OnePlus 11 Full Evaluate

For a while, OnePlus was the go-to identify for mid-range excellence, producing telephones that took on the would possibly of Samsung and Apple, however at a value deal decrease. Amy Davies critiques the newest mannequin, the OnePlus 11.

Following on from final yr’s OnePlus 10 Professional, the most recent flagship launch is the OnePlus 11 – there’s no “Professional” model this yr, with the corporate saying that the usual mannequin fulfils all of the “professional” specs with out the necessity for the moniker.

OnePlus 11 at a look:

• 50MP IMX890 huge digicam, 1/1.56” sensor, f/1.8 aperture, 24mm equal, OIS
• 48MP IMX581 ultra-wide digicam, 1/2” sensor, f/2.2 aperture, 115 diploma subject of view
• 32MP IMX709 “portrait” digicam, 1/2.74” sensor, f/2.0 aperture, 48mm equal
• 16MP fixed-focus IMX471 selfie-camera, f/2.45 aperture
• Macro functionality
• 8K video at 24fps, 4K video at 30/60fps
• Tremendous gradual movement
• Oxygen OS primarily based on Android 13
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8
• Value as reviewed: £729 / £799 (sim free)

OnePlus 11 Options:

A few generations in the past, OnePlus introduced Hasselblad on board to assist create the digicam, and this partnership has continued for the OnePlus 11. Because of this, we get an impressive-on-paper triple-lens setup which contains of a 50 megapixel “foremost” digicam, with a big 1/1.56” sensor and f/1.8 aperture.

It’s joined by two different digicam modules – a 48MP ultra-wide angle, and a 32MP quick telephoto. The latter lens “solely” provides a 2x zoom at 48mm equal, which is shorter than the ten Professional’s, however has been achieved intentionally with the idea that folks have a tendency to take footage of individuals greater than they wish to attain distant topics.

OnePlus 11 displaying cameras. Credit score: Amy Davies

The standard hyperbole concerning the smartphone being able to producing “DSLR-type” (when will PR departments transfer on to mirrorless?) pictures is included within the advertising and marketing jargon, facilitated by a selected “Hasselblad Portrait Mode”. In response to OnePlus, this mode has been benchmarked towards precise Hasselblad XCD 30mm and 65mm optics to realize related outcomes. Huge phrases.

One other promised advantage of the Hasselblad collaboration is “pure colors”, with the 11 having “improved Pure Coloration Calibration”, which produces 10-bit imagery with decreased banding for obvious richer colors. There’s additionally been the introduction of a “13-channel multi-spectral sensor” in {hardware}, which is claimed to work by figuring out and eradicating color bias from surrounding gentle circumstances. It’s additionally supposed to assist with computerized changes to white steadiness and so forth.

OnePlus 11 in picture playback mode. Credit score: Amy Davies

Different fascinating options – from a images perspective – embody the flexibility to document video at as much as 8K decision, a handbook mode, the choice to document in uncooked format, and slow-motion choices.

Different specs embody a 5,000 mAh battery with super-fast charging. A charging plug is included within the field – a relative rarity for contemporary smartphones.

OnePlus 11 dealing with and design:

With its 6.7-inch display, the OnePlus 11 is fairly on the big aspect as smartphones go. That can be interesting to some, however much less so to others – that’s in the end down to non-public desire. It additionally has a QHD+ decision at 525ppi – whether or not or not you want the massive display, it does a incredible job of displaying off your movies and pictures in one of the best ways doable.

The design itself could be very glossy, with properly rounded edges. It’s obtainable in two colors – Titan Black and Everlasting Inexperienced. The black model is matte, whereas the inexperienced model is shiny – it’s very very shiny. The one potential draw back to that is that it’s fairly slippy when it’s and not using a case and might simply slide off delicate furnishings. It’s advisable that you just spend money on a case to go together with it for that purpose.

OnePlus 11 in hand – it may be fairly slippy and not using a case. Photograph: Amy Davies

That mentioned, if you happen to do drop it, the cellphone is supplied with Corning Gorilla Glass for the display, so there’s each probability it will face up to quantity of harm (not one thing we’ve came upon for particular for ourselves, although).

Flipping to the again of the cellphone and the three digicam modules, plus the extra sensor, is housed in a spherical profusion. It’s a reasonably enticing design and doesn’t add an excessive amount of bulk to the again of the digicam. If you happen to angle the cellphone proper in vibrant gentle, you’ll see an iridescent shimmer within the housing, which is kind of a pleasant contact. This design is totally different from the OnePlus 10 Professional – with the 11 being extra aesthetically pleasing (once more although, this is perhaps down to non-public desire).

The native digicam app:

The native digicam app might be launched immediately from the house display, or you may double faucet a bodily button on the aspect of the cellphone to get to it rapidly – the latter methodology is beneficial if you happen to see one thing unfolding in entrance of you that you just wish to seize rapidly.

Photograph mode within the OnePlus 11 digicam app.

“Photograph” is the default taking pictures mode, which you’ll most likely use for many of your images. With this you may shoot with all three of the lenses – indicated by tapping on “0.6”, “1” or “2”. You can too pinch to zoom to activate the digital zoom, which fits as much as 20x.

On this fundamental mode, you may faucet “AI” to change on computerized scene enhancement. When you have it switched on, you’ll typically see phrases pop up which signifies a selected topic has been recognized – resembling “meals” or “macro”.

Additional digicam choices on the OnePlus 11

Different choices obtainable in Photograph mode embody having the ability to change the facet ratio, change on or off the Auto HDR operate, on or off the auto Macro operate and the flexibility to shoot within the “excessive res” (50MP) mode. Solely the ultra-wide and normal lens might be accessed if you happen to change to “excessive res”. Additional settings adjustments may also be made through a extra intensive menu, providing you with choices resembling switching a degree on, switching to high-efficiency picture codecs and so forth.

Portrait mode offers you choices of 1x or 2x

Transferring out of the simple mode, you’ve bought Portrait mode. That is the mode that’s presupposed to create the DSLR-like high quality portraits, and offers you the choice to decide on between the 1x or the 2x lens – the previous being good for together with extra of the background or surroundings within the shot. You can too alter the simulated aperture, from f/1.4 all the way down to f/16. A variety of filters might be added both in Photograph or Portrait mode, which incorporates particular Hasselblad choices, too.

Different selectable choices embody “Night time” and “Video”, whereas but extra modes, resembling Pano, Lengthy Publicity and Tilt Shift are hidden away below the “Extra” tab, however you may add any that you just use usually to the primary display if you happen to favor. You would possibly wish to do that with the “Professional” mode for instance, which is the place you’ll be capable of management parameters resembling ISO, shutter velocity, publicity compensation, white steadiness and so forth. It’s right here you’re additionally in a position to shoot in uncooked format if you want – it will be good if you happen to might shoot in the usual Photograph mode as nicely, however that’s maybe a comparatively small criticism.

General, it’s a well-featured native digicam app, particularly when in comparison with the extra easy choices of another smartphones, such because the iPhone 14 Professional, or the Google Pixel 7 Professional, which lack a devoted professional mode.

OnePlus 11 picture high quality and efficiency:

The OnePlus cameras have at all times been competent performers, working fairly nicely in number of conditions. Now and again, they won’t be fairly as polished as one thing from Samsung or Apple, however contemplating the worth, it’s at all times very passable.

There’s a number of good issues to love concerning the newest iteration. Pictures seem to have an total impression of excellent high quality and plenty of element, particularly when them on the cellphone display or through apps resembling Instagram.

OnePlus 11, outdoor scene taken with the primary digicam. Amy Davies.

One of the best performer – as we’d are likely to count on – is the foremost digicam lens, which produces good pictures in most eventualities that you just use it in, providing you with a 12.5MP picture because of pixel-binning.

Utilizing the ultra-wide digicam on the OnePlus 11, Amy Davies

The ultra-wide angle lens produces some good 12MP pictures although it’s usually softer than its foremost counterpart. The cellphone does nicely to right most distortion in-camera, with pictures trying moderately pure.

OnePlus 11 – Telephoto digicam, panorama scene. Photograph: Amy Davies.

The longer telephoto lens additionally works fairly nicely and regardless of it being shorter than some would possibly like, with a 48mm equal and 12.5MP pictures, we’d usually agree that having a greater high quality however shorter lens is healthier than a decrease high quality longer one. This looks as if determination and ends in higher pictures in contrast with the final OnePlus’ third lens.

Indoors utilizing the ultra-wide-angle digicam. Photograph Amy Davies

One small grievance nevertheless is that colors between the lenses don’t at all times match. That is significantly noticeable when taking pictures indoors or the place synthetic gentle is current.

Indoors utilizing the wide-angle digicam. Photograph Amy Davies

You’ll be able to stand in the identical spot and shoot the identical scene with the three totally different lenses and be left with three totally different colors.

Indoors utilizing the telephoto digicam. Photograph Amy Davies

That is disappointing contemplating how a lot emphasis has been positioned on the Hasselblad collaboration. It’s usually much less apparent when taking pictures outdoors, however you might even see blue skies being noticeably totally different between pictures from time to time.

General although, colors are fairly good. Once more, a lot has been made from the standard of the automated white steadiness because of the Hasselblad collaboration. Whereas it doesn’t do a horrible job, indoor images below synthetic gentle are likely to tackle a yellower tinge than we’d like for the guarantees made.

OnePlus 11 night time mode, utilizing the primary digicam which options OIS. Photograph: Amy Davies

Night time mode is a helpful approach of taking pictures in low gentle, and once more it does a fairly good job total (particularly if your pictures at a small dimension) – but it surely needs to be famous that if there are any gentle sources within the scene – resembling avenue lamps, you’ll usually see some distracting lens flare.

OnePlus 11 macro picture of ice. Amy Davies.

Macro focusing is mechanically activated when the digicam detects you’ve gotten near a topic. It switches to the extremely huge angle lens. Whereas the outcomes are once more spectacular when them on the display of the cellphone, if you happen to take a look at them on a bigger gadget – resembling a pc – you may see some softness. Nonetheless, it’s a pleasant choice to have and for many customers it would do the job simply positive.

Portrait mode utilizing the 2x possibility. Photograph: Amy Davies

Portrait mode – once more one other facet of the cellphone which has been enhanced because of Hasselblad’s enter – produces respectable blurred background pictures, which, as traditional look fairly good once you take a look at them on a cellphone display. If you happen to look at them outdoors of that you just’ll discover that it doesn’t at all times cope nicely with fussy outlines – resembling hair.

Portrait mode with a non-human topic. Photograph: Amy Davies

It’s additionally not nearly as good at photographing non-human topics – resembling animals or nonetheless life topics – as we’ve seen from different (admittedly dearer) fashions. Right here once more, it struggles with outlines… protected to say your DSLR (or mirrorless mannequin) doesn’t should be disposed of simply but.

The OnePlus 11 offers nice outcomes when recording 4K and 8K video. You’ll be able to shoot at as much as 60fps in 4K and 24fps in 8K. Stabilisation works nicely to present pretty easy and regular outcomes when working handheld, although in fact devoted content material creators might want to spend money on a gimbal or related gadget for the smoothest work. You can too document super-slow video in addition to time-lapse choices.

General, whereas there are some unfavorable feedback to be made – primarily in response to the claimed prowess of the cellphone – the OnePlus 11 places in a fantastic efficiency for a mannequin of its value and standing.

Worth for cash

Coming in at £729 for the 8GB RAM / 128GB mannequin, and £799 for the 16GB RAM / 256GB reminiscence possibility, the OnePlus 11 is as soon as once more considerably cheaper than the flagship fashions from Apple and Samsung, however is nearer in value to the Google Pixel 7 Professional, although even that’s dearer, beginning at £849.

OnePlus 11 in hand, with a shiny again glass. Photograph: Amy Davies

For the specs you get for the worth, the OnePlus is incredible worth for cash. You get a well-performing digicam with a wide selection of options in a tool that appears good and has spectacular different options resembling a long-lasting battery and fast charging.

If you happen to’re trying to transfer away from the vastly costly costs of the likes of Samsung and Apple, then OnePlus is a wonderful possibility with out an excessive amount of of a sacrifice in picture high quality.

OnePlus 11 Verdict

There’s an terrible lot to love concerning the OnePlus 11. It is available in at a fantastic value and actually highlights simply how costly different flagship fashions have turn into in recent times.

For individuals who don’t wish to spend an outrageous sum of money on the newest tech, it’s a incredible possibility. At below £800 for even the most effective mannequin, you’re getting a (relative) discount – and if you happen to’re pleased to attend till costs drop just a little, then much more so.

The general impression of picture high quality is superb if you happen to’re solely ever inspecting your pictures in your cellphone display – and let’s face it, for lots of people, that’s precisely what they’ll do. They’re much less spectacular once you look at them on a bigger display – significantly for issues like Portrait mode the place edges don’t at all times translate nicely, however that’s arguably a minor concern for many.

OnePlus 11 with a Hasselblad tuned digicam system. Photograph: Amy Davies

Utilizing the OnePlus 11’s native digicam app is fairly good, with a number of helpful options and an easy normal mode that works nicely for many of your pictures. The Professional mode offers you a number of scope to take management, in addition to shoot in uncooked format if that’s your cup of tea.

Nevertheless, it’s disappointing that, for all of the discuss Hasselblad fine-tuning the colors, the cameras can’t agree with one another what the right color needs to be.

However, on the entire, there’s loads to suggest concerning the OnePlus 11 and for the worth it’s spectacular. If you happen to’re eager for digicam with out the expense of a number of the different finest smartphones for images, it’s advisable.

Observe AP on Fb, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.