Samsung Galaxy S23+ vs OnePlus 11: The Ultimate Showdown

The Samsung Galaxy S23+ and OnePlus 11 are two of the most compelling flagship Android phones of the year. Both pack powerful processors, stunning displays, and capable cameras, but they cater to different priorities. This comprehensive comparison will break down every aspect to help you decide which one deserves your money.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The OnePlus 11 offers blazing-fast 100W charging and a slightly more aggressive price point. The S23+ boasts a more refined software experience, potentially better camera consistency, and a more compact form factor. Ultimately, the OnePlus 11 wins on value and charging speed, while the S23+ excels in software polish and overall refinement.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy S23+ OnePlus 11
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (Dual SIM model only)GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International1, 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 - International
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE-A (up to 7CA), 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 1, 7, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2023, February 012023, January 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, February 17Available. Released 2023, January 09
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm (6.21 x 3.00 x 0.30 in)163.1 x 74.1 x 8.5 mm (6.42 x 2.92 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM and eSIM or Dual SIM (2 Nano-SIMs and eSIM, dual stand-by)· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight196 g (6.91 oz)205 g (7.23 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised)IP64
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)1440 x 3216 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~525 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 105.3 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeDynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (HBM), 1750 nits (peak)LTPO3 Fluid AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)
 Always-on displayAlways-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 740
OSAndroid 13, One UI 5.1Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, OxygenOS 15 (International), ColorOS 14 (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
 UFS 4.0UFS 3.1 - 128GB only UFS 4.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, auto-HDR, panoramaHasselblad Color Calibration, color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-16 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide), 1.0µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video50 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@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesDual video call, Auto-HDR, HDR10+HDR, panorama
Single12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), Dual Pixel PDAF16 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide), 1.0µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jack-No
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support-
Battery
Charging45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min (advertised) 15W wireless (Qi/PMA) 4.5W reverse wireless100W wired, PD, 50% in 10 min, 100% in 25 min - International 80W wired, PD - USA
TypeLi-Ion 4700 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsPhantom Black, Cream, Green, Lavender, Graphite, LimeTitan Black, Eternal Green, Jupiter Rock
ModelsSM-S916B, SM-S916B/DS, SM-S916U, SM-S916U1, SM-S916W, SM-S916N, SM-S9160, SM-S916E, SM-S916E/DSPHB110, CPH2449, CPH2447, CPH2451
Price$ 780.00 / C$ 1,399.99 / £ 919.08 / € 1,185.89 / ₹ 94,999$ 379.99 / ₹ 33,990
SAR0.95 W/kg (head)     1.04 W/kg (body)1.19 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.77 W/kg (head)     1.45 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Battery lifeEndurance rating 111h Endurance rating 108h
CameraPhoto / Video Photo / Video
DisplayContrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker-26.5 LUFS (Good) -25.2 LUFS (Very good)
PerformanceAnTuTu: 1234077 (v9) GeekBench: 5073 (v5.1) GFXBench: 110fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 1140661 (v9) GeekBench: 4899 (v5.1) GFXBench: 57fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy S23+

  • Refined software experience (One UI)
  • Excellent display tuning
  • Potentially better camera consistency
  • Compact form factor
  • Trusted brand reputation

  • Slower charging speeds compared to OnePlus 11
  • Higher price point
  • Design can be considered less exciting

OnePlus 11

  • Blazing-fast 100W charging (International) / 80W (USA)
  • Aggressive price point
  • Clean and customizable Android experience
  • Bright display
  • Excellent performance

  • Image processing can be inconsistent
  • Software support may not be as long-term as Samsung
  • Design may not appeal to everyone

Display Comparison

Both phones feature excellent displays with nominal infinite contrast ratios. However, the OnePlus 11 boasts a measured peak brightness of 767 nits, significantly higher than the S23+'s likely peak brightness (estimated around 1200-1300 nits). The S23+ benefits from Samsung's display tuning, offering vibrant colors and excellent viewing angles. The OnePlus 11's higher brightness is advantageous in direct sunlight.

Camera Comparison

The S23+ is expected to have a more consistent camera experience across all lenses, leveraging Samsung's image processing expertise. The OnePlus 11's camera hardware is impressive, but its image processing can be more variable. Both phones capture excellent photos and videos in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is competitive, but the S23+ may have a slight edge.

Performance

Both devices are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, but with slightly different model numbers (SM8550-AC vs SM8550-AB). In real-world usage, the performance difference is negligible. Both phones handle demanding games and multitasking with ease. The S23+ might have slightly better thermal management due to its larger size.

Battery Life

The S23+ has an endurance rating of 111h, while the OnePlus 11 has an endurance rating of 108h and an active use score of 11:05h. The OnePlus 11's standout feature is its incredibly fast 100W (International) or 80W (USA) wired charging, capable of reaching 50% in just 10 minutes. The S23+ offers 45W wired charging and 15W wireless charging.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy S23+? Users prioritizing a polished software experience, a more compact design, and a trusted brand reputation. Who should buy the OnePlus 11? Those seeking the absolute fastest charging speeds, a more aggressive price, and a clean, customizable Android experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Samsung Galaxy S23+ has a slightly higher endurance rating, but the OnePlus 11's faster charging makes up for it.
❓ Is the OnePlus 11's software as good as Samsung's?
OnePlus's OxygenOS is clean and customizable, but Samsung's One UI is more polished and feature-rich. Software preference is subjective.