OnePlus has built a cult following in the last few years. The company is known for its “flagship killer” smartphones featuring high-end specs at mid-range prices. Just a few months after releasing the OnePlus 3T, the Chinese company is gearing up to unveil OnePlus 5. What happened to the OnePlus 4? Well, OnePlus is going to skip that moniker because the number “4” is considered unlucky in the Chinese culture. Its Chinese pronunciation is homophonous to the word “death.”
8GB RAM, 2K display, Snapdragon 835 processor
We have already seen a few leaks related to the OnePlus 5. Now Chinese publication PCPop has revealed the phone’s features and specs. The next-gen OnePlus device would compete against the Galaxy S8, iPhone 8, and LG G6. The report claims the OnePlus 5 would pack a huge 8GB RAM. It’s not so surprising considering the OnePlus 3T already features 6GB RAM.
Interestingly, 8GB is a significant memory power for a smartphone. Only time will tell whether the Chinese company is increasing the RAM just for the sake of it or it intends to utilize the additional memory for advanced features like virtual reality and augmented reality. Previous reports suggest OnePlus would increase the storage capacity to 256GB.
PCPop claims the next-gen smartphone will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 chipset. If OnePlus really intends to use the Snapdragon 835 processor, it may not be able to launch the phone at least until June. Qualcomm has awarded Samsung the exclusive contract to manufacture its latest chipset using 10nm manufacturing process. Samsung, in turn, has been hoarding the processor for its new flagship Galaxy S8. Other Android vendors have to opt for a different processor or delay the launch of their flagship phones.
The report further states that OnePlus 5 would feature a 5.5-inch Quad HD display with 2560 x 1440 resolution. The current OnePlus flagship has a display resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The Chinese company would reportedly opt for a bezel-less display similar to the Galaxy S8, which has garnered glowing reviews all over. A bezel-less display means no physical home button. The fingerprint scanner could be relocated to the back of the device. The Galaxy S8’s fingerprint sensor sits next to the rear camera. The OnePlus 5’s fingerprint sensor will be located in a central position.
OnePlus 5 to have a dual-camera, smaller battery
What’s more, the next-gen OnePlus smartphone will be only 7mm thick, slightly slimmer than the OnePlus 3T. PCPop claims the OnePlus 5 would have a dual-camera setup on the back. The device is said to have a 23MP dual lens main camera with optical zoom and optical image stabilization. The dual camera system can help you capture more dynamic images. The report says the dual camera setup on OnePlus 5 would be placed vertically rather than horizontally, as found on other flagship smartphones.
The smartphone would have a 16-megapixel front camera for selfies. The OnePlus 3T comes with a huge 3400mAh battery pack. But the upcoming device is expected to pack a smaller 3000mAh battery to help make the phone slimmer. Other reports claim the phone could have a ceramic body. The Chinese company has some experience in ceramics, thanks to the OnePlus X.
The OnePlus 5 is said to be available in five different colors: black, while, ceramic, gold, and blue. The phone would run Android Nougat right out of the box, with OxygenOS skin on top. Among other things, the new OnePlus handset is expected to feature a USB Type-C port, wireless charging, and fast-charging capabilities.
OnePlus 5 release date and price
OnePlus hasn’t revealed the phone’s unveiling date or launch date. The company was previously expected to unveil the device at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. What confuses OnePlus fans is that it doesn’t have a specific launch schedule. The OnePlus One launched in April 2014, the second flagship arrived in July 2015, the OnePlus 3 came out in June 2016, and the OnePlus 3T released in November last year.
The Chinese company may choose to launch the new flagship in June or July to attract buyers who might otherwise purchase the more expensive Galaxy S8 or LG6. Or it may bring the device sometime in November, which would mark one year since the OnePlus 3T rollout.
In terms of pricing, the OnePlus devices have always been offered at mid-range prices despite their high-end specs. The OnePlus 3T was slightly more expensive than OnePlus 3. The upcoming phone is expected to be priced between $400 and $500. The 256GB variant may cost close to $500.
