The OnePlus 5 has finally been unveiled and this is what the critics have to say about it
21.6.2017
Translation: machine translated
Top features, no superfluous software and all at an affordable price. The Chinese company OnePlus is consistently pursuing this strategy with its latest model, the OnePlus 5. After numerous rumours, the flagship was finally officially unveiled and the response has been almost entirely positive.
As with practically every new coveted device, the OnePlus 5 was not immune to leaks. Months before the official launch, images, specifications and benchmarks were buzzing around the web. Since Tuesday, the speculation has come to an end. The Chinese company OnePlus has officially unveiled the device. Not only that, test devices have apparently been in circulation for some time, so we've also been served up heaps of reviews.
This is what it looks like and what's inside
On the outside, the OnePlus 5 bears a striking resemblance to the iPhone 7, with practically the same rounded edges, dual camera on the back, antenna strip on the top edge, home button, etc. If you like the iPhone design, you will probably also be happy with the OnePlus 5 or not. OnePlus CEO Pete Lau openly admitted in an interview with The Verge that the design was inspired by Apple. They are also grateful for Apple's pioneering role with regard to dual cameras.
OnePlus is less known for its stylish looks, but rather for its top features at a relatively affordable price. The OnePlus 5 is a little more expensive (Swiss prices are not yet known), but you get a lot in return.
- Dual camera
- 5.5"-AMOLED display with 1080p
- 6 or 8GB RAM
- Snapdragon 835
- 64 or 128GB storage
- Dual SIM
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Fingerprint scanner
The whole thing is packaged in an elegant and lightweight aluminium casing (154.2x74.1x7.25 mm at 153g). The home button (with fingerprint sensor) is still there. Similar to the iPhone, there is a practical slider on the side. You can use it to mute the device, for example. With the fast charging function called Dash Charge, the OnePlus 5 can be fully charged via USB-C in under an hour. With a battery of 3300mAh, that's no mean feat.
The OnePlus 5 compromises on the display, which at 1920x1080 pixels cannot keep up with the top models from Samsung and co. However, this will benefit the performance and battery life. As with its predecessors, you will also have to do without the microSD card slot. But at least the headphone connection is still there.
While there was little to criticise about the features in the past, the camera was usually a weak point for OnePlus. That's why the Chinese have paid particular attention to the camera. The result is a dual camera consisting of a 16-megapixel wide-angle lens and a 20-megapixel telephoto lens. The front camera has a resolution of 16 megapixels. You can find the full specifications on the manufacturer page.
OxygenOS is used as the operating system, which practically corresponds to a stock Android. With version 7.1.1, OnePlus also delivers almost the latest version of Android Nougat. All in all, a promising package.
What the testers say
The feedback is almost uniformly positive to exuberant. However, there are also a few points of criticism.
The Verge: "For OnePlus to stand out from the crowd on price, it needs to develop a truly unique camera system. In my experience with the OnePlus 5, it fails in this endeavour. The OnePlus 5 is good, but it should have been great."
Techradar: "The OnePlus may not be as affordable as previous models, but it's still one of the best smartphones on the market right now. A great camera, phenomenal performance and premium design make it a fantastic proposition for anyone looking for an affordable flagship."
Android Authority: "The OnePlus 5 might be the most expensive device OnePlus has produced to date. But it's packed with features and has insane specs, which is why it's worth every cents and still delivers the best value for money of any Android phone."
Arstechnica: "The OnePlus 5 has some flaws. It looks like a fake iPhone, the camera isn't great and OnePlus' future update support is questionable. However, when it comes to smartphones under 500 dollars, the OnePlus 5 is hard to beat. You get the latest Qualcomm processor, a large 5.5-inch display, a great software package and an aluminium body."
AndroidPolice: "Without the Nexus series, the OnePlus doesn't have much competition in sub-$500 devices. If you're looking for a device in this price range, the OnePlus 5 is the best option. If the price continues to rise, OnePlus risks losing its main advantage. No matter how good this smartphone is, it's not as good as smartphones that cost a few hundred dollars more."
Price and availability
Switzerland is not an official sales country for OnePlus. We therefore have to import the device, insure it ourselves and offer our own warranty services. For this reason, the OnePlus 5, like the last OnePlus, will be slightly more expensive here than directly from OnePlus. The price quoted is a non-binding guide price. We will adjust the prices upon delivery if necessary and invoice pre-order customers accordingly.
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Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chBeing the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.
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