| General Info | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | OnePlus |
| Technology | GSM |
| Data Type | 4G |
| Device Type | Smartphone |
| Operating System | Android |
| Physical Specifications | |
| Height | 6.01 Inches |
| Thickness | 0.29 Inches |
| Weight | 5.57 Ounces |
| Keyboard | Touch Only |
| Phone Form | Open-Faced |
| Display Specifications | |
| Display Size | 5.50 Inches |
| Touchscreen Size | 5.50 Inches |
| Audio/Video Specifications | |
| Front Camera | 8.00 Megapixels |
| Rear Camera | 16.00 Megapixels |
| Video | HD |
| Hearing Aid Compatibility | None |
| Battery Specifications | |
| Standby Time | 0 Hours |
| Talk Time | 0 Minutes |
| Battery Type | 3000 mAh |
| Memory Specifications | |
| Internal Memory | 64.00 GB |
| Expandable Memory | 0.00 GB |
There's usually a lot of hype swirling around a newly released smartphone. So, it's no surprise to hear all of the excitement being made over the OnePlus 3. Now, I know what you're thinking, Here's another new phone review that lists a slew of features that will make everyone want to get it. I already have a good-working phone, why should I give the OnePlus 3 a second look?
The answer is, the OnePlus 3 is the most affordable, high-performance Android phone you can buy. With its super fast performance and extraordinary look and feel, the OnePlus 3 definitely holds it own against its higher-end rivals.
My thought process is, if you bought a premium-type smartphone for $400 or less in the past that had an acceptable camera plus a decent running processor that delivered good video, movie, and game quality, why not choose one that had a super-fast processor, an efficient battery, audio optimization, and a 16 megapixel camera? The OnePlus 3's state-of-the-art Snadragon 820 processor can be compared to the LG G5 and the Samsung Galaxy S7.
OnePlus is releasing its newest model to the masses, which can be purchased from their website. Be sure to get a carrier that's in sync with GSM technology or else your phone won't work. If you're in Australia or the UK, you're all set. But if you're in the States, you'll need to sign up with T-Mobile or AT&T. If you're using Verizon or Sprint, you'll need to switch carriers.
The OnePlus 3 has a new polished look. Unlike earlier models, this phone has an aluminum encased body. Not everyone likes the look of a metal phone. The manufacturer gives you other snap-on materials to cover your phone such as bamboo or wood.
The 3 features a toggle on the upper right corner that you can use to activate priority alerts as well as disable or enable notifications. You can find the headphone jack, speaker, Type-C USB port all on the edge of the phone's base. You'll be happy to know that the OnePlus 3 comes with a home button that also serves as a fingerprint sensor. If you need to, you can easily swap the order of your most recent and back buttons, or illuminate your phone by drawing a "V" using this device's torch app. Draw an "O" to prompt your camera to snap images in no time!
With so much emphasis put on identity protection, it's worth considering getting a phone that is not only affordable, but that also offers unique identity protection. The fingerprint sensor on the OnePlus 3 can lock and unlock your device without the need of a password. Plus, you can use the fingerprint sensor to tap and confirm online transactions in seconds!
You'll be impressed with the function of the 16-megapixel rear camera on the OnePlus 3. The 5.5-inch 1080p resolution quality on the device is great, and you can capture great photos without breaking a sweat. Even white hues appear sharp and bright without any distortion in lighted settings. Images taken in overcast (HD mode is launched), multiple shadows, and other challenging backdrop settings all come out even and clear.
The OnePlus 3's 3,000 mAh battery has been observed to last about two working days with continuous use. Take into consideration that multiple running apps and Bluetooth connection will shave off your battery life considerably.
sRGB Mode
More accurate color space target and color-accurate display can be achieved using sRGB mode and you can find the OnePlus 3's sRGB toggle under developer options. However, on sRGB mode, you can't use the slider in Display Settings to adjust the color. If you need to reboot your phone, the sRGB mode setting will stay toggled. The greyscale banding appears slightly diminished but doesn't include the entire gradient under the sRGB mode.
App and game loading times on the 3 have improved slightly. Compared to similar devices, this model is one of the fastest on the market today, even though only a few milliseconds are gained in launch times.
The device's interface features 34.1.4 OxygenOS which is compatible with Google Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. The benefit of using OxygenOS is that gives you leeway in terms of customization. For example, you can customize your menu items' accent colors as well as change the color for the LED notifications light. Moreover, you can enable on-screen control buttons and load your own group of icons. If you need to fire up your phone's screen, you can do so with two taps. It's also a nice touch that there are minimal pre-installed apps on this phone (OnePlus 3 is installed with its own manager app, gallery app, and music player) aside from a select few services from Google. Plus, you can download and install anything you can't locate in Google Play Store.
There's a feature that you can enable or disable called Shelf. Basically, Shelf gives you quick access to recently used apps, favorite contacts, and any widgets you want to plug in. This feature can be helpful for creating a to-do-list on the go or checking email. without navigating through the main homepage.
If you're addicted to using your phone in the dark, you'll find the native Night Mode feature (for Android N) on the OnePlus 3 to be very helpful. Night Mode is a feature that minimizes the strain on your eyes as you look at the screen.
The Near Field Communication (NFC) chip has made a come back to the new OnePlus model. Without it, you won't be able to use wireless contact payments, update your location or exchange your information with a friend without navigating through menu screens.
THE GOOD: The OnePlus 3 is a very compact, attractive smartphone that delivers a great combination of specifications and features, such as a robust processor, a quick, 3,000 mAh battery, an AMOLED 2.5D Gorilla Glass 4 screen, and a razor sharp camera, when you take into consideration how inexpensive it is. It's wrapped by a sturdy aluminum body that protects it from scratches and features borders that curve down smoothly into the bezel. Plus there is no contract involved to buy this phone. Excluding functional issues caused by water damage or wear and tear, defective devices will be repaired or replaced for free, including the shipping and handling costs within the first year of purchase if you live in the United States.
THE BAD: The most noticeable cons of the phone are that users won't have access to a MicroSD card slot, expandable storage (only 64GB of storage) or an exchange battery. Some consumers find that the phone's body is slippery, displays inaccurate color settings and has an unpredictable battery life day-by-day if you're a hard user.
Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses. However, XDA developers reviewed the OnePlus 3 favorably overall. The majority of users will grow to love this latest version which is quite a find for its price. For $399 or £309 (AU$590), that's a really great deal and I can comfortably rate the OnePlus 3 with 4.5 stars!
