The best midrange smartphones for 2023
Who says greatness has to be expensive?
OnePlus 2
86
Engadget Review
Smartphone aficionados have been clamoring for the OnePlus 2 since, well, the days of the OnePlus One. Now it's here, and it's mostly great, especially if you're looking for horsepower. The second-gen version looks more expensive than it is thanks to its impressive build quality, and its powerful internals help the phone punch above its weight in performance tests. Still, the lack of NFC and expandable storage, along with a few software bugs (we're told they're being worked on), mean the OnePlus 2 won't be for everyone.
Pros
- Smooth, fluid performance
- Great build quality
- Alert slider should be standard on all phones
- Did I mention the price?
Cons
- Some lingering software bugs
- Still no expandable storage
- No NFC means no mobile payments
- Fingerprint sensor/home button is hit-or-miss
View All Critic & User Reviews
OnePlus 2
- Critic Reviews (10)
- User Reviews (5)
- 80AVERAGE CRITIC SCORE10 ReviewsCNET80OnePlus 2 review: High-end smartphone performanceThe OnePlus 2 offers powerful hardware and beautiful design at a comparatively low price, but availability through the OnePlus invite system makes it hard to acquire.Gizmodo80OnePlus 2 Review: It's Powerful, It's Cheap, and DAs a concept, the OnePlus 2 is really enticing, but the company still hasn’t fully delivered on its promise to make a phone that can kill flagships. It’s cheaper, sure, but you pay for that cheapness with performance. And you don’t have to beg to buy a flagship Android phone.Wired60Review: OnePlus 2The OnePlus 2 isn’t for the hardware-obsessed, it’s not for the price-obsessed, and it’s not killing any flagships now or ever.Engadget90OnePlus 2 review: a worthy sequel, flaws and allThe second-gen version looks more expensive than it is thanks to its impressive build quality, and its powerful internals help the phone punch above its weight in performance tests. Still, the lack of NFC and expandable storage, along with a few software bugs ... mean the OnePlus 2 won't be for everyone.Tech Advisor80OnePlus 2 review: It has some quirks, but the OP2The lack of NFC, a microSD card slot, a removable battery, and quick- and wireless charging means the OnePlus 2 is not a flagship killer. It does have some killer new features though, including USB Type-C ... and some powerful hardware. At £289 ... it's an unrivalled deal if you can get hold of one.TechRadar90OnePlus 2 reviewOnePlus has done it again. It's managed to conquer the tricky second album with a smartphone which builds on its predecessor in a number of ways without losing its core appeal.Android Central70OnePlus 2 reviewIt's got a great camera, one of the best fingerprint sensors out there today, and a hardware design worth celebrating. But the OnePlus 2 still needs some work before it can stand beside the other great phones we've seen launch this year.The Verge90OnePlus 2 reviewIf you are able to snag an invite and buy a OnePlus 2, you’ll be rewarded with a utilitarian device that’s more business than party, but is still pretty great. ... in the context of its extremely low price, it’s hard to really take much issue with its few faults, making it a winner in my book.Digital Trends70TrustedReviews90OnePlus 2 reviewA true phone bargain, and sure to be remembered as one of our favourites of 2015.
- 92AVERAGE USER SCORE5 ReviewsEngadget Reader90November 18, 2015Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!Read aboveEngadget Reader90October 14, 2015Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90September 28, 2015Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90September 25, 2015Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader100August 15, 2015Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!Overall the 1+2 makes a much more premium impression. The camera and display have been greatly improved and despite some minor Oxygen OS quirks, the phone has true potential. When updates have taken care of camera and battery optimizations, this will be the flagship killer it was announced to be.Here are some reviews for the battery life that I compiled:https://forums.oneplus.net/threads/oneplus-2-display-reviews.333394/And here is to the display:https://forums.oneplus.net/threads/oneplus-2-display-reviews.333394/
Key Specs
TYPE
Smartphone
OPERATING SYSTEM
Android
SCREEN SIZE
5.522
CAMERA
Yes
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