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Chinese smartphone maker OnePlus has launched its latest Android phone, the OnePlus 5, which features a 5.5-inch full HD AMOLED touch-screen display with 1920×1080 resolution, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 octa-core processor and longer expected battery life than its former flagship model, the OnePlus 3T phone.
The company unveiled the new handset in a June 20 announcement. Pricing starts at $479 for a version with 6GB of LPDDR4X memory and 64GB of onboard storage, and $539 for a version with 8GB of memory and 128GB of onboard storage. There are no expandable storage provisions on the new phones.
Also included in the OnePlus 5 is an Adreno 540 graphics chip, a Corning Gorilla Glass 5 display cover for durability, an anodized aluminum body, a 16-megapixel rear-facing camera with autofocus, an f/1.7 lens and dual flash, a 16-megapixel front-facing camera with a fixed-focus f/2.0 lens and the Android Nougat-based OxygenOS operating system.
The OnePlus 5 is an unlocked 4G LTE phone that can be used with GSM or CDMA networks around the world. It also features Bluetooth 5.0, WiFi and Near-Field Communications connectivity.
The handset, which is 6.07 inches long, 2.92 inches wide, 0.29 inches thick and weighs 5.4 ounces, is available in a Midnight Black 128GB model or in a Slate Gray 64GB version.
It includes a USB 2.0 Type-C port, a dual nano-SIM slot, a 3.5mm audio jack and a non-removable 3300mAh rechargeable battery. The phone uses OnePlus’ Dash Charge recharging method, which gives the device a day’s charge in about 30 minutes, with no heating up of the device, according to the manufacturer.
The handsets also feature a Secure Box capability where private documents, photos and videos can be safely stored on the device in a container that’s protected by a fingerprint or a six-digit PIN number. The data is encrypted and is not visible in the device’s standard storage systems. Also featured is an integrated Reading Mode that allows users to read e-books on the device, as well as a gaming “do not disturb” mode that blocks notifications and email.
OnePlus smartphones use rich-looking materials and finishes in the handsets, which have been offered directly to consumers rather than through retailers. The company’s original OnePlus One smartphone went on sale in April 2014 and sold more than 1 million units, according to OnePlus. The phones are built to take on Apple’s iPhones, Samsung’s Galaxy S8 handsets and other premium phones from the world’s top manufacturers. Earlier OnePlus phones were sold through an invitation-only process, which was dropped in December 2015.
The company had unveiled its previous flagship phone, the OnePlus 3T, in November 2016. OnePlus still offers its OnePlus 3T and OnePlus 3 smartphones for sale as well.
The OnePlus handsets attempt to differentiate themselves through their rich material choices, wide feature sets and a bit of exclusivity through the company’s direct sales processes.