The OnePlus 11 and Samsung Galaxy S23 are two of the most anticipated Android flagship smartphones of 2023. With powerful specs and high-end features, these phones aim to deliver a premium smartphone experience.
This article provides a detailed comparison of the OnePlus 11 and Galaxy S23’s specs and features. We’ll examine the designs, displays, processors, memory, storage, batteries, cameras, software and other key aspects to help you determine which phone is the better choice for you.
OnePlus 11 vs Samsung Galaxy S23: Key Specs Comparison
| Specs | OnePlus 11 | Samsung Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | February 2023 (Expected) | February 2023 (Expected) |
| Display | 6.7″ QHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz | 6.1″ FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB |
| Rear Camera | 50MP + 48MP + 32MP | 50MP + 12MP + 10MP |
| Front Camera | 16MP | 12MP |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 3900 mAh |
| Charging | 100W wired; 50W wireless | 25W wired; 15W wireless |
| IP Rating | IP54 | IP68 |
| Operating System | Android 13 with OxygenOS 13 | Android 13 with One UI 5 |
| Estimated Price | $799+ | $899+ |
Design and Display
In terms of design, both phones feature a premium glass and metal sandwich build. The OnePlus 11 has a curved display with a centred punch-hole selfie camera. The Galaxy S23 opts for a flat display with thinner bezels and a drop-style notch.
The OnePlus 11 sports a large 6.7-inch QHD+ AMOLED display with a pixel density of 525 ppi. It supports a dynamic 120Hz refresh rate. The Galaxy S23 has a smaller 6.1-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a 1080p resolution. But it also offers a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations.
The OnePlus 11’s higher 1440p resolution display delivers sharper images and videos over the Galaxy S23’s 1080p screen. But the S23’s display provides deeper blacks and better brightness levels.
Performance and Storage
Under the hood, both smartphones are powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset based on the 4nm manufacturing process. This new processor promises significant improvements in CPU and GPU performance versus last year’s model.
The OnePlus 11 offers the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in 8GB/12GB RAM options paired with 128GB/256GB of UFS 4.0 storage. The Galaxy S23 also packs the same Snapdragon chip but only comes in an 8GB RAM model with 128GB/256GB storage.
While the S23 has decent memory specs, the OnePlus 11 pulls ahead with its higher 12GB RAM configuration that provides an edge for multitasking and gaming performance. However, both phones should deliver extremely fast overall performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
Cameras
OnePlus has equipped the 11 with a triple camera array featuring a 50MP Sony IMX890 primary sensor, a 48MP ultrawide camera, and a 32MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom. The Galaxy S23 has a 50MP primary camera joined by a 12MP ultrawide and a 10MP 3x telephoto camera.
For selfies, the OnePlus 11 offers a 16MP front camera while the Galaxy S23 opts for a 12MP selfie camera.
In terms of photo and video quality, the OnePlus 11 should capture more detailed images with its 50MP main camera. But the S23 packs a more versatile camera setup with dedicated depth and telephoto lenses that allow for Portrait mode shots and optical zoom. Both phones can record 8K video.
Battery and Charging
The OnePlus 11 houses a large 5,000 mAh battery paired with insane 100W wired charging that can refill the phone from 0 to 100% in just 25 minutes. It also supports 50W wireless charging.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy S23 has a smaller 3,900 mAh battery capacity. But it still delivers decent battery life. It charges at 25W wired and 15W wireless speeds, which are quite slow compared to the OnePlus 11.
With its huge battery and blazing-fast charging, the OnePlus 11 clearly wins in terms of battery life and charging speeds. You can expect almost double the endurance and 4x faster charging versus the S23.
Software and Special Features
OnePlus’ OxygenOS 13 based on Android 13 offers a clean software experience with useful customizations and minimal bloatware. Samsung’s One UI 5 based on Android 13 is also feature-packed while providing a polished interface.
Both phones come with modern software features like personalized themes, Always On displays, dark mode, privacy protections, and excellent multitasking. But the OnePlus 11’s cleaner, ad-free interface gives it an advantage.
The Galaxy S23 counters with Samsung exclusives like Samsung DeX desktop mode, Bixby assistant, and deep integration with other Galaxy devices. But the S23 lacks the alert slider – a beloved OnePlus trademark that makes it easy to quickly silence notifications.
For biometrics, both phones utilize under-display fingerprint sensors. But the S23 adds advanced facial recognition through Samsung’s 3D Face Unlock system.
Price and Availability
The OnePlus 11 is expected to start at around $799, putting it in the premium flagship tier but still below Apple and Samsung’s pricing. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S23 should begin at $899 for the base 128GB model.
Both phones will be available globally beginning in February 2023. With its competitive pricing, the OnePlus 11 emerges as the value flagship compared to the pricier Galaxy S23.
Conclusion
The OnePlus 11 and Galaxy S23 are shaping up to be two of the top Android flagships of 2023. They are evenly matched in core areas like the display, processor, software experience and camera capabilities.
But the OnePlus 11 gains an edge with its higher resolution display, faster charging and cheaper pricing. The S23 counters with a more polished design, official IP water resistance rating and Samsung-exclusive features.
If you want incredible performance with super fast charging at a reasonable price, the OnePlus 11 makes more sense. But the Galaxy S23 is ideal if you want a more premium build, better cameras and Samsung extras. Either way, both represent excellent choices for a flagship Android smartphone this year.
