OnePlus 11 vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Which Flagship Should You Choose?

The OnePlus 11 and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra represent the pinnacle of smartphone technology, each offering a compelling blend of power, features, and design. But with such high-end contenders, choosing the right one can be tough. This comprehensive comparison breaks down every aspect to help you make an informed decision.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Galaxy S23 Ultra takes the crown with its superior display, versatile camera system, and longer battery life. However, the OnePlus 11 offers incredible value with blazing-fast charging and a powerful processor, making it a strong contender for budget-conscious users seeking flagship performance.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus 11 Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 38, 39, 41, 40, 46, 48, 66, 71 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE (up to 7CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China1, 7, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2023, January 042023, February 01
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, January 09Available. Released 2023, February 17
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
Dimensions163.1 x 74.1 x 8.5 mm (6.42 x 2.92 x 0.33 in)163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight205 g (7.23 oz)234 g (8.25 oz)
 IP64IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised) Stylus (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1440 x 3216 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~525 ppi density)1440 x 3088 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~500 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 114.7 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO3 Fluid AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (HBM), 1750 nits (peak)
 Always-on displayAlways-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 740
OSAndroid 13, upgradable to Android 15, OxygenOS 15 (International), ColorOS 14 (China)Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1 - 128GB only UFS 4.0UFS 4.0
Main Camera
FeaturesHasselblad Color Calibration, color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Quad-200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.3", 0.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 10 MP, f/4.9, 230mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video
Single16 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide), 1.0µm12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), Dual Pixel PDAF
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 32 MP, f/2.0, 48mm (telephoto), 1/2.74", PDAF, 2x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 115˚, (ultrawide), 1/2.0", AF-
Video8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR, HDR10+
Single16 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide), 1.0µm12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging100W wired, PD, 50% in 10 min, 100% in 25 min - International 80W wired, PD - USA45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsTitan Black, Eternal Green, Jupiter RockPhantom Black, Green, Cream, Lavender, Graphite, Sky Blue, Lime, Red, BMW M Edition
ModelsPHB110, CPH2449, CPH2447, CPH2451SM-S918B, SM-S918B/DS, SM-S918U, SM-S918U1, SM-S918W, SM-S918N, SM-S9180, SM-S918E, SM-S918E/DS
Price$ 379.99 / ₹ 33,990€ 549.90 / $ 454.99 / £ 433.00
SAR1.19 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)1.12 W/kg (head)     0.92 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.96 W/kg (head)     1.40 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 108h Endurance rating 126h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -25.2 LUFS (Very good) -25.6 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 1140661 (v9) GeekBench: 4899 (v5.1) GFXBench: 57fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 1241531 (v9) GeekBench: 4927 (v5.1) GFXBench: 67fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

OnePlus 11

  • Blazing-fast 100W charging (International)
  • Excellent performance
  • Clean and customizable OxygenOS
  • Competitive price

  • Less versatile camera system
  • Lower display brightness
  • Shorter battery life compared to S23 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

  • Exceptional camera system with incredible zoom
  • Brighter and more vibrant display
  • Longer battery life
  • Feature-rich software and ecosystem

  • Higher price
  • Slower charging speeds compared to OnePlus 11
  • Larger and heavier design

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra boasts a significantly brighter display (1274 nits vs 767 nits), offering exceptional visibility even in direct sunlight. Both have excellent contrast ratios (infinite nominal), but the S23 Ultra's Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology provides richer colors and deeper blacks. The S23 Ultra also has a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, while the OnePlus 11 also has a 120Hz refresh rate.

Camera Comparison

The Galaxy S23 Ultra's camera system is undeniably more versatile, featuring a 200MP main sensor, multiple telephoto lenses, and advanced image processing. The OnePlus 11 delivers excellent image quality, but lacks the zoom capabilities and overall flexibility of the S23 Ultra. Both phones record high-quality video.

Performance

Both phones are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, but the S23 Ultra has a slightly higher clocked prime core (3.36 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). In real-world usage, both offer incredibly smooth performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications. The OnePlus 11's OxygenOS is known for its speed and customization options.

Battery Life

The Galaxy S23 Ultra demonstrates superior battery endurance, achieving an active use score of 13:24h and an endurance rating of 126h, compared to the OnePlus 11's 11:05h active use and 108h endurance rating. The S23 Ultra also supports 45W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, while the OnePlus 11 offers incredibly fast 100W wired charging (International) or 80W (USA).

Buying Guide

The OnePlus 11 is ideal for users prioritizing speed, value, and a clean software experience. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is perfect for those who demand the best camera, a stunning display, and a feature-rich ecosystem, even at a premium price.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better video recording capabilities?
Both phones record excellent video, but the Galaxy S23 Ultra offers more advanced features and stabilization.
❓ Is the OnePlus 11 worth it if I don't need the best camera?
Absolutely! The OnePlus 11 provides flagship performance and incredibly fast charging at a more accessible price point.