UPDATE 6-21-2017: OnePlus has announced the OnePlus 5 successor to the OnePlus 3T in a special event held in Mumbai, India. This latest Android smartphone will be expected to compete with the likes of the Galaxy S8 and Google Pixel 2, while also gaining market share against the Apple iPhone series. OnePlus confirmed a surprisingly large amount of details at the event in East Asia, so her is a rundown on all of the specs and features that we know about now.
Design
OnePlus has significantly redesigned the OnePlus 5 for this next generation, although the exterior has certainly drawn comparisons with the iPhone 7 Plus. This resemblance to the iPhone series is perhaps exacerbated by the sleekness of the OnePlus 5. This smartphone is only 7.25mm thick, which is only marginally less sleek than the iconic Apple flagship.
OnePlus has also included anodized aluminum in the design of this handset, and this leads to a rather pleasant appearance. And the slowness of this device is exaggerated further still by the inclusion of curved and rounded edges.
Additionally, OnePlus has also included a continuous hard case in the design of the OnePlus 5, which surrounds all four sides of the exterior. This is definitely a smartphone that fits into a marketplace that is becoming dominated by curved designs.
Display
Perhaps surprisingly OnePlus did not stretch to the quad HD display that was predicted in some quarters, instead opting to retain the full HD AMOLED screen from the OnePlus 3T. This delivers a 401 pixel per inch rating, though, and can be considered more than adequate considering that this resolution is equal to the iPhone 7 Plus, which features exactly the same screen size.
Processor
An octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 will power the OnePlus 5, which is extremely encouraging for fans of the series considering that it has already been included in the premium Galaxy S8. However, OnePlus states that the processor will be clocked at a maximum of 2.45 GHz, which outranks any of the recent Samsung and Apple releases.
Memory
Reports before the OnePlus 5 was released had suggested that the Chinese developer would opt for either 6GB or 8GB of RAM memory in the finished device. As it turns out, these reports were both correct and incorrect!
Instead, OnePlus 5 customers will be able to choose from 6GB and 8GB of memory in the finished smartphone, providing useful consumer choice. This can certainly be considered a more than adequate quantity, considering that the iPhone 7 smartphone has only 2GB, and Samsung opted to include only 4GB in the recent Galaxy S8.
Operating system
As expected, the OnePlus 5 is driven by Android 7.1.1, with the proprietary Oxygen software built over the top. This should deliver a slick experience, as it has indeed in previous releases.
Camera
Perhaps the standout feature in the OnePlus 5 is the dual-lens camera, which features some of the most impressive specifications in the smartphone market. The dual-camera features two lenses of impressive megapixel specifications, with a main 16-megapixel lens being backed up by a 20-megapixel twin.
Of course, the photographic capabilities of a smartphone cannot be defined by megapixel rating alone, but those fortunate enough to tinker with the OnePlus 5 thus far have indicated that its photographic capabilities are on par with the Galaxy S8. An extremely impressive achievement for a smartphone of this price point.
Furthermore, the front-facing snapper included in this unit is particularly impressive, with the Chinese manufacturer arming the handset with a 16-megapixel selfie capturer that would have made an excellent rear-camera in its own right.
Battery
OnePlus has also increased the battery size in the OnePlus 5, and it is noticeable that the handset has a larger cell than even the Galaxy S8. The 3,300 mAh battery definitely outranks most cells included in smartphones of all price ranges, and ensures that the battery lifecycle of this device should be extremely competitive.
Indeed, considering the relatively low resolution screen, the OnePlus 5 should be a particularly convenient handset to use for long periods of time.
Fingerprint sensor
OnePlus has included a fingerprint sensor in this device, and in common with previous generations of the series, it is capable of locking the handset in 0.2 seconds.
Headphone jack
Finally, OnePlus has decided to retain the headphone jack that Apple jettisoned in the recent iPhone 7 generation. The general consensus of opinion is that this decision by Apple will eventually be reflected across the marketplace. But for the time being OnePlus has listening to the desires of consumers who were disappointed about the removal of this feature from the Apple handset.
Price
The most affordable version of the OnePlus 5 comes in at a price tag that is even lower than predicted before its release. The OnePlus 5 can be purchased for an extremely competitive $479 in its base model iteration, which compares extremely favorably with the most recognizable names in this niche.
UPDATE 6-14-2017: Although a huge amount of information has already leaked regarding the OnePlus 5, the manufacturer of this forthcoming handset continues to provide information regarding unknown features. This will seemingly be a revolutionary device, particularly considering that the price tag of the OnePlus 5 is likely to be extremely competitive, which it will need to be with the Galaxy Note 8 and iPhone 8 imminent.
UFS backing
OnePlus CEO Liu Zuohu (often referred to as Pete Lau in the West) has posted on Chinese social networking site Weibo about how UFS (Universal Flash Storage) is becoming a defining technology in the smartphone industry. Lau suggest that the technology is a major selling point of contemporary smartphone devices, indicating the backing of OnePlus for UFS.
Previously, OnePlus devices utilized the eMMC storage system, which is significantly slower than the newer USS technology. UFS 2.1 storage enables the smartphone to both read and write simultaneously, meaning that memory reading and writing can take place much more quickly. This will obviously have a big impact on the forthcoming OnePlus 5, and will be a very welcome aspect of the smartphone.
Lau stopped short of confirming that UFS 2.1 technology will be utilized in the next flagship from the company, but all other information seems to suggest that this will indeed be the case. OnePlus has made numerous hints regarding technology that will be included in the OnePlus 5, and every other aspect of the smartphone has been confirmed by leaks online.
This suggests that it will only be a matter of time before the UFS 2.1 technology to be included in the OnePlus 5 sees the light of day in some form.
Potential price consequences
However, the inclusion of UFS 2.1 would not be entirely without negative consequences, as it is generally believed by analysts that this technology would lead to the price of the OnePlus 5 increasing. Perhaps OnePlus has something in mind in order to deliver an affordable handset while also utilizing this storage technology, but this will certainly be challenging for the manufacturer.
OnePlus must balance its desire to produce the best smartphone possible with the fact that its brand is by no means as prominent as the likes of Apple and Samsung. One of the biggest selling points for its smartphones is the fact that the price tag of OnePlus devices are significantly less than the market-leaders, and this is a balance that must be struck with the OnePlus 5.
Meanwhile, leaks this week emanating from Case Fanatic have given us further indications regarding how the OnePlus 5 will turn out. Images apparently displaying the new device have been posted online by Case Fanatic, revealing a new unibody design and the retention of the physical Home button.
Specs leaked
It seems that OnePlus will also include dual rear-facing cameras in the OnePlus 5 release, while a USB-C port is also tangible. The design of the device has been compared to the iPhone 7, but the leak suggests that, unlike the Apple flagship, OnePlus will retain the 3.5mm headphone jack when the next generation device emerges.
Aside from this, the technology site also claims to have acquired several aspects of the specifications of the smartphone. If this is correct then the OnePlus 5 will feature a 5.5-inch full HD display, which would compare favorably with the iPhone 7 Plus.
A Snapdragon 835 is also expected to be included in the smartphone, which will ensure that it is a powerful performer after the chip previously appeared in the Galaxy S8. Case Fanatics also claims that this more than decent processor will be backed up with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, providing simply outstanding memory quantity. This can be one of the most important indicators for smartphone performance, so it is pleasing to see OnePlus taking this seriously.
In line with the rumors regarding the inclusion of UFS 2.1 storage, it is also suggested that consumers will be offered either 64GB or 128GB models when the device is released. This would mean that the OnePlus 5 offers more model choices than some Samsung releases, meaning that consumers should be pleased with the options available here.
OnePlus clearly also intends to ensure that the battery lifecycle of this smartphone is more than decent, as it is set to include a 3,300mAh battery with Dash Charge support. Dash Charge is a specialist quick-charging technology manufactured by OnePlus, which promises to deliver 63 per cent of a full charge in just 30 minutes. This is more than a decent, although Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 claims to deliver 80 per cent in 35 minutes, which is marginally faster.
Impressive cameras
However, perhaps the most impressive aspect of the OnePlus5 will be the camera included in the smartphone, at least if the latest leak is to be believed. It is suggested that the dual-camera included in the handset will combine 20-megapixel and 16-megapixel sensors. This would be extremely impressive, outranking some of the most established smartphone cameras available on the market.
Of course, it should be emphasized that megapixels alone do not necessarily translate into outstanding photographic performance, but it is certainly a strong indicator that OnePlus intends to take photography extremely seriously with the OnePlus 5.
Case Fanatics also suggests that the final price of the device will be around $479 for the base model, which is actually lower than previous rumors have suggested. It is hard to see how this could be achieved while also including the UFS 2.1 technology, but clearly there is a credible basis for this suggestion.
It seems that OnePlus will offer the same gray, gold and black colour choices that were prominent in the OnePlus 3T release, while the corporation has already revealed that the latest smartphone release from OnePlus will be unveiled on Monday 20 June in London, UK.
Some interesting information has emerged regarding the OnePlus 5, and it seems entirely clear that the smartphone will be a most attractive purchase for those seeking a mid-range device.
UPDATE 6-01-2017: More information has been revealed about the OnePlus 5, with the Chinese manufacturer of the device indicating that this will be the slimmest flagship it has ever produced.
Weibo comments
CEO Pete Lau commented on the matter on at the Chinese microblogging site Weibo, suggesting that the OnePlus 5 will be the “thinnest flagship phone” so far from OnePlus.
Providing a precise translation of his comments is rather difficult, due to the language barrier, but a Google translation reads as follows: “Remember that OnePlus 3 release, a lot of media to get the first sentence of the phone is ‘wow Oh, very thin, feel good. OnePlus 5 I believe it is the thinnest flagship phone, and did not sacrifice other use experience. This is the daily pondering, and constantly adjust the value of the output after 0.05mm.”
Okay, it’s not exactly Shakespeare, but you get the general idea!
Weibo has already revealed that the next-generation handset will launch on June 15, but this has yet to be officially confirmed by the developer. Nonetheless, this leak is being treated as highly credible, and it should mean that we will see the OnePlus 5 arrive next month.
Snapdragon 835 confirmed
The aforementioned Lau has confirmed the processor for the device, though, with Qualcomm chosen deliver this critical aspect of the smartphone. “We’re proud to announce the OnePlus 5 will feature the Snapdragon 835 processor, which sets the foundation for smooth, powerful, and efficient performance,” Lau commented, this time more comprehensibly!
Qualcomm has also confirmed this facet of the phone via Twitter. “#OnePlus5 is coming soon and we couldn’t be more excited that it’s powered by #Snapdragon 835,” Qualcomm stated in its Twitter feed.
Touch latency
Lau also revealed that the OnePlus 5 will feature improved touch latency; an issue that was highlighted by many consumers in the OnePlus 3 and 3T generations. OnePlus can be commended for listening to its customers, and addressing one of the biggest bugbears with the smartphone.
“One of the main areas we wanted to improve was touch latency. Our engineers tested why scrolling occasionally differed between phones. There wasn’t a lot of precedent for them to work with – no benchmarks, no industry case studies to learn from. So we used a special high-speed camera to track screen movements and measure input speeds. As a result, apps respond quickly to your touch for a seamless user experience,” Lau commented.
Meanwhile, the company has also claimed that the OnePlus 5 will feature one of the most impressive cameras in the smartphone niche, boasting that it will “be capable of capturing some of the clearest photos around.”
And OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei also contributed to speculation that the OnePlus 5 will ditch the headphone port, in a move already instigated by Apple in its iPhone range. Pei responded to a social media follower in a slightly cryptic way with regard to the headphone jack, implying that the Chinese corporation may scrap this aspect of the smartphone in the forthcoming generation.
OnePlus has already cleared the decks for the OnePlus 5, with the smartphone contender prepared for release in the foreseeable future. The company has already confirmed its intention to remove the OnePlus 3T from sale on June 1 in order to make space for its next generation handset, and leaks have suggested that this device will hit the stores on June 15.
An internal email leak published on the Chinese micro-blogging site Weibo is responsible for this date, meaning that anticipation is definitely building ahead of the release of the mobile. Delivering an attractive combination of affordability and excellent quality specs, the OnePlus 5 promises to be one of the smartphone highlights of the year, even if its manufacturer has yet to become a household name.
Processor
The OnePlus 5 will feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 64-bit octa-core SoC, currently the flagship unit of the chip manufacturer. This process previously featured in the Galaxy S8 smartphone from Samsung, and will ensure that the OnePlus 5 is a powerful device. Unlike Samsung, OnePlus does not produce any of its own internal hardware.
Display
It is known that the OnePlus 5 will benefit from a 5.5-inch display, although there is some debate over the resolution to be included in the device. Fans of the series will hope that OnePlus decide that the time is right for quad HD, but a full HD panel is perhaps more realistic. Nonetheless, the increasingly ubiquitous AMOLED Technology will certainly feature.
A flat display should also be expected, although the inclusion of 2.5D curved glass has been anticipated as a feature of this smartphone.
RAM and storage
OnePlus is notable for arming its devices with a significant quantity of RAM, and this will continue with the release of the OnePlus 5. Thus, at least 6GB of internal memory are expected, although some reports have suggested that the development will instead opt for a mammoth 8GB. This could help with gaming among other processor-intensive features.
There has been a little word on precisely what storage quantities to expect from the next generation OnePlus device, although different options are expected to be presented to consumers. We do, of course, know that the previous handset in the series features 64GB and 128GB versions, so the manufacturer could opt to deliver a 256GB model this time round.
Battery
Reports have indicated that the battery included in the OnePlus 5 will be larger than 3,000mAh. This would make the cell meatier than the one included in the iPhone 7 Plus.
Cameras
A dual-camera setup is anticipated for the OnePlus 5, with two 12-megapixel or two 13-megapixel lenses touted for the smartphone. Dual-cameras are becoming increasingly popular and indeed common in the smartphone niche, and OnePlus will thus acknowledge this trend accordingly.
Meanwhile, another report suggests that at least one 16-megapixel camera will be included in this phone. This is according to leaked data that appeared on AnTuTu recently. This information suggests that the camera included in the OnePlus 5 could be a dual-lens 16-megapixel offering that would be undoubtedly one of the best in the smartphone market.
Operating system
Android 7.1.1 Nougat will come pre-installed out of the box with the OnePlus 5, while the company’s OxygenOS skin will also be offered to purchasers. More on the latter shortly…
OnePlus 5 Design
While the general consensus is that the OnePlus 5 will strongly resemble its predecessors, the manufacturer is also expected to switch to a largely metallic design. Some credible leaks have emerged indicating that OnePlus will opt for this design parameter, meaning that this could be the sexiest release in the series so far.
A Type-C USB port will be included on the bottom of the phone, while the manufacturer has also decided to stick with a feature recently ditched by Apple. Thus, the 3.5mm headphone jack will once again be included in this flagship, although it will be shifted from the bottom of the device, as was the case with the last two generations, to the top.
While bezels will be slimmed down significantly in comparison to previous releases, the smart money is on them still being thicker than in the recent Samsung Galaxy S8, nor the yet to be released Note 8.
OxygenOS
The OxygenOS operating system is undoubtedly a unique and intriguing aspect of the OnePlus range, and the latest version will be part of the OnePlus 5 armory. OxygenOS 4.1.3 is the latest version of this operating system, although 4.1.4 has recently become distributed in India.
Based on the Android operating system, this OS is certainly visually similar to its close cousin, but also includes a raft of extra features. Customization is particularly strongly supported, and new features are anticipated for the next Oxygen OS release, which is expected to be bundled with the OnePlus 5.
Dash Charge
Another interesting aspect of the OnePlus 5 is the inclusion of a proprietary fast charging technology referred to as Dash Charge. This is considered one of the fastest charging methods available on the market, enabling charging to take place at full speed even while a smartphone is being utilized on the charger. OnePlus boasts that the latest system will enable a smartphone to charge from 0 per cent to 60 per cent in only 30 minutes; an impressive figure even if it does emanate from the manufacturer.
OnePlus 5 Price
OnePlus is in a similar position to many manufacturers in the mobile niche in that it cannot really take on Apple and Samsung directly. With the Apple iPhone 8 expected to retail at over $1,000 for the first time later this year, this means that the developer can carve out a niche for itself by delivering a somewhat more affordable unit.
Indeed, the existing OnePlus 3T currently retails at $439, which was also its price point when launched. So we should expect something in this ballpark for the OnePlus 5, although it is reasonable to assume that it will be slightly more expensive than its predecessor. But a price tag under $500 is entirely realistic for this forthcoming smartphone.
