Meet the OnePlus X: Possibly the best budget-friendly Android smartphone on the market

After months of leaks, rumors and speculation, OnePlus has at last unveiled its latest smartphone, the OnePlus X. What’s particularly unusual about this handset is that it’s not intended to be a flagship killer like previous OnePlus devices. Instead, it’s being marketed as a budget-friendly smartphone that delivers an incredible amount of bang for your buck.

For just $249 in the US or €269 in Europe, you will be able to get your hands on an unlocked OnePlus X. Under the hood, you’ll unearth a 5-inch Full HD display, a 2,3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor, an Adreno 330 GPU, 3GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable internal memory, a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera, an 8-megapixel selfie shooter and a 2,525mAh battery.

As you’d expect with this price tag, you’re going to have to sacrifice some of the functionality you’ll find on its older brother, the OnePlus 2. Although, it’s nothing you can’t live without. By opting for the OnePlus X, you’ll lose access to: NFC, wireless charging, quick charge and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS).

You will, however, be able to indulge in customising the unit till your heart’s content as OnePlus has designed a variety of cases that match the SyleSwap Covers available for the OnePlus 2. The Chinese manufacturer has even gone as far as to create an array of colourful silicone cases that provide a thin layer of added protection for the already durable device.

The handset runs the latest build of OxygenOS out of the box, which is OnePlus’ very own reskinned version of Android 5.1.1. It offers a near-stock setup, together with a handful of new features, such as off-screen gestures, manual camera mode and RAW support for third party applications.

To celebrate the launch of its first budget-friendly smartphone, OnePlus has created a limited edition Ceramic version of the OnePlus X. This model has a unique ceramic back plate that adds an elegant glow to the device. Only 10,000 Ceramic models will be available — so if you want to get your hands on one, best act fast.

OnePlus will be embracing its traditional invite system for the release of the OnePlus X. Unlike the OnePlus 2, this process will only be adopted for a month before the device is put online for all to purchase. The handset will launch on November 5 in Europe and on November 19 in the United States.

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