnePlus 11R 5G tends to heat up a bit, but its stereo speakers are loud and produce quality sound. The device also delivers impressive benchmark scores, including 775,602 points in AnTuTu, and 908 and 3,430 points in Geekbench 6’s single and multi-core tests respectively.
The battery life of the OnePlus 11R 5G is impressive, lasting 21 hours and 43 minutes during our HD video loop test, and easily lasts a full day of heavy use, and even up to two days of lighter usage. Although the lack of wireless charging is disappointing, the 100W adapter more than compensates for it, allowing a full charge from empty in under 30 minutes.
Camera Performance
The OnePlus 11R 5G boasts the same main camera as the OnePlus 11 5G, featuring a Sony IMX890 50-megapixel sensor with optical stabilization (OIS). However, the other rear cameras are more akin to those of the 10R 5G and do not match the quality of the OnePlus 11R 5G cameras. The rear setup consists of an 8-megapixel ultra-wide and a 2-megapixel macro camera, while the front houses a 16-megapixel camera, though the sensors used are unspecified.
The camera app is similar to the OnePlus 11 5G, but with some modifications, such as the removal of the red shutter button, Xpan mode, and Hasselblad Pro mode. The OnePlus 11R 5G does not have Hasselblad Colour Science (HCS), which is only applicable in RAW images shot in Pro mode, according to Oneplus.
Even with AI scene enhancement disabled on both phones, the 11R 5G’s still photos tend to have cooler color tones compared to the same subjects taken with the OnePlus11 5G. Although the two phones have the same primary sensor, the OnePlus 11R 5G sometimes falls short of the OnePlus11 5G’s image quality. Nevertheless, close-up shots with the 11R 5G have excellent detail and colors, while the macro camera delivers subpar results, as expected.
The ultra-wide camera of the OnePlus 11R 5G was found to be lacking in detail and color accuracy when compared to the equivalent camera on the OnePlus 11 5G, with images appearing washed out even in daylight. However, the camera app does compensate by taking long exposure shots in low light, producing usable night photos.
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Main Camera
On the other hand, the main camera of the OnePlus 11R 5G excels in capturing low-light photos, with very good exposure, colors, and details. The autofocus also performs reliably in low light, and close-ups look good. However, digital zoom on the 11R 5G is limited to only 10X, and its quality even in daylight is subpar. The selfie camera on the 11R 5G appears to be identical to the one on the OnePlus 11 5G, producing average results with weak detail and inaccurate colors and skin tones at times, although Night mode does help in low-light situations.
Final Verdict
The OnePlus 11R 5G is likely to attract many fans of the brand who have been waiting for a phone with a top-of-the-line SoC priced below Rs. 40,000, similar to the OnePlus 7T. If you are a heavy mobile gamer who needs good battery life, the 11R 5G won’t disappoint. Although the main camera is very capable, the other cameras leave a lot to be desired. One of the most appealing features of the 11R 5G is its similarity to the more expensive 11 5G, making it a fashionable choice.
For those who are not convinced, the Realme GT 3 is set to launch in India soon, offering similar specs to the 11R 5G but with support for 240W wired charging. If the processor is not your main concern, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is another great option to consider, as it offers excellent specs, an IP68 rating, and wireless charging for a similar price. The top variant of the Nothing Phone 1 is also worth considering as it is currently selling for less than the base variant of the 11R 5G.
Despite some shortcomings, particularly in comparison to last year’s offerings, I believe that the OnePlus 11R 5G is a solid comeback.
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