With OnePlus updating its new flagship model, the 3T, with new processor, front camera and battery, we find out if it is one of the best smartphones one can buy.
The OnePlus company is actually the stuff legends are made of. The Chinese manufacturer dared to do the impossible by taking out smartphones that come with flagship features which are available in phones that cost at least Rs.60,000, but priced almost half. Some may find the tagline ‘Never Settle’ cocky, but it’s apt as their new flagship model, OnePlus 3T, is the benchmark not only for its segment but also for the overpriced ones. After spending a lot of time with the 3T, we reveal why it is a must buy.
The OnePlus 2 didn’t manage to create a storm the company was hoping it would. What is commendable is that they let bygones be bygones and shook the smartphone world with the 3. Without wasting too much time living off its past success, they upgraded it with the 3T. Good news is that the 3T actually gets genuine upgrades. The 3T is now powered by a brand new Qualcomm 821 Snapdragon processor and in real world usage, you can feel the difference in speed when compared to the 820 chip. Another feather in the cap for the 3T is that it can easily juggle numerous apps running simultaneously without affecting the speed. What is impressive is that OnePlus’ own version of Android operating system called Oxygen OS, which is now based on the latest Android 7.0 Nougat OS, runs very smoothly and the layout is clean and crisp. The 3T retains the 3’s 6GB RAM and is available in two variants — 64GB for Rs.29,999 and 128GB for Rs.34,999. Now some may complain it doesn’t come with an expandable storage option, but with so much in-built space, does one really need more? We certainly don’t think so.
Great news for selfie-holics, the 3T now sports a brand new 16-megapixel front facing camera. It doesn’t just look good on paper, the new camera captures clear selfie snaps in low-light conditions thanks to f/2.0 aperture. With double the megapixel count, both photo and video quality is much better than the OnePlus 3. The rear 16MP camera also comes with f/2.0 aperture, optical image stabilization and phase detection autofocus, therefore, the photos remain crisp and it retains the natural colours.
Battery has always been an issue with smartphones, but not with the 3T as it is equipped with a bigger 3,400mAh battery. The 3T manages to run over 24 hours with email running throughout the day, using numerous social media apps and occasionally gaming too. Now, that is very impressive.
The OnePlus 3T has a well-build thin metallic unibody and the 5.5-inch AMOLED display with 1080p resolution ensures vibrant colours. The 3T has a fast 821 Snapdragon processor and doesn’t compromise in performance. The USP of this smartphone is that it comes loaded with features and yet it doesn’t cost an arm or a leg. It’s certainly one of the best smartphones in the market.
