One was released earlier this year, the other was released a few weeks ago. Both claim to deliver top-notch performance packaged in an eye-catching design. Both claim to have very good cameras. And both are perhaps the first phones that will come to mind when you are thinking of getting a flagship-level phone for about Rs 60,000.
So which of the two should you go for? The now-veteran-ish OnePlus 11 the new kid on the flagship block or the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE? Let us work that out for you:
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Vs OnePlus 11: Design
The S23 FE and OnePlus 11 look nothing like each other. The OnePlus 11 is a taller phone (163.1 mm against 158 mm) with a large curved display and curved sides, while the S23 FE has a flat display and its sides are slightly straighter.
The OnePlus 11 also has a very large spherical camera unit, while the S23 FE has its cameras embedded in a column on the back, without any separate unit. Both phones have glass fronts and backs and metal frames, but the S23 FE has a higher IP68 rating as compared to the IP64 of the OnePlus 11.
The OnePlus 11’s back has a brushed, matte finish while the S23 FE has a slightly more glassy feel to it. The S23 FE is slimmer (8.2 mm to 8.5 mm) but feels heavier than the OnePlus 11. It weighs 4 grams more (209 grams to 205 grams) but as it is smaller in size, it has a certain chunky feel to it.
Which of the two looks better is really up to your sense of beauty – those preferring curved displays and a matte finish would like the OnePlus 11, while those preferring a flat display and straighter sides would go for the S23 FE. Speaking for ourselves, we think we like the slightly more compact build of the S23 FE and its better dust and water resistance.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Vs OnePlus 11: Display
The Galaxy S23 FE has a brilliant 6.4 inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x display with 2340 x 1080 resolution and 120 Hz refresh rate. It is brilliant and colourful, as befits a Samsung flagship.
The OnePlus 11’s fluid AMOLED display, however, has better specs. It not only is larger at 6.7 inches but also has a much higher resolution of 3,216×1,440 pixels and also has a refresh rate of 120 Hz. The S23 FE’s display seems brighter and more colourful, but the OnePlus 11 has a spec edge, which is why we are giving this round to the Never Settler.
Winner: OnePlus 11
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Vs OnePlus 11: Processor
The OnePlus 11 wins this round comfortably. It runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 top-of-the-line flagship chip, which is superior to the Exynos 2200 on the Galaxy S23 FE in terms of performance.
Winner: OnePlus 11
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Vs OnePlus 11: RAM & Storage
Both phones have an 8GB RAM and 128GB storage variant. But the OnePlus 11 also has a 16GB RAM and 256GB storage variant, while the S23 FE second variant is an 8GB RAM and 256GB storage one. Neither phone has expandable storage.
Winner: OnePlus 11
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Vs OnePlus 11: Cameras
Both phones come with three very good cameras on the back, spearheaded by flagship-level 50-megapixel main cameras with OIS. The OnePlus also has a 32-megapixel telephoto sensor with 2x optical zoom and a 48-megapixel ultrawide sensor with autofocus, while the S23 FE has an 8-megapixel telephoto but with 3x optical zoom and a 12-megapixel ultrawide.
The OnePlus 11 also wins the megapixel war on the front camera, with a 16-megapixel selfie snapper as compared to the 10-megapixel one on the Galaxy S23 FE. The OnePlus 11 also comes with the legendary Hasselblad’s expertise and effects.
In terms of performance, however, we found both phones on a relatively equal level, with OnePlus 11 delivering slightly more realistic and detailed shots while the S23 FE delivers brighter, more saturated colours.
The S23 FE handles selfies and videos better, while the OnePlus 11 scores on detail. We are calling this a tie — those who want better videos and bright colours will like the S23 FE, while those who prefer stills and more details will prefer the OnePlus 11R.
Winner: Tie
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Vs OnePlus 11: Gaming And Multimedia
With flagship-level specs, stereo speakers and very good displays, both phones deliver excellent multimedia and gaming experiences. Although the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is considered superior to the Exynos 2200, we could not see much of a difference in how the two devices handled high-end games.
Both phones are great for viewing content and deliver excellent sound as well. The OnePlus 11 has a slightly bigger display, which is why we are giving it this round.
Winner: OnePlus 11
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Vs OnePlus 11: Everyday use
The two phones are very equally matched in day-to-day use in tasks like mail, messaging, browsing the Web, social media and so on. Both have in-display fingerprint scanners which work smoothly.
The S23 FE takes this round because it handles calls slightly better than the OnePlus 11, is a bit easier to use and carry because of its more compact size, and because of its better dust and water resistance.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Vs OnePlus 11: Software
Both phones run on Android 13 out of the box, and come with assurances of software OS updates for four years and security updates for five years. The OxygenOS on the OnePlus 11 is cleaner and less cluttered than the slightly more crowded OneUI on the Galaxy S23 FE.
The Galaxy S23 FE, however, lets you do a whole lot more out of the box, and Samsung’s Android update record is formidable, which is why we are giving it this round, although minimalist purists will prefer the OnePlus 11.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Vs OnePlus 11: Battery and charging
This is an absolute cakewalk for the OnePlus 11. It comes with a 5,000mAh battery with support for 80W charging and an 80W SuperVOOC charger in the box.
The S23 FE on the other hand comes with a 4500 mAh battery and supports only 25W charging and has no charger in the box. Both phones get through a day of heavy usage (the OnePlus 11 has a bigger battery but also a larger and higher resolution display), but the OnePlus 11’s faster charging speed and the presence of the charger win it this round.
Winner: OnePlus 11
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Vs OnePlus 11: Price
The Galaxy S23 FE comes in two RAM and storage variants:
- 8GB+128GB : Rs 59,999
- 8GB+256GB: Rs 64,999
The OnePlus 11 also has two RAM and storage variants:
- 8GB+128GB: Rs 56,999
- 16GB+256GB: Rs 61,999
The OnePlus 11 is the clear winner here — it offers a similar RAM and storage variant at a lower price, and its high-end variant has double the RAM of the Galaxy S23 FE and still comes with a lower price tag.
Winner: OnePlus 11
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Vs OnePlus 11: Final Verdict
Which phone you choose is going to depend on what you need. Both phones have their strengths and are tied to key parameters such as gaming multimedia and cameras. The Samsung Galaxy S23 is a more compact device and is a smooth operator too.
But the OnePlus 11 comes with a better processor (not everyone likes Exynos), has a curved and larger display with a higher resolution, (MUCH) faster charging and a 16GB RAM option. In terms of sheer value, we would go with the OnePlus 11 right now, but we can see folks, especially those who love Samsung, liking the S23 FE too.
Whichever phone you get, your money will be very well spent.