OnePlus Ace 2 review

Added by on 01.31.23 | Last update 03.28.23
OnePlus Ace 2 review

OnePlus Ace 2 Specifications

  • Release date: 2023, February 07
  • Colors: Black, Glacier Blue
  • Dimensions: 163.4 x 74.3 x 8.7 mm.
  • Weight: 204 g.
  • Screen: 6.74" in, 1240 x 2772, AMOLED
  • Camera : Triple, 50MP
  • Chipset: Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
  • CPU: Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
  • Memory: 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
  • Battery: 5000, Li-Po, non-removable
  • Network: GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
  • Operating system: Android 13, ColorOS 13
  • Sensors: Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, color spectrum

If you are curious to find out all the details before reading the full review, visit the page for OnePlus Ace 2 Specs, where you will find even the smallest detail about the phone.

OnePlus Ace 2 Intro

OnePlus Ace 2 Smartphone Review - February 2023 was quite busy for OnePlus as they launched their new smartphones. The company recently launched the OnePlus Ace 2 in China and the OnePlus 11R in India. Don't get confused as both the phones have similar specs, just launched for two different smartphone markets. So there will be a huge difference in the software. Apart from this, there are also a few rumors regarding the upcoming Ace 2 Racing Edition.

For today's review, we have the OnePlus Ace 2 device. It is the successor to the OnePlus Ace that was launched last year. Like the previous model, you get powerful hardware, software, and battery support. All this combined gives a decent user experience. Let's head over to the OnePlus Ace 2 review to know more details about this phone.

OnePlus Ace 2 Design

OnePlus Ace 2 impresses with a sleek and fashionable design.
Though the Hasselblad logo is no longer present, the lens module looks better without it. The frame is plastic instead of metal, but there's not much difference in weight. The fingerprint area has been relocated, thus achieving a lower price. 

One of the things that impress in the design is the Gorilla Glass 5 protection on the back panel and the aluminum side panel that houses the power button and volume rocker. The front-panel flat display is a high-quality 6.74-inch diagonal and offers an immersive color experience for HDR10+ content. The front display is protected by Asahi Glass and boasts 1 billion colors.

Support for 120Hz refresh rate also contributes to the smooth touch experience of OnePlus Ace 2. Although the resolution falls short of 2K, there is no noticeable difference in power consumption. The provided high-frequency PWM dimming feature is also nice for those who use "eye protection".

Overall, the design of the OnePlus Ace 2 is satisfactory. The impressive body and the 204g weight, give it a high-end feel that is unmatched among phones in this price range. While it may not be the most impressive design on the market, it is still a solid choice for those who want a phone with a premium feel.

OnePlus Ace 2 Camera

When it comes to the camera performance of the OnePlus Ace 2, I'm quite impressed with what it offers. The main 50MP lens with optical image stabilization produces stable photos with reduced click times, resulting in great detail in every photo taken from the camera app. During my daily use, I noticed how vibrant the colors are, and how absorbing the contrast is in each photo.
Even on low-light settings, I found that the night mode boosted color saturation and reduced noise from images, resulting in great overall low-light shots.

The ultra-wide 8-megapixel lens also captured more detail from a wide angle and offered dynamic range. It was ideal for landscape images and had crisp results. 

In terms of video recording, the camera's built-in app can record up to 4K resolution from the camera's main setup. Using different modes, I was able to get successful video results. Although the selfie camera's video recording feature doesn't have cool features like the main camera setup, the 16-megapixel lens provided 1080p video resolution support.

Perhaps the best part of the camera system is that the main camera on the OnePlus Ace 2 has the same IMX 890 sensor as that of the OnePlus 11. This sensor is undoubtedly good and has similar performance as the OnePlus 11, despite the help of Hasselblad. 

Overall, the OnePlus Ace 2 is an excellent option for those who want a phone that focuses on performance and doesn't stand out from the rest. Its camera system is very similar to that of the OnePlus 11, and the Sony IMX890 (50MP) main camera delivers outstanding image performance, especially in natural light conditions. The color of the photo is relatively accurate, and the details are also very rich without the need for post-processing.

OnePlus Ace 2 Display

The 6.74-inch AMOLED panel provides beautiful and immersive color support, allowing you to enjoy content in HDR10+. The protection provided by Asahi Glass and Gorilla Glass 5 on the back panel gives peace of mind knowing the screen is well protected.

With advanced 120Hz refresh rate support, the touch experience on this screen is smooth and seamless. The display outperforms the OnePlus 11 and competes with other similarly priced phones, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a high-quality screen on their phone.

OnePlus Ace 2 Performance

In terms of performance, I have to say that the OnePlus Ace 2 is a step up from its predecessor. With the switch to a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, power consumption has been significantly improved. The performance score in AnTuTu is impressive at 1116292 and the single core score in GeekBench 5 is 1038, with a multi-core score of 3737. The larger RAM capacity of 12 GB definitely increases the continuous smoothness of the phone.

In a test of the phone's performance in games and more specifically "Genshin Impact" in the 30-minute test on a running card, the average frame rate was 60.48 frames per second, with no slowdown or lag throughout the entire battle. 

However, it is noticeable that the cooling performance of the OnePlus Ace 2 needs some improvement. During the same 30-minute "Genshin Impact" test, the phone reached a maximum temperature of 48.9°C at the front and 46.6°C at the rear. Although there was no clock speed drop during the entire process, it became quite hot during prolonged play.

Other mobile games were also tested, such as "Honor of King" and "League of Legends: Wild Rift." Although "Honor of King" could be played with exceptional picture quality and 120 frames, there was still a reminder of increased heat. And "Game For Peace" only supported a 90-frame mode with smooth image quality, so games with higher frame rates had to be achieved by experiencing the superframes.

Overall, it's a bit disappointing the OnePlus Ace 2's performance in gaming. Although it featured frame insertion mode and superstable framerate mode, these were coupled with limitations and high temperatures. If you're really looking for a phone focused on gaming performance, I'd suggest you consider an 8th Gen 2 or a dedicated gaming phone.

OnePlus Ace 2 Battery

When it comes to battery life, I have to say it handles pretty well. With the Li-Po 5000 mAh battery configuration, I was able to enjoy over six hours of screen time without interruption while streaming content. Battery endurance in extreme gaming sessions was also great, lasting up to four hours. I didn't have to worry about constantly charging the phone, which was a huge relief.
What's even better is the charging support. The 100W wired charger that comes with the phone can charge the battery to 100% in less than 25 minutes, which is incredibly fast. 

One thing to note is that the sound output from the OnePlus Ace 2 isn't as loud as traditional stereo speakers, but it still provides great sound quality.

OnePlus Ace 2 Conclusion

In conclusion, I must say that the OnePlus Ace 2 is an outstanding phone that really delivers in terms of performance and features. Its camera quality definitely stands out amongst the competitors in its price range. The battery life is impressive and the gaming experience is top-notch.
However, the fact that it is only available in China may prove to be a drawback for some users. There are many other options available that offer similar features at the same price, so ultimately it comes down to personal preference.

OnePlus Ace 2 video review

Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is based on our team's personal experience with the OnePlus Ace 2 and third-party sources. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and reliable information, readers should keep in mind that this is a subjective assessment. The writing of this article was not paid for or sponsored by OnePlus.

Richard Taylor

Richard Taylor

Hello, I am Richard Taylor, a technology expert and journalist from the UK. I have a degree in Computer Science from the University of Birmingham. My passion is the latest technology, especially smartphones. That's why I chose to test, analyze, and write expert reviews about them. My technical expertise, combined with a deep passion for technology and years of experience, has made me a trusted source of information. Over the years, I have written reviews for various sites, but for quite some time now, I have been writing exclusively for PhonesData. You can see more about me here or read all my smartphone reviews here.

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