OnePlus 11R Review – The Ultimate Flagship-Killer Smartphone Under 40,000 Rupees

Hey guys, have you ever wondered what was the pricing of OnePlus flagships during its prime days? Well, let me tell you, it was usually around 30 to 40K which was the sweet spot for most people. Back then, whenever a new OnePlus flagship was launched at 35K or 38K, I would recommend it to everyone without any second thoughts.

However, in recent years, things have changed a bit. OnePlus phones have become more expensive, and compromises have been made in terms of software changes. But hey, guess what? The new OnePlus 11R is finally here and it’s just killing the competition.

I have to say, this smartphone really takes me back to the good old days of OnePlus. With a starting price of just Rs. 39,999, the OnePlus 11R hits the sweet spot just like the older flagships did. It seems like a solid phone for the price, and I’m super excited to review it for you all in the upcoming sections. Stay tuned!

Processor

Promising you a performance to swoon over, the OnePlus 11R is armed with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, which I’m thrilled to say is the key driving force behind this phone’s powerhouse performance. I know some might be disappointed that it doesn’t have the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, but hear me out. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is not only a few months old but is also incredibly potent.

What’s more, if you compare it to other Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 phone in India like the OnePlus 10T at 49,999 rupees, iQOO 9T at 49,999, and moto Edge 30 Ultra at 55K, you’ll be delighted to know that the OnePlus 11R comes in at a price point of just 40K. That’s really impressive because the benchmark scores are great, and you won’t find such a steal with other smartphones in its category.

Sure, there are some throttling issues in high-performance mode, but in the default balanced performance mode, which let’s be real, we all will be using most of the time, it’s smooth sailing all the way.

But let’s talk gaming. I’m a gamer at heart, and I must say that the game performance on this phone is solid. It handles the highest settings with ease, but like with any phone, it does warm up a little after prolonged gaming sessions of about 20-30 minutes. Apart from that, I must say that this Android phone’s flagship-like performance is unbeatable.

Software

Let’s talk a bit about the software on my new OnePlus 11R. Honestly, I’m loving it so far! It’s got this amazing Oxygen OS color combo that just looks so clean and sleek. One small thing I did notice though was that there were two browser apps installed – one was Chrome and the other was this strange color OS browser. But that’s just a minor thing and doesn’t really affect my overall experience.

Now, here’s the really exciting part – this phone is getting not one, not two, but THREE actual OS updates! And I’m not talking about those fake updates that some other phones claim to have. Nope, this baby is coming with the latest Android 13 updates and will eventually upgrade to Android 16. How cool is that?!

Overall, I have to say that my experience with this phone has been nothing short of amazing. It feels like a true premium OnePlus phone, unlike some of the previous models. The OnePlus 11R is super clean and the whole vibe of the phone is just…nice. I can’t wait to see what other awesome things this phone has in store for me!

Design

If there’s one thing that can make or break a phone for me, it’s the design. That’s why I was excited to check out the OnePlus 11R, which boasts a design language that’s very similar to the critically acclaimed OnePlus 11. And let me tell you, it doesn’t disappoint!

When I picked up the OnePlus 11R, I immediately noticed how great it feels in my hand. The weight and dimensions are spot on, and the in-hand feel is just right. The back has a slightly different texture, but it’s still smooth and soft to the touch, thanks to the Gorilla Glass Five.

One thing to note is that the frame is made of plastic, and you won’t find any Hassle Blade branding or sparkle effect in the camera module. But honestly, those are minor details that don’t really detract from the overall design. Plus, the punch-hole camera is off-center, which is a departure from the OnePlus 11, but it’s not a big deal.

What is a big deal, though, is the Alert slider. I’m obsessed with this feature, and I was thrilled to find it on the OnePlus 11R. But what really surprised me was the inclusion of an IR blaster on the top of the phone. This is a new feature for OnePlus, and it even comes with a pre-installed IR app. If you’re a fan of Xiaomi phones, you’ll feel right at home here.

Moving on to the other features, the stereo speakers are pretty impressive. And of course, you’ll find the fast in-screen fingerprint scanner, the USB 2.0 type C port, and the great haptics that you’ve come to expect from OnePlus. The display is also top-notch, especially considering the price point.

Overall, I’m really impressed with the design language of the OnePlus 11R. It may not have all the bells and whistles of its predecessor, but it’s still a fantastic phone that’s worth considering.

Display

Modern advancements in technology have allowed for smartphones to have displays that are sharper and more vibrant than ever before, and the OnePlus 11R is no exception. While it may not have the LTPO or QHD Plus display that some other phones boast, I can confidently say that the 1.5K resolution on this panel is stunning.

The colors are vibrant and the blacks are deep, making movies and show a joy to watch on this screen. Plus, with HDR 10 Plus support and a maximum brightness of 1450 nits, you can enjoy your favorite content in stunning detail, even when you’re outside.

I know that some people have reported jittering and scrolling issues on the OnePlus 11, but I’m happy to report that I haven’t experienced any of those problems on my 11R. The display feels smooth and responsive, with a refresh rate of 120 Hz on the app drawer home screen, 90 Hz in the gallery, and 60 Hz in some apps like YouTube. Plus, certain apps even support a refresh rate of 120 Hertz, which is a real treat for those who appreciate a buttery-smooth display.

One thing to keep in mind is that the curved screen doesn’t have any built-in glass protection, so I would definitely recommend investing in a good screen protector. It can be tricky to find one that works well with the curved display, but it’s definitely worth it to keep your phone looking and functioning at its best. Overall, I’m incredibly impressed with the display on the OnePlus 11R, and I think you will be too.

Camera

Can a smartphone be called truly complete without a good camera? Well, the one on this phone caught my eye for sure. I mean, it’s fascinating that it sports the same Sony Imx 890 main camera with OIS that the OnePlus 11 has. But wait, there’s more! It also comes with a useless 2 MP macro camera and sadly, lacks a telephoto lens.

But hey, considering its price, I’m not too bummed out about it. On the plus side, even without Hassle Blade color tuning, the photos we took came out very natural and didn’t seem oversaturated. I noticed a great dynamic range with plenty of details both in the daytime and low light, while low-light photos had good exposure with minimal noise.

Portrait mode fans will be thrilled to know that this phone delivers when it comes to face details. And while the ultrawide photos boast an 8-megapixel sensor with good exposure and details, the color tone is a bit cooler than expected. But let’s talk about the videos, shall we? The rear camera supports 4K, and 60 FPS videos, and honestly, they’re pretty sharp with fantastic dynamic range. Plus, the OIS does a great job with stability, but there are better ones out there.

As for the front camera, it’s a usual 60-megapixel sensor, which means the selfies I took came out sharp and detailed. Although I wish the videos were more than 1080p, I’m still pretty happy with the overall camera experience.

Battery

Okay, let’s talk battery life on the OnePlus 11R. Honestly, I’m blown away by the 5000 mAH battery. I’ve been using it for a while now and I’m getting about six to six and a half hours of screen time, which is pretty impressive if you ask me. And the best part? The phone comes with a 100-watt SUPERVOOC charger that charges the phone up to 100% in just thirty minutes. Yeah, you read that right, thirty minutes. Talk about convenience.

Now, let’s talk connectivity. This phone is a powerhouse with Eleven 5G bands, including all the Indian 5G bands. Plus, it has Bluetooth 5.3 and NFC support. I’ve never had any issues with connectivity while using this phone. It’s always been seamless and reliable.

Overall, I’m really impressed with the battery and connectivity features of the OnePlus 11R. They definitely didn’t compromise on these aspects, and it shows. I can confidently say this phone is a great investment for anyone looking for a reliable device that won’t let you down when you need it most.

Final Conclusion

The OnePlus 11R has breathed new life into the budget flagship category. As someone who loves a good bargain, I’m over the moon about this new addition. And let me tell you, this is not just any budget phone – this is a proper budget flagship!

I mean, the competition is just getting annihilated by the OnePlus 11R. It’s been ages since I’ve seen a phone with such impressive specs and a clean, user-friendly interface at such a reasonable price. It’s amazing that you can’t find any Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 phone under 40,000, but the OnePlus 11R is available at this great price point.

Sure, some people might nitpick about the telephoto lens or the lack of an IP rating, but honestly, those are just small things in the grand scheme of things. And you know what? The OnePlus 11R actually feels like the true flagship for the brand – it’s got everything you could want and more.

So, what do you think? Are you as impressed as I am? Let me know in the comments below!