Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Honor 70 and the OnePlus 11. I'll be breaking down the tech specs and translating those into how each phone would feel in your hands and during everyday use.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed comparison table highlighting the key specs, and more importantly, how they impact your day-to-day experience:
| Feature | Honor 70 | OnePlus 11 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-06-02 | 2023-01-09 | OnePlus 11 is the newer device by about 7 months |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are typical smartphone designs, no foldable form factor |
| Dimensions | 161.4 x 73.3 x 7.9 mm | 163.1 x 74.1 x 8.5 mm | OnePlus 11 is slightly taller and thicker; Honor 70 is a bit more compact. |
| Weight | 178g | 205g | Honor 70 is noticeably lighter, better for extended use and portability; OnePlus 11 is heftier. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Both displays are very similar in size, a difference of a mere 0.03". |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1440 x 3216 | OnePlus 11 offers significantly sharper visuals; much better pixel density for detailed images and text. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 395 | 525 | OnePlus 11 display will look noticeably sharper and clearer. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; negligible practical difference here. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations; no difference between the two here. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | OnePlus 11 will be significantly better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) | OnePlus 11 has a much more powerful chipset; noticeably faster performance in gaming, multitasking and demanding apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 600,525 | 1,389,474 | OnePlus 11 has a significantly higher benchmark score, translating to superior real-world performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 740 | OnePlus 11 will handle graphically demanding tasks and gaming better. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | OnePlus 11 has a slightly larger battery, which may offer a bit longer usage between charges; not a big difference here. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | OnePlus 11 has much faster charging, meaning less time plugged in; significant difference here. |
| Charging Features | Reverse charging | Non-removable | Honor 70 can charge other devices; OnePlus 11 cannot. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 54MP f/1.9, 1/1.49" Sony IMX800 | 50MP f/1.8, 1/1.56" Sony IMX890 | Honor 70 has higher resolution and a slightly larger sensor; slightly better image quality in low light conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP f/2.4, 1/3.2" OV32C | 16MP f/2.4, 1/3.1" Samsung S5K3P9 | Honor 70 has a significantly higher resolution front camera. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 32MP f/2.0, 1/2.74" Sony IMX709 | OnePlus 11 offers telephoto zoom capabilities, while the Honor 70 doesn't have a dedicated lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP f/2.2 | N/A | Honor 70 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for expansive shots, OnePlus 11 doesn't. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | N/A | Honor 70 has a dedicated macro lens for closeup shots; OnePlus 11 doesn't have a dedicated macro lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 48MP f/2.2, 1/2" Sony IMX581 | OnePlus 11 has a combined wide and macro, while the Honor 70 doesn't have a combined lens. |
| Video | 4K@30fps w/EIS | 8K@24fps with HDR, EIS; 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS | OnePlus 11 records higher video resolution, with HDR options; the difference here is big. |
| Camera DxOMark | 115 (Mobile), 115 (Photo), 129 (Video) | 127 (Mobile), 134 (Photo), 121 (Video) | OnePlus 11 scores higher in overall quality and photo performance, while the Honor 70 performs better in video. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | Flicker sensor, 8K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Gimbal, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | OnePlus 11 has more advanced features such as optical zoom, OIS, Gimbal, etc.; offering better image and video capture capabilities. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 12 | Android 13 (upgradeable to 14) | OnePlus 11 has a newer OS, offering newer features and better long-term software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | WiFi 7 (802.11be) | OnePlus 11 supports newer WiFi standards for faster speeds and better performance. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | Bluetooth 5.3 LE | OnePlus 11 offers the latest Bluetooth version for better and more efficient connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), QZSS (L1 + L5) | OnePlus 11 supports more satellite systems, potentially more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | OnePlus 11 supports eSIM for more flexible carrier options. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Both phones have the same storage options; neither can be expanded with a microSD. |
| RAM | 6/8/12 GB | 8/12/16 GB | OnePlus 11 has a 16 GB RAM option, best for heavy multitasking and demanding apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 Microphones | OnePlus 11 features Dolby Atmos; potentially higher audio quality and better sound capturing |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones have a basic fingerprint sensor for biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | OnePlus 11 has a much more durable screen. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Both phones have standard sensors; OnePlus 11 has an additional Gravity sensor for better gaming experience. |
2. Key Insights
Honor 70 Strengths: The Honor 70 excels in being a lightweight and aesthetically pleasing device with a focus on a strong selfie camera and an excellent main sensor. It also includes reverse charging, a unique feature that can be handy. Its lighter build makes it comfortable for prolonged use.
OnePlus 11 Strengths: The OnePlus 11 stands out with its top-tier performance, thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and up to 16GB of RAM. The significantly higher brightness display, superior screen protection, faster charging, a more versatile camera system and the inclusion of a telephoto lens and features like Dolby Atmos, OIS and Gimbal stabilization make it a more premium offering. It also boasts better software support with the latest Android version.
Real-World Performance Differences: The OnePlus 11 provides a smoother and faster experience for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. The Honor 70 is no slouch, but it is designed for users who prioritize a good balance of features rather than ultimate performance. OnePlus 11’s better display, both in terms of resolution and brightness, provides a much better viewing experience overall.
Trade-offs: The Honor 70 is less powerful but offers a more lightweight and potentially more comfortable design, as well as the unique reverse charging capability. The OnePlus 11 is bulkier and heavier but significantly more powerful and feature-packed. The Honor 70 has a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens, while the OnePlus 11 combines these capabilities, and is not as potent as a dedicated lens.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Honor 70: Best for users who value a lightweight, sleek design, a good selfie camera, and decent everyday performance. It's ideal for those who consume a lot of social media content, enjoy taking selfies, and need a reliable device for day-to-day tasks. It suits users who do not require the very best performance.
OnePlus 11: Ideal for power users, gamers, and anyone who demands top-tier performance and a better display experience. It's suitable for those who need a device that can handle demanding apps, professional-grade photography, and video editing. It's also the better option for anyone looking for a long-lasting, future-proof device.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide:
- Do you prioritize performance and display quality above all else?
- If yes, the OnePlus 11 is the clear choice with its much more powerful processor, higher resolution screen, and better brightness.
- Is lightweight design and a good selfie camera more important than high-end performance and superior display?
- If yes, the Honor 70 might be the better option with its slimmer and lighter design and 32MP selfie camera.
- Is camera versatility and video quality essential for you?
- If yes, the OnePlus 11 is the better option with its telephoto lens, HDR video and 8K recording, along with a higher DxOMark camera score, and better low light performance.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For a social media enthusiast: The Honor 70's better selfie camera might be appealing, but the OnePlus 11 has higher quality camera in general and performs better overall.
- For a mobile gamer: The OnePlus 11's significantly superior chipset and GPU make it the best choice for high-end mobile gaming.
- For a professional photographer: The OnePlus 11's advanced camera system, including the telephoto lens and OIS, make it the more capable device for photography.
- For an average user: The OnePlus 11’s better processing power, future-proof technology and features make it a better buy overall.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would go with the OnePlus 11. The performance gains from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 are just too compelling to ignore. As someone who appreciates smooth and fast operation, the significantly higher benchmark scores translate directly to a much more enjoyable daily experience. Additionally, the higher-resolution screen and better display brightness, the superior camera system including the telephoto lens, combined with better video recording options, make it a much more compelling device for me personally. It is important to me to have a long lasting phone that performs well, and has great build quality. While the Honor 70 is a good phone, the OnePlus 11 is a more future-proof and feature-rich option.
