OnePlus 3T

Into Droid Hardware

The OnePlus 3T was a significant release from OnePlus in late 2016, serving as an upgraded version of the OnePlus 3. It continued the company’s “flagship killer” ethos by offering high-end specifications at a relatively affordable price. Here’s an in-depth review of the OnePlus 3T:

Overview:

The OnePlus 3T was introduced to address some of the feedback and criticisms of the OnePlus 3, offering improvements in key areas like battery life and performance. It aimed to provide a premium smartphone experience without the premium price tag.

Features:

  1. Operating System: Initially shipped with OxygenOS based on Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) and later received updates.
  2. Display: 5.5-inch Optic AMOLED with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels.
  3. Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 821.
  4. Memory: 6 GB RAM with options of 64 GB or 128 GB internal storage.
  5. Camera: 16 MP rear sensor with an f/2.0 aperture, OIS, and PDAF. The front camera is also a 16 MP shooter.
  6. Battery: A 3400 mAh non-removable battery with Dash Charge.
  7. Other Features: USB Type-C, front-mounted fingerprint sensor, and an Alert Slider.

Pros:

  1. Performance: With the Snapdragon 821 and 6 GB of RAM, the device offered smooth and responsive performance.
  2. Battery Life: The increased battery capacity (compared to the OnePlus 3) and Dash Charge technology provided a solid day’s use and rapid charging.
  3. Build Quality: The metal unibody design gave the phone a premium feel.
  4. Price: The OnePlus 3T offered flagship-level specs at a price that was considerably lower than other flagships.

Cons:

  1. No Expandable Storage: The device did not support microSD cards.
  2. Camera: While decent, the camera wasn’t always on par with other flagship devices in terms of low-light performance.
  3. Limited Water Resistance: Unlike some competitors, the OnePlus 3T didn’t have significant water or dust resistance.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In its price bracket, the OnePlus 3T faced competition from:

  • Samsung Galaxy S7: Offering a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED Quad HD display, Snapdragon 820/Exynos 8890, and IP68 water and dust resistance.
  • LG G5: With its 5.3-inch Quad HD IPS LCD display, Snapdragon 820, and a modular design.
  • Google Pixel: Featuring a 5-inch AMOLED Full HD display, Snapdragon 821, and a highly-rated camera.

Launch Date:

The OnePlus 3T was announced in November 2016 and became available shortly after in various markets.

Common Issues/Problems:

  1. Touch Latency: Some users reported touch latency issues, though this was addressed in later software updates.
  2. OxygenOS Bugs: While OxygenOS was generally well-received, early versions on the 3T had some bugs and stability issues.
  3. Camera Bumps: The camera protruded slightly from the back, which some users didn’t prefer.

Conclusion:

The OnePlus 3T was a testament to OnePlus’s commitment to offering high-quality smartphones at competitive prices. It built upon the foundation of the OnePlus 3, addressing key areas of feedback and providing an even more refined experience. For users who wanted a high-performance device without breaking the bank, the OnePlus 3T was an excellent choice. It combined a solid build, good performance, and a decent camera into a package that was hard to beat for the price. However, those looking for the best camera or additional features like water resistance might have considered other options available in the market at the time.

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