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Preview: Is the OnePlus 6T a risky gamble?

Last updated on: October 30, 2018 15:53 IST

Does the phone's cosmetic and hardware changes make it worth the price, asks Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com.

Photograph: Courtesy oneplus.com
 

The OnePlus 6T rides on this year’s flagship processor, which also powered its predecessor, the OnePlus 6. The new version, however, comes with few cosmetic and hardware changes.

The OnePlus's USP is its price with respect to the hardware it offers. But, since the past few years, the price has been crawling upwards which could concern its fans.

Photograph: Courtesy oneplus.com

The design

The notch has been reduced to a new water drop design which envelops only the front selfie shooter, resulting in an 86 percent screen-to-body ratio (19.5:9 aspect ratio).

The in-display optical fingerprint scanner hides under the 6.41” inch Optic AMOLED display.

At the bottom, you will find the Type-C connector and speaker grills; the retro 3.5mm headphones jack has been dropped.

You can still connect your old 3.5mm connector headphones with a Type-C to 3.5mm adapter provided in the box. Otherwise, you can buy a Type-C earphone or listen to the music wirelessly via Bluetooth.

OnePlus does protect its phone from accidental water splashes but doesn’t have any IP rating certification.

Photograph: Courtesy oneplus.com

The hardware

The phone runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845, one of the best processors you can get in the android world right now.

The base variant starts with 128 GB ROM supported by 6 GB of RAM; it also offers 256 GB ROM supported by 8 GB of RAM.

The rumours about expandable storage were wrong; the phone only supports two SIMs.

The battery is upgraded to 3700 mAh with respect to its predecessor’s 3300 mAh.

The phone does support its propriety fast charging technology, Dash Charge.

Photograph: Courtesy oneplus.com

The camera

The camera hardware specifications remain the same as its predecessor; the rear dual camera is 16 +20 MP and front is 16 MP.

Check out the comparisons between the OnePlus 6T and OnePlus 6:

SpecificationOnePlus 6TOnePlus 6
Body Glass Glass
Resolution 2280 x 1080 Optic AMOLED 2340 x 1080 Optic AMOLED
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 19:9
Display Size 6.41 " 6.28"
Chipset (SOC) Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
RAM/ROM/Expandable 6GB/128GB
8GB/256GB
6GB/64GB
6GB/128GB
8GB/256GB
Selfie Camera 16 MP, f/2.0 with EIS 16 MP, f/2.0 with EIS
Rear Camera 16 MP, f/1.7 (OIS and EIS)+ 20 MP f/1.7 16 MP, f/1.7 (OIS and EIS)+ 20 MP f/1.7
Battery 3,700 mAh 3,300 mAh
USB Type-C Type-C
Operating System Android Pie 9.0 Android Oreo 8.1, upgradable to Android Pie 9.0
Other In-display fingerprint 3.5mm headphone jack
Price (USA) 6GB+128GB, Rs 37,999
8GB+256GB, Rs 41,999
8GB+256GB, Rs 45,999
6GB+64GB, Rs 34,999
8GB+128GB, Rs 39,999
8GB+256GB, Rs 43,999

 

Though the OnePlus 6T is embracing to the new technology with the in-display fingerprint, it is gambling by dropping the 3.5mm audio jack, no IP rating for water, no stereo speakers and no expandable storage.

Only a hands-on experience will tell us if the phone is worth it.

Watch this space for the review.

 

Ashish Narsale