The OnePlus 11 is a truly stellar smartphone that rivals phones costing hundreds of dollars more. But should you buy it or the Google Pixel 7? We found out.
Thinking of spending four figures on a top flagship smartphone? Hold your horses for just a moment, as you may not need to. OnePlus’ status as a flagship killer is well-earned, and the new OnePlus 11 showcases exactly what the company has learned in the eight years since it launched its first phone. Top-tier flagship power joins a high-spec camera, gorgeous display, huge battery, and a beautiful design — all for just $699.
But it’s not the only smartphone in this space, and one of the more tempting ones is the Google Pixel 7. Priced at just $599, Google’s smartphone exists in a similar space as the OnePlus 11, and includes flagship-level power, a gorgeous display and design, a showstopping camera, and a long-lasting battery. Throw both phones into the mix, and declaring a winner in the OnePlus 11 versus Google Pixel 7 battle suddenly becomes quite difficult.
Both are great reasons not to spend $1,000 on a flagship smartphone, but which one should you actually buy? We took a look at these two great devices, so you know which of the two is right for you.
The fronts of phones have generally (thanks to narrow bezels) become rather similar. Instead, designers have gone to town on the rear casings, and both of these phones are good examples of that trend. The Pixel 7’s rear has a unique camera bar, complete with a brushed metal surface broken only by a hole for the camera lenses. The OnePlus 11 goes even further, with a massive circular camera module. They’re both distinctive, but also good-looking.
The OnePlus 11 has an advantage where display tech is concerned. Both have beautiful AMOLED displays, but the OnePlus 11’s variable frame rate can go from 1Hz all the way up to 120Hz, trumping the Pixel 7’s 10Hz to 90Hz refresh rate. That difference means the OnePlus 11 can exert less power at 1Hz on the always-on display, and feel even smoother when running the 120Hz rate.
Looking at durability, both of these phones use Gorilla Glass Victus, but even then, keep in mind that they’re both still made of glass, so don’t go throwing them around. The Pixel 7 wins out here though, thanks to an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The OnePlus 11 has an IP64 rating, which means it’s only protected against water spray and rain, and complete immersion will likely lead to water damage. The Pixel 7’s IP68 rating means it can withstand a short time underwater.
Both of these phones are winners, thanks to their gorgeous designs and displays. The Pixel 7’s IP68 rating gives it an edge, but the OnePlus 11’s refresh rate negates it. This is a tie.
Winner: Tie
Both of these smartphones offer flagship power at a lower price, but they aren’t equal.
