The OnePlus 10T opened the floodgates for the new tenth-anniversary edition of its flagship smartphone, with the company confirming that it would kick off a new naming convention to mark this significant milestone. It’s believed that one of these new releases could be marketed as an 11 — and there are some great rumors about what to expect..
Let’s face it: OnePlus hasn’t strayed too far from a predictable release schedule. The firm has followed its first flagship (OnePlus One) with a direct successor, which was then followed by another sequel (the OnePlus 5T). Such consistency has led many to believe that we should be expecting the same again in 2019 — but there’s plenty of evidence to suggest otherwise.
Rumored OnePlus 11 Release Date
The OnePlus 7 is likely to be unveiled in May next year, but there’s no guarantee that a OnePlus 11 will also be released around the same time. We’ve heard a rumour that the Chinese manufacturer has considered releasing the 11 in June next year, and that a July launch could be on the cards too. While a summer release would be a first for the company, it could be that a new phone is pushed back due to the development of next-generation 5G handsets.
Given that the OnePlus 7 is expected to adopt a new naming convention, it’s possible that the 11 will be released a few months later. An August launch would mean that there’s a six-month gap between the two releases — which could be a first for OnePlus. The OnePlus 3 (released in June 2016) and OnePlus 5 (July 2017) were only separated by a three-month gap, while the OnePlus 6 and OnePlus 6T followed one another after six months.
New Bezel-less Design with Ultra-wide Screen and Sliding Cameras
The OnePlus 7 is expected to follow in the footsteps of the Oppo Reno by adopting a sliding mechanism for its cameras. It’s believed that the OnePlus 11 will adopt a similar design, with the front-facing cam expected to slide out from the top of the device. Such a mechanism would allow the firm to extend the screen to a whopping 8.4-inches, making it the company’s biggest display yet. OnePlus has been experimenting with such screens for some time, and it’s expected that the firm will ditch the standard 16:9 aspect ratio for an ultra-wide format with a 19:9 aspect ratio.
Such a change would allow the firm to make the most of the available space, while reducing bezels and maximizing the screen-to-body ratio. It’s unclear whether the OnePlus 11 will follow in the footsteps of the 10T and 10, with a waterdrop-style notch that could be hidden with a software feature. There are some rumours suggesting that a full-screen design is likely, but don’t take that as a sign that OnePlus will completely rule out the idea of a notch. It’s likely that the company will adopt a range of different display types for its next flagship, just as it has for its last two releases.
6.5-inch AMOLED Display, Snapdragon 855/865 Processor and Warp Charge 30
The OnePlus 7 is expected to include a 6.5-inch AMOLED display, offering a 90Hz refresh rate and a QD16 SoC. It’s expected that the OnePlus 11 will adopt the same panel, but with an upgraded Snapdragon 855/865 processor (depending on the region). There are also rumours that the OnePlus 11 could feature a 4K resolution, but it’s unclear whether the company will take this drastic step to push the envelope even further.
What is certain is that the OnePlus 11 will benefit from a 90Hz refresh rate — which should offer buttery-smooth visuals and help to improve gaming experiences. The OnePlus 7 is expected to include Warp Charge 30 — the successor to OnePlus’s Dash Charge technology. It’s expected that the OnePlus 11 will be the first to adopt the new charging standard, with a significant improvement in charging speeds.
48MP Rear Camera with 20MP Ultra Wide Angle Lens
The OnePlus 7 is expected to introduce a 48MP camera, offering 10x digital zoom and a 10-second long exposure. It’s believed that the OnePlus 11 will also feature a 48MP primary sensor, with the same long exposure feature ported over from the 7. OnePlus has been hiring camera experts left, right and centre in recent months, with a strong focus on improving camera quality.
It’s likely that the firm will employ a combination of hardware and software to achieve such results, with the potential of introducing new technologies such as HPU (Holographic Processing Unit). There’s also a possibility that the OnePlus 11 could feature a 20MP ultra wide-angle sensor, which would allow for significantly wider shots than the standard 16MP sensor. Such a feature would be ideal for landscape photography and indoor/outdoor shots, with the ability to capture landscapes without the need for a tripod.
13MP Front Facing Camera With Face Recognition Unlock
The OnePlus 7 is expected to introduce a new Face Unlock feature, and it’s possible that the OnePlus 11 will also include a Face Unlock feature. There are also rumours that the OnePlus 11 will include a 13MP front-facing camera, but it’s unclear whether it will feature face recognition technology. OnePlus has been investing heavily in biometric technology, and it’s likely that the firm will look to expand the use of face and eye recognition in the future.
Face Unlock is already available on the OnePlus 7, but it’s believed that the OnePlus 11 will include an upgraded version that is quicker and more secure than the current implementation. It’s possible that the OnePlus 11 will also include a combination of fingerprint and face recognition, with the ability to use either or both methods to unlock the device.
Dark Grey, Steel and Light Grey Colour Variants
The OnePlus 7 is expected to introduce a new Dark Grey colour variant, which is likely to be followed by a Steel variant too. It’s possible that the OnePlus 11 will also include a Dark Grey edition, but don’t rule out the introduction of a brand new colour variant.
There’s also a possibility that the OnePlus 11 could include a Light Grey edition, with the manufacturer having released a number of light-coloured devices in the past. It’s believed that OnePlus has been experimenting with several new colour options recently, so it’s possible that the firm has a few surprises up its sleeve for the next flagship.
Conclusion
The OnePlus 7 will likely be the firm’s most expensive flagship to date, but it’s likely that the OnePlus 11 will be even more premium. The upcoming flagship will see the company take a big step forward with regard to design and aesthetics, with a new design and upgraded display likely to be the main talking points.
It’s expected that the OnePlus 11 will adopt a sliding design, with a larger display, upgraded processor and new camera technology all likely to feature. With a release date likely to be scheduled for either June or July, the OnePlus 11 is likely to be one of the most eagerly-anticipated releases of the year.