OnePlus has long been known for its high-quality smartphones that offer a blend of performance, design, and value. In 2023, OnePlus continues to impress with its range of phones. OnePlus, renowned for its ‘flagship killers,’ has evolved its strategy to offer a wide array of Android phones catering to various price points. Despite the shift, OnePlus maintains its commitment to excellent performance, rapid charging, and a polished software experience.
Here’s a guide to the best OnePlus phones ranges and highlight some of the best models of 2023.
OnePlus 11 – Best Overall
The OnePlus 11 stands out as the current flagship model, excelling in speed, affordability, and camera capabilities. Despite lacking wireless charging, it offers an exceptional display, top-notch cameras, and rapid charging, making it a compelling choice.
Design and display
The OnePlus 11 is available in two colours: a glossy look with the Eternal Green colour and the other is a matte-finished Titan Black. The phone appearance is sleek, and premium, and has an elegant feel to it. The weight distribution is also quite even.
The phone has dual speakers for a thumping stereo sound experience. At bottom of the device there is USB Type-C port, a speaker grille, and a dual-SIM slot. The OnePlus 11’s exterior is well designed while giving a touch of panache to the overall build. The phone also has Corning’s Gorillas Glass 5 protection on the back.
The OnePlus 11’s display is top-notch. The phone has a 6.7-inch QHD+ Super Fluid AMOLED display quality that has a refresh rate of 120Hz. The screen can deliver a peak brightness of up to 1,300nits which is decent enough for any kind of outdoor usage.
Cameras
The phone camera has a trio of Sony sensors i.e. a 50MP Sony IMX890 primary shooter, a 48MP ultra-wide Sony IMX581 sensor, and a 32MP IMX209 portrait tele lens. The dynamic range and exposure handling of the sensors are excellent and the focus is also impresive.
The portrait lens, which also acts as a 2X telephoto shooter, is capable of quality edge detection and background separation. The zoom capabilities on the lens are good enough but the detailing is a bit sketchy in less-than-optimal lighting.
Performance and software
The OnePlus 11 has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processer. It is the the fastest available processer in the market for Android devices and it can handle any task thrown at the device with ease.
The gaming experience on the phone is really enjoyable. The in-display fingerprint sensor is fast and accurate for unlocking the phone. The OnePlus 11 also have 5G capabilities on with support for the popular sub-6Ghz bands.
Battery
The OnePlus 11 comes in a 5,000mAh cell that is supported by 100W SuperVOOC charging. With this one can easily get about five to seven hours of screen-on time with heavy usage. OnePlus provides 100W charging solution which can charge the phone battery in just about 20 minutes.
Pros:
- Premium design
- Splendid display
- Fast performance
- Fast charging
- Competitive price
- Strong cameras
- Five years of software support
Cons:
- No wireless charging
- No IP rating
- Macro shooting can be cumbersome
- Can throttle under load
Final verdict
The OnePlus 11 is a phone that can be best described as: Marvelous Wonder. It is a stylish piece of hardware that is capable of all performance-oriented tasks. With its relatively clean software, super quick charging speeds, and much more, OnePlus 11 can be considered a loaded, premium offering with traits that almost match the phone’s price tag.
OnePlus Nord 3 – A Stellar Mid-Range Contender
The OnePlus Nord series continues to shine as a testament to OnePlus’s success in a fiercely competitive budget-oriented market. The Nord 3, equipped with the impressive Dimensity 9000 chipset, glass body, and substantial RAM, stands as a formidable mid-range option. However, its battery reliability falls short, though it remains a solid contender in its class.
Design
The OnePlus Nord 3 boasts a sleek design that feels neither awkward nor heavy. Featuring a glass rear panel with a matte-finished frame, the device incorporates convenient elements such as a right-sided alert slider and easily accessible volume rockers. The slightly curved edges enhance hand grip, while circular cutouts on the rear house the primary and additional camera sensors. Notably, the smartphone maintains a minimalistic front with a flat screen, weighing under 200 grams and fortified with Gorilla Glass Protection. It’s IP54 rated for added durability.
Display
The device flaunts a 6.74-inch Fluid AMOLED display with a remarkable 120Hz refresh rate. The adaptive nature of the refresh rate, ranging from 40Hz to 120Hz, ensures smooth visuals. HDR10 support enhances the content experience, making the OnePlus Nord 3 a delight for multimedia consumption.
Performance
Powered by the Octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset on a 4nm manufacturing process, the OnePlus Nord 3 offers configurations with 8GB and 16GB RAM, coupled with ample 256GB onboard storage.
Camera
The primary camera, a 50MP Sony IMX890 sensor with OIS, delivers impressive results in good daylight conditions. The 16MP selfie camera performs well in good lighting, though details may slightly diminish in low light.
Battery
Sporting a 5000mAh battery, the OnePlus Nord 3 supports rapid 80W wired charging, achieving a full charge in approximately 35 minutes. The device exhibits decent battery life, contributing to reliable everyday performance.
Pros:
- Premium feel
- Fast and bright screen
- Competent camera
- Attractive design
- Good display
- 80W fast charging
- Reliable everyday performance
Cons:
- Weak speakers
- No zoom camera
- Average battery life
- No audio jack
Final verdict
In conclusion, the OnePlus Nord 3 is a standout device that combines impressive performance and a stylish design. Ultimately, the choice between the OnePlus Nord 3 and its competitors will depend on individual preferences and priorities.
OnePlus Open – The Ultimate Foldable Experience
The OnePlus Open marks the brand’s entry into the foldable realm, presenting remarkable performance powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. Despite minor drawbacks, it competes vigorously with counterparts such as the Samsung Z Fold 5.
Design
Boasting an elegant and industrial design, the OnePlus Open stands out with its Emerald Dusk and Voyager Black color options. The large circular camera bump on the back, adorned with Hasselblad branding, adds a touch of sophistication. While the bump contributes to a slightly top-heavy feel in clamshell mode, the OnePlus Open remains one of the lightest foldables. The inclusion of a responsive fingerprint sensor enhances user convenience.
Screens
The OnePlus Open features a 6.31-inch Super Fluid AMOLED display with LTPO 3.0, delivering a pixel-rich experience with a resolution of 2484 x 1116 pixels. With a dynamic refresh rate ranging from 10Hz to 120Hz, the display achieves 1,400 nits HDR brightness and an impressive 2,800 nits peak outdoor brightness. Positioned between the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Pixel Fold, the OnePlus Open’s cover display offers a modern glass slab phone feel.
Performance and software
Equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, Adreno 740 GPU, 16GB RAM, and 512GB storage, the OnePlus Open ensures powerful performance. OxygenOS 13.2, based on Android 13, introduces intuitive software features, including support for up to three app windows simultaneously. The Open Canvas feature facilitates seamless multitasking, and the device’s storage space can be partially used to expand RAM.
Camera
The triple-lens Hasselblad camera array on the rear includes a 48MP Sony LYTIA-T808 sensor, a 48MP ultrawide, and a 64MP telephoto camera with impressive capabilities. Dual selfie cameras on the cover and inner display, along with the option to use rear cameras for selfies, enhance the photography experience.
Battery
With a 4,805mAh battery, the OnePlus Open offers a commendable battery life, outperforming the Samsung Z Fold 5 and aligning with the Google Pixel Fold. Supporting 67W fast charging, the device ensures quick and efficient power replenishment.
Pros:
- Excellent displays
- Intuitive software features
- Premium, durable design
- Great compact and lightweight size
- Powerful cameras
- Anti-glare inner display
- Opens flat easily
- 67W fast charging
- Intuitive multitasking
Cons:
- Battery life could be better
- Few apps optimized for big screen
- Only splash-resistant
- Hinge isn’t firm enough
- Large camera bump
- Macro and 120x Super Res are not great
Final verdict
In OnePlus’s inaugural foldable venture, the OnePlus Open emerges as a solid device, offering an ideal size, lightweight build, and cutting-edge features. As the folding phone market intensifies, the OnePlus Open makes a compelling and welcomed addition.
OnePlus 10 Pro – Best for Wireless Charging
The OnePlus 10 Pro stands out as a top-tier option, particularly for enthusiasts prioritizing wireless charging. Armed with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, remarkable battery life, and swift charging capabilities, it competes strongly in the flagship smartphone segment.
Display Quality
Boasting a 10bit 6.670-inch 120Hz LTPO2 AMOLED display, the OnePlus 10 Pro dazzles with a peak brightness of 1300 nits and HDR10+ support. The Corning Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and Gorilla Glass 5 on the back, coupled with an aluminum frame, ensure durability. The display’s outdoor visibility and nighttime usage capabilities are commendable. HDR10+ support across various OTT apps enhances the viewing experience.
Cameras
Utilizing a camera setup akin to the OnePlus 9 Pro, the OnePlus 10 Pro features a 48 MP Sony IMX789 primary sensor with OIS, an 8MP 3x optical telephoto lens, and a new 50MP ultra-wide lens. The 32MP selfie shooter on the front caters to impressive selfies. While excelling in good lighting conditions, the camera may show some limitations in low light, though OTA updates are expected to address this.
Audio Quality
With stereo speakers delivering excellent sound quality, accompanied by a secondary noise cancellation microphone for enhanced call clarity, the OnePlus 10 Pro ensures a satisfying audio experience. The inclusion of Carrier Aggregation Support adds to its connectivity prowess.
Battery Life
Equipped with a robust 5,000mAh battery, the OnePlus 10 Pro supports both 80W wired and 50W wireless charging. The package includes an 80W charger, while a separate purchase is required for the 50W wireless adaptor. The device promises a day’s worth of usage, with actual longevity depending on individual usage patterns.
Pros:
- Powerful Performance: Equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, ensuring high-end performance.
- Impressive Display: Features a 10bit 6.670-inch 120Hz LTPO2 AMOLED display with HDR10+ support and Corning Gorilla Glass.
- Superior Camera Setup: Boasts a 48 MP Sony IMX789 primary sensor with OIS, an 8MP 3x optical telephoto lens, and a 50MP ultra-wide lens.
- Excellent Battery Life: A 5,000mAh battery supporting 80W wired and 50W wireless charging.
Cons:
- Inconsistent Low-Light Photography: The camera may struggle with details in low-light conditions.
Final Verdict
The OnePlus 10 Pro emerges as a flagship powerhouse, excelling in wireless charging capabilities. While its display, camera, audio, and battery offerings contribute to an exceptional user experience, the device cements its position as an ideal choice for those prioritizing cutting-edge wireless charging technology.