OnePlus 11R 5G: A Return to Value with Flagship Features at an Attractive Price

The OnePlus 11R 5G is the latest ‘value flagship’ from the company, and it’s easy to understand why it is drawing significant attention, potentially overshadowing the flagship OnePlus 11 5G (Review) announced concurrently. For loyal OnePlus enthusiasts, the 11R 5G embodies the brand’s core principle of delivering a multitude of premium functionalities at a competitive cost, a refreshing sight we haven’t witnessed in quite a while. Compared to last year’s 10R 5G (Review), the 11R 5G is a substantial improvement, and thankfully, OnePlus has avoided excessive compromises this time around.

The OnePlus 11R 5G provides users with a high-end processor, the same main camera as found in the OnePlus 11 5G, and rapid charging capabilities—all commencing at a price of Rs. 39,999 in India. Currently, there are not many smartphones in India that can match this combination of features at this price point, which makes the 11R 5G an appealing choice. Now, let’s discover if it lives up to its impressive specifications.

Pricing of OnePlus 11R 5G in India

The entry-level version of the OnePlus 11R 5G comes equipped with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, while an alternative variant featuring 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage is available at Rs. 44,999 in India. I believe the base model should cater to the needs of the majority of users, but if additional storage is a priority, the higher variant is reasonably priced as well. There’s an emerging trend this year where manufacturers are skipping the 12GB RAM option and opting for 16GB directly. OnePlus supplied us with the top-tier variant for this review in Sonic Black, also offered in Galactic Silver.

Design of OnePlus 11R 5G

I was taken aback by the design of the OnePlus 11R 5G, as it closely resembles the significantly more expensive OnePlus 11 5G—unless you know what details to look for. The lack of a Hasselblad emblem on the rear camera module, absence of visible antenna lines on the frame, and centrally located selfie camera are the main differences that distinguish the 11R 5G. Beyond these aspects, the dimensions, weight, and even the curvature of the display are nearly identical for both devices. While this slightly undermines the exclusivity of the 11 5G, it proves to be a substantial advantage for the 11R 5G, especially considering the divisive design of the 10R 5G.

The OnePlus 11R 5G features the signature OnePlus ‘Alert slider’, along with an infrared (IR) emitter positioned at the top which is a first for a OnePlus device. The phone comes equipped with an IR Remote app, allowing you to manage home electronics and appliances once setup is complete. The matte-finish glass back of the black edition of the 11R 5G resists fingerprints well, although it lacks substantial grip.

The OnePlus 11R 5G (right) bears a striking resemblance to the OnePlus 11 5G (left), so you must know what to observe

 

The OnePlus 11R 5G sports a 6.74-inch display, similar in curvature to the OnePlus 11 5G, but features slightly narrower bezels at the top and bottom. However, the placement of the in-display fingerprint sensor is lower, making it somewhat inconvenient to reach. The screen employs an AMOLED panel with a 1.5K resolution (2772 x 1240 pixels) and a peak refresh rate of 120Hz, supporting HDR video playback (except for Dolby Vision). The back is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, while the display uses Dragontrail glass for scratch resistance.

The retail package of the OnePlus 11R 5G includes the standard accessories such as stickers, a case, USB cable, 100W power adapter, and a SIM ejector tool.

OnePlus 11R 5G Specifications and Software

The OnePlus 11R 5G is equipped with the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC. This processor, while not delivering the same benchmark results as the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, remains sufficiently potent for most everyday usage scenarios. Additionally, the phone supports Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6, NFC, and various satellite navigation systems.

This model supports a total of nine 5G bands in India. It features stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support. The device is powered by a 5,000mAh battery and supports fast wired charging at 100W. Although it lacks wireless charging and does not have an official IP rating, it is reportedly equipped with basic seals to provide some protection against water and dust.

The software running on the OnePlus 11R 5G mirrors that of the 11 5G, with OxygenOS 13 based on Android 13. You’ll find various customization features, shortcuts, and gestures akin to those in Oppo’s ColorOS, along with some traditional OxygenOS functionalities like Zen Mode. There’s minimal bloatware aside from a few OnePlus apps and Google’s suite of applications. The Internet app may feel redundant with Chrome available, and it cannot be uninstalled.

OnePlus has committed to providing three years of Android updates and four years of security updates for the 11R 5G.

The OnePlus 11R 5G includes an infrared emitter on the top

 

Performance of OnePlus 11R 5G

The general performance of the OnePlus 11R 5G was commendable during the several weeks I tested it. The fingerprint scanner proved to be fast and reliable, while face recognition also performed well. The interface is smooth, animations are fluid, and I encountered no lags during any operation on the device. The software is rich in features, and I was pleased to find no unwanted notifications.

The display allegedly adapts its refresh rate between 40Hz and 120Hz (with support for 45Hz, 60Hz, and 90Hz) depending on the content shown. The interface consistently operates at 120Hz, dropping to 60Hz only when there’s no touch input for several seconds. Certain applications, like the camera app, maintain a fixed refresh rate of 60Hz, while the gallery app runs at 90Hz. Unlike devices with LTPO displays that dynamically adjust the refresh rate based on usage and content, that’s not the case with the 11R 5G. Scrolling is fluid within applications, but this might have a slight impact on battery longevity.

There are minimal complaints regarding gaming and multimedia performance. The SoC easily handles even resource-intensive games. Asphalt 9: Legends rendered beautifully and performed exceptionally well. Users can quickly access the gaming tools menu of OxygenOS from within any game via a simple swipe, allowing them to monitor the device’s temperature and gameplay framerate, as well as tweak additional settings like anti-aliasing.

The OnePlus 11R (right) does not feature the Hasselblad enhancements for its cameras as seen in the 11 5G (left)

 

The OnePlus 11R 5G tends to heat up during gaming sessions. The stereo speakers deliver impressive volume and sound quality. Regarding benchmarks, the OnePlus 11R 5G achieved scores of 775,602 in AnTuTu, and 908 and 3,430 in single-core and multi-core tests respectively using Geekbench 6.

The battery performance of the OnePlus 11R 5G was outstanding throughout the review period. It managed to last for 21 hours and 43 minutes during our HD video loop test, a commendable duration. It handled a full day of heavy use with ease and could even stretch to two days with lighter usage. While I missed the convenience of wireless charging, the rapid charging capability of the 100W adapter compensated for it, as I was able to fully recharge the 11R 5G in under 30 minutes from a completely drained state.

Camera Performance of OnePlus 11R 5G

The OnePlus 11R 5G boasts the same primary camera as the OnePlus 11 5G, featuring a Sony IMX890 50-megapixel sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS). However, the other rear cameras are more aligned with those in the OnePlus 10R 5G, which means they do not perform as proficiently as those in the 11 5G. The configuration includes an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens and a 2-megapixel macro lens, along with a 16-megapixel front camera, though OnePlus has not specified the sensors used for these.

The camera application is largely similar to that of the 11 5G, with a few alterations like the omission of the red shutter button, Xpan mode, and the absence of the Hasselblad Pro mode, as the 11R 5G does not leverage Hasselblad Colour Science (HCS). I don’t think this is a significant drawback since according to OnePlus, HCS is only applicable for RAW captures in Pro mode.

Even with the AI scene enhancement feature turned off in both devices, I observed that still images taken with the OnePlus 11R 5G generally had a colder color tone compared to those captured with the 11 5G under identical conditions. The detail level in photos was roughly comparable due to both having the same main sensor, although there were instances where the 11R 5G fell short of the 11 5G’s image quality. Close-up shots taken with the 11R 5G revealed good detail and color reproduction. The macro camera, as expected, was underwhelming and produced unsatisfactory results.

Samples from the main camera of OnePlus 11R 5G (tap to view full size)

 

The ultra-wide camera on the OnePlus 11R 5G produced less impressive details and color accuracy compared to the equivalent camera on the 11 5G. Images tended to appear somewhat washed out, even under daylight conditions. Fortunately, the camera application automatically captures long exposure shots in low light, resulting in usable night photos.

The main camera of the 11R 5G excels at low-light photography, delivering good exposure, color accuracy, and detail retention. Close-up images also appear well detailed, with autofocus functioning reliably in dim conditions. The 11R 5G can only manage digital zoom up to 10X, but the image quality remains lacking even in bright conditions. The selfie camera appears to be similar to that found in the 11 5G, as the output is typically very close between the two. It performs adequately, though selfies may not be very sharp, details can be somewhat lacking, and colors can sometimes misrepresent reality. However, it manages reasonable low-light photos, thanks to Night mode.

Samples from the ultra-wide camera of OnePlus 11R 5G (tap to view full size)

Samples from the selfie camera of OnePlus 11R 5G (tap to view full size)

 

The OnePlus 11R can capture video at up to 4K 60fps, but only with the main rear camera. The ultra-wide and front cameras are limited to 1080p. Videos recorded at 4K during both daytime and low-light conditions appear good, with adequate stabilization and minimal shaking during motion. However, footage from the ultra-wide camera is distinctly inferior, particularly in low-light scenarios, although its digital stabilization works competently. The camera application offers several familiar shooting modes, including Film mode for capturing wider aspect ratios and LOG video recording.

Final Thoughts

The OnePlus 11R 5G should appeal to many OnePlus enthusiasts who have been longing for a device reminiscent of the OnePlus 7T—a smartphone featuring a flagship SoC priced under Rs. 40,000. For avid mobile gamers and those valuing strong battery life, the 11R 5G is bound to impress. The primary camera performs admirably, though its secondary lenses may not be as satisfying. What many users will likely appreciate the most is that the 11R 5G emulates the aesthetic of the pricier 11 5G, boosting its appeal.

If you’re still undecided, the Realme GT 3 is set to launch in India soon, and it offers similar features to the 11R 5G but with the addition of 240W wired charging capability. If the processor isn’t your main concern, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Review) is another excellent option in a comparable price range, offering excellent specifications and, notably, an IP68 rating along with wireless charging. The high-end variant of the Nothing Phone 1 (Review) is also worth considering, as it is currently available for less than the base model of the 11R 5G.

While the OnePlus 11R 5G could have improved in certain aspects, particularly after last year’s offering, it represents a notable comeback.

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