OnePlus 11R Solar Red hands-on: One of the best OnePlus phones ever made

OnePlus 11R Solar Red review
(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

OnePlus used to make a habit of releasing delightful limited-edition phones — the OnePlus 5T Star Wars and OnePlus 7T Pro McLaren Edition immediately come to mind — and while that level of close-knit collaboration with popular franchises is in the distant past, the Chinese manufacturer is reigniting some of the passion.

The OnePlus 11 Marble Odyssey was a terrific showcase, and the use of a marble texture wherein no two designs would be identical was quintessential OnePlus. But with the introduction of the OnePlus 11R Solar Red, the brand is taking things to a new level. The phone immediately grabs attention thanks to its vibrant red hue, and after so many years — the OnePlus 6 Lava Red was the last OnePlus phone I can think of — it's great to see a OnePlus device in red.

OnePlus 11R Solar Red review

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

I remember chatting with Pete Lau just after the launch of the Lava Red OnePlus 6, and he talked about how his team agonized over the choice of red hue, ultimately going with a variant that was costlier than other choices because it looked more vibrant. I see a similar attention to detail on the OnePlus 11R Solar Red, and the phone looks magnificent.

OnePlus 11R Solar Red review

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

This time, it's the texture that gives the phone its unique characteristics. OnePlus went with a vegan leather back with a textured pattern, and it feels wonderful to hold. It has a more gritty texture than some of the leather-backed phones I used, and OnePlus says that's by design; the Solar Red is meant to mimic the feel of Sandstone finishes from years past, and it definitely comes close.

OnePlus 11R Solar Red review

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

Structurally, the OnePlus 11R Solar Red is identical to the standard model, and that means you get a polycarbonate mid-frame. That said, it doesn't feel like using a budget phone — far from it. And similar to the OnePlus 11, the camera housing merges seamlessly with the mid-frame, and the effect is just as cool here. The chrome accent on the sides and camera housing differentiates the design a little. And yes, the alert slider is intact.

The front is unchanged, and you get the same 6.74-inch AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh. I didn't see any issues with the screen as such, and it is identical to the standard OnePlus 11R. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is also the same, and while it isn't the latest, it continues to be fluid in daily use, and it still has plenty of headroom for playing visually demanding games.

OnePlus 11R Solar Red review

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

What is different on the OnePlus 11R Solar Red is the storage and memory: the phone comes with 18GB of RAM and 512GB of storage as standard. That feels a little excessive considering 16GB of RAM by itself is overkill anyway, but it's clear that OnePlus wanted to differentiate the phone in this regard.

The charging tech is the same at 100W, and it takes just over 25 minutes to fully charge the 5000mAh battery. I easily got a day's worth of use without any issues whatsoever, and there's no battery anxiety. Connectivity is unchanged too, with the phone featuring Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and AptX HD codecs.

OnePlus 11R Solar Red review

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

But what you'll like the most is the cameras. The OnePlus 11R uses the same 50MP Sony IMX890 camera as the regular OnePlus 11, and that means it takes fantastic photos in just about any situation. While there's no Hasselblad integration here, you don't really notice much in the way of difference in the resultant shots. That's why I noted in my OnePlus 11R review that the phone makes the OnePlus 11 obsolete, and that is the case with the Solar Red model as well.

OnePlus 11R Solar Red review

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

Yes, the OnePlus 11 is technically better — it is faster, has better auxiliary cameras, and will get more software updates — but in real-world use, the OnePlus 11R manages to hold its own against its flagship sibling. It feels just as fluid, the AMOLED panel is just as vibrant, and while it's missing Hasselblad branding, the 50MP camera takes photos that are just as good. Sure, the wide-angle lens is strictly average and there's no optical zoom, but the main camera is on par with the OnePlus 11, and that should be more than adequate for most users.

OnePlus 11R Solar Red review

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

The OnePlus 11R distils the essence of the OnePlus 11 into a much more affordable package. The OnePlus 11R Solar Red builds on that in a significant way, and the unique textured leather design combined with that gorgeous red hue (photos don't do it justice) and hardware upgrades make the phone a no-brainer if you're living in India.

The best part of the phone is that it costs just ₹45,999 ($552), just ₹1,000 ($12) more than the 16GB/256GB model of the OnePlus 11R — a terrific bargain. This is one of the best OnePlus phones you can get today.  

Harish Jonnalagadda
Senior Editor - Asia

Harish Jonnalagadda is Android Central's Senior Editor of Asia. In his current role, he oversees the site's coverage of Chinese phone brands, networking products, and AV gear. He has been testing phones for over a decade, and has extensive experience in mobile hardware and the global semiconductor industry. Contact him on Twitter at @chunkynerd.

  • TheDiveWatcher
    AC News said:
    The OnePlus 11R Solar Red is now official, and I used it for just over a week. Here's everything you need to know about it, and why it's a better bargain than the OnePlus 11.

    OnePlus 11R Solar Red hands-on: One of the best OnePlus phones ever made : Read more
    May I ask if you are testing these India exclusive devices within the US or testing them in their respective markets in which they can only be obtained? I ask because I personally would love to get the Red 11R eveb now in April 2024. I was thinking quite deeply about trading my OnePlus 11 in towards the new OP 12 but haven't and may not ever now. The Apple and Samsung duo that are the only true and legit full blown flagship phones to choose from in the US has me leaning towards caving in and investing into all mobile tech Samsung and stop resisting what is the reality and at least not in my lifetime will that change. All because of Apple even though the US government has filed charges to "attempt" to put an end to Apple operating as an illegal legalized 100 percent absolute dictatorship type of tyrannical monopoly and they do so arrogantly and openly. So as such I might as well just pick my poison and then Samsung it is because I boycotted Apple years ago starting back when Apple banned Huawei. Apple did. The US couldn't refuse the billions under tables and steel deadbolt locked doors. Far more than espionage. I digress. I may in fact come back and edit this. I just am about the truth and in the constant pursuit thereof.

    Man I would have loved to have been able to get the Red OP 11r and it worked without any issue here in the US. In my research it appeared the bandwidths were missing or vice versa that it wouldn't work without issue outside of India. If I am wrong please let me know. I just came across a older Samsung flagship that I bought because it was like new in box and extremely rare. I was reluctant but grabbed it anyways because of its brand new condition and because it was the Mystic Red Samsung Note 20 5G. In fact I'm using it right now as it was delivered today. I hesitate because updates are done and no longer so I thought that I will use it for a month or two and then resell it. It's likely I may even actually sell it at a higher price than I bought it for. It's not about rhe money or making a profit. I wanted the a Red phone. I do know that I will at wosre break even Steven when I do sell it likely on Facebook market place which is also known today as the new Craig's list. Scam attempts have taken over market place. I am stopping myself here. The rabbit hole began calling me down deep. Thanks for sharing your experience with the OP 11r Red. Have a great evening.
    Reply
  • TheDiveWatcher
    AC News said:
    The OnePlus 11R Solar Red is now official, and I used it for just over a week. Here's everything you need to know about it, and why it's a better bargain than the OnePlus 11.

    OnePlus 11R Solar Red hands-on: One of the best OnePlus phones ever made : Read more
    Oh wow! I couldn't resist and clicked your article to have a quick look at the Red 11r it is the perfect color Red. Solar Red. If you dont nimd will you let me know if it will operate without any issue in the US and if so directing me as to how I may possibly be able to get my hands on one. It's a beauty. That did look awesome. Man I want one big time now. I no longer have any interest in the oneplus 12. Not now since I saw it. I knew better lol. That is the best most coolest phone I've ever seen. I truly hope to hear back from you and that you tell me that the Solar Red 11r will work in the US. Then I will totally immerse myself into the search of finding one. I would enjoy testing and writing about phones as you do. Would be fun and a blast. Plus I already do but to an audience that has no idea what I'm talking about or if not that the others simply don't care. So neither or probably even read one word I write lol. Thanks for the info if you get this.
    Reply