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OnePlus Open vs OnePlus 11 – which flagship is better?

Which of OnePlus's flagships comes out on top this time?
Last Updated on December 19, 2023
OnePlus Open vs OnePlus 11 - which flagship is better? Image shows the OnePlus Open and the OnePlus 11 and a red VS sign on a blue green gradient background.
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These two mobile phones have without a doubt caught the attention of the smartphone market, so we’re comparing OnePlus’s notable flagships with the OnePlus Open vs the OnePlus 11. With both devices having launched this year, OnePlus has become somewhat of a hot topic, establishing itself as a worthy rival to Samsung, Google, and Apple. But which of its recent offerings comes on top as the better smartphone?

While a lot of that can be attributed to your preference for folding or not folding phones, there’s a load of other complexities to weigh in on. In this article, we’ll compare the OnePlus Open and the OnePlus 11 in terms of price, key specs, design, camera capabilities, performance, and more. Let’s dive in and find out which OnePlus flagship could be the better choice for you.

OnePlus Open vs OnePlus 11 specs

SpecificationOnePlus OpenOnePlus 11
DimensionsUnfolded153.4 x 143.1 x 5.8 mm 
Folded: 153.4 x 73.3 x 11.7 mm
163.1 x 74.1 x 8.53 mm
ProcessorSnapdragon 8 Gen 2Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
RAM16 GB RAM8GB, 16GB
Storage512 GB storage128GB, 256GB
DisplayInner: 7.82-inch Flexi-fluid AMOLED (2440 x 2268)
Outer: 6.3-inch 2K (2484 x 1116) OLED
6.7-inch AMOLED (3216 x 1440)
CameraRear: 48 MP f/1.7, 48 MP ultrawide f/2.2, 64 MP 3x telephoto f/2.6
Selfie: 32 MP outer (f/2.4), 20 MP inner (f/2.2), 10 MP outer (f/2.2), 4 MP inner under-display (f/1.8)
Rear: 50MP main (Sony IMX890), 48MP ultrawide (Sony IMX581), 32MP portrait telephoto (Sony IMX709), 1/2.74-inch sensor, ƒ/2.0
Selfie: 16MP
Battery4,805 mAh, 67W wired charging, no wireless charging5,000 mAh, 80W wired charging, no wireless charging
Connectivity5G, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, Wi-Fi 7, eSIM5G, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, Wi-Fi 7, eSIM
Operating SystemOxygenOS 13.2 (based on Android)OxygenOS 13 (Android 13)
OnePlus Open vs OnePlus 11 specs comparison table

OnePlus Open vs OnePlus 11 Features

Design

Both the OnePlus Open and the OnePlus 11 feature premium designs that are sure to turn heads, further refining the distinctive OnePlus aesthetic. The OnePlus Open boasts a thin and light construction, measuring 6.03 x 5.63 x 0.22 inches when open and 6.03 x 2.88 x 0.46 inches when closed. It weighs just 8.43 ounces, making it comfortable to hold and carry around. Its Flexion Hinge design ensures a satisfying snap gesture and minimizes its inner display crease for a convincing tablet look when unfolded. Moreover, the aluminum frame and glass panels give it the premium feel expected to come with its price tag, and the large circular camera on its back has become somewhat iconic of the OnePlus branding.

The OnePlus 11, on the other hand, has a slightly smaller form factor, measuring 6.4 x 3 x 0.3 inches and weighing 7.2 ounces. It features a sleek rectangular body with the classic circle camera module that showcases the company’s partnership with Hasselblad. However, when it comes to durability, the OnePlus 11’s Gorilla Glass 5 looks sleek but doesn’t offer the phone any IP rating. The OnePlus Open doesn’t offer much more in this regard, and its IPX4 rating means it’s probably resistant to light splashes and that’s about it.

Display

In terms of display, the OnePlus Open sports a 7.82-inch Flexi-fluid AMOLED main display with a resolution of 2440 x 2268 pixels. It also features a 6.31-inch Super Fluid AMOLED cover display with a resolution of 2484 x 1116 pixels. The OnePlus 11, on the other hand, comes with a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 3216 x 1440 pixels. Both devices offer vibrant colors and crisp visuals, but the OnePlus Open has a larger screen, and its tablet-hybrid design lends itself more to multimedia usage.

Peak brightness is something of expertise for OnePlus, with both phones scoring highly in this regard. The OnePlus Open achieves heights of 2,800 nits maximum brightness, towering over the OnePlus 11’s 1,300 nits which pales in comparison.

Performance

Under the hood, both the OnePlus Open and the OnePlus 11 are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, ensuring smooth performance and efficient multitasking. The OnePlus Open comes with a generous 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, while the OnePlus 11 offers options for 8GB or 16GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage. You can expect a similarly powerful experience across both devices, with teaching being primed by its chipset for running multiple apps, gaming, and streaming media.

When it comes to battery capacity and performance, this is another area in which OnePlus has dominated the market. The OnePlus Open is set with a 4,805mAh battery, providing enough juice to last a full day of normal usage. It also supports fast charging with its 67W wired charging, allegedly allowing the phone to reach about 50% capacity in just 15 minutes. The OnePlus 11 also does well here, with its huge 5,000 mAh battery and 80W wired charging succeeding the Open. Unfortunately, neither device gets the useful feature of wireless charging, but their wired charging capabilities should satisfy.

Camera Capabilities

The OnePlus Open features a triple rear camera setup with a 48MP primary camera, a 48MP ultrawide camera, and a 64MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. The OnePlus 11, on the other hand, comes with a 50MP main camera, a 48MP ultrawide camera, and a 32MP telephoto camera. Each device benefits from the partnership with Hasselblad, which has further enhanced the camera experience on OnePlus phones and ensures exceptional image quality and color accuracy across photos. In terms of selfie cameras, the Open also features a 32MP outer front-facing camera, a 20MP inner front-facing camera, and a 4MP under-display front-facing camera, which blows the 16MP selfie camera of the 11 out of the water.

When it comes to video recording, both the OnePlus Open and the OnePlus 11 can shoot 4K videos at 60 fps. The OnePlus Open has the edge here, also offering various video features, including a dedicated Pro Mode, Portrait Mode, and dual-view video. Overall, both devices excel in the camera department, but the OnePlus Open edges ahead with its 64MP telephoto camera and improved low-light performance.

Software and Features

Both the OnePlus Open and the OnePlus 11 run on OxygenOS 13, which is OnePlus’s operating system based on Android 13. OxygenOS offers a near-stock Android experience with some added features, customization options, and optimization for each device including the tablet-like nature of the Open. However, the OnePlus Open introduces a unique feature called Open Canvas, which enhances multitasking on a foldable device: Open Canvas allows you to run three apps simultaneously and switch between them seamlessly, which is a huge benefit for those looking to maximize productivity on their folding phone.

✓ Marla’s thoughts

Are OxygenOS 13 and Android 13 not the same thing?

No, OxygenOS 13 and Android 13 are not the same. However, OxygenOS 13 is directly based on Android 13, with OnePlus using a lot of its core code to build its own OxygenOS operating system that’s optimized for OnePlus phones.

OnePlus Open vs OnePlus 11 Price

Despite having the higher price tag of the two, the $1,699 pricing of the OnePlus Open is actually extremely reasonable given its camera, chipset, and that it’s a foldable phone. However, you can also leverage OnePlus’s Trade-In offer, with the company offering trade-in credit of up to $500 credit when you send in your old smartphone device, which can lower the price of your new OnePlus phone.

On the other hand, the OnePlus 11 comes with a starting price of $699 (3,999 Yuan), which is significantly lower than the OnePlus Open, which makes sense given that it’s the older flagship and doesn’t have the folding features. Additionally, as we look ahead to the international launch of the OnePlus 12, the successor to the OnePlus 11, we’ll likely start seeing its price reduced even further to keep it competitive in the market.

Is the OnePlus Open better than the OnePlus 11?

Both the OnePlus Open and the OnePlus 11 are impressive devices with their individual strengths and advantages, but ultimately it boils down to price, and whether you want a single-screen phone or a phone that opens to a tablet that can fit in your pocket. The OnePlus Open is a foldable flagship that offers a premium design, excellent camera capabilities, and a unique multitasking experience with Open Canvas. However, it comes with a price tag that’s $1000 higher than the MSRP of the OnePlus 11.

If you are looking for a more affordable option without compromising on performance and camera quality, the OnePlus 11 is a solid choice. It offers a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, a great display, and impressive camera capabilities: essentially, not only is it a lot cheaper, but it still has all the bells and whistles of a high-end smartphone.

Marla writes across a wide range of topics across PC Guide, including AI, PC hardware, and news on the latest tech releases. She's a passionate writer that's interested in the future of technology.