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Open Thread: Let’s talk about the OnePlus 3

Yash GargJune 2, 2016

It’s no secret that the hype around OnePlus has died down. The young phone maker however is trying to redeem itself by doing away with the invite system, which doesn’t have too many fans around.

Now that the OnePlus 3 is set to launch later this month, does the device fit the bill to be your next flagship? After an unexpectedly successful launch of the OnePlus One, the OnePlus 2 turned out to be a device less radical. There were devices around its price range that could match the OnePlus 2, which made lining up for invites looks like a bad idea.

Then again, it isn’t just the price that OnePlus bet upon. The ‘geek’ factor is a strong one with OnePlus device (except for the OnePlus X).

What is the OnePlus 3 then? Let’s discuss.

OnePlus 3: Specifications

The OnePlus 3 is set to be in line with flagships from this year, with a powerful Snapdragon 820 beating at its core. With that, the OnePlus 3 will have 4GB (and possibly even 6GB of RAM), so OnePlus won’t really be beating around the bush with the specs.

Here’s a gist of the OnePlus 3 specs:

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5.5-inch 1920 x 1080p display (possibly AMOLED)
4GB/6GB RAM variants
32-128GB ROM
16 mega-pixel rear camera
Full metal body
3000-3500mAh battery
Android Marshmallow based OxygenOS

Here’s a camera sample from the OnePlus 3:

OnePlus 3: Pricing

Inventory control and a steady supply chain are two things that made pricing a controlled variable for OnePlus. Now that the invite system is gone, OnePlus will definitely have to cushion themselves with a little margin here and there.

Which is why, the OnePlus 3 might not exactly be $299. Perhaps $349, perhaps $319 if they feel adventurous. Then again, that’s what we think.

OnePlus 3: Over to you!

We all pretty much what the OnePlus 3 is going to be. Leaks and renders have given us a very clear look at the upcoming phone. While some thought the design lacked inspiration, others said that it looked like a great 2016 phone.

Which is why this open thread — so each one of us is heard. Let us know about what you think in the comments section below!

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About the author
Yash Garg
Yash is a blogger by profession, builder of things by passion and foodie by birth. You'll usually find him talking about technology, music, travel and the game of cricket on the streets of Pune when not busy writing or speeding his way through the country! Read more on retro handheld gaming on RETRO91

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Yash Garg
June 2, 2016
What I’d like to see on the OnePlus 3 would be a great camera (something even incrementally better than the one on the OnePlus 2 would do for me), solid heat dissipation (unlike the OnePlus 2), and a slim body. The OnePlus 2 was nice but at times it felt a bit too thick for a 2015 phone.
- Varun Varma
  June 2, 2016
  “solid heat dissipation” would be solved by using the SD820. By the end of last year, it was clear the SD810 had a problem with overheating despite the effort Qualcomm went to deny it.
- MattD
  June 2, 2016
  More than thickness itself, it was the ridiculous thichness/battery ratio what pissed me the most… At almost 10mm, there was enough room for double the battery, but “nope, let’s just smash a metal slab all over so we can keep everything sealed while selling cover swaps”… Pathetic!

justyfier
June 2, 2016
depending on the version. the only thing it has going for it is the sd820. All other specs are already matched and will soon be (out)matched; so they can only gain attention with the price. So I’m expecting it to be cheaper than the previous devices. But the can rely on the brand name now.

realjjj
June 2, 2016
Ugly and unoriginal, home button, likely no micorSD ,1080p maybe PenTile…
More of the same crap -1080p, home button and no microSD like so many other pseudo-flagships this year – and it’s worse than most. What geek factor? OPO had CM when CM still mattered and was high end (still like that device, too bad it had no microSD) ,this one is lower high end at best and looks like a nightmarish cheap clone that mixed up a Samsung and a HTC but didn’t got either quite right.
Something else true for this one and many others, SD820 devices with 1080p , 3-4GB RAM at 300$ or more are just not worth it anymore. The alternatives are not A53 bases SoCs anymore. The 360 N4 with X20 and 4GB of RAM is 899CNY(137$). Why pay more than 2x for a device that brings very little more. A better GPU , slightly better here and there but at the end of the day very little overall.These China guys decided to just shove a SD820 into anything, charge 300+ and call it high end, with some exceptions like Vivo ofc. These 1080p devices just don’t offer enough upside anymore if priced at 300+ and one of these days someone will figure out that they need to put the best cameras in 150$ phones and even that advantage will be gone.
OP and many others should have made a proper high end device with an original design and add appealing features instead of crippling it on purpose with no microSD. They pay too much for SD820 , a lot more than the thing is worth given its perf and that’s it, they made a phone!
In a year form now we might see A73 (so a bit faster than A72) on 16FF in mid range in 2xA73+4xA53 configs.Will be funny to see what these guys do then.
- hamaidx
  June 2, 2016
  agreed bro… It’s so ugly… just pathetic looking device … best worst looking device 🙂
- Danny
  June 2, 2016
  fully agree, great post. The OP3 has no identity, if you cover the logo it looks like any other Chinese phone. Feature wise there is nothing exciting, Zuk and LeTV are more interesting… it will all come down to pricing. But Zuk has nice pricing at the moment, LeTV X20 are very nicely priced… SD820 is not that impressive and does not justify the premium pricing we are seeing right now. Ill wait for the reviews and availability in Europe before I pick my summer phone.

Karly Johnston
June 2, 2016
If they install a good AMOLED panel at a low price it could stand a chance.
HBK
June 2, 2016
Better camera. If its 16mp, Needs to be f1.8 or bigger aperture, And good software.
128 gb version since there won’t be a micro sd.
But it will be hard to put a fight against Zuk z2 and Zuk Z2 pro considering their price. And better design of Zuk too.
- Leonid
  June 2, 2016
  - Adam Irvine
    June 2, 2016
    This is my problem, ideally if ZUK did what they did last time and made an international version or at least an India version like Xiaomi do then it’d be ideal, but with it being just Chinese with no play store etc, I’m not interested…
    - balcobomber25
      June 2, 2016
      Several resellers mention an international ROM with Google Play support, this could be speculation by them or could mean an international model is coming. Would be a horrible decision from them not to launch it internationally.
      - MaxPower
        June 2, 2016
        Good catch, it doesn’t make any sense including all those bands and then come out with a Chinese only ROM.
        The int’l version will come out probably as soon as they launch globally (like they said early this year)
        balcobomber25
        June 3, 2016
        Yea I would be shocked if there is not an international ROM just because of those bands, 2 and 4 are really only used in the Americas. But these companies don’t often do things that make sense so who knows lol.

MUG3NHC
June 2, 2016
Not really interested in OP device after bad experience with OPO. I had 3 of them…
So far deciding between the ZUK, Honor V8 or Axon 7. Time (and some reviews) will tell.
- Adam Irvine
  June 2, 2016
- - quodvadis
    June 2, 2016
    The fact that they have open kernel is a huge, huge plus for me. And with that price, there’s no doubt that it’ll be supported by the community for years. Seriously considering one, if only they have a 5″ phone with better spec than Thor, it’d have been a no-brainer for me.

June 2, 2016
Why are everybody complaining about op3 design? In my opinion, it is quite good (metal body), although it’s not as original as op1&op2’s design. I am worried only about camera and battery: op3 has no laser af and single-tone Led flash. I also really hope that it will have 3500 mah battery, not shitty 3000 mah. If both battery and camera will be good, it will be one of the best this year’s smartphones.
- balcobomber25
  June 2, 2016
  For many it is because it is a design used by just about every other company so far. OnePlus always kind of stood out among other devices (except for Oppo who they share designs with). It was always unique sometimes for the good, sometimes for the bad.
balcobomber25
June 2, 2016
I am very interested now that they dropped the foolish invite system. But still need to see some things from OP before I buy it:
1. 1080P display. I don’t want or need 2k in a phone unless it is over 6 inches. I have used several 2k phones and to me it is a waste of resources for something that looks marginally better or not at all.
2. Size. I am sick of every flagship now being 5.2 inches. 5.5 is my ideal size.
3. Camera. I don’t really care about OIS or Laser Focus. Both of those are just as much advertising as anything else. I just want a great camera with a good camera app.
4. Colors. Make the black version available from day 1. I am so sick of silver phones. 5. Price. Keep the pricing under $400.
6. Battery. 3000mAh with quick charge is more than enough for me.
If OnePlus has all this and more I will be a day 1 buyer.
- justyfier
  June 2, 2016
  - balcobomber25
    June 2, 2016
    - justyfier
      June 2, 2016
      - balcobomber25
        June 2, 2016
        Just not for me, I think people look so stupid with those things on their faces. To each their own though
        
        Nam Dang
        June 2, 2016
        Try VR porn haha
        I’m also not interested in 2k resolution, even at 6″ or bigger.
        As long I’m satisfied with the display, it could even be 720p.
        I’m actually looking for a Xiaomi Mi5 with bigger screen (Xiaomi Mi Max could be a downgrade solution in terms of camera, LeEco Le Max 2 needs more reviews plus OIS is very shaky).
        Btw I’m currently down to iPhone 4S (3.5″) since my Meizu MX5 died (big rainy chaos in Germany), damn it’s nice to hold with one hand, but too small haha
        balcobomber25
        June 2, 2016
        I have a wife I have no use for porn lol.
        Danny
        June 2, 2016
        That is not what your wife tells me… but I have a hard time understanding her with my cock in her mouth.
        
        Nam Dang
        June 2, 2016
        Dude, stay classy with jokes, totally went too far.
        balcobomber25
        June 2, 2016