The OnePlus 11 5G and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra represent two of the best Android flagships you can buy in 2023. Both phones pack top-tier specs, excellent cameras, and fast performance. But which one is the better choice for you?
In this comparison review, we’ll examine the key differences between the OnePlus 11 5G and S23 Ultra to help you decide.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Specs | OnePlus 11 5G | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra |
| Price | $699 | $1,199 (starts at) |
| Screen size | 6.7 inches | 6.8 inches |
| Display resolution | QHD+ (3216 x 1440) | QHD+ (3088 x 1440) |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 1-120Hz adaptive |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| RAM | 8GB, 12GB | 8GB, 12GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Rear cameras | 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 32MP telephoto | 200MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 2x 10MP telephotos |
| Front camera | 16MP | 12MP |
| Battery (mAh) | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| Charging speed | 80W wired | 45W wired |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes, plus reverse wireless charging |
| IP rating | None | IP68 dust/water resistant |
| Biometrics | In-screen fingerprint sensor | In-screen fingerprint sensor |
| Software | OxygenOS 13 | One UI 5.1 |
| S Pen support | No | Yes |
Design And Display
The OnePlus 11 5G sports a sleek, rectangular design with a massive circular camera module on the back. The alert slider returns, allowing you to quickly silence the phone. The OnePlus 11 comes in Titan Black and Eternal Green color options.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy S23 Ultra has a similar design to last year’s S22 Ultra, with more subtle curves on the rear camera bump. The S23 Ultra is available in Phantom Black, Cream, Green, and Lavender.
Both phones have aluminum frames and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back for durability. The S23 Ultra gains some dust and water resistance with an IP68 rating, while the OnePlus 11 5G is not IP rated.
The OnePlus 11 has a 6.7” QHD+ AMOLED display with a fast 120Hz refresh rate. The screen is flat, with slim bezels all around.
The S23 Ultra has a slightly larger 6.8” QHD+ AMOLED panel that can also dynamically adjust between 1Hz and 120Hz. The display has a curve on the edges and integrated S Pen support.
Both displays are excellent, with vibrant colors, deep blacks, and great brightness levels even in sunlight. The S23 Ultra’s screen may look a bit more visually impressive with the dynamic refresh rate and curves.
Camera
The OnePlus 11 5G has a triple camera array:
- Main: 50MP, f/1.8 aperture, OIS
- Ultrawide: 48MP, 115° FOV
- Telephoto: 32MP, 2X optical zoom
The Samsung S23 Ultra quad camera setup consists of:
- Main: 200MP, f/1.7 aperture, OIS
- Ultrawide: 12MP, 120° FOV
- 2 Telephotos: 10MP, 3X and 10X optical zoom
On paper, the S23 Ultra has the superior camera system, with an incredibly detailed 200MP main sensor. But the OnePlus 11 is no slouch either, with a capable 50MP main camera that can take sharp, vibrant shots.
In real-world use, the S23 Ultra lives up to its prowess and captures stunning, true-to-life photos and videos in any lighting. The massive 200MP sensor pulls in an immense amount of detail and light. Zoom performance is also excellent thanks to the dual telephotos.
But the OnePlus 11 is not too far behind in image quality for most situations. Photos have plenty of detail and accurate colors in good lighting. Low light photos are decent as well, though a bit more noisy than the S23 Ultra. The 2X telephoto zoom is useful, but can’t match the S23 Ultra’s longer zooms.
For video, both phones can shoot up to 8K resolution. But the S23 Ultra’s OIS and multiple lenses give it more versatility for capturing smooth, stable videos at any focal length.
Overall, the S23 Ultra has one of the most advanced camera systems on a smartphone. But for most people, the OnePlus 11’s cameras will produce great looking shots.
Also Read: Comparison Between Samsung Galaxy S20 And S20 FE.
Performance
In the US, both phones are powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. This provides extremely fast speeds for demanding apps and games.
The OnePlus 11 comes with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The S23 Ultra offers 8GB/256GB and 12GB/512GB/1TB configurations.
Real world performance on both phones is excellent thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and ample RAM. Apps open instantly, animations are smooth, and navigating the interface feels very snappy. Gaming performance is also top-notch on these flagships.
Most users will be very happy with the speed of either device. But the S23 Ultra does have the edge for demanding productivity users or mobile gamers thanks to having up to 12GB RAM and 1TB storage.
The OnePlus 11 and S23 Ultra both run Android 13 with the manufacturer’s own skin on top. The OnePlus 11 has OxygenOS 13, which offers a clean, near stock Android look. Samsung’s One UI 5 is more feature-packed and includes customization options like themes.
Both OxygenOS and One UI provide a great user experience. OxygenOS may appeal more to Android purists. But One UI has more bells and whistles for those who like to tweak their phone’s interface.
Battery Life
The OnePlus 11 houses a respectable 5000 mAh battery. With light to moderate use, it can deliver 1.5-2 days of runtime on a single charge. Heavy use will get you through a full day no problem.
Meanwhile, the S23 Ultra has a huge 5000 mAh battery. Thanks to optimizations and the dynamic display, battery life is excellent. Even heavy users can squeeze 1.5 days of use per charge. With lighter use, 2 days is achievable.
Both phones support incredibly fast charging. The OnePlus 11 can charge from 1-100% in about 35 minutes with 80W wired charging. The S23 Ultra isn’t far behind, hitting a 0 to 100% charge in just over 40 minutes with 45W adaptive fast charging.
For battery life and charging speeds, the S23 Ultra does have a slight edge. But both phones deliver excellent endurance and some of the fastest charging available.
Also Read: Differences Between Samsung Galaxy S21 And S21 Plus.
Other Features
Here are some other key features to compare:
- Wireless charging – Both phones support wireless charging, but the S23 Ultra also has Wireless PowerShare to charge other devices.
- Speakers – The OnePlus 11 has stereo speakers that sound full and get plenty loud. The S23 Ultra matches that with stereo speakers tuned by AKG.
- Security – In-screen fingerprint readers and face unlock are available on both phones.
- 5G connectivity – Yes for both phones, on all major US carriers.
- S Pen support – Only the S23 Ultra has integrated S Pen support and Bluetooth remote functionality. The stylus slots into the bottom and wirelessly charges.
- Reverse wireless charging – Only the S23 Ultra can wirelessly charge other devices from its back.
Overall the phones are evenly matched in terms of extras. But the S23 Ultra pulls ahead with its S Pen support and reverse wireless charging capability.
Price
The OnePlus 11 5G starts from $699, making it significantly more affordable than the S23 Ultra.
The S23 Ultra costs $1,199 for the base 8GB/256GB model. The top-end 12GB/1TB version is a whopping $1,619.
Clearly, you’ll pay a premium for the Galaxy S23 Ultra over the OnePlus 11. But you’re getting more RAM, storage, an S Pen, and slightly better cameras.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The main competitors to the Galaxy S23 Ultra are the OnePlus 11, Google Pixel 7 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max. The OnePlus 11 offers similar premium specs for less money, while the Pixel 7 Pro also has excellent cameras. The iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max run iOS but match the S23 Ultra for performance and battery life.
Yes, the S23 Ultra brings significant improvements over the S21 Ultra:
Faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor
Upgraded 200MP main camera
Longer battery life
Brighter display with adaptive refresh rate
S Pen latency reduced to just 2.8ms
New security chip
Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Together these upgrades make the S23 Ultra a sizable step up from the S21 Ultra, especially for the cameras, battery life, and S Pen responsiveness. Unless you get a great deal, it’s worth upgrading.
The upgrades from the S22 Ultra are more incremental but can still be worthwhile for some users. The new 200MP camera and improved zoom performance make the S23 Ultra better for photographers.
Battery life sees a nice bump too. If you can get good trade-in value for your S22 Ultra, upgrading to the S23 Ultra makes sense, especially if you want better pictures.
For most S21/S22 Ultra owners, the S23 Ultra represents an excellent upgrade. You’re getting one of the most advanced mobile camera systems ever put in a phone, improved battery life and display quality, and overall faster performance.
Unless you recently bought the S22 Ultra, upgrading to the S23 Ultra is a smart move if you can afford it.
Also Read: Diffferences Between Motorola G Power And Motorola G Stylus.
The Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the undisputed champ in terms of specs, cameras, display quality, and features. But it comes at a steep price.
The OnePlus 11 5G provides nearly as good performance and solid cameras for hundreds less. It lacks some extras like the S Pen but offers an incredible value.
Here are some final recommendations on which to get:
- If you want the absolute best Android phone with no compromises, get the S23 Ultra.
- If you want to save money without sacrificing too much, the OnePlus 11 is an excellent option.
- For social media mavens and content creators, splurge on the S23 Ultra for its phenomenal cameras.
- For mobile gamers on a budget, the OnePlus 11 still provides elite performance.
- If you’ll use the S Pen for drawing or notes, the S23 Ultra is the obvious pick.
No matter which you choose, you really can’t go wrong. The OnePlus 11 and Galaxy S23 Ultra represent two amazing options for flagship Android phones in 2023.