16 impressive cases and covers for your new iPad (2017)

Update: We refreshed this article to include cases for the latest iPad (2017), and remove some older options.

The Apple iPad (2017) brings together everything you need in a tablet for an affordable price. It offers a vibrant 9.7-inch screen, snappy performance, and long battery life. The exterior design is familiar by now, though the latest iPad is a touch thicker than its predecessor — the iPad Air 2. If you want to add a flourish of personal style to Apple’s minimalist design, choose functional elements to enhance your daily use, and make sure your iPad is safe when you sling it in your bag — all it takes is the right case.

On the first two pages, you’ll find recommended iPad cases that are available for the new iPad, as well as some of the older models. On the last page, you’ll find some of our favorite iPad Air 2 cases, which are mostly available for the original iPad Air as well, but not for Apple’s latest iPad just yet.

Griffin Survivor Journey Folio Case ($50)

This is a versatile iPad case with plenty to offer. The main shell is tough TPU that will protect your Apple tablet from falls of up to 6 feet. The clever folio cover attaches via magnets, so it can be removed when you don’t need it. The cover also folds back to act as a stand for typing or watching videos. Because of the built-in magnets, you can also stick your iPad to the fridge door. The gold, silver, and gray finishes are designed to match your iPad.

Available at:

Amazon Griffin

New Trent Gladius Case ($30)

The obvious star of the show here is the 360-degree rotating leather hand strap, which makes holding your iPad a breeze. This rugged case also provides good drop protection. The hard-shell interior is surrounded by rubber and there’s a built-in screen protector. Underneath the strap, there’s a metal arm that can fold out to act as sturdy stand. The cut-outs are all accurate, providing easy access to the camera and Touch ID, and there are durable button covers for the controls.

Available at:

Amazon

Twelve South BookBook Case ($65)

You can disguise your iPad as an old book with this stylish case from Twelve South. These genuine leather cases look just like vintage tomes. Each case is distressed to create an aged aesthetic that brings some unique character. Two zippers with leather tags allow you to securely close your iPad inside. Open the case, and you’ll find a leather frame to hold your iPad snug and secure, along with a dark, soft, suede interior that prevents scratches. The interior leather sleeve that holds your iPad can be partially detached via two stud closures, so you can prop the case open and use it as a stand in a viewing or typing position. Although there’s no camera cut-out in the book, the leather sleeve has one, so you can pop the closures open and snap a shot without having to fully remove the iPad.

Available at:

Amazon Twelve South

BrydgeAir Keyboard ($130)

Do you like the idea of transforming your iPad into a MacBook? Our main complaint with keyboard cases is the added bulk, but they also tend to be plastic, and they rarely match the style of the iPad. Brydge is a clever keyboard that circumvents the usual issues. It’s crafted from premium aluminum, colored to match your iPad finish, and bulk is minimized because your tablet slots into the minimal hinge mechanism, instead of a traditional case. The hinge can rotate 180 degrees, so you can find the right angle for you, and the island keys are well-spaced with good travel and backlighting. To make it even more tempting, you’ll find stereo speakers built-in, to give your iPad’s audio output a boost. It hooks up via Bluetooth, and boasts up to 3 months use from a single charge, with a Micro USB port to recharge. It’s quite heavy, at 520g, but that adds to the MacBook feel, and you know this is a solid, quality piece of kit.

Available at:

Amazon Best Buy Brydge

Devicewear Ridge Case ($27)

You’ll be pleased with the blend of functionality and style that Devicewear offers with the Ridge folio case. It’s crafted from vegan leather (fake leather), but it doesn’t feel or look cheap. There’s a soft micro-suede lining, it supports the automatic sleep/wake function, and has a magnetic closure. A hard shell protects your iPad and a number of grooves support a wide variety of landscape positions when you fold the cover back. It’s sturdy, practical, and stylish, which makes it one of our favorite iPad cases.

Available at:

Amazon

Xiaomi updates its Mi Notebook Air with today’s best components

Why it matters to you

If you’re in China or don’t mind buying international, then you have a nice new thin-and-light notebook option to consider.

While the usual PC notebook players like Dell, HP, Lenovo, and others continue to refresh their own lines, some newcomers to the market are releasing their own updated models. One such company is Xiaomi, which broke into the notebook market last year with its Mi Notebook Air — at least in China.

That machine sported some nice specifications, including a choice between 13.3-inch and 12.5-inch displays, sixth-generation Intel Core processors, and Nvidia GeForce 940MX discrete graphics. Now, Xiaomi is getting set to release a new 13.3-inch version with updated components, as Liliputing reports.

Apparently, the new larger model will take on the same size and design as the previous version, meaning it will be sport a lightweight metal chassis that will come in at 2.8 pounds and 0.6 inches thick. Xiaomi offered a series of stickers for the earlier version that cover up the otherwise unadorned lid, made from leather, imitation leather, or microfiber material. We don’t have information on whether the company will continue that practice with the new model, but it seems reasonable to assume that it will.

In terms of components, the new models will upgrade to seventh-generation Intel Core i5-7200U processor and update to Nvidia’s newest Pascal-based mobile GPU, the GeForce MX150. That chip offers up to four times the performance of Intel’s integrated graphics, and significantly improved performance over the Maxwell-based 940MX. While that likely won’t make the Mi Notebook Air into a gaming system, it should help considerably with creative productivity tasks like video editing.

Other specifications include 8GB of RAM standard with the ability to upgrade to 16GB, and 128GB and 256GB SSD options. Connectivity will include two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, a USB Type-C connection, HDMI, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 4.1. The display will be a Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution panel, and it follows the typical practice today of minimizing bezel thickness to decrease the size of the chassis.

The 12.5-inch version already received an update earlier in 2017, also updating to seventh-generation Intel Core M3 processors. Pricing for the new 13.3-inch model will start at $730 in China, and while Xiaomi doesn’t sell outside of that country itself, it’s possible to buy its machines through various retailers.

Stealth Finnish startup promises ‘human eye-resolution’ VR displays

Why it matters to you

Virtual reality that provides real-life detail is coming, and it promises to equal the human eye in resolution.

Virtual reality systems are in their infancy, using much of the same technology that’s used in other contemporary devices. That limits their ability to produce truly lifelike experiences that are not only more immersive and realistic but also more usable for practical applications.

Going beyond today’s VR systems, therefore, requires utilizing new technologies, and nowhere is that truer than in the displays that are used to create the visual aspect of the experience. Finnish company Varjo, which means “shadow” in Finnish, has come out of nowhere to introduce new display technology that promises to equal the human eye.

One of the problems with current VR headsets is that its relatively low resolution is incapable of allowing users to view particularly fine visual elements. Examples include the instruments in a virtual airplane cockpit, text on a virtual web page, and the details on a 2D architectural drawing.

Varjo hopes to change all of that, with its “20/20” system, which it calls “the first human eye-resolution VR/AR/XR immersive display.” The technology provides 70 megapixels of detail, or 70 times as detailed compared to today’s 1-megapixel displays used by current VR systems from Oculus, Vive, Microsoft, and Magic Leap.

As Varjo’s CEO and Founder, Urho Konttori, puts it:

“Varjo’s patented display innovation pushes VR technology 10 years ahead of the current state of the art, where people can experience unprecedented resolution of VR and AR content limited only by the perception of the human eye itself. This technology, along with Varjo VST, jump-starts the immersive computing age overnight — VR is no longer a curiosity, but now can be a professional tool for all industries.”

Varjo doesn’t provide much in the way of details on how the 20/20 technology works, but it has actively demonstrated it to various media and it promises that it will show up in preview products by the end of 2017. These initial products will be aimed at professional users and applications, and they won’t be cheap — according to Wired, Varjo is using a pair of Sony OLED microdisplays that pack full HD (1920 x 1080) into 0.7-inch sensors that by themselves costs $900 each.

Coupled with video-see-through (VST) technology, Varjo’s solution will provide for entirely new of immersive VR and augmented reality (AR) solutions that will be the first to provide human eye-resolution experiences. Don’t get too excited yet, however — improvements in other technologies, such as the graphics chips that need to drive the new displays, will also need to occur before final products will ship.

Have an easier time finding a job using Google’s new search functionality

Why it matters to you

The next time you’re looking for a new job, a simple Google search might be the best way to find relevant positions from across the web.

In the modern age, when there is something we need to know, we Google it — it is a one-stop shop for everything from how to cook the perfect scrambled eggs to last weekend’s football results. Now, a new update to the search engine might mean that you find your next job using the service, too.

Google will now pull job listings from various sources across the internet and present them to the user within the search interface. This functionality was first detailed at the company’s I/O conference in May.

Users will be able to use natural search terms like “jobs near me” and “teaching jobs” to find work, according to a report from Engadget. Their results will be offered up in a clean, information-rich interface that is packed with all the most relevant information, streamlining the ever-frustrating job hunt process.

Jobs are listed alongside their location, the site that the role has been advertised on, and how long it has been since the posting went live. There is also an icon that states whether the work is full-time or part-time and, where possible, there is an estimate of how long the user’s commute will take.

The service also integrates Google Alerts functionality to make sure that job hunters do not need to run a search every day to avoid missing out on the perfect role. Users can tie an alert to a particular search, so that they will receive an email notification whenever new jobs are added to the results.

In a post published on the Google Blog on Thursday, product manager Nick Zakrasek explains how the company is collaborating with some of the biggest job listing sites around to perfect this new service. Monster, LinkedIn, WayUp, DirectEmployers, CareerBuilder, Glassdoor, and Facebook are already on board.

“Monster is actively focused on helping candidates connect with the right job opportunities — faster and easier,” said Monster’s chief technology officer, Conal Thompson. “Our alliance with Google supports our ongoing efforts to reach more candidates wherever they are.”

Google will continue to expand the range of job listings included in this service over time. The company has already published open documentation intended to help job boards and direct employers alike make their openings visible via search results.

Have an easier time finding a job using Google’s new search functionality

Why it matters to you

The next time you’re looking for a new job, a simple Google search might be the best way to find relevant positions from across the web.

In the modern age, when there is something we need to know, we Google it — it is a one-stop shop for everything from how to cook the perfect scrambled eggs to last weekend’s football results. Now, a new update to the search engine might mean that you find your next job using the service, too.

Google will now pull job listings from various sources across the internet and present them to the user within the search interface. This functionality was first detailed at the company’s I/O conference in May.

Users will be able to use natural search terms like “jobs near me” and “teaching jobs” to find work, according to a report from Engadget. Their results will be offered up in a clean, information-rich interface that is packed with all the most relevant information, streamlining the ever-frustrating job hunt process.

Jobs are listed alongside their location, the site that the role has been advertised on, and how long it has been since the posting went live. There is also an icon that states whether the work is full-time or part-time and, where possible, there is an estimate of how long the user’s commute will take.

The service also integrates Google Alerts functionality to make sure that job hunters do not need to run a search every day to avoid missing out on the perfect role. Users can tie an alert to a particular search, so that they will receive an email notification whenever new jobs are added to the results.

In a post published on the Google Blog on Thursday, product manager Nick Zakrasek explains how the company is collaborating with some of the biggest job listing sites around to perfect this new service. Monster, LinkedIn, WayUp, DirectEmployers, CareerBuilder, Glassdoor, and Facebook are already on board.

“Monster is actively focused on helping candidates connect with the right job opportunities — faster and easier,” said Monster’s chief technology officer, Conal Thompson. “Our alliance with Google supports our ongoing efforts to reach more candidates wherever they are.”

Google will continue to expand the range of job listings included in this service over time. The company has already published open documentation intended to help job boards and direct employers alike make their openings visible via search results.

OnePlus 5 Review

Research Center:
OnePlus 5

OnePlus sells one phone, which means to be successful, that device needs to be very good — talk about pressure. The OnePlus 3T has always been easy to recommend. It does everything pretty well, and costs less than many big-name rivals. Now it’s time for the sequel, but just because the OnePlus 3T is good, doesn’t mean the pressure is off. If anything, there’s more this time around.

The OnePlus 5 refines what made the OnePlus 3T so desirable even further. It does more, has more power, and looks even smarter. But what we really like is how it’s so incredibly accessible — the software is simple, and the features easy to understand. You just settle into using the OnePlus 5 like sinking down into your favorite chair. This accessibility is really important; OnePlus has a somewhat geeky image, like it’s only suitable for tech-enthusiasts. The OnePlus 5 proves this isn’t true at all.

Apple is a master at making phones like this, and the iPhone’s influence runs through the OnePlus 5 very clearly. It sometimes steps over the line from homage to imitation. Impressively, the OnePlus 5 manages to rise above this, to achieve a level of brilliance that separates it from other high-end smartphones. Here’s how.

An iPhone clone

From the back, the OnePlus 5 really, really looks like an iPhone. The midnight black color scheme, carried over from the limited edition OnePlus 3T, is extremely close in shade to the matte black iPhone. The OnePlus logo shines in glossy black in the top center, and in the top left is a dual-lens camera flanked by a flash unit. Body-colored antenna bands curve around both ends of the OnePlus 5, just like they do on the iPhone.

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

In the past, companies like Huawei have been accused of copying the iPhone’s design, and while it still does to a certain extent, it has found its own style more recently. OnePlus says the OnePlus 5 is the result of its most expensive design process yet, and more than 100 prototypes were made before deciding on this one. It’s surprising then, to see it came up with an unashamed and unsubtle iPhone clone. The fact it’s reminiscent of the iPhone doesn’t make it ugly — it actually looks very attractive.

The edges of the rear curve towards the front display, which makes it feel natural in the hand — but it doesn’t allow a firm grip. It doesn’t help that our midnight black variant is quite slippery, too.

The right side features a power button, and on the left is the volume rocker, along with OnePlus’ excellent Alert Slider. It quickly switches between alert notification profiles, and It’s very helpful, allowing you to silence your phone without actually looking at the screen. The slider is textured so you don’t even need to take the phone out of your pocket.

It does more, has more power, and looks even smarter.

The OnePlus 5 is also really thin and light. The metal body weighs 153 grams and is 7.25mm thick, which is thinner than the 8mm Samsung Galaxy S8, and a tad lighter. On the front, a 2.5D curved piece of Gorilla Glass 5 covers the 5.5-inch, 1,920 x 1,080 pixel AMOLED screen. A fingerprint sensor hides inside the home button. It’s not a physical button, but it offers a pleasing vibration when pressed. The Recents and back button flank the home button — there’s no distinctive icon, but they light up when pressed.

There’s no denying the OnePlus 5 looks like an iPhone; but no, it shouldn’t put you off. It still looks great, the build quality is excellent, it has a 3.5mm headphone jack, and it’s super thin.

Accessible software, fantastic performance

When we commented on the OnePlus 5’s accessibility, we were referring to how pleasant the phone is to use. This is due to the Android 7.1.1 Nougat operating system and OnePlus’s own Oxygen 4.5.0 user interface, along with the Snapdragon 835 processor and 8GB of RAM. The OnePlus 5 is a fiery combination of raw ability and careful software tweaks, producing a devastatingly fast yet friendly-to-use smartphone.

An example of this is the camera app. On the LG G6, the Square Camera app — which makes good use of the phone’s wide screen — is a widget, and not built into the main camera app. If it gets deleted, or hidden, you have to know to look for it in the widget menu. The OnePlus 5’s Portrait mode is accessed with a swipe to the left in the main camera app. Swipe to the right for video. That’s it. Simple, and obvious.

A devastatingly fast yet friendly to use smartphone

The Oxygen user interface is very subtle, and unlike others, doesn’t obfuscate primary Android features. In fact, it’s quite similar to the software experience on the Google Pixel. The app drawer is accessed with an upward swipe, the notification shade is standard, and the icons are minimalist and not over-styled. OnePlus’ Shelf feature is one of the few alterations. It’s hidden to the left of the home screen, and shows handy, glanceable pieces of information, but it can be deactivated if you prefer. Other features include an auto night mode that uses the ambient light sensor to adjust the color temperature of the screen, a blue-light filtering reading mode, a do-not-disturb game mode, and a tap-to-wake option for the screen.

Oxygen OS is fluid, the animations are slick, and we never experienced any slowdown at all. The OnePlus 5 is a joy to use, and it’s not just raw power that makes this possible. OnePlus has implemented a special algorithm that preloads frequently used apps, and shifts resources away from apps that are rarely used. It has also worked to optimize the screen for touch sensitivity, making it very responsive indeed. Put all this together, and the end result is sublime. We tested it against a Google Pixel, opening apps at the same time, and the OnePlus 5 was a hair faster. To be fair, the Pixel does have an older processor.

As a note, Google Assistant did not work for us in the U.K., but it worked on our OnePlus 5 in the U.S.

We’ve played a series of games on the OnePlus 5, from Happy Hop and Parking Master 3D, to Dodonpachi Unlimited and Reckless Racing 3, without any overheating issues or any slowdown. Streaming video is also faultless, and doesn’t suck much power — a 22-minute show streamed from Crunchyroll only used 4 percent battery life.

Qualcomm’s newest, and fastest processor — the Snapdragon 835 — definitely helps the OnePlus 5 achieve all this. Here are some benchmark scores we received:

• AnTuTu: 181,599
• 3DMark Slingshot Extreme: 3,549

By comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S8, which has the same processor and a little less RAM, received a score of 155,253 on AnTuTu, and 2,052 on 3DMark. There’s a word for what happened here, and it’s “trounced.”

On the subject of the 8GB of RAM, is it really needed? OnePlus justifies such a giant number by saying it allows more apps to run in the background, and it helps futureproof the phone.

“With 8GB of RAM, the OnePlus 5 allows all users to easily run the most powerful applications and eliminates all doubt in its ability to do so in the future,” the company told Digital Trends.

There’s more speed, power, and ability inside the OnePlus 5 than most people need.

Camera

The OnePlus 5’s camera mimics the dual-camera setup on the iPhone. There are two Sony lenses on the back, a primary with 16 megapixels and a telephoto with 20 megapixels. These provide a 2x hybrid zoom system, and a bokeh-style Portrait mode — which is exactly what Apple calls it, and it even says “depth effect” when the feature is active, just like in iOS — for the desirable blurred background effect.

The excellent news is the main camera’s aperture is now rated at f/1.7, letting in 26 percent more light than the lens on the OnePlus 3T, plus auto-focus has been tweaked for a 40 percent speed increase. This joins improved HDR, and new features like a histogram, and a level-like reference line to ensure the horizon is straight. Annoyingly, this is only available in the camera’s Pro Mode. There’s also 4K video recording, but only electronic image stabilization rather than optical stabilization.

Let’s talk about Portrait mode first. Swipe left on the viewfinder screen to access it, and point the lens at a suitable subject — an object close up, with something to blur out in the background — and wait. That’s right, you wait. The OnePlus 5 likes to think about what you’re asking it to do. Unlike the iPhone 7 Plus, where you have to adjust the distance between the camera and the subject until Depth Effect activates, hold the OnePlus 5 steady for a few seconds and its deep focus mode will activate itself. Move the phone around and it may not do so, and you will end up with a compromised shot.

The time delay isn’t a massive problem, but may cause you to miss some shots. If time is of the essence, it’ll be best to forgo Portrait mode, and shoot normally — advice that isn’t unique to the OnePlus 5. When you have captured a Portrait picture, the results are mostly excellent. The depth of field is highly accurate, with the OnePlus 5 picking out edges with greater accuracy than the iPhone in some situations. This is mainly due to it often taking a wider view, and not separating one small object like Apple’s software. Outside of Portrait mode, the OnePlus 5’s camera is relatively standard, meaning you get a panorama mode, slow motion video, a pro mode, and a couple of scenes.

Comparing shots with the iPhone 7 Plus reveals a massive difference between the way it handles color and contrast. The iPhone is adept at taking natural images, replicating what you see in the real world. The OnePlus 5 takes pictures like it’s on LSD. Colors and contrast are amplified to the max. It’s akin to Samsung’s philosophy of providing stunning, hyper-real pictures we want to share, regardless of whether that’s actually how the scene looked.

The OnePlus 5’s camera is going to divide opinion; but if you regularly use an HDR filter to augment your pictures, you’ll love it. But the overly saturated look means some colors and situations look weirdly “off.” A forest scene we photographed looked decidedly strange, for instance, as no trees produce such a bizarre shade of green.

Battery and connectivity

The OnePlus 5 has a 3,300mAh battery inside, and it’s coupled with the company’s proprietary Dash Charge fast charging system. This is one of the best fast charging solutions available, and OnePlus promotes it as offering, “a day’s power in half an hour.” In reality, this means it charges the battery to about 60 percent capacity in 30 minutes, then on to a full charge in under 90 minutes.

This is one of the best proprietary fast chargers available, and OnePlus promotes it as offering, “a day’s power in half an hour.”

In our tests, the OnePlus 5 dropped to 50 percent by 10 p.m. with average use, so provided you’re not a really heavy user, the statement of getting a day’s use from 30 minutes charge should be accurate. The power of knowing how long it takes the fast charge system to top-up the battery shouldn’t be underestimated. Most of us will be able to plug the phone in after waking up in the morning, and categorically know it’ll have at least 60 percent charge ready for when we leave the house for work. It’s an extremely useful feature, and one that delivers on its promise.

Bluetooth 5.0 is onboard, providing more range for compatible connected gadgets, and more speed. The phone has a dual-SIM tray, but without space for a MicroSD card, so you’ll have to make do with the onboard storage. This is either 64GB or 128GB, and we recommend selecting the latter, especially as it’s the model to come with 8GB of RAM (the 64GB model comes with 6GB RAM). The OnePlus 5 has 34 GSM bands for global connectivity, so it should provide the fastest connection wherever you are

Price, warranty, and availability

OnePlus sells its phones unlocked without a contract through its own website. This is an excellent way to buy a device, as it gives you freedom to choose your network, when you can upgrade, or the option to sell the phone privately in the future. In the U.K., the O2 network will also offer the phone for sale with a variety of contracts.

OnePlus 5 Compared To

Huawei Nova 2 Plus

ZTE Blade V8 Pro

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X

LeEco Le S3

ZTE Axon 7

LeEco Le Pro3

HTC Bolt

Lenovo Moto Z

Alcatel Idol 4S

Meizu M3 Note

Moto G4 Plus

Oppo F1 Plus

Lenovo ZUK Z1

LG G4

OnePlus One

The 64GB version comes in slate grey and with 6GB of RAM for $480, while the midnight black version has 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM for $540. The difference between the two colors is extremely subtle, and unless the light is just right, few will quickly tell them apart.

OnePlus has a one-year warranty on its devices in the United States, and broken phones will be repaired or replaced free of charge — that includes shipping and handling costs. It doesn’t cover daily wear and tear, or water damage. OnePlus also offers an extended warranty plan though Assurant Solutions called On-Guard for a year, 18 months, or two years. Because claims are dealt with in the U.S, it should be quicker. You’ll have to pay between $20 and $110 extra for the privilege.

Our Take

The definition of flagship phone is changing. The most expensive phones have cutting-edge designs, virtual assistants, and complex, long feature lists that those who buy them only rarely use. Phones like the Galaxy S8, the LG G6, and Apple’s iPhone 7 Plus have become hyper phones. Expensive, luxurious, and generally a bit over-the-top.

The OnePlus 5 isn’t like them. It boils down the essence of the flagship phone to become leaner, meaner, and fiercer. It gives us the best processor, the most amount of RAM, a very capable (but divisive) camera, no-nonsense software, and a slick design for just $480. It could leave $200 in your pocket if you choose it over one of the aforementioned flagship smartphones. Who doesn’t want to save money without compromising?

While we’re singing the OnePlus 5’s praises, there are some other points to consider. Spec-fiends may prefer a 2,560 x 1,440 pixel resolution screen, music and video fans may want a MicroSD card slot, and others may simply not want a phone that looks like the iPhone. There’s also no waterproofing, which is becoming a standard feature in all high-end smartphones. They’re all valid points, but the benefits do outweigh the negatives here.

Is there a better alternative?

The OnePlus 5 stands apart at this price, and for this specification. Its main challenger comes from Honor, the sister brand to Huawei, with the Honor 8 and Honor 8 Pro. The Honor 8 Pro has a larger screen with a higher resolution, and Huawei’s high performance Kirin 960 processor inside, with a dual-lens camera on the back of the device. It costs 480 British pounds, but isn’t available in the United States.

In the U.S., the aging, smaller Honor 8 costs less and has a dual-lens camera, but the processor is older than the Honor 8 Pro’s Kirin 960, and the display isn’t the best around. If you’re also considering an iPhone, then budget restraints mean you’re limited to the iPhone SE. It’s a fine device, but doesn’t come close to matching the OnePlus 5.

Ignore the OnePlus 5’s low price, and we’d recommend the Google Pixel, which benefits from a superb camera, regular software updates, and a similarly excellent software and usability experience. But you’ll have to dig deep for one, as it costs $650.

How long will it last?

Short of breaking the phone, or submerging it in water, the OnePlus 5’s lifespan will likely be two years at the minimum before you’d need to consider changing to a newer phone. It won’t stop working, of course, and will continue to be an excellent everyday device beyond this.

The lack of water resistance is one of the phone’s biggest downsides. Even the iPhone has managed it, and it’s a shame the OnePlus 5 didn’t follow along. We do like the new carbon fiber silicone case that’s available, which adds plenty of impact protection, and makes the phone more comfortable and less slippery to hold. It’s a worthwhile addition.

OnePlus does update the software on its phones, but not in such a timely fashion as Google does with the Pixel series. It has recently stopped offering software updates for the OnePlus 2, a phone released in mid-2015, so 2019 may end up being the end of support for the OnePlus 5. Our review phone had the May 1 Android security update installed.

Should you buy it?

Yes, yes, and yes again. The OnePlus 5 is almost fuss and frustration free, doesn’t overwhelm with pointless features, and saves you money over the competition. What more do we want?

OnePlus 5 vs. OnePlus 3T: An upgrade that won’t break the bank

It’s been a little more than half a year since OnePlus, the smartphone company backed by Chinese tech giant BBK Electronics, launched its last flagship — the OnePlus 3T. The 3T was an incremental upgrade over the OnePlus 3, but the newly-announced OnePlus 5 is a different beast altogether.

No matter how you slice it, the OnePlus 5 is an impressive specimen of a smartphone. It’s packed to the brim with competitive hardware, including a 5.5-inch 1,080-pixel resolution screen, a whopping 8GB of RAM, and a battery that lasts “all day” on a charge. Just like the OnePlus 3T before it, the price is still the spotlight — no other phone offers flagship-level specs for under $500.

But just how much of an improvement is the OnePlus 5 over its predecessor? We compared the two to find out.

Specs

OnePlus 5

OnePlus 3T

Size
154.2 x 74.1 x 7.25 mm (6.07 x 2.92 x 0.28 in)
152.7 × 74.7 × 7.4 mm (6.01 × 2.94 × 0.29 inches)
Weight
5.39 ounces (153 grams)
5.57 ounces (158 grams)
Screen
5.5-inch AMOLED
5.5-inch AMOLED
Resolution
1,920 x 1,080 pixels
1,920 x 1,080 pixels
OS
Android 7.1.1 Nougat
Android 7.1.1 Nougat
Storage
64GB or 128GB
64GB or 128GB
SD Card Slot
No
No
NFC support
Yes
Yes
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
Qualcomm Snapdragon 821
RAM
 6GB or 8GB
6GB
Connectivity
GSM / HSPA / LTE
GSM / HSPA / LTE
Camera
 Front 8MP, Rear Dual 16MP and 20MP
Front 8MP, Rear 16MP
Video
4K
4K
Bluetooth
Yes, version 5
Yes, version 4.2
Fingerprint sensor
Yes
Yes
Other sensors
Gyroscope, accelerometer, compass, proximity sensor
Gyroscope, accelerometer, compass, proximity sensor
Water Resistant
No
No
Battery
3,300mAh
3,400mAh
Charger
USB Type-C
USB Type-C
Quick Charging
Yes
Yes
Wireless Charging
No
No
Marketplace
Google Play Store
Google Play Store
Color offerings
Black, gray
Gunmetal, gold, black
Availability
Unlocked, OnePlus
Unlocked, OnePlus
DT Review
4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5 stars

Under the hood, the differences between the OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 3T may not seem too different, but the former packs a more powerful punch. The OnePlus 5 uses Qualcomm’s newest processor, the Snapdragon 835, which is more powerful and more battery efficient than the Snapdragon 821 processor powering the OnePlus 3T.

The OnePlus 5 comes in two configurations: 6GB RAM and 64GB of storage, or 8GB RAM and 128GB of storage. The OnePlus 3T offers 6GB of RAM, and you likely won’t ever fully take advantage of the whopping 8GB on the OnePlus 5. More RAM means more apps can be held in active memory, and won’t have to be reloaded when you switch between them. The 6GB RAM in the 3T is already remarkable, but the OnePlus 5 takes it a step further. The OnePlus 5’s Wi-Fi chip is up to twice as fast as the OnePlus 3T, and its Bluetooth version 5 boasts quadruple the range and twice the speed of the 3T’s Bluetooth 4.2 radio.

The OnePlus 3T has a slight advantage when it comes to battery (3,400mAh compared to the OnePlus 5’s 3,300 mAh). But the Snapdragon 835 is a more battery efficient processor, so you may hardly see a difference overall. The OnePlus 5 is a solid step up from the OnePlus 3T in terms of raw hardware.

Winner: OnePlus 5

Design, display, and durability

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The OnePlus 5 doesn’t look very much like its predecessor — in fact, it looks more like an iPhone than the 3T. It retains the OnePlus 3T’s oval-shaped front fingerprint sensor, volume rocker, Alert Slider, and power button positioning, but ditches the angular design for smooth, curved edges on all four sides. On the rear, a camera hump accommodates the OnePlus 5’s dual rear shooters, and antenna lines bisect the top and bottom edges. Design is subjective, but we think the OnePlus 5 looks far more attractive than the 3T.

The AMOLED screen is the same as the OnePlus 3T — it’s 5.5 inches in size, and offers a 1,920 x 1,080 pixel resolution. In terms of durability, the OnePlus 5 isn’t any more water- or dust-resistant than the OnePlus 3T. Unlike most flagship smartphones, neither are certified for exposure to the elements — if both take an accidental dip in a pool, their chances of survival aren’t great.

We’re fans of the OnePlus 5’s design refinements. For that reason, we’re crowning it the winner this round.

Winner: OnePlus 5

Battery life and charging

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

On paper, there isn’t a drastic difference between the OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 3T in the battery department. The OnePlus 5 packs a smaller battery than last year’s model — 3,300mAh versus the OnePlus 3T’s 3,400mAh. But there’s more to battery life than capacity.

The OnePlus 5’s processor, the Snapdragon 835, consumes up to 40 percent less power than the Snapdragon 821. Those savings will depend on the apps you’re using, but the OnePlus 5 should last just as long, if not slightly longer, on a single charge than the OnePlus 3T. In terms of charging speed, the OnePlus 5 supports the same proprietary fast-charging technology: Dash Charge. OnePlus says you should be able to recover about 60 percent of the battery in half an hour, or the full battery in 90 minutes. Both phones have a USB Type-C port for charging.

It’s a close call between the OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 3T when it comes to battery life, but the OnePlus 5’s power-efficient processor is enough to put it slightly ahead.

Winner: OnePlus 5

Camera

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

One of the OnePlus 5’s most notable improvements is the addition of a second rear camera. The dual rear camera module, which combines a 16-megapixel (with a f/1.7 aperture) with a 20-megapixel telephoto lens (with a f/2.6 aperture), helps create the same depth effect that won the iPhone 7 Plus camera so much praise. Last year’s OnePlus 3T, on the other hand, makes do with a single 16-megapixel sensor (with a f/2.0 aperture). Because of the f/1.7 aperture, OnePlus 5 should perform better in low-light scenarios as well.

When it comes to video, both shoot in the same resolutions: 4K at 30fps, 1,080p at 60fps, 720p at 30 fps, and slo-mo 720p at 120fps.

On the front, the OnePlus 5 shares the same selfie cam as the OnePlus 3T — a 16-megapixel camera with a f/2.0 aperture. We were impressed by the OnePlus 3T camera’s shots, but the added portrait mode offers the OnePlus 5’s camera more versatility.

Winner: OnePlus 5

Software

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The OnePlus 3T and OnePlus 5 run OxygenOS, a customized version of Google’s Android 7.1.1 operating system. It’s almost the same user experience as the Google Pixel, except it goes a step further by adding nifty options that help users customize the phone more to your liking. There’s a Reading Mode, which uses gray-scale mapping to filter out blue light and adjust the display’s sharpness and brightness, and an Auto Night Mode, which takes advantage of the ambient light sensor to adjust the color temperature according to the environment. Other highlights include off-screen programmable gestures, tweakable vibrations, a gaming “do not disturb” mode, and password-protected folders for sensitive documents.

There’s no clear advantage, here. The newest version of OxygenOS — the version that ships on the OnePlus 5 — is already available in beta for the OnePlus 3T. Assuming nothing changes between now and the time the OnePlus 5 launches, we’re expecting the same experience.

Winner: Tie

Price and availability

The OnePlus 5 is $480 for the gray version, which has 64GB of storage and 6GB of RAM. It will work just fine on AT&T, T-Mobile, and other GSM networks in the U.S., but not on Verizon or Sprint. If you want the black version with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, then you’ll have to pay $540. You’ll have to buy directly from OnePlus and pay the full amount.

The OnePlus 3T, which works on the same carriers as the OnePlus 5, is a good deal cheaper. It’s $440 for the 64GB variant and $479 for the 128GB model, but it’s no longer listed on OnePlus’ official site. If you want one, you’ll have to look at other sellers.

OnePlus 5
OnePlus 3T
AT&T
$480
$440
Sprint
N/A
N/A
T-Mobile
$480
$440
Verizon
N/A
N/A

Winner: OnePlus 3T

Overall winner: OnePlus 5

OnePlus has done it again — the OnePlus 5 is just a great a value for your money as the OnePlus 3T. It packs a superior processor, a massive amount of RAM, dual cameras, and a bevy of other hardware improvements that put the comparably-priced competition to shame. It might not boast the water resistance and screen resolution as other flagships, but in terms of sheer bang-for-your-buck value, the OnePlus 5 is a worthy successor to the OnePlus 3T — and an improvement in every way.

Got a OnePlus 3T? There’s no reason to upgrade other than lusting for the latest and greatest.

The One Card Any Serious Phone Nerd Should Carry

‘Always be prepared’ isn’t just for the Boy Scouts anymore.

Relying on your phone to do everything you need it to takes some forethought. If you’re downloading a lot of apps, creating documents, or storing data on your phone, you’ve probably invested in multiple microSD cards to expand your storage. If you travel frequently, for work or pleasure, you may have multiple SIM cards to use in different parts of the world. All these small components are hard to keep track of and losing any of them can seriously hinder your ability to get stuff done. How do you make sure that doesn’t happen?

SIMCases Slim SIM Card holder case

The SIMCases Slim SIM Card holder case is the ultimate accessory for any serious phone nerd. This credit card-sized accessory will help you keep track of those small cards and tools you carry around to utilize your phone everywhere you go.

With room for up to four Nano SIM cards, you’ll never need to worry about not having to lose the SIM card you need when you travel. Do you switch between various devices a lot? That’s no problem! The SIMCases Slim SIM Card holder case also comes with one micro SIM adapter and two standard size SIM adapters, so you’ll be able to put your nano SIM cards into any device you come across. Plus, it also comes with a SIM card removal tool, so you can stop looking around for the nearest paperclip every time you need to swap SIM cards.

The SIMCases Slim SIM Card holder is extremely useful for people who carry around extra storage for their phones. The case itself can hold up to two microSD cards at one time and even comes with a USB reader, allowing you to plug your microSD cards into a computer whenever you want to transfer files.

For only $10, you’ll never have to worry about losing those small, pesky cards and tools again. You can slip the SIMCases Slim SIM Card holder into your wallet and carry everything you need with you at all times.

See at Amazon

Enhance your Gear VR experience with the official touch controller for just $28

The Thrifter team is back again, this time with a deal on Samsung’s latest Gear VR controller!

Alongside the announcement of a brand new Gear VR headset, Samsung also announced a new touch controller to help take your VR experience to the next level. The controller debuted with a $40 price tag, and has hovered around that price since, until just recently. Amazon currently has the controller down to just $27.98, a savings of $12 on it. This is the lowest we’ve seen it for and a price you definitely won’t want to pass up.

Some of its features include:

• Motion controller for more realistic interaction
• Ability to recognize hand motion, evolving interactions and gameplay in VR
• An ergonomic design with a trigger for natural, intuitive control
• Unlocks even more amazing experiences in VR
• The Gear VR controller works with Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ as well as previous VR-enabled handsets, including Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5 and previous generation Gear VR headsets.

If you don’t already have one, be sure to grab one now before the price jumps back up.

See at Amazon

For more great deals be sure to check out our friends at Thrifter now!

Don’t be this idiot who knifed a store demo Galaxy S8 to test its durability

Modern smartphones are pretty tough. The Galaxy S8 remarkably so. But don’t test it using equipment that isn’t yours.

There’s a cottage industry of people destroying phones on camera for entertainment. From Will it blend? to drop and scratch tests, the world loves to see how far we can push the glass and metal that comprise the protective layer of our pocket computers.

But when you decide to destroy a phone, make sure it’s yours.

Targatheory
06-20-2017 04:39 AM

“

Just to share regarding the S8+’s screen.

Visited a local Target store where they had the S8 and S8+ on demo/display. I carry my house key (regular trapezoid/triangle type house key in the USA) on a Cold Steel Micro Recon mini keychain knife.

I ABUSED THE SCREEN AS MUCH AS I COULD.

I was absolutely flabbergasted by the amount of muscle force and strength and pressure I applied to this…

Reply

Respect the property of others, even if it is owned by a big corporation.

Don’t be this idiot.

Continue the discussion (politely) in the forums!

Title image: JerryRigEverything YouTube channel