OnePlus
Latest
The best tech for students studying abroad
There's nothing quite as exciting or daunting as packing up your stuff and heading overseas for a semester. You'll have an opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture, a foreign language and a whole ocean of unique tech challenges. But don't worry, we're here to help you navigate those obstacles. In our guide you'll find top notch cameras to capture all those transformational memories, luggage that is basically impossible to lose, a backpack that hides a spare battery for charging your phone and, of course, some noise-cancelling headphones for those long flights filled with screaming children. But you'll also need a lightweight laptop with solid battery life (like the HP Spectre 13.3) and a phone with a couple of SIM slots for doing a little border hopping. Check out the gallery below for all our recommendations for students studying abroad. And make sure to check out our full back-to-school guide right here.
OnePlus 3 'Soft Gold' edition arrives in understated luxury
About a month after releasing Engadget's favorite sub-$400 phone, OnePlus is classing up the solid, budget-minded OnePlus 3 with a new, "Soft Gold" color variant. "This isn't your typical gaudy gold smartphone," a OnePlus staffer wrote in the subtweet-heavy product announcement. Instead of a jewel-encrusted piece of hardware, OnePlus has gone for a toned-down, "low-profile take on gold" to match the phone's budget-friendly price.
OnePlus 3 gets a £20 price bump after Brexit madness
As the UK government crumbles before our very eyes, the fallout from the vote to leave the European Union is even starting to impact our beloved gadgetry. OnePlus was eager to warn us last week that the falling value of the British Pound might cause the company to revisit handset pricing -- much in the same way a Euro exchange rate slump was reflected in a jump in the cost of the OnePlus One early last year. That warning has become a reality today, with the announcement that as of July 11th, the price of the much-praised OnePlus 3 will increase from £309 to £329.
Mini review video: Our verdict on the OnePlus 3 in a minute
While you were refreshing Engadget to see all the new stuff Apple, Microsoft and Sony announced this week, you may have missed the fact that OnePlus came out with a new phone. The OnePlus 3 -- yes, that would be its third-generation flagship -- comes in at a reasonable $399 and as usual, boasts some impressive specs for the price. In addition to offering top-notch internals, it brings a more premium-feeling aluminum design as well as dual SIM support.
OnePlus X series is no more, says CEO
While it's common practice for smartphone makers to offer two or three product lines to cover all the bases, OnePlus has recently decided to go from two to one. At the OnePlus 3 launch event in Shenzhen today, CEO Pete Lau confirmed that his company's more affordable offering, the OnePlus X, will not have a follow-up model. That's not to say it was a bad phone (even we liked it) nor was it unpopular, but Lau said that OnePlus will instead focus on just one "true flagship" line from now on in order to strengthen its foundation -- something that Lau admitted his team neglected last year -- rather than fighting the low-end price war.
OnePlus 3 review: The best phone you can get for $399
OnePlus has been trying to craft a full-blown, "flagship killer" of a smartphone since day one, but how successful it's been is up for debate. From my perch, the company's first phone proved that a relatively unknown startup could build a high-caliber handset and a die-hard fanbase around it. Its second-generation device pushed it even further into the big leagues. And now there's the $399 (£309) OnePlus 3, which launches today. Make no mistake: The competition is even fiercer than ever, but OnePlus is trying to meet the challenge. Best of all, that pain-in-the-ass invite system is finally gone. Suffice to say, this year's launch is a big deal for OnePlus, and it's only fitting that the OnePlus 3 mostly represents this young company at its best. Indeed, right now you'd be hard-pressed to find any other phone this good for this price.
Cyanogen 13.1 adds Microsoft features to OnePlus One phones
You'll find an important update waiting on your OnePlus One, if you haven't installed it yet: Cyanogen OS 13.1. The OS' latest version is "MOD ready," which means the manufacturer can tweak parts of the Android-based platform it couldn't before. In fact, version 13.1 already comes with the "mods" Cyanogen introduced in February, which mostly insert Microsoft features into various parts of the software. For instance, you can now make Skype calls straight from the device's Phone app and use OneNote to take notes within the Email and Phone applications.
OnePlus is ditching its invite system once and for all
The worst part about OnePlus phones? Trying to buy them. All three of the company's phones have been sold, at least initially, using an often frustrating invite system. Fans could obtain one by completing various competitions, responding to social media posts or by cajoling their friends who had already bought a OnePlus phone. But no more. With the OnePlus 3, which will be launching on June 14th, the company is killing the invite system once and for all. Fans with a OnePlus VR headset will get a head start, but then it's fair game from 3pm ET on the OnePlus website.
OnePlus starts selling phones via Amazon UK
If you've been eyeing up a OnePlus phone, there's now another place you can order one in the UK. The company is selling the OnePlus 2 on Amazon UK for £249 -- the same, recently reduced price found on its own website. A spokesperson for OnePlus has also confirmed to Engadget that both the OnePlus 2 and smaller OnePlus X will, eventually, be sold through Amazon US too. The move should improve the sales of both handsets, due to the added exposure and consumer trust associated with Amazon. It could also be a useful way to sell off old stock ahead of the OnePlus 3 launch.
The best mobile phone on the UK market for 2016
Picking the right smartphone can be tough. With Apple, Samsung, LG, HTC and plenty of other manufacturers releasing handsets at a steady clip, it can be difficult to keep up with each and every launch. We use our smartphones for work, play and everything in between, so it's important to settle on the right blend of hardware, operating system and price tag that makes sense for you. After all, you're likely going to be spending anywhere from 18 months to two years of your life with your new handset, unless your budget allows you to upgrade on whim. Deciding between so many candidates can be a bit of a struggle, but we're here to help with our guide to the best smartphones around. Article prices are based on the RRP, but more up-to-date listings can be found in the buyers guide widget below.
OnePlus wants you to order its new phone using a VR headset
OnePlus doesn't think that last year's VR launch for the OnePlus 2 was just a gimmick... in fact, it's ramping things up. The fledgling smartphone maker has unveiled its own VR headset, the Loop VR, and it's giving away 30,000 units for free (plus shipping) ahead of the OnePlus 3's introduction. And it's not just for the sake of impressing diehard fans, either. If you visit OnePlus' VR shopping experience, you'll get to order the OnePlus 3 before anyone else. Yes, you'll have to immerse yourself if you want to get the first crack at the company's next flagship.
OnePlus 3's official render could be a decoy
This morning, a render of the much anticipated OnePlus 3 flagship phone (pictured left) has been making the rounds on the internet. We can confirm that this "leak" is legit as we also got it directly from OnePlus' China PR rep, who didn't say anything other than that this is a "OnePlus 3 render." But the company has clearly been seeding the same image to other Chinese media outlets as well, which is why we're smelling a decoy here -- a tactic often deployed by OnePlus' sister company, Vivo, to stir up hype before a product launch. Leaving the HTC-like design aside, we have a hard time believing that OnePlus would remove laser autofocus and dual-tone flash from its next flagship device; but hey, at least NFC is back, as hinted by the T-shaped antenna band.
Engadget giveaway: Win a OnePlus 2 smartphone!
The once elusive OnePlus smartphones have finally broken free of their invite-only status for those eager to score one. Although a relatively new name on the scene, the company's top-tier OnePlus 2 offers some heavy hitting specs. On the outside, it boasts a 5.5-inch, 1080p display and a sandstone-textured back, with optional panel upgrades spanning bamboo to Kevlar. Under the hood, it runs OxygenOS (a lightly skinned version of Android) with a Snapdragon 810 processor, 4GB of RAM and a capacious 64GB of storage. There's also a 13-megapixel camera, USB-C for charging and data, and a fingerprint sensor to keeps things secure. This week, OnePlus has provided us with a pair of its OnePlus 2 handsets for two lucky readers to enjoy. All you need to do is head down to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning. There's good news for everyone, though. After a recent price drop you can pick one up for just $349. Winners: Congratulations to Gerry M. of Norwalk, CA and Umar M. of Calgary AB!
The OnePlus 2 now costs $349
If you need a high-end phone but have budget issues, OnePlus has permanently lowered the price of its OnePlus 2 smartphone from $389 to $349 (€345 and £249 in Europe and the UK). That makes it just $100 more than its entry-level OnePlus X phone, and could push it from "kinda expensive" to "okay, I can handle that" for a lot of folks. To prevent any bent noses, the company said it would refund the $40 difference to anyone who purchased the OnePlus 2 within the last 15 days. It'll also throw in a free StyleSwap cover for a limited time.
The OnePlus X is now available without an invite
OnePlus is now selling its "X" smartphone to anyone that wants it. The budget Android device had previously been part of OnePlus' much maligned invite-only policy, which makes buyers wait for a code before purchasing. (As if buying a $249 phone makes you part of some sort of exclusive club). Announcing the decision, OnePlus says this is the fastest a phone has moved from invites to general availability, and notes that this is a trend it hopes to improve upon in the future.
OnePlus' Icon earbuds are solid but overhyped
My commute to Engadget's New York office sucks. At around two hours on a good day, it's far worse than any of my colleagues' (Terrence's is pretty bad too, but it also involves post-work beers on a ferry, so he wins). My enthusiasm for headphones, then, is less about a commitment to artistic fidelity and more about preserving my sanity. No wonder a new pair of earbuds from OnePlus -- yes, the phone maker -- seemed so intriguing: They promised sound quality that outranked even $200 headsets for just $50. Bold claims, but I beg to differ. The Icons are solid -- quite good, even! They're just not much to get worked up over.
OnePlus 2 drops the invite requirement on December 5th
If you're looking to purchase a new handset this holiday, OnePlus is hoping you'll look its way. To help lure you, the company is permanently dropping the invite usually required to purchase the OnePlus 2. What's more, you won't need an invitation to nab the smaller $249 OnePlus X between December 5th-7th. If you miss the window for the cheaper device, you can splurge for a OnePlus iPhone case that includes the requisite invitation. You'll want to act quickly, though, as the company says you'll have to order by December 7th to receive your new phone by Christmas.
The OnePlus iPhone case comes with a OnePlus X invite
OnePlus has launched the "Sandstone" case for Apple's iPhone 6 and 6s, and guess what's inside? An invitation to purchase the OnePlus X. You have to admire the sheer chutzpah of that, though it's hard to imagine many folks turfing their $649-plus iPhone 6s for a $249 OnePlus X. Random buyers of the case will get an invite for the rare ceramic version of the OnePlus X, while a select few will actually get the new model for free. The One X has often been compared to older iPhones, so the case does make a strange kind of sense -- and it also makes the iPhone much less slippery. Making Apple owners aware of the product might pose more of a challenge, but the company is nothing if not savvy at marketing.
OnePlus won't replace the 2's flawed USB Type-C cable
Google engineer Benson Leung recently tested the OnePlus 2's USB Type-C cable and said it "may cause damage to your charger, hub or PC USB port" if used on a fast-charging device. OnePlus has now admitted that it doesn't conform to the USB Type-C 1.1 spec, and has agreed to give refunds to its customers. There's one large caveat, however. Since the cable can't cause problems with the OnePlus 2 itself (it's not a fast-charging phone), the company won't give refunds or replacement cables to buyers of the handset. Instead, it will only refund customers who purchased the cable separately.
OnePlus X review: Never settle for second best
The OnePlus X breaks new ground for the young Chinese company. Making the X, OnePlus eschewed its usual formula of stuffing the best processor in a ridiculously cheap phone. Instead, it has repurposed the internals of its debut OnePlus One into a smaller phone with a lower $249 price tag. But in achieving that admittedly impressive feat, it's gone against its own mantra.
