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OnePlus 5 review: Making the leap from good to great
We've been following OnePlus and its journey to build a better flagship phone for years. Along the way, it managed a feat that's difficult for even the biggest conglomerates: The company kept outdoing itself. I don't mean to spoil the fun here, but the team has done it again with the OnePlus 5. Really, what's most striking is just how much this tiny company managed to get right in a phone that costs less than $550 (more on that later). It might not have every single whiz-bang feature that you'll find in other flagship smartphones, but the thoughtful balance of style, power and price make it a star.
OnePlus shows off the OnePlus 5 amid image leaks
It's only been two days since OnePlus announced the June 20th launch date for its upcoming OnePlus 5 flagship phone, but it didn't take long before a couple of image leaks popped up, courtesy of Android Police and Slashleaks. With that dual camera, LED flash, antenna bands and shade of gray, commenters were quick to point out the unfortunate resemblance between this device and the iPhone 7 Plus, which is presumably why OnePlus decided to post the above image to make a point. Indeed, from this angle, the OnePlus 5 appears to feature a more unique outline running from the side to the top, but the rest is still practically identical to the iPhone 7 Plus.
OnePlus 5 launches on June 20th
After a steady stream of teasers, OnePlus is finally ready to put its money where its mouth is: the smartphone maker is holding a launch event for the OnePlus 5 on June 20th at 12PM Eastern. It's not saying more about the phone alongside the news, but the "focus on what matters" tagline is a not-so-subtle allusion to the 5's DxO-backed camera. As it is, both official tidbits and leaks already give an idea as to what to expect -- this should be another flagship-class device that (hopefully) undercuts rivals on price.
The success of Andy Rubin's Essential Phone may depend on carriers
When Android co-founder Andy Rubin left Google in November of 2014, shortly after a major executive shake-up, his next move wasn't particularly clear. All we knew back then was that he reportedly wanted to strike out on his own, which ultimately meant building a high-end phone with a company called Essential Products Inc. And after much speculation and multiple teases by Rubin himself, we now know that device is the Essential Phone, an Android handset with a gorgeous design and top-of-the-line specs.
OnePlus 5 will feature DxO's photography expertise
In a world where Instagram has more users than the population of most countries, it's no secret that a phone's camera is often its selling point. Now, in a bid to win over some of that mammoth audience, phone manufacturer OnePlus has enlisted the help of photography experts DxO. Renowned for creating the respected camera benchmark system, DxOMark, the company is now helping the phone maker create a world-leading camera for the upcoming OnePlus 5.
The OnePlus 5 is the company's next smartphone
In a move that will shock no one, OnePlus is planning to release a new smartphone this year. What might take you by surprise, however, is the name: OnePlus 5. According to The Verge, OnePlus skipped the number four because it's considered unlucky in China (it's pronounced similar to "death" and "decease"). Also, employees really like former NBA player Robert Horry, who wore a number five jersey. Not that it really matters -- the OnePlus 3T was released last November, so this is technically the fifth OnePlus flagship. Little is known about the device, although a handful of rumors have pointed to a dual-camera setup and a 3,600 mAh battery.
Limited edition black OnePlus phone? Not so limited anymore. (update: on sale)
So much for that black OnePlus 3T being an ultra-rare beast. OnePlus has revealed that it will launch a limited Midnight Black edition of the 3T at a "later date," making that once-special color available to everyone "while supplies last." And the practical difference between this smartphone and the limited edition Colette model (shown below)? Er... there's no Colette logo on it. That's all. Yes, the 250 people who lined up at a Paris store on March 21st now have little to brag about besides getting a black 3T slightly earlier than everyone else. So why spoil their fun? If you ask OnePlus, it's because most people just want the device that badly.
OnePlus again uses scarcity to market its fancy, all-black 3T
OnePlus pulled off a neat (but occasionally controversial) trick with its original invitation-only selling scheme -- it allowed it to ramp up manufacturing capacity while also driving demand by playing hard-to-get. Now that the Chinese firm can make all the phones it wants, it's pulling a similar stunt to draw interest. In collaboration with Paris luxury retailer Colette, it's selling just 250 all-black, special-edition engraved OnePlus 3T models.
The Engadget Podcast Ep 27: American Tune
Managing editor Dana Wollman and reviews editor Cherlynn Low join host Terrence O'Brien to discuss the biggest tech news of the week. First they'll debate OnePlus' benchmark scandal, then try to sort out why the ACLU is partnering with startup incubator Y Combinator and take the "artists" behind the Tinder for baby adoption Kickstarter to task. Finally it's another week of Trump talk as the panel addresses the impact of the recent immigration ban on the tech industry and how the political climate is impacting our social media habits.
OnePlus 3T caught cheating on benchmarks
No, the days of smartphone makers cheating on benchmarks aren't over yet. XDA has discovered that the OnePlus 3T artificially boosts processor clock speeds when running certain benchmark apps, keeping its CPU cores running at higher rates even when there was virtually no processor workload. This has apparently been a staple of HydrogenOS (OnePlus' interface for the Chinese market) for awhile, but only showed up in OxygenOS (the software for other parts of the world) in community builds ahead of the Android 7.0 Nougat upgrade.
Engadget giveaway: Win a OnePlus 3T smartphone!
When OnePlus hit the scene, its smartphone sparked lots of interest, but only limited quantities were available. Now, it's become a standard for those looking to pick up a quality Android handset at a good price ($440+). The OnePlus 3T comes hot on the heels of the OnePlus 3, but it's a welcome update. Long battery life, great performance, solid build quality and a camera that works well in low light are key selling points in a handset and the 3T has them all. There's a Snapdragon 821 processor under the hood and the camera boasts 16 megapixels. Similar to Apple and Samsung's offerings, the 3T keeps its fingerprint sensor tech on the front, while OxygenOS manages the on-screen show -- which is a fairly clean-skinned version of Android. This week, OnePlus has provided us with two 3T handsets for a pair of lucky readers to enjoy. To get in on this giveaway, just head to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning a OnePlus 3T smartphone. Winners: Congratulations to Korman T. of NY and Michael D. of Lubbock, TX!
Pros and cons: Our quick verdict on the OnePlus 3T
Usually phone makers refresh their flagship models on schedule, once a year. In a break with tradition, though, OnePlus didn't even wait six months: The 3 came out in June, with the 3T arriving not even six months later. While people who bought the OnePlus 3 this summer might be annoyed to see it made obsolete so quickly, those in the market for a new phone will be pleased to find that the similar-looking 3T brings a faster, top-of-the-line chip, an improved camera setup and much longer battery life. While it still has some tradeoffs compared to traditional flagships (see: it's relatively low-res 1080p display), it's still a great deal for $440.
OnePlus 3T review: A satisfying update to a fairly new phone
Remember the OnePlus 3? It came out barely six months ago and was the best phone you could get for $400. Well, it's about to be replaced by a faster, slightly more expensive version of itself that the company is calling the OnePlus 3T. (The T doesn't stand for anything; it's a cheeky take on the typical "S" suffix denoting many flagship sequels.) The new $439 device uses the latest Snapdragon 821 processor to achieve even faster speeds, and packs a beefier battery and sharper front camera -- improvements in areas where the original sort of fell short. I say "sort of" because other than battery life, the OnePlus 3 didn't need much improving. But OnePlus made it better anyway, and now it's one of the best phones on the market, especially at this price.
The £399 OnePlus 3T hits the UK on November 28th
OnePlus' motto is "never settle," but it's probably best not to remind OnePlus 3 owners of that right now. Less than six months has passed since the launch of that flagship, and yet the company has already announced a new model to replace it. The OnePlus 3T is basically an improved variant, with a Snapdragon 821 chip, bigger 3,400mAh battery and better 16-megapixel front-facing camera for high-quality livestreams. The primary shooter is now covered with sapphire glass to ward off scratches, too. The only other major change is the higher price, with the OnePlus 3T costing £399 for the 64GB model or £439 for the 128GB config when it launches in the UK on November 28th.
OnePlus already has a new flagship with modest upgrades
It hasn't even been six months since OnePlus took the wraps off its latest flagship, and the company already has an upgraded version. The OnePlus 3T will replace the OnePlus 3, bringing improvements like a newer Snapdragon 821 CPU, a larger battery and sharper front camera. Of course, these enhancements come at a price. The OnePlus 3T starts at $439 for a 64GB model -- a $40 increase over the original.
The OnePlus 3 gets its first taste of Android Nougat this month
Watching Android Nougat make its way to phones Google didn't have a hand in making has been, well, a little excruciating. Some major players are getting the update out first, but now it looks like the upstarts at OnePlus are next in line. Brian Yoon, the startup's head of software, confirmed to Engadget that a Nougat beta "community" build would be ready for the OnePlus 3 this month. Even better: once all the kinks have been ironed out, Nougat will be pushed out over-the-air to all OnePlus 3s by the end of the year. Not a bad way to ring in the holidays, right?
New in our buyer's guide: The iPhone 7 and Fitbit Charge 2
Well, well, well. After just a few months of phone releases and reviews, our smartphone buyer's guide section looks very different than it did recently. New to the guide, as you'd expect, are the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, both of which earned strong reviews from us. The HTC 10 and Galaxy S7 have held their spots there, with the OnePlus 3 rounding out the list at the lower end. (And yes, we are thanking our lucky stars that we didn't have time to add the highly rated Galaxy Note 7 into the guide before it was recalled and discontinued.) We've also made some changes to our wearables section, with the Apple Watch Series 1 and Series 2 both making the cut (the Series 2 is the best in absolute terms, but we recommend the Series 1 for more people). You'll also find the Fitbit Charge 2, our new favorite all-around fitness tracker. Find all that and more right here in our buyer's guide, and be sure to check back soon -- we plan to review some highly anticipated releases like Google's new Pixel phones as well as the PlayStation Pro.
OnePlus 3 gets its first UK carrier partnership in O2
Over the past few years, OnePlus has made a name for itself by releasing powerful flagship smartphones at lower-than-expected prices. The unlocked model lets people buy their devices outright, enabling them to get a better deal on a SIM-only contract. But as the company has moved away from its invite system and faced up to the battle of fulfilling every order as soon as possible, it's also begun to expand into retail. Today, OnePlus has announced its first ever partnership with a UK mobile operator. O2 is the company in question and will begin selling the OnePlus 3 from September 29th from £28 per month.
Engadget giveaway: Win a OnePlus 3 smartphone with all the add-ons!
Smartphone competition has been fierce lately, if only due to the number of smaller international brands that have stepped up their game. Amongst the leaders of the pack is OnePlus and its latest handset, the $400 OnePlus 3. You get heaps of value for your money with this 5.5-inch device, which is fronted with Gorilla Glass 4 and a vivid 1080p Optic AMOLED display. Inside, a Snapdragon 820 processor keeps things thrumming and the experience is nearly stock Android. Overall, the build quality gets top honors and it performs like a champ, but there are also plenty of extras, and this week, one lucky reader will get the whole package. There's a OnePlus Loop VR headset, a battery to give you added juice, a car charger to re-up the handset or battery and the entire selection of protective cases. All you need to do is head down to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning this OnePlus 3 package! Winner: Congratulations to Maverick D. of Hudson, WI!
Online sales of the OnePlus 3 will soon be paused across Europe
Starting August 9th, OnePlus will temporarily halt sales of the OnePlus 3 in select European countries as it is struggling to meet demands for the device.
