OnePlus
OnePlus Starts Teasing OnePlus 13 Flagship for US
OnePlus has started the US marketing campaign for its upcoming OnePlus 13 flagship phone. Although the phone hasn't been fully, officially announced outside of China, OnePlus US is starting to share photos of the phone, which will come in three colors: white, obsidian, and blue. The phone (or the Chinese version, at least) is very high-end, with industry-leading specs. That includes a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, up to 24 GB of RAM, up to 1 TB of storage, 6,000 mAh battery, 6.82-inch 2K display, and IP69 water and dust rating. The three rear cameras are all 50 megapixel, including the 3x telephoto and 120º wide-angle. The main sensor is from Sony and the camera app includes a Hasselblad portrait algorithm. It also has an ultrasonic fingerprint reader. It keeps signature OnePlus features, such as the sliding switch on the side an IR remote control feature. Further US launch details are expected in the coming weeks.
OnePlus' First Foldable Aims High
OnePlus has launched the OnePlus Open, its first foldable phone. The flagship-class phone has top-end specs, going head-to-head with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 and Google Pixel Fold in both design and features. The phone has a 7.82-inch flexible display inside, protected by Ultra-Thin Glass, with a carbon fiber support structure underneath to reduce the crease at the hinge. The unique "Flexion" hinge is an 8-axis mechanism that uses just 69 parts, compared to the industry average of more than a hundred components. OnePlus claims this improves durability, and has had it tested and certified for a million fold actions. The outer display measures 6.31 inches and is protected by Ceramic Guard, which OnePlus claims is 20% more impact resistant than Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. Both displays are "ProXDR" LTPO AMOLED panels with 2K resolution and 120 Hz refresh. It does sport OnePlus' signature alert slider switch. The Hasselblad rear triple-camera system includes a 48 megapixel main camera with a Sony LYTIA-T808 sensor featuring stacked-pixel technology that boosts light intake. There's also a 64 megapixel telephoto camera with 3x periscope optical zoom and 6x lossless zoom via sensor crop. The wide-angle camera is 48 megapixel and has auto-focus. The Open is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip paired with 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of UFS 4.0 storage. The 4,805 mAh battery can be fully charged in just 42 minutes thanks 67-watt fast charging. It has excellent support for T-Mobile's network, good support for Verizon's sub-6 network, and basic support for AT&T. The OxygenOS 13.2 software (based on Android 13) includes Open Canvas, a new interface for large screens with multi-window / split-screen tools and a "desktop-like taskbar". OnePlus will offer the Open in the US in black or green for $1,700. Pre-orders start today with full availability October 26th. Pre-orders include a free pair of OnePlus Buds Pro 2 earbuds, worth $180.
OnePlus' New Mid-Range Phone Has a 108 Megapixel Camera
OnePlus has launched the OnePlus Nord N30 5G in the US, offering well-rounded mid-range specs but two unusual features: a 108 megapixel main camera and 50-watt fast charging. It's available from T-Mobile, Metro, and unlocked. The Samsung main camera sensor operates in 9-pixel-binning mode by default, outputting high-quality 12 megapixel images even in low light. Or it can use the extra pixels to offer up to 6x zoom. The two other rear cameras are a 2 megapixel macro camera and 2 megapixel depth camera. The front camera is 16 megapixel. The 6.72-inch LCD display offers FHD+ resolution and 120 Hz refresh. It's powered by a Snapdragon 695 chip paired with 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage (expandable by up to 1 TB). Other features include NFC, a headset jack, and stereo speakers. OnePlus promises one OS upgrade and three years of bi-monthly security updates. T-Mobile is selling the phone for $264, Metro is selling it for $280, and OnePlus is selling it directly for $300. It is approved for use with AT&T and has basic support for AT&T's 4G/5G network. For a limited time, OnePlus is throwing in a free pair of OnePlus Nord Buds 2 Bluetooth earbuds (worth $59), a free year of Google One, and 20% off a case. The Nord N30 is available starting today. The same phone is available in other markets as the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G.
OnePlus 11 Pumps up Flagship Specs
OnePlus today launched its next flagship phone globally. The OnePlus 11 5G builds on the OnePlus 10 series with upgraded specs in most areas. It has unprecedented 80-watt fast charging in the US version (100-watt outside of US), but no wireless charging. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor supports ray-traced graphics. It's paired with up to 16 GB of LPDDR5x RAM and up to 256 GB of UFS 4.0 storage. Simultaneous dual-band Wi-Fi makes the OnePlus 11 the first phone certified to power upcoming Snapdragon XR glasses. The 3rd-generation Hasselblad camera system includes three rear cameras (main, 2x tele, and wide), all of which have Sony sensors with 32–50 megapixel resolution. A dedicated 13-channel multi-spectral color sensor enables more accurate white balance and saturation. The camera app includes new "TurboRAW" HDR and Hasselblad portrait modes. The 6.7-inch AMOLED display has QHD+ resolution, dynamic refresh up to 120 Hz, and 10-bit color. It's certified for Dolby Vision HDR. The phone also supports Dolby Atmos and spatial audio. Its dual speakers offer 50% better bass response. The body consists of surgical-grade stainless steel and Gorilla Glass Victus. OnePlus promises four years of OS updates and five years of security updates. While the phone has good support for most 4G and sub-6 5G frequency bands used in the US, there "no plans" for the phone to be offered directly by US carriers, according to OnePlus. Pre-orders for this unlocked phone start today, with full availability February 16th. The base model — with 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage — sells for $699, while $799 gets you 16 GB RAM and 256 GB storage.
OnePlus Nord N300 Coming to T-Mobile Next Week
OnePlus has formally announced the OnePlus Nord N300 5G, its newest affordable 5G phone for T-Mobile and Metro. Starting at $228, it includes 33-watt fast charging, 90 Hz display refresh, and a 48 megapixel main camera. The N300 is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 810 chipset made with a 6nm manufacturing process, paired with 4 GB RAM and 64 GB storage (expandable). A 33 watt fast charger is included, to quickly juice up the large 5,000 mAh battery. The display measures 6.56 inches, with HD+ resolution. The 48 megapixel main camera is assisted by a 2 megapixel depth camera for portrait shots. It will come in one color: Midnight Jade. The phone goes on sale November 3rd with both T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile.
OnePlus Teases Nord N300, Coming to US Next Month
OnePlus is dribbling out details of its next affordable phone for the US: the OnePlus Nord N300. The phone will include 33-watt fast charging, a MediaTek processor, and 90 Hz display refresh.
OnePlus 10T Coming to T-Mobile, Certified for Verizon, AT&T
Verizon has certified the new OnePlus 10T, enabling an unlocked 10T to be activated with Verizon. AT&T has done the same, and T-Mobile will offer the phone. The phone fully supports most US carriers' mid-band and "nationwide" low-band 5G networks, but doesn't support mmWave. Standout features of the 10T include a high-end display with 120 Hz refresh and HDR10+, flagship Snapdragon chip, and extremely fast 125-watt charging. The 10T was announced a month ago, is available for pre-order starting today starting at $649, and ships Sept. 29th.
OnePlus Evolves its Flagship with the 10T
OnePlus has announced the OnePlus 10T 5G, its newest flagship-class phone. Key improvements include 125-watt fast charging (in the US; 150-watt in other regions) and up to 16 GB of RAM. The power system has a dual-cell 4,800 mAh battery and 13 temperature sensors for safe fast charging. The phone is powered by Qualcomm's latest and greatest Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip. While the 10T does not have a Hasselblad camera system like the 10 Pro, it does have a 50 megapixel Sony main camera with OIS and 10-bit color. The rear cameras also include wide-angle and macro cameras. The 6.7-inch AMOLED display has full-HD+ resolution, adaptive refresh up to 120 Hz, and HDR10+. It will be available with 128 or 256 GB of UFS 3.1 (2-lane) storage, and 8, 12, or 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM. It has a total of 15 antennas to ensure reliable connectivity even when held in landscape for gaming. A new "Cryo-velocity" cooling system promises to stave off thermal throttling better than competing flagship phones. The unique design features a seamless 3D glass back that includes the camera hump. Color options are a textured Moonstone Black and a smooth Jade Green. The OnePlus 10T 5G will start at $649 for the 8 / 128 GB version, or $749 for the 16 / 256 GB version. Pre-orders in the US start September 1st, with full availability on September 29th.
T-Mobile to Offer OnePlus Nord N20 5G
T-Mobile will launch the OnePlus Nord N20 5G next Thursday, April 28th. T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile will be the exclusive US carriers for this mid-range Android phone. PCMag confirmed that the phone will sport a 6.43-inch, FHD+ AMOLED display with an in-display fingerprint reader. T-Mobile will offer the N20 for $282. AMOLED displays are uncommon in this price range. The Verge reports that the phone will be powered by a Snapdragon 695 chip paired with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. Other specs includes a 4,500 mAh battery, 33-watt fast charging, and a 64 megapixel main camera.
OnePlus 10 Pro Certified for Verizon
Verizon has certified the new OnePlus 10 Pro for its network, meaning users can buy the phone unlocked and Verizon will activate it.
OnePlus Nord N20 Coming to US This Month
OnePlus is teasing its forthcoming Nord N20 mid-range phone for the US in an exclusive with PCMag. The scant details confirmed are a 6.43-inch AMOLED display and fast charging.
OnePlus 10 Pro Coming to T-Mobile April 14th
OnePlus has finally released US launch details for its new OnePlus 10 Pro flagship phone. The 10 Pro is priced at $900 from T-Mobile or unlocked. It will be available from T-Mobile starting April 14th in Volcanic Black. The unlocked version (also black) is available for pre-order now from OnePlus's web site, showing a delivery date of April 21. oneplus.com will also offer an "Emerald Forest" green color at a later date. All versions have 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage. The OnePlus 10 Pro is powered by a top-end Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip. It has a 6.7-inch QHD+ AMOLED display with up to 120 Hz refresh, and triple rear cameras including a 50 megapixel ultra-wide camera and a 48 megapixel main camera. The large 5,000 mAh battery supports 65-watt fast charging for "a day's power in 15 minutes". It's also rated IP68 for dust, dirt, and water.
OnePlus 10 Pro Coming to America in a Month, OxygenOS to Remain Separate
After a period of relative silence outside of China, OnePlus has given an update on its global plans for 2022. The company's current flagship phone, the OnePlus 10 Pro 5G, will launch in North America by the end of March 2022. The phone was first launched in China in January. The company also announced a new focus on Canada and Mexico and an expansion to South America, dramatically expanding its presence in the western hemisphere beyond the US. OnePlus also announced that its OxygenOS flavor of Android will remain "independent", a major change from the previously-announced strategy of fully merging OxygenOS with sister brand Oppo's ColorOS. That move was controversial. "This new course was taken in accordance with feedback from our Community", according to OnePlus founder Pete Lau. While the two OSes will still have a merged codebase on the back-end "to allow for faster updates and better build quality", OxygenOS 13 will have "an experience that long-time OnePlus users will be familiar with while ensuring it upholds hallmarks of OxygenOS". This means "a light and clean experience that is close to stock Android and oriented towards usage globally". Finally, OnePlus revealed that a new OnePlus phone coming in the second quarter of 2022 will feature unprecedented 150-watt fast charging called "150W SuperVOOC". This technology "can charge a 4,500 mAh battery from 1-50% in just five minutes."
OnePlus Teases 10 Pro Design, Specs
OnePlus has started releasing images and key specs of it next top-end flagship ahead of a formal launch event expected soon. A tweeted video and web site show the design of the OnePlus 10 Pro, while a tweet from OnePlus' founder lists the specs. The specs match what should be common for a top-end flagship phone in 2022. The phone is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, Android 12, and a 5,000 mAh battery. It supports 80-watt wired charging, 50-watt wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging. Its AMOLED display refreshes at 120 Hz. Its triple rear cameras with Hasselblad technology include a 48 megapixel camera, a 50 megapixel camera, and an 8 megapixel one. Other revealed features include Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, and stereo speakers. The amount of RAM and storage, display resolution and size, and rear camera functions are some of the specs yet to be revealed.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is Qualcomm's New Flagship Chip
Qualcomm has announced the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, the company's flagship chipset to power 2022's top-end phones. The chip is the successor to the Snapdragon 888, but uses the new single-digit + generation naming scheme the company recently announced. The new chip uses a cutting-edge 4nm manufacturing process that offers 1.7x better power efficiency. Compared to the 888, it offers up to 4x better AI performance and 30% faster graphics rendering. A new Snapdragon Sight brand encompasses the improved triple ISP that powers camera functions. It can process 3.2 gigapixels per second at 18 bits, which means it can process 4,096x more camera data compared to the 888. It supports 18-bit RAW photos, 8K HDR video capture, and a new night mode that collects 5x as much image data. A new low-power ISP enables always-on camera features like touchless face unlock. The new chip also supports Bluetooth LE Audio, including new LE Audio functionality like broadcast audio, wireless stereo recording, and voice back-channel for gaming. The 5G modem supports 3GPP Release 16, including support for downlink speeds up to 10 Gbps, as well as uplink carrier aggregation for faster upload speeds. Qualcomm is also applying AI processing to new areas, from camera auto-focus to boosting the cellular signal. Qualcomm expects the first phones using the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 to launch before the end of this year. Motorola, OnePlus, and Sony are among the companies that have already committed to launching phones using the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. Read on for additional details.
OnePlus Adds to its Software Update Commitments
OnePlus has announced a new Android update policy for its phones. The company's flagship phones will receive three major Android upgrades and four years of security updates. This includes the OnePlus 8, 8 Pro, 8T, 9, 9 Pro, and similar phones going forward. All phones in the company's more-affordable Nord series will receive three years of security updates. Nord N series devices (N10, N100, N200, etc.) will receive one major Android upgrade, while certain other Nord phones will receive two major Android upgrades. OnePlus is making this new, expanded update commitment thanks to its decision to merge most operations with Oppo and its greater resources. OnePlus and Oppo have always shared a parent company and certain resources, but will be working more closely going forward. OnePlus promises that this "is a change that you will likely not even notice since it’s happening behind the scenes." Global OnePlus phones will continue to use OxygenOS, although it will share a codebase with Oppo's ColorOS. This efficiency enables the new update commitment.
OnePlus Nord N200 Will Offer 5G Starting at $216
OnePlus today released several key specs and launch plans for its new Nord N200 5G phone. In the US, the phone will be available from T-Mobile for $216, Metro for $230, as well as unlocked for $240. The N200 has 5G, a 6.49" full-HD display with 90 Hz refresh, 5,000 mAh battery, and 18W fast charging. Like the moto g stylus 5G announced last week, the Nord N200 uses Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 480 chipset, which is specifically designed to bring 5G to more affordable price points. A few other specs were revealed, including 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB storage (expandable), 13 megapixel main camera, and 16 megapixel front camera. But OnePlus is withholding additional specs for now, such as details of the other rear cameras. The phone will be available June 25th in "Blue Quantum" from T-Mobile, Metro, and unlocked from oneplus.com. Best Buy, Amazon, and B&H will also sell the phone. T-Mobile will offer the phone for free with a trade-in or new line, via bill credits over two years. Metro will offer the phone for free to new customers via instant rebate, or for $60 for existing customers adding a new line.
OnePlus Teases New 5G Phone for Under $250 in US
OnePlus has started teasing its new OnePlus Nord N200 phone for the US market, a replacement for the Nord N100. Upgrades revealed to PC Mag include 5G and a better display, while coming in under $250.
US Mobile Offers 50% Off Service When You Bring Your Own OnePlus 9
MVNO US Mobile today launched a special promo offering 50% off its plans for one year (up to a maximum of $250 saved for the whole year) when new customers activate a OnePlus 9 or OnePlus 9 Pro. US Mobile offers service on both the Verizon and T-Mobile networks, but this offer applies to customers signing up for the Verizon network, which US Mobile refers to as its "Super LTE network". US Mobile offers unlimited plans starting at $45/month for one line, or as low as $25/line for multiple lines. Non-unlimited plans range from $12/month for 1 GB of data to $30/month for 30 GB of data (all include unlimited talk and text). Prices do not include taxes and fees. All US Mobile plans include free access to 5G with compatible phones.
OnePlus 9 Series has Hasselblad Color, 50-Megapixel Wide Camera
OnePlus today announced the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro, its newest flagship phones. The 9 Pro is a true flagship-class phone with a QHD AMOLED display with variable refresh from 1 to 120 Hz, and IP68 water rating, starting at $969. The standard OnePlus 9 is priced more like an "affordable flagship" at $729, but keeps many high-end specs like a Snapdragon 888 chip, 50-megapixel wide-angle camera, 120 Hz display, and wireless charging. Both models include "Hasselblad Camera for Mobile", which tunes the coloring of photos in auto mode "to bring more perceptually accurate and natural-looking colors to photos". The phones also include a Hasselblad Pro Mode, optimized for professionals who prefer to capture in 12-bit RAW for post-processing. OnePlus and Hasselblad have established a long-term partnership that will extend to phone sensors and optics in the future.
- The OnePlus 9 sports a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chip, sub-6 GHz 5G (including the forthcoming C-band), 8–12 GB LPDDR5 RAM, 128–256 GB UFS 3.1 storage, 4,500 mAh battery, Warp Charge 65T fast charging, 15W Qi wireless charging, 6.55-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh and HDR10+, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2. Its main camera is 48 megapixel and can capture 8K video. A wide-angle camera clocks in at 50 megapixel and has a "Freeform" lens that reduces edge distortion. The wide camera doubles as a high-quality macro camera, and the camera app has a new Tilt-Shift mode. There's also an extra monochrome camera and a 16 megapixel front camera. Other features include Android 11, OnePlus' signature sliding alert switch, stereo speakers, NFC, and an in-display fingerprint reader. The lightweight frame is made from fiberglass-reinforced polymer. In the US, it will be available in two glossy finishes: Winter Mist (purple) or Astral Black. The base version is 8 / 128 GB for $729, with the 12 / 256 GB model going for $829 (in black only).
- The OnePlus 9 Pro builds on the standard model with numerous upgrades, including mmWave 5G, IP68 water resistance rating, aluminum frame, and 50W fast wireless charging. Battery and memory specs are the same. The display is slightly larger at 6.7 inches and has been upgraded with QHD+ resolution and curved sides. The display also features "Fluid Display 2.0", which automatically adjusts the refresh rate as needed from 120 Hz all the way down to 1 Hz, which saves battery life. This is made possible by an AMOLED display panel with a low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) backplane layer. The phone senses ambient light from both the front and back, to automatically adjust both brightness and color temperature of the display. As for cameras, the main 48-megapixel sensor has been upgraded to a custom-designed IMX789 sensor, co-developed with Sony, with OIS. The 50-megapixel wide camera is the same, but a 3.3x telephoto camera has been added, with 8 megapixel resolution and OIS. The Pro also adds laser focusing and an extra microphone for audio zoom when recording video. The OnePlus 9 Pro be available in glossy Morning Mist (silver) with 8 / 128 GB for $969. The step-up 12 / 256 GB version will run $1,069 and come in Morning Mist or matte Pine Green.
Qualcomm's Snapdragon 870 is a Slightly Faster 865
Qualcomm today announced the Snapdragon 870, a new high-end chip that sits between the company's flagship chips of last year and this year (the 865 and 888, respectively) in terms of performance. In terms of architecture and features, it's almost identical to least year's 865, including having a separate 5G modem chip. (Most other Snapdragon chips, including the 888, have modem integrated into the main chip.) The key difference between the 865 and 870 is a boost of up to 10% in CPU and GPU performance. Commercial devices based on Snapdragon 870 are expected to be announced this quarter. Motorola and OnePlus are among the companies that have committed to using the 870.
OnePlus Nord Series Coming to T-Mobile, Metro
OnePlus has announced US launch details for its more-affordable Nord series, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G and OnePlus Nord N100. T-Mobile and Metro will both offer both models, marking OnePlus' entry into the prepaid market in the US. The phones will also be available unlocked directly from oneplus.com on January 15th, with pre-orders starting January 8th. Both phones will also launch on T-Mobile and Metro on January 15th.
- The Nord N10 5G is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 with 6 GB RAM. It has a 6.5-inch full-HD display with 90 Hz refresh. Its quad rear cameras include a 64-megapixel main camera, plus 8-megapixel wide-angle, macro, and monochrome cameras. The N10 5G also includes a 4,300 mAh battery, 30W fast charging, 128 GB storage, memory card slot, and a rear fingerprint reader. It comes in "Midnight Ice" and will sell for $300 unlocked or full price from T-Mobile (or $12.50 /month).
- The Nord N100 uses Qualcomm's Snapdragon 460 paired with 4 GB RAM. It has 64 GB storage, expandable via memory card slot. It has a large 5,000 mAh battery plus 18W fast charging. Its triple rear cameras include a 13-megapixel main shooter, depth (portrait effect) camera, and a macro camera. Other features include a 6.5-inch display, rear fingerprint reader, and stereo speakers. It will come in "Midnight Frost" and sell for $180 unlocked or full price from T-Mobile (or $7.50 / month).
OnePlus Concept Phone Changes Color
OnePlus has unveiled a new concept phone with a color-changing surface. A wavy pattern on the back of the phone is made from "a color-changing film that contains metal oxide in glass." Applying an electric current changes the color from dark blue to light silver. OnePlus says the technology could be useful way to catch the users' attention for incoming notifications and calls.
OnePlus Bringing Affordable Nord Series to North America, Including 5G Model
OnePlus today announced two new models in its Nord series of affordable phones. The new OnePlus Plus Nord N10 5G and Nord N100 will be the first Nord-series phones to be offered in North America. Specific US launch dates, sales channels, and pricing will be announced at a later date. Both phones share a very similar design, with a corner-hole-punch display on the front, and a stand-alone fingerprint reader on the back.
- Nord N10 5G: Key specs include the brand-new Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 5G chipset, a 6.5-inch Full-HD display with 90 Hz refresh, and a 4,300 mAh battery. The N10 also includes 6 GB RAM, 128 GB storage, memory card slot, 30W fast charging, 64 megapixel main camera, wide camera, macro camera, and a monochrome camera. It will sell for £329 in the UK, which could put it under $450 in the US.
- Nord N100: A 4G phone with a huge 5,000 mAh battery and 18W fast charging. Other specs include a 6.5-inch display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 chipset, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, memory card slot, stereo speakers, 13 megapixel main camera, macro camera, and depth camera. It will sell for £179 in the UK, which would be around $235.
OnePlus 8T Brings Ultra-Fast Charging to US
OnePlus has revealed the OnePlus 8T, an update to its flagship phone. Compared to the OnePlus 8 launched in April, the new 8T has a faster display refresh at 120 Hz (up from 90), and 65-watt fast charging (up from 30). The battery is also slightly larger at 4,500 mAh (up from 4,300). The included 65W charger can deliver "a full day's charge" in 15 minutes, or a 100% charge in 39 minutes. To achieve this, the 8T has dual batteries and 12 temperature sensors inside. Also new are a video portrait mode and new always-on display options. Finally, the display is now flat instead of having curved sides. Other features and specs are similar to the OnePlus 8, including the Snapdragon 865 chip, 6.6-inch full-HD AMOLED display with HDR10+, 8 or 12 GB RAM, 128 or 256 GB storage, 48 megapixel main camera, 16 megapixel wide camera, 5G, NFC, stereo speakers, and an in-display fingerprint reader. It will come in Lunar Silver and Aquamarine Green, and ships with Android 11. The OnePlus 8T will sell for $749 in the US. That's $50 more than the starting price for the OnePlus 8, but it's also the version with maximum RAM and storage (12/256 GB). It will be available from OnePlus and Amazon on October 23rd, with pre-orders starting today. T-Mobile will also offer it at a later date as the OnePlus 8T+ 5G, which adds an IP68 water and dust rating, and fully supports T-Mobile's 5G SA (stand-alone) network at launch.
Android 11 is Here
Google is launching Android 11 today, having completed the beta period. The new OS will begin rolling out today on select Pixel and OnePlus phones, with more partners launching and upgrading devices over the coming months. Key features of Android 11 include:
- New treatment for "conversation"-related notifications from messaging apps, including a dedicated area in the Notifications shade, and Bubbles, which lets you briefly view a conversation thread as a pop-up overlay, without leaving the app you're in.
- Privacy improvements, including the ability to grant apps one-time access to sensitive permissions, an "auto-reset" of permissions for apps that haven't been used in a while, and an extra steps required to enable background access to location. Google will also start requiring that developers obtain explicit permission from Google before their app is allowed to ask for background access to location.
- A revamped screen when the lock button is pressed provides quick access to smart-home device controls.
- Support for digital IDs, including digital driver's licenses.
- Support for wireless Android Auto on all phones.
- New media controls that make it easier to switch output device.
- New screenshot tools, including built-in screen recording on all phones. On Pixel phones, Android 11 brings a new feature when taking a screenshot that lets you easily copy an image or text to the clipboard instead.
- For phones linked to a company network, the personal/work Profiles features has several improvements. New Personal/Work tabs have been added to several places including the Share pop-up sheet. A new API available to apps will allow certain apps to present both work and personal data together, while protecting both company data and employee privacy. Google Calendar will support this feature, and third-party apps will be able to support it as well.
- New APIs allowing apps to better support new display technologies, including "waterfall" displays that wrap around the side, and variable refresh rates.
Verizon Certifies Unlocked OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro
Verizon has added the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro to the list of unlocked devices it has tested and certified to run on its network. This enables activation of these unlocked phones on Verizon, including all network features.
T-Mobile Successfully Tests Full Suite of 5G SA Tech
T-Mobile has successfully tested a variety of 5G SA (stand-alone) technologies on a production network, using hardware from multiple vendors on both the network and device ends. The successful tests pave the way for T-Mobile to launch 5G SA later this year. In a world first, T-Mobile used a commercial 5G smartphone from OnePlus to test a low-band 5G SA data session, a VoNR voice call, and a ViNR video call, all on a production network. In another first, T-Mobile successfully tested 5G SA data between commercial modems from different vendors: MediaTek and Qualcomm. The 5G SA production network uses technology from Nokia, Ericsson, Cisco, and Qualcomm. Current 5G networks are NSA (non-stand-alone), which means they rely heavily on existing 4G networks. Currently, 5G phones connect primarily to 4G networks; data sessions that happen over 5G are orchestrated over 4G. 5G SA removes the dependence on 4G networks, marking the next step in the evolution of 5G. It will also enable lower latency and faster data speeds. VoNR will eventually allow voice calls over 5G networks, removing the last dependence on 4G. But first, an intermediate technology called "Evolved Packet System (EPS) fallback to VoLTE" will allow 5G SA to launch before VoNR is ready. It allows 5G phones to connect primarily to a 5G SA network, but fall back to 4G for voice calls. T-Mobile has successfully tested this technology with a MediaTek chipset. T-Mobile has also tested ViNR, the video-calling technology built into the 5G standard.
OnePlus 8 Pro Sports 30W Wireless Charging, Dual 48 MP Cameras, 5G
OnePlus has revealed its new lineup for 2020 — the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro — both of which have 5G. They also manage to pack larger batteries into slightly thinner bodies compared to their predecessors. Both are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset and support sub-6 GHz 5G. A special version of the OnePlus 8 for Verizon will also support mmWave 5G. Otherwise, the OnePlus 8 differs little from the OnePlus 7T, except it's very slightly smaller, and it loses the 12 megapixel telephoto camera, replacing it with a 2 megapixel macro camera. The larger OnePlus 8 Pro combines the best of the OnePlus 8 and last year's 7T Pro, including a larger QHD display and 3x telephoto camera. But it also adds a long list of new features, such as 120 Hz screen refresh, super-fast (30W) wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, IP68 water and dust rating, faster (LPDDR5) RAM, 48-megapixel sensors in both the main camera and the 120º wide-angle camera, a unique "color filter camera", a dedicated flicker sensor for challenging indoor lighting, and video HDR. The 8 Pro also includes MEMC, a form of motion smoothing that upsamples 24fps video content for the phone's 120 Hz display, and HDR Boost, which enhances non-HDR content for the phone's HDR10+ display. The new OnePlus camera app in the 8 and 8 Pro is designed to recognize and automatically focus on dog and cat faces in addition to human faces. Both models use OLED displays with a corner hole-punch design. They also include NFC, Wi-Fi 6, Amazon Alexa, and OnePlus' signature three-position sliding ringer switch. Both models support 5G in bands 2, 5, 41, 66, and 71, for full support of all US sub-6 5G networks in the near future. They also support all current US bands for 4G networks, except band 14 for AT&T's FirstNet. Both models will be available unlocked April 29th from Amazon and direct from OnePlus.com. The OnePlus 8 starts at $699 for the version with 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage, which only comes in Glacial Green. $799 gets you 12 GB RAM and 256 GB storage, but that version only comes in "Interstellar Glow" (shown). Both T-Mobile and Verizon will also offer the OnePlus 8 starting April 29th. T-Mobile will offer it in Interstellar Glow and Onyx Black. Verizon's version will also support mmWave 5G. It runs $800 and will come in Polar Silver and Onyx Black. The OnePlus 8 Pro will only be available unlocked for now. It starts at $899 for 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage, available in frosted-glass Glacial Green or Onyx Black. The 12/256 GB version runs $999 and comes in Ultramarine Blue (shown), Glacial Green, or Onyx Black.
Hands On with the OnePlus Concept One
A quick look at the new concept phone from OnePlus, including its unique electro-chromatic technology that seamlessly hides the cameras when not in use. Read on for technical details, video of the Invisible camera in action, hands-on photos, and impressions.
T-Mobile Launching 5G Nationwide on December 6
T-Mobile has announced December 6th as the launch date for its low-band 5G network, which will use band 71 (600 MHz). The nationwide network will cover more than 200 million Americans and more than 5,000 cities and towns across the country. Unlike mmWave 5G networks that have limited coverage and building penetration, T-Mobile's low-band 5G network uses a frequency band already used for 4G, and will thus offer the same coverage and properties as the 4G network. Sprint is pursuing a similar strategy with its 5G network, and AT&T plans to add low-band to its 5G network in the coming months. T-Mobile has also launched mmWave 5G in parts of Atlanta, Cleveland, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and New York. T-Mobile will offer three 5G phones. The Samsung Galaxy S10 5G only supports the mmWave networks. The Samsung Galaxy Note10+ 5G and OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren only support the new low-band network launching Dec. 6.
T-Mobile's 2nd 5G Phone is the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren
OnePlus announced the OnePlus 7T Pro two weeks ago, saying that the phone would not come to the US. That was half true. The 5G version of the phone will come to T-Mobile later this year, and it will be the special McLaren limited edition of the phone. The OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren is the second 5G phone to be announced by T-Mobile, after the Samsung Galaxy Note10+ 5G. The new OnePlus will support sub-6 GHz 5G, specifically in band 71, T-Mobile's low-band 600 MHz spectrum that reaches farther than most other frequency bands. The OnePlus 7T Pro is based on the 7 Pro, with updated specs to match and best the newer 7T. It packs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ chip, 12 GB of RAM, three cameras (including a 48 megapixel main camera and 3x optical zoom), 4085 mAh battery, and Warp Charge 30T fast charging. Its 6.67-inch OLED display sports HDR, 90 Hz refresh, and quad-HD resolution; it's curved at the sides and covers the whole face with no notch, thanks to a pop-up selfie camera. The McLaren design sports a carbon-fiber back with a wood-grain look, and accents in McLaren’s "hallmark papaya orange racing tint." It comes with a case accented in carbon fiber and Alcantara. T-Mobile is not yet announcing pricing nor a specific release date.
OnePlus 7T Offers Best of 7 Pro and More, for a Lower Price
OnePlus today revealed the OnePlus 7T, a new model that's a blend of the 6T and 7 Pro, offering most of the best features of both, for less money than the 7 Pro. It has a small-notch screen design like the 6T, but in an extra-tall 20:9 ratio with full-HD resolution and HDR10+. The 20:9 ratio allows the 7T to be slightly narrower than the 7 Pro. It also has the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ processor, a slightly faster, gaming-optimized version of the top-end 855. Like the 7 Pro, it has three rear cameras (standard, wide, and telephoto) including a 48-megapixel main sensor, but the telephoto camera has been upgraded from 8 megapixels to 12. A new Macro Mode lets users to get up close to a focus distance of 2.5cm. Also like the 7 Pro, it has 90 Hz display refresh rate, "Warp Charge" fast charging, 128 GB of UFS 3.0 storage, Cat 18 LTE, and an in-display fingerprint reader. The 7T has 8 GB of RAM and a 3,800 mAh battery. It will ship with the just-released Android 10. Available color options are Glacier Blue and Frosted Silver. It will sell for $599 unlocked starting October 18th, and T-Mobile will be the exclusive US carrier for it.
Sprint Launches 5G in NYC, LA, DC, Phoenix
Sprint today launched 5G service in four new cities, and launched one new 5G phone: The OnePlus 7 Pro 5G, available starting today. In New York City, 5G covers 1.7 million people, and parts of Manhattan from Central Park to the southern tip. It also covers La Guardia and JFK Airports, parts of Flushing and Rockaway Beach in Queens, Red Hook in Brooklyn and Concourse in the Bronx. In New Jersey, Sprint will cover areas of Hudson County including Union City and North Bergen. In Los Angeles, 5G now covers covers approximately 1.2 million people with service available from Marina del Rey to Downtown L.A., and West Hollywood to Culver City. In addition, Sprint 5G is also available in parts of Orange County, Pasadena and Cerritos. In Washington, DC, 5G covers approximately 520,000 people with service available in popular parts of the District, as well as areas of Montgomery County, Arlington, and Fairfax County. In Phoenix, 5G covers approximately 740,000 people with service available across the greater Phoenix metro area with service in parts of Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale and Glendale. The company also announced expanded 5G coverage in existing 5G cities of Kansas City, Dallas-Ft Worth, Atlanta, and Houston. Sprint also announced that its Unlimited Premium plan now includes a free three-month trial of the Hatch game-streaming service. The OnePlus 7 Pro 5G is very similar to the OnePlus 7 Pro, simply with 5G.
Sprint Teases 5G Phone From OnePlus
Sprint today announced that it will soon offer its first phone from OnePlus, and that it will be a 5G phone. Further details will be announced "soon". OnePlus does offer a 5G version of its newest flagship, the OnePlus 7 Pro, in some markets, including the UK. It only supports sub-6 GHz 5G, the kind Sprint recently launched. OnePlus has not shown interest in developing phones with mmWave 5G the kind deployed so far by Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Prior to this announcement, T-Mobile was the only major US carrier to carry OnePlus phones. Sprint currently offers 5G in areas of Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and Kansas City, and the company expects to launch service in areas of Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix and Washington, DC, in "the coming weeks".
Hands On with the OnePlus 7 Pro
The OnePlus 7 Pro is the company's new flagship, and it's a looker. These days a top-end phone is expected to have an all-screen, all-glass, curvy design. The OnePlus delivers that, along with the top-end specs everyone wants. Instead of a notched or hole-punch screen, OnePlus has solved the selfie camera problem with a motorized pop-up design. So what is it like in person? We checked it out.
OnePlus 7 Pro Sports Three Rear Cameras, Pop-up Selfie Camera
The new OnePlus 7 Pro puts top-end specs and features, such as three rear cameras and a notchless 6.67-inch quad-HD AMOLED display with HDR 10+ and 90 Hz refresh rate, into a new design with a pop-up selfie camera and a glass back, that's just 8.8mm thick. OnePlus announced the phone today at events around the world. The OnePlus 7 Pro is powered by a Snapdragon 855 processor with 6-12 GB of RAM. Its three rear cameras include a 48-megapixel main camera with OIS and f/1.6 aperture. It also has a 16-megapixel wide camera and 8-megapixel telephoto camera. It supports slow motion (1080p at 240 fps), portrait mode, automatic scene detection, and RAW mode. The pop-up front camera clocks in at 16 megapixels and f/2.0. It retracts automatically if the phone is dropped. The fingerprint reader is embedded in the display. Its 4,000 mAh battery can be topped up with "Warp Charge 30" fast charging (5V/6A). Instead of a 3.5mm audio jack, it support audio over USB-C. The phone also has Cat. 18 LTE, NFC, and stereo speakers. The full retail pricing is $669 for the variant with 6 GB of RAM, up to $749 for the 12 GB version. T-Mobile will launch the phone on Friday, May 17th. It will be available in dark gray, blue, and almond/gold. The company also announced a OnePlus 7 model (non-Pro) that is not coming to the US.
OnePlus 7 Pro Coming to T-Mobile
T-Mobile will start selling the forthcoming OnePlus 7 Pro nationwide on May 17th. The phone is set to be announced on Tuesday, May 14th in NYC. T-Mobile will hold its own launch event for the phone at its Times Square store on the same day. On the 15th, T-Mobile will hold additional launch events at its "signature" stores in Chicago, Las Vegas, Miami, San Francisco, and Santa Monica. OnePlus made a name for itself offering "affordable flagship" phones and selling them unlocked. The company scored its first US carrier deal last year when T-Mobile picked up the OnePlus 6T.
OnePlus Offers the 6T Its First OxygenOS Open Beta
OnePlus today made OxygenOS Open Beta 1 available to the OnePlus 6T, the first beta build for OnePlus' most recent flagship. OnePlus says the beta updates the Android security patch to December 2018 and adds a toast notification when corruption interrupts parallel apps. The beta also introduces a call history view for incoming calls from unknown numbers and optimizes the interface for handling spam calls and messages. Last, the OnePlus Switch function now supports migrating data from an iPhone. The beta is free for members of the beta program to download.
OnePlus 5/5T Score Android 9 Pie In Latest OxygenOS Beta
OnePlus today made Android 9 Pie available to the OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T through a new open beta of OxygenOS. The introduction of Pie gives the 5/5T a brand new user interface based more on swiping gestures. The beta includes Pie's Do Not Disturb mode, which lets people be more proactive about silencing their phones. In addition to the core features of Pie, OnePlus improved the UI when calling 911 and when using speed dial, and made it possible to assign a specific SIM for a specific contact or group when using two SIM cards. The 5/5T gain support for more parallel apps, including Telegram, Discord, IMP, and Uber. OnePlus made a number of changes to the weather tool. For example, it now automatically displays the weather for the current location, offers more suggestions when performing place searches, and fixes bugs impacting the ability to properly locate certain cities and towns. Owners already taking advantage of the OnePlus open beta program will receive Android 9 Pie as an over-the-air download. Those not signed up will need to do so in order to gain access to the updated operating system. OnePlus says the OTA download will reach users in phases over the next few days.
