1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | OnePlus 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm | 163.1 x 74.1 x 8.5 mm | OnePlus 11 is slightly shorter, narrower, and thinner, potentially making it feel more comfortable in hand. |
| Weight | 206g | 205g | Both phones are nearly identical in weight; difference is negligible. |
| Build | Missing | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | OnePlus 11 has a superior screen protection. The Samsung A02 screen protection is unknown. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | OnePlus 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | OnePlus 11 offers slightly more screen real estate, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1440x3216 | OnePlus 11 provides much sharper images and text, leading to a more pleasant viewing experience. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 525 | OnePlus 11 display is significantly sharper, with finer details, and less pixelation. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | OnePlus 11 has better contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, better viewing angles and more efficient power usage, especially with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | OnePlus 11 offers smoother animations and scrolling, making the user experience feel more fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | OnePlus 11 screen can get significantly brighter, making it much more visible under direct sunlight. Samsung Galaxy A02 brightness is not specified, assuming that it is lower. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | OnePlus 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6739W (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | OnePlus 11 is much faster and more efficient, enabling smooth multitasking, gaming, and resource-intensive apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 50,774 | 1,389,474 | OnePlus 11 provides significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8100 | Adreno 740 | OnePlus 11 has much better graphical performance, leading to better gaming and visual rendering in applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | OnePlus 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear Camera (Main) | 13MP, f/1.9, 1.12µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" sensor, Sony IMX890, 1.00µm pixel size | OnePlus 11 produces much more detailed and higher-quality photos, especially in low light. |
| Front Camera | 5MP, f/2.0 | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.1" sensor, Samsung S5K3P9, 1.00µm pixel size | OnePlus 11 takes higher-resolution selfies with more detail. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 32MP, f/2.0, 1/2.74" sensor, Sony IMX709, 0.80µm pixel size | OnePlus 11 offers optical zoom capabilities for better distant shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Samsung Galaxy A02 can take dedicated close-up shots of small objects. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 48MP, f/2.2, 1/2" sensor, Sony IMX581, 0.80µm pixel size | OnePlus 11 can capture wider scenes and has Macro capabilities. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps (with HDR, EIS) | OnePlus 11 records much higher quality videos, with HDR and stabilization for a professional result, in addition to offering slow motion capabilities at much higher frame rates. |
| DXOMark | Not Tested | Mobile: 127, Photo: 134, Video: 121 | OnePlus 11 has a significantly higher rating indicating higher image quality compared to the untested Samsung A02. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Dual camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Flicker sensor, 4K Video, 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 offers many more advanced camera features, leading to a more versatile photography and videography experience. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | OnePlus 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones offer similar battery capacity, however, power efficiency can vary. |
| Charging | 7.5W | 100W | OnePlus 11 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Removable | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both phones have non-removable batteries. |
Software & Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | OnePlus 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 11) | Android 13 (upgradable to 14) | OnePlus 11 has a newer OS, offering more features and longer software support. |
| WiFi | 802.11b/g/n, Wi-Fi Hotspot | 802.11a/b/g/n/n 5GHz/ac/ax/be, Dual Band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display, Wi-Fi MiMO | OnePlus 11 supports newer and faster WiFi standards, for faster internet speeds and reduced interference. |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 LE | 5.3 LE, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | OnePlus 11 offers faster transfer speeds and better audio quality with supported codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), QZSS (L1 + L5) | OnePlus 11 uses multiple satellite systems for more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM, eSIM | OnePlus 11 supports eSIM, which can be useful for travel and switching between carriers. |
Storage and Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | OnePlus 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 32 GB / 64 GB | 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB | OnePlus 11 offers significantly more storage options for apps, media, and files. |
| RAM | 2 GB / 3 GB / 4 GB | 8 GB / 12 GB / 16 GB | OnePlus 11 provides much better multitasking and app performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, so the on-board storage is what you have to work with. |
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 Microphones | OnePlus 11 offers superior audio experience with higher quality playback and better voice capture. |
| Security | Basic security features | Fingerprint sensor | OnePlus 11 has a fingerprint sensor for convenient and secure unlocking. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | OnePlus 11 offers a more complete sensor package which can be useful for advanced features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A02 Advantages:
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for close-up photography (although low resolution).
- Potentially lower price: As an older budget model, the Samsung A02 is likely significantly cheaper.
OnePlus 11 Advantages:
- Superior Display: Much higher resolution, AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate, and significantly higher brightness for a much better viewing experience.
- Significantly Superior Performance: High-end Snapdragon chipset resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking and better gaming performance.
- Advanced Camera System: Higher resolution sensors, a Telephoto lens, and a Wide Angle + Macro lens. Overall higher quality images and videos with more features.
- Fast Charging: 100W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Newer OS and Features: Android 13 with more features and better software support.
- Advanced Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS standards for faster speeds and more accurate location tracking.
- Better Audio: Hi-Res audio, stereo speakers, and dual microphones for enhanced audio experience.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Added convenience and biometric security.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
Practical Implications
- Display: The OnePlus 11's display provides a much more enjoyable user experience, especially for media consumption and gaming.
- Performance: The performance difference between the devices will be drastic. The A02 may struggle with daily tasks while the OnePlus 11 will run everything smoothly.
- Camera: The OnePlus 11 takes much better images and videos, especially for users that prioritize photographic capabilities.
- Battery: OnePlus 11's fast charging is a game-changer, drastically reducing the time needed to charge the phone.
Trade-offs
- Price: The OnePlus 11 will be significantly more expensive than the Samsung Galaxy A02.
- Macro Lens: The A02 has a dedicated macro lens, while the OnePlus 11 does not.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A02 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Those looking for the most affordable option, where high performance is not needed.
- Basic smartphone users: People who primarily need a phone for calls, text, basic browsing, and social media.
- Users who value a macro lens: Those interested in taking close-up photos of small objects.
Samsung Galaxy A02 Use Cases:
- Basic daily tasks: Calling, texting, browsing the web.
- Users who want a secondary or basic backup phone.
- Those wanting a simple device for basic social media interactions.
OnePlus 11 Ideal User:
- Performance enthusiasts: Users who want the fastest possible performance for gaming and intensive apps.
- Photography lovers: Those who value high-quality photos and video.
- Media consumers: Users who enjoy watching videos and playing games on their phones.
- Users seeking a premium experience: Those who value premium features and a fluid user experience.
- Users who value faster charging: Those who dislike waiting long periods for their devices to charge.
OnePlus 11 Use Cases:
- Gaming, running demanding apps, and multitasking.
- High-quality photo and video capture.
- Watching high-resolution video content.
- Professional videography or content creation.
- Demanding users who want the best possible experience.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- Samsung Galaxy A02: Offers essential features at a very low price point. Suitable for those on a very tight budget, but its limitations are significant.
- OnePlus 11: Provides premium performance and features for its price, offering much better value for users who need high performance and top tier camera capabilities.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget?
- A tight budget likely points to the Samsung Galaxy A02, while a larger budget opens up the option for the OnePlus 11.
- What will I use the phone for?
- Basic use cases (calls, text) may not require the power of the OnePlus 11. Resource-intensive applications will benefit greatly from it.
- How important are display quality and camera capabilities?
- If these are priorities, the OnePlus 11 is the clear winner.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User with Basic Needs: If you are on a very tight budget and only need a phone for calls, texts, and some basic social media, the Samsung Galaxy A02 may suffice. However, be aware of its limitations in performance, display, and camera capabilities.
- Scenario 2: Performance User: If you are a gamer, power user, or someone who values smooth multitasking and app performance, the OnePlus 11 is the only reasonable choice here.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If camera quality is a top priority, you must opt for the OnePlus 11 as it provides higher quality images, more zoom and stabilization for both photos and video.
- Scenario 4: Users that value fast charging: If you find waiting for your device to charge for long periods irritating, the OnePlus 11, with its 100W fast charging is the clear option.
My Choice
I would choose the OnePlus 11. While the Samsung Galaxy A02 serves a purpose for extremely budget-conscious users, the OnePlus 11 offers a dramatically superior experience in almost every aspect that matters to most users. The difference in display quality, performance, camera capabilities, and charging speed is significant, making the extra investment worthwhile for anyone seeking a good smartphone experience. The OnePlus 11 is also the more future proof device of the two, and provides much more features than the A02, making it the better value overall.
