Everything you need to know about OnePlus 5T

by Arvin Apsen Cell phone repair parts

The rumors are piling up about a new OnePlus phone just over the horizon, the OnePlus 5T. This whispered-about handset would update to the company's current -- and currently unavailable -- marquee phone, the OnePlus 5.

You may be scratching your head wondering why OnePlus would cannibalize its only four-month-old device in favor of another one so soon. It sounds a little crazy, except for the fact that OnePlus did exactly the same thing last November when it released the 3T follow up to the OnePlus 3 (there was no 4).

Speculation further set in when the OnePlus 5 stock ran dry on the company's websites, where it sells the vast majority of its phones. Since then, image leaks and alleged hardware specs have begun bubbling up.

A Chinese phonemaker with global appeal, OnePlus has quickly made a name for itself undercutting traditional high-priced, marquee nexus 6p screen replacement from Apple and Samsung with cheaper Android phones that share similar specs and perform just as well. For example, last June's OnePlus 3 was powerful enough to beat rival phones like the Galaxy S7 and LG G5 in benchmark tests, but at a retail price of $399, it was an absolute bargain.

The phonemaker hasn't made the 5T official; it's strictly in the rumor zone for now. But OnePlus has a history of releasing teaser posts and videos ahead of an official unveiling. Until we hear what's officially in store for us next, we'll fill you in on all the juiciest 5T gossip.

Rumored OnePlus 5T specs

A listing of the OnePlus 5T appeared on online retailer Oppomart, which proposed a handful of specifications for the phone. We weren't able to verify where the info came from, but some of it matched previous rumors, so it's worth mentioning until we get more substantial info. Take this with a grain of salt:

OnePlus 5T could get thinner bezels

Assuming that the 5T is a real thing, it could look like a lot like other flagship phones -- with superslim bezels and a large display to match.

Possible renders of the phone show that the top bezel seems considerably slimmer than the OnePlus 5's bezel. This could make the OnePlus 5T look less like the iPhone 7 and more like a Galaxy S8.

Other pictures claiming to be the 5T popped up on Chinese social network Weibo (here and here), also showing a device with thinner top and bottom bezels.

No fingerprint reader on the front?

If the bezels on the OnePlus 5T take up less real estate, it could mean the fingerprint scanner will have to find a new home. Historically, the fingerprint scanner appeared under the phone's display in the bottom bezel.

If there's no space for it there, OnePlus could move the fingerprint scanner to the back of the phone to make room for a larger screen, integrate it with the power button or perhaps even give you an iris-scanning option like the Galaxy Note 8 has or facial scanning like the iPhone X, though we seriously doubt the latter two features for what would probably be a midprice phone.

Look for a larger screen and sharper resolution

With those smaller bezels, the phone might also get a bigger screen. One rumor claims the display size will increase from 5.5 to 6 inches. It's also said that the resolution may get sharper, going from 1080p with a 16:9 aspect ratio to a 2K resolution with a 18:9 aspect ratio. This new aspect ratio would make the 5T screen seem a lot taller, like the Galaxy S8 or LG G6.

The upgraded screen would be a welcome addition, considering that the OnePlus 5's screen isn't all that different from the 3T. They have the same 1080p resolution and a 5.5-inch size.

It could launch as soon as mid-November

OnePlus hasn't copped to the 5T, so there's obviously no official launch date yet. Speculation of a mid-to-late November window makes sense. Last year's OnePlus 3T was unveiled on Nov. 15.

Prolific Twitter leaker Evan Blass offered a Nov. 20 release date for a OnePlus 5T with a 18:9 model -- or perhaps even after -- potentially lining up the phone's release with the holiday shopping season.

The OnePlus 5T might get more expensive

OnePlus' prices have slowly crept up, with the 3 starting at $399 in the US, the 3T at $439 and 5 at $479. So it wouldn't be unusual for a OnePlus 5T to cost about $500 or even $550. After all, the 128GB storage version of the OnePlus 5 already costs $539. Converted, that's about £410 or AU$700.

Oppomart's unverified listing called the 5T's starting price at $549. A higher OnePlus price would nevertheless keep pace with skyrocketing smartphone prices. For example, Apple's iPhone X starts at $1,000.

It wouldn't get a faster processor

One of the things that made the OnePlus 3T a step up from the 3 was its faster processor. The 3 was released with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 chip, then the 3T was released with the Snapdragon 821, and the 5 with the 835.

But now OnePlus is caught up, so the 5T may end up with the same processor as the 5, which performed well in CNET's lab and real-world tests. (Maybe too well; OnePlus was accused of juicing its scores.) It's possible the 5T could improve under the hood in other ways.

What about waterproofing and wireless charging?

The OnePlus 5 doesn't have either, but most high-end nexus 5 screen replacement are water-resistant and some midrange and entry-level devices are, too. Leaving these trendy features out certainly helps cut costs. On the other hand, waterproofing is especially nudging its way to becoming standard. If the 5T doesn't have it, it's a fair bet the OnePlus 6 will.

Will it keep the headphone jack?

High-end phones with headphone jacks seem to be an endangered species these days, but the OnePlus 5T could be one of the few remaining high-end holdouts. After all, the OnePlus 5 has a headset jack. On the other hand, the 5T could also be the first OnePlus to let that go, in the name of slimness. Phonemakers cite being able to create thinner phone bodies and support for USB-C as reasons why they let the divisive headphone jack go.

Sponsor Ads

• Ad Space Available - Rent it Now!

Created on Oct 30th 2017 21:21. Viewed 402 times.

Comments