The OnePlus 11R 5G is the latest "value flagship" from OnePlus, gaining significant attention, possibly even more than its flagship counterpart, the OnePlus 11 5G. For OnePlus enthusiasts, the 11R 5G embodies the company's original philosophy of providing premium features at a disruptive price, a trait not seen for quite some time. Unlike its predecessor, the 10R 5G, OnePlus has made substantial improvements without compromising on quality.
Priced at Rs. 39,999 in India, the OnePlus 11R 5G offers users a flagship-grade processor, the same primary camera as the OnePlus 11 5G, and rapid charging capabilities. This combination of features at such a competitive price makes the 11R 5G an appealing choice, especially given the limited options available in India. However, the real test lies in evaluating its performance beyond what's written on paper.
One plus 11R 5G design
I was pleasantly surprised by the design of the OnePlus 11R 5G, as it closely resembles the more expensive OnePlus 11 5G, with only subtle differences. The lack of a Hasselblad logo on the rear camera module, discreet antenna bands on the frame, and a centrally positioned selfie camera distinguish the 11R 5G. Otherwise, the dimensions, weight, and even the curved-edge display design are nearly identical on both phones. While this may slightly reduce the premium appeal of the 11 5G, it's a significant advantage for the 11R 5G, particularly considering the divisive design of the 10R 5G.
The OnePlus 11R 5G retains the signature OnePlus feature, the 'Alert slider,' and for the first time on a OnePlus phone, it includes an infrared (IR) emitter on the top. This enables the use of an IR Remote app to control electronics and appliances at home once set up. The black variant of the 11R 5G features a matte texture on the glass back, which resists fingerprints effectively but may not provide a strong grip.
The OnePlus 11R 5G boasts a 6.74-inch display with curved edges on both sides, similar to the 11 5G. However, it features slightly narrower top and bottom bezels. The in-display fingerprint sensor is positioned lower on the screen, which can be a bit inconvenient to reach. The display utilizes an AMOLED panel with a 1.5K resolution of 2772 x 1240 pixels and a peak refresh rate of 120Hz. It supports HDR video playback, except for Dolby Vision. While the back is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, the display uses Dragontrail glass to safeguard against scratches.
OnePlus 11R 5G performance
The OnePlus 11R 5G features an adaptive refresh rate for its display, ranging between 40Hz and 120Hz, with support for 45Hz, 60Hz, and 90Hz. The interface consistently runs at 120Hz and drops to 60Hz only when there's no touch input for a few seconds. Some specific apps like the camera app run at a constant 60Hz, while the gallery app runs at 90Hz. Unlike phones with LTPO panels that adjust the refresh rate based on content and input, the 11R 5G does not offer this feature. Overall, scrolling within apps is smooth, but this may have a slight impact on battery life.
Gaming and multimedia performance on the phone are excellent, with the powerful SoC capable of handling even heavy games effortlessly. For example, Asphalt 9: Legends performed exceptionally well and looked great. The OxygenOS gaming tools menu can be quickly accessed during gameplay via a simple swipe gesture. This menu provides essential information like the phone's temperature and current framerate of the game, along with the ability to adjust additional features like anti-aliasing.
During gaming sessions, the OnePlus 11R 5G experiences a slight warming effect. On the audio front, the stereo speakers deliver impressive volume levels and produce high-quality sound. In terms of benchmark performance, the phone scored 775,602 points in AnTuTu, and achieved 908 and 3,430 points in Geekbench 6's single and multi-core tests respectively. These benchmarks demonstrate the device's capable processing power and performance capabilities.
The battery life of the OnePlus 11R 5G proved to be excellent during the review period. The phone lasted an impressive 21 hours and 43 minutes in the HD video loop test, a highly commendable performance. With heavy usage, the device easily managed to last a full day, and with lighter usage, it could stretch to two days without needing a recharge. Although the absence of wireless charging was missed, the 100W adapter's charging speed more than compensated for it. The phone could be fully charged from empty in under 30 minutes, making it extremely convenient for quick recharges.