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OnePlus inadvertently left a backdoor on its phones (updated)
OnePlus' security troubles aren't over yet. Users have discovered that many of the company's phones from the past few years (including the OnePlus 5) include a Qualcomm testing app, EngineerMode, that lets you get root-level access to the phone without having to unlock its bootloader. An attacker would likely need physical access to your phone to do any damage, but that still means they could insert trackers or otherwise compromise your phone with very little effort.
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.
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.
