Is Microsoft planning a $400 Surface tablet?
Ivan McClellan/Digital Trends
Microsoft’s Surface tablet line may be set for a refresh in the near future, with rumors suggesting that the 10-inch tablet range would be powered by Intel hardware — and could cost just $400. Reportedly the design of the new tablet will draw much from Apple’s iPad and will feature exclusive support for USB-C.
The Surface line of laptops and 2-in-1s has been improved upon and bolstered by new models many times in recent years, leading to such fantastic offerings as the Surface Pro and the Surface Book 2. But the Surface tablets haven’t seen a proper upgrade in several years. Microsoft may have decided it was time to change that; the rumored tablets would upgrade previous offerings in a big way.
Although low-powered devices often ship with ARM CPUs, the new tablets will reportedly sport Intel hardware, though chip specifics have yet to be detailed. What Bloomberg’s sources did clarify, however, was that there will be multiple versions of the new tablets. Prices will start at $400, with different storage for various models ranging from 64GB to 128GB. LTE Advanced connectivity will also be an option for those who want high-speed internet coverage when away from Wi-Fi networks.
Each model will have a 10-inch screen, which is comparable to the standard iPad, though it’s noticeably smaller than the Surface Pro laptops. That size reduction will reportedly net a 20-percent reduction in overall weight, making the new Surface tablets very portable. The lack of space will cut into the room slotted for the battery, however, and battery life is said to be four hours shorter than that of the Surface Pros. That would put the new Surface tablets at around nine hours of battery life — not bad, but hardly stellar.
As Bloomberg reports, Microsoft’s re-entry into the entry-level tablet market may be an attempt to shore up declining sales in the Surface line by attracting a new audience to its hardware. Previous attempts at Surface tablets didn’t go anywhere near as well as its higher-end push with the Surface Pro range, which has proved competitive with the wide array of alternative, convertible laptops out there. And hey, if small scale tablets aren’t your cup of tea, Microsoft also plans bigger tablets. Much, much bigger tablets.
Editors’ Recommendations
- Microsoft Surface Pro (2017) review
- The best tablets you can buy
- What laptop are you looking forward to most in 2018?
- Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 review
- Google Pixelbook review
Is Microsoft planning a $400 Surface tablet?
Ivan McClellan/Digital Trends
Microsoft’s Surface tablet line may be set for a refresh in the near future, with rumors suggesting that the 10-inch tablet range would be powered by Intel hardware — and could cost just $400. Reportedly the design of the new tablet will draw much from Apple’s iPad and will feature exclusive support for USB-C.
The Surface line of laptops and 2-in-1s has been improved upon and bolstered by new models many times in recent years, leading to such fantastic offerings as the Surface Pro and the Surface Book 2. But the Surface tablets haven’t seen a proper upgrade in several years. Microsoft may have decided it was time to change that; the rumored tablets would upgrade previous offerings in a big way.
Although low-powered devices often ship with ARM CPUs, the new tablets will reportedly sport Intel hardware, though chip specifics have yet to be detailed. What Bloomberg’s sources did clarify, however, was that there will be multiple versions of the new tablets. Prices will start at $400, with different storage for various models ranging from 64GB to 128GB. LTE Advanced connectivity will also be an option for those who want high-speed internet coverage when away from Wi-Fi networks.
Each model will have a 10-inch screen, which is comparable to the standard iPad, though it’s noticeably smaller than the Surface Pro laptops. That size reduction will reportedly net a 20-percent reduction in overall weight, making the new Surface tablets very portable. The lack of space will cut into the room slotted for the battery, however, and battery life is said to be four hours shorter than that of the Surface Pros. That would put the new Surface tablets at around nine hours of battery life — not bad, but hardly stellar.
As Bloomberg reports, Microsoft’s re-entry into the entry-level tablet market may be an attempt to shore up declining sales in the Surface line by attracting a new audience to its hardware. Previous attempts at Surface tablets didn’t go anywhere near as well as its higher-end push with the Surface Pro range, which has proved competitive with the wide array of alternative, convertible laptops out there. And hey, if small scale tablets aren’t your cup of tea, Microsoft also plans bigger tablets. Much, much bigger tablets.
Editors’ Recommendations
- Microsoft Surface Pro (2017) review
- The best tablets you can buy
- What laptop are you looking forward to most in 2018?
- Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 review
- Google Pixelbook review
OnePlus 6 hands-on review
Research Center:
OnePlus 6
How does OnePlus keep coming up with a desirable smartphone that people will still want to buy, every six months or less? There are companies out there that struggle to do it on an annual basis, after all. OnePlus has a release schedule that would terrify big-name brands bogged down by focus groups, middle managers, and multiple checklists. Its latest phone — the OnePlus 6 — arrives only a few months after the OnePlus 5T, which also came a few months after the OnePlus 5.
It’s a lot of pressure. Can OnePlus continue its winning streak with another swiftly-launched smartphone?
Glassy and classy
The OnePlus 6 showcases how OnePlus is able to attract new buyers and upgraders even with such a rapid update schedule — it taps into the latest trends, integrates them quickly into a new phone, and gets it out the door before any fads pass. That means the OnePlus 6 has a glass body, which is the definition of premium this year, a notch at the top of the screen, and a vertically-mounted, dual-lens camera.
OnePlus has outdone itself with the all-glass body — a first for the company — on the 6. It looks and feels superb: It’s soft and smooth, with a cool touch. It’s very reflective too, mostly on the mirror black model you see here, and we’d say it’s closer to the water-like finish on the Porsche Design Mate 10 RS than phones like the Honor 10 and the Moto G6. Even the Galaxy S9 looks a bit muddy next to the OnePlus 6. To commemorate its 4th anniversary, the OnePlus 6 brings back the “Designed by OnePlus” branding on the back panel, which is the only other mark aside from the OnePlus logo. It’s minimal, like we have come to expect, and it looks great on the mirror black model.
OnePlus has outdone itself with the all-glass body.
We didn’t feel like the glass body made the phone overly slippery, and it’s easy to hold with one hand. Using it is a harder task due to the size of the screen. It’s a stretch to get to the opposite corner with your thumb.
The notch (the cutout at the top of the screen housing the front camera and earpiece) is the subject of much (now rather boring) controversy. OnePlus told Digital Trends that its inclusion is the most effective way of getting a far larger screen on the phone than usual, while maintaining a similar size to previous OnePlus phones. If you hate it, you will be able to hide it away through a software update in the future.
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
The screen’s big alright, measuring 6.3-inches with a 2,280 x 1,080 pixel resolution, another first for the OnePlus family. There aren’t too many phones with this exact screen size other than the Galaxy Note 8. Surprisingly, the phone is very compact, with minimal side bezels and chin. We like the shape of the screen corners too, which have a flowing curve before running down the sides.
The fingerprint sensor is on the back, and we’re pleased to see it has been given a stadium shape and a chamfered edge: A big improvement over the OnePlus 5T. Little things like this, along with the curved screen edges, make the OnePlus 6 look and feel fantastic.
If you hate the notch, you will be able to hide it away through a software update in the future.
Another ergonomic improvement is the iconic OnePlus Alert slider — which controls device notifications and silent mode — has been shifted to the top right edge. While lefties won’t like the change, right-handed folks will find it more comfortable. It’s a bit stiff, and requires a firm grip on the phone to slide, even with the textured edge on the slider itself.
Along the bottom edge of the phone is a USB Type-C port for fast charging, using OnePlus’ Dash Charge system, along with a 3.5mm headphone socket for those still attached to wires. Sadly, there’s no support for wireless charging.
New camera effects, super slow-motion video
On the back is a dual-lens rear camera, this time centrally- and vertically-mounted inside a slight camera bump. The main f/1.7 aperture, 16-megapixel lens is joined by a second 20-megapixel camera, complete with a portrait mode. New bokeh effects will be added to the portrait mode, promising stars, hearts, and bubbles (yes, really), but they weren’t available at our time of testing. It’s controlled by OnePlus’ own camera app, which is simple and easy to use. OnePlus has added a slow-mo video mode, which has a maximum of 480 frames per second (fps) at 720p, meaning it can’t slow the world down as effectively as the Galaxy S9, Huawei P20 Pro, or Sony Xperia XZ2. A 1080p resolution mode is available at 240fps.
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
We haven’t had the chance to try this out yet, but have shot a few photos with the camera. The shutter is fast, and the images we took outside on a sunny day were natural, without the over-the-top HDR-style glow which has become more common.
Speedy performance
The OnePlus 6 is powered by the Snapdragon 845 processor with a whopping 8GB of RAM. The phone has been lightning fast in our brief time using it. It all feels very refined. OnePlus uses the tagline, “The speed you need,” for the 6, and we cannot imagine anyone thinking the phone may not have the guts to cope with a task.
The OnePlus 6 has been lightning fast in our brief time using it.
It runs Android 8.1 Oreo with version 5.1.2 of OnePlus’ OxygenOS over the top. The software is smooth and fuss-free, with only a handful of pre-installed apps, and the slide-in Shelf — which contains recently used apps, contacts, and other information — makes it look different to standard Android found on a Pixel 2. There are also a ton of customization options in the software that let you set up the phone exactly how you want.
The fact that OnePlus puts out such a polished product so often is exciting to see. This lightning production speed doesn’t affect the phone’s quality, or commitment to delivering a satisfying, desirable smartphone either.
OnePlus 6 Compared To
Samsung Galaxy Note 8
Xiaomi Mi Mix
LeEco Le S3
ASUS Zenfone 3 Deluxe Special…
LeEco Le Pro3
HTC Bolt
LG X Power
Lenovo Moto Z
Alcatel Idol 4S
Meizu M3 Note
Asus Zenfone Zoom ZX551ML
Oppo F1 Plus
HTC 10
LG G5
Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3
But has the OnePlus 6 been subject to a price rise that takes it out of the realms of affordability? The price has gone up, but not so drastically you’ll have to think twice. The 8GB RAM with 128GB storage model you see here, in mirror black, is $580, or 520 British pounds. The mirror black model with 6GB RAM and 64GB storage is $530 or 470 pounds.
Price and availability
The OnePlus 6 comes out on May 22, so should you buy it? We’ll tell you more in our forthcoming full review; but we’ll tell you this: There is a limited edition in “silk white” coming — paying homage to the original OnePlus One’s color scheme. We’ve had a sneak peek, and it’s utterly beautiful. If the mirror black model isn’t making your heart beat faster, the silk white OnePlus 6 might, and it will arrive on June 5.
OnePlus is also releasing a pair of Bluetooth-connected wireless earbuds called Bullets Wireless. They cost $70, and will be available in June. We’ll be testing have our review out before then, so check back before making your final decision.
Android Central’s 2018 Graduate Gift Guide!
Next steps. They’re scary, exhilarating, and a bit confusing. But they’re also empowering. Graduates deserve to walk away from school feeling confident in what’s coming, so make sure they’re decked out in the tech and other supplies that will help them succeed on that path.
Google Pixel 2
The Pixel 2 is our favorite phone on the market, and a perfect present for a graduate looking for a fast, reliable Android phone. At $649, it’s also one of the less expensive flagships out there today.
$649 Buy now
Moto X4
The Moto X4 is one of the best deals around, especially if your grad is looking to take lots of pictures. Running Motorola’s no-frills software, and with built-in Alexa support, this is one of the most attractive and easy-to-use phones under $300.
$280 Buy Now
OnePlus 6
No one does budget flagship like OnePlus, and the OnePlus 6 exudes the best qualities of the company’s commitment to hardware quality and software simplicity. At $529, it’s the best flagship deal around.
from $529 Buy Now
Nintendo Switch
Every grad needs to take a load-off, and the Nintendo Switch is the answer to all their gaming prayers. Featuring incredible games like Zelda: Breath of the Wild and the upcoming Super Smash Bros, the Switch can be taken from commute to couch in an instant.
$299 Buy Now
UE MEGABLAST
Everyone needs a great Bluetooth speaker, and this one is the best out there. With Alexa support built-in, the waterproof UE MEGABLAST is insanely powerful for its size.
from $190 Buy Now
UE Roll 2
Cheaper and less powerful than the MEGABLAST, the UE Roll 2 is still waterproof, and it sounds amazing for the price. Even better — it’s the perfect companion for that road trip or a weekend getaway somewhere warm. Take us with you!
$62 Buy Now
Sonos One
Is your grad looking for something a bit more permanent than Bluetooth? The Sonos One is incredible. Not only does it connect to Alexa (and soon, Google Home), it sounds so, so good. And if you end up buying two, they can be paired together for whole-home audio!
$199 Buy Now
Sony MH1000XM2 noise-canceling headphones
Sometimes you need a break from the world. Sony’s MH1000XM2 have amazing sound and even better noise cancellation. Seriously, these are probably the best bang for your buck in headphones right now.
$348 Buy now
Jaybird X3 wireless Bluetooth earbuds
If you’d rather run with your music, the Jaybird X3 headphones are perfect companions. And even if you don’t run, the sound quality and portability will be good enough to win your grad over. A bargain at under $100.
$99 Buy Now
Koss Porta Pro Wireless Bluetooth headphones
A classic re-imagined. If your grad likes the good things in life, get them these awesome-sounding retro-looking Koss Porta Pro Wireless headphones. They bend into a tiny portable pod, but they have 12-hour battery and in-line controls for $80.
$80 Buy Now
Spotify Premium subscription
Love streaming ad-free music? Grab a Spotify Premium subscription and listen to music on all your devices. From specific songs to curated playlists to radio stations, you’ll find your favorites here. This is the perfect add-on gift for the mom who can’t get enough music.
from $10 Buy Now
Netflix subscription
What is there to say about Netflix? Everyone wants it, and your grad doesn’t want to pay for it. You can get them a gift card in $30 or $60 increments through Amazon, and have them shipped through Prime. Easy, peasy.
from $30 Buy Now
Daydream View (2017)
Google took the most comfortable VR headset ever and made it better for heat management, easier to fit smaller heads, and available in fun new colors. All you need is a great phone and a comfy chair to enjoy a wide world of VR experiences.
$99 Buy Now
Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 camera
Having a smartphone with a great camera is important, but being able to give someone a photo is truly meaningful. Fujifilm’s Instax line continues to be popular with young people who want to share the photos they’re taking, and the Mini 9 is cheap, portable, and fun! It makes for an awesome gift.
from $55 Buy now
Moment Cases and Lenses
Take the best cameras on a smartphone, add a fantastic case, and then tighten the sharpest, most versatile glass you can find. Those are the Moment lenses for the Pixel, Pixel 2, or Galaxy S8.
from $99 Buy Now
Aeropress coffee and espresso maker
Do yourself a favor and get your coffee-addicted grad an Aeropress — it’s the cheap and easy way to making better coffee at home in just 90 seconds. It sounds too good to be true, but this is all physics: the Aeropress combines the best ideas from espresso and French Press into a single, easy-to-clean contraption.
from $33 Buy now
Blue Bottle coffee subscription
Skip the grocery store beans and get the best from your new Aeropress with a monthly subscription to amazing coffee at Blue Bottle. You won’t believe the difference freshly-roasted beans make to a good cup, especially if you grind them at home right before you brew.
from $15/mo Buy now
Chromecast Ultra
If you splurged on that 4K TV recently, the Chromecast Ultra is an amazing companion. Almost every media app supports it in some way, and it works with the Google Home or Home Mini to load those hilarious YouTube videos everyone loves watching.
$59 Buy Now
Amazon Fire TV 2017
Cozy up to Prime Video exclusives like Catastrophe, The Grand Tour, Sneaky Pete and more… in 4K! The Fire TV is an amazing gift for anyone who watches shows or movies, including mom!
$70 Buy Now
NVIDIA Shield Android TV
The NVIDIA Shield TV is the best set-top streamer you can buy, and it doubles as a game console. It’s extremely powerful, has an amazing built-in controller, and supports 4K HDR streaming!
from $179 Buy Now
Anker PowerLine+ USB-C to USB-A Cables (2-pack)
There’s nothing simpler than a good-quality charging cable, and nothing more frustrating than not having one nearby. Anker makes great products, and these PowerLine+ cables will charge your grad’s phone and, because they’re made of woven nylon, won’t get busted.
$10 Buy Now
Samsung Convertible Fast Wireless Charging Pad
This is the cream of the crop of wireless charging pads, and even though it’s made by Samsung it will charge any phone that supports the Qi standard. The beauty of this pillowy wireless charger is its ability to convert from flat to upright — it’s so cool! Make sure your grad’s phone supports wireless charging first.
$45 Buy Now
Google Home Mini
Google Home is big and powerful, but Google Home Mini is cheap and useful! If you already have a bunch of connected speakers, or just want Google Assistant everywhere, the Home Mini is the best gift you can give. And if your house is already full of Google products, Assistant is even better. A must-gift!
$49 Buy Now
Philips Hue Starter Kit
Smart lights can set the mood, especially when paired with a smart speaker powered by Google Assistant or Alexa. It’s simple to set the mood for a party, or for bed time, but either way, these lights will last for years.
$160 Buy Now
Amazon Echo Spot
Want your grad to keep a job? Give their alarm clock an upgrade with the Amazon Echo Spot, the latest — and cutest — Alexa-powered gadget. This one’s perfect for the bedroom but, thanks to its small screen, can double as a living room or kitchen tool.
$129 Buy Now
Fitbit Versa
The Versa is the best tracker and smartwatch Fitbit has ever made. It can track steps, exercise, sleep, and more and its battery lasts an incredibly long four days. Your grad will love its selection of colors and bands, and you’ll love spending less than an Apple Watch!
$199 Buy Now
DJI Spark
If your grad is the outdoorsy type, or just wants to make movies with footage from new vantage points, the DJI Spark is an outstanding gift. Portable and versatile, the drone gets over 15 minutes of flying time with its replaceable battery and goes anywhere you do.
$399 Buy Now
Anker PowerCore 10000 Battery
Give your grad the gift of a phone that doesn’t run out of batteries! This Anker PowerCore pack can charge most phones two or three times and is portable enough to bring anywhere.
$27 Buy Now
The Razer FragFest gaming gear sale has great prices on mice, keyboards, and more
Upgrade your peripherals today.
The Razer FragFest sale is going on right now, and Razer is discounting a lot of great gaming gear. We’ve already covered the Razer Phone being $100 off, but there are also mice, keyboards, headsets, and even tool kits on sale. All shipping is free if you spend over $49. Otherwise it’s $10 flat. The sale ends May 16.
Here are some of the deals we liked:
- Ornata gaming keyboard for $59.99 (from $80)
- Thresher Tournament Edition headphones for $79.99 (from $100)
- Naga Epic Chroma wireless mouse for $89.99 (from $120)
- BlackWidow X Chroma mechanical keyboard for $129.99 (from $150)
While the ones we’ve listed here have instant savings, some of the deals require the use of the code DEALS18 during checkout. So just keep that in mind when browsing the full sale for other deals.
See at Razer
Join Android Central on Twitter this Wednesday for a OnePlus 6 AMA!
I would do anything for AMA, but I won’t do that.
AMA. It’s the kind of cultural phenomenon that could have only come from Reddit, but the term is now part of popular culture, and that’s fine. Heck, we’re happy about it.
See, for the launch of the OnePlus 6 this Wednesday, May 16 at 9AM PT / 12PM ET / 5PM BST, we’re doing something a bit different. We’re going to do a live Twitter AMA (it stands for Ask Me Anything, if you didn’t already know) after the announcement, answering all of your questions about the new phone. The AMA will begin as soon as the event is over.
We’ll have our video editor, Alex Dobie, on-site in London for the event, and I (that’s Managing Editor, Daniel Bader) will be remote alongside MrMobile himself, Michael Fisher, to answer any and all questions you might have. (We’re not going to say we’ve seen the phone, but we may have a bit of info that you don’t 😉.)
How do you get involved? Send your questions to the @androidcentral Twitter account with the hashtag #ACOnePlus6AMA. You have to use the hashtag (and tweet @androidcentral) otherwise won’t see it. Here’s a sample question:
Hey @androidcentral, what does it feel like to #neversettle? #ACOnePlus6AMA
We’ll be doing some cool stuff during the AMA, with some specific shout-outs and perhaps a giveaway or two! The AMA kicks off as soon as the announcement ends, so between 1:30PM and 2PM ET. Submit your questions early so we’ll have a chance to respond!
Are you going to join us?
OnePlus 6
- OnePlus 6 hands-on preview
- OnePlus 6 vs. OnePlus 5T: How much changes in six months?
- OnePlus 6 vs. OnePlus 5: Should you upgrade?
- These are the official OnePlus 6 cases
- The OnePlus 6 doesn’t work on Verizon or Sprint
- Join the discussion in the forums
Samsung Exynos processors may soon appear in ZTE and other phones
Qualcomm dominates the mobile processor market, but Samsung wants to change that.
Samsung is one of the biggest names when it comes to Android smartphones, but when you look specifically at the processors that power them, the conversation changes. Qualcomm has dominated the mobile chipset market for years now, but it would appear that Samsung’s interested in doing something about that.
According to a report from Reuters, Samsung’s beginning talks with ZTE and other OEMs to supply its Exynos processors to Android phones other than its own.
As it stands, Samsung’s Exynos chips are only found in Galaxy phones in certain parts of the world and select Meizu smartphones (Samsung’s only client right now). However, Samsung’s Head Logic Chip Developer recently said that the company’s “talking to all OEMs” about supplying the Exynos line to more and more brands – one of which being ZTE.
Samsung’s getting ready to hit Qualcomm where it hurts.
The Department of Commerce issued a Denial Order against ZTE in mid-April, resulting in a seven-year ban that prevents it from using any exported hardware or software products from the U.S. Although President Trump has said he’s working on helping ZTE rise above this, it’s since halted all of its major business operations.
However, by being able to use processors from Korea-based Samsung, this could prove to be a welcome light at the end of a dark tunnel for ZTE.
Samsung has a lot of work ahead of itself before it can compete directly with the likes of Qualcomm and Apple when it comes to mobile processors, but these early steps are moves in the right direction.
What phones would you like to see powered by Exynos processors?
How to watch 360-degree YouTube videos on Oculus Go
Get ready to change your viewing experience
Whether you want to feel like you’re floating through space or sailing across the ocean, 360-degree videos are one of the coolest ways to take you there. (Without going in person, of course.) Since the Oculus Go has such a crisp vision with hardly any blur it makes this device the best yet to experience these YouTube videos with. Read on below to see how!
Getting to YouTube
So you searched the store on your Oculus Go for quite some time and couldn’t find a YouTube app, now what? Well, you don’t need an app to browse YouTube on your Oculus Go. When you go to YouTube on the browser it’s already fully compatible with your device!
Select your browser from the Navigate section of the Menu.
Open the video that you want to watch in 360-degrees. You can find a lot of compatible videos just by searching “360 video”.
Press the Play button on the video and then select the Full screen option on the bottom right of the video.
While in the video a menu bar will appear under the loading bar. Press the 360 option in the center.
Enjoy the ride! If you want to change the viewing settings while playing the menu bar will appear as soon as you move your controller again.
What videos did you pick?
What are your favorite videos to watch in 360 on YouTube? Let us know in the comments below!
Oculus Go
- A parent’s guide to Oculus Go
- Oculus Go vs. Lenovo Mirage Solo
- Best Gamepad for Oculus Go
- Best Battery Backup for Oculus Go
Oculus Go 32GB
Oculus Go 64GB
OnePlus announces Bullets Wireless, its first wireless earbuds, coming in June for $69
OnePlus is getting serious about wireless audio.
After prototyping wireless earbud options for two years, OnePlus says it’s finally ready to release its first pair to the world. They’re called the Bullets Wireless, and they’re coming June 5 for $69 / €69 / £69.
The Bullets Wireless look and perform similarly to the company’s second-generation wired Bullets V2 earbuds, but there are some key differences. For starters, it uses Bluetooth, so it requires charging — but the good news is that it uses USB-C to do so. Not only does that give the headphones five hours of charging in 10 minutes (thanks to the higher charging throughput of USB-C) but it means you no longer have to carry around a Micro-USB cable for your accessories. At least not this one.
The buds also snap together using magnets on the backs of each earpiece. Once paired to a phone (the Bullets Wireless use the same quick pairing technology as Google’s Pixel Buds), they connect automatically when the earbuds are separated, and shut off when they’re together. In my quick testing, this worked really well. A long-press of the play/pause button activates Google Assistant, too, which is handy.
Bullets Wireless sound pretty good for the price, too. They use Qualcomm’s aptX codec, and come with three wing and tip sizes for all ear shapes.
They’ll be available on June 5 from OnePlus. While the OnePlus 6 has a headphone jack, this is undoubtedly the better way to listen to music on it. And if you buy a OnePlus 6 from oneplus.net, the company is throwing in a pair of Bullets Wireless for free.
See at OnePlus
OnePlus 6 hands-on preview: Still the best deal in town
The unlocked phone done right.
If I wanted to cheat you out of a proper OnePlus 6 preview, I’d copy and paste what we wrote only six months ago about the OnePlus 5T. About 90% of the text would still apply, and I’d still heartily recommend you buy it if you want a well-made, relatively inexpensive Android phone with flagship specifications, solid build quality, and a reliable dual camera setup.
I’d tell you that you’re still buying from a company that has a reputation for shenanigans, or worse, and that there are no physical stores to which you can return a defective phone for repairs.
I’d tell you that, by saving a few hundred dollars from the industry’s cream of the crop, you’re sacrificing a few important features, but nothing essential, and that, at its core, the OnePlus 6 is an uncomplicated and logical upgrade from its predecessor, which was an iterative, progressive jump from its forerunner.
I’d say all that.
But if I were writing a proper OnePlus 6 preview, I’d say all that and a bit more, because, despite its similarities to the OnePlus 5T, there’s still a lot to get excited about here.
See at OnePlus
A short turnaround
A short disclaimer: Since I’ve only had the phone for a few days, there are things I’m not going to touch on in this preview, like battery longevity or camera quality. Those more involved tests will come very soon.
A glass menagerie
The OnePlus 6, despite sharing nearly identical dimensions with its all-metal predecessor, has gained a bit of thickness and a sizeable amount of weight, and that’s owing to its Gorilla Glass 5 housing, a first for the OnePlus series. It looks better than any OnePlus phone to date, for sure, but it also looks quite a lot like quite a few other phones on the market right now, including the LG G7, Huawei P20 Pro and, increasingly, others.
Such is the price of maturity, and the OnePlus 6 wears it well. Yes, there’s a notch on the 6.28-inch Optic AMOLED, but the phone is no larger than the OnePlus 5T — OnePlus merely expanded the usable real estate. And while there are some software quirks associated with the notch, particularly in the now-truncated status bar, for the most part, it’s not distracting and the whole thing just works. The screen is good — bright and vibrant, with plenty of calibration options — but like Huawei’s flagships, OnePlus continues to resist the urge to move to QHD. To be honest, it’s no loss.
To accommodate a diminished set of antenna lines, the OnePlus-hardware-staple mute switch has been relocated to the right side of the phone. Given that the right-side power and left-side volume controls are in the same relative positions, this change isn’t that important, but being right-handed I did find it easier to use. Lefties may not feel the same way.
Around back are where you’ll find the biggest aesthetic changes to the OnePlus 6: not only has the dual camera shifted vertical, but the makeup of that second camera is a bit different, too. Actually, that’s not quite true, but the intent of the second camera has changed, which we’ll get to a bit later.
The phone may look familiar, but the quality is second to none for this price.
The rear fingerprint sensor, which was originally added to the OnePlus 5T, is now oblong and ever-so-slightly lower down on the phone, but I’ve come to use it less and less now that the phone’s face recognition is so reliable.
The OnePlus 6 still has a headphone jack on the bottom, along with a single downward-facing speaker — loud, but not beefy — and USB-C port. And for better or worse (but mainly worse), it’s got the same buzzy, overwrought vibration motor as its predecessor.
As far as hardware goes, you’re getting a lot for your money, but it’s clear that OnePlus is still saving strategically, and it’s the small things — screen resolution, haptics, speaker output, wireless charging — where its more expensive competition is taking the conversation.
The specs don’t lie
| Screen | 6.28-inch OLED |
| SoC | Snapdragon 845 |
| RAM | 6/8GB |
| Storage | 64/128/256GB |
| Camera 1 | 16MP rear, ƒ/1.7, OIS |
| Camera 2 | 20MP rear, ƒ/1.7 |
| Battery | 3300mAh |
| Connectivity | Gigabit LTE, 27 LTE bands |
| Security | Fingerprint, face unlock |
| Dimensions | 155.7 x 75.4 x 7.75 mm |
| Weight | 177 grams |
| Colors | Mirror Black, Midnight Black, Silk White |
| Price | $529, $579, $679 |
As with all of OnePlus’s updates, specs rule the show here. In addition to upgrading to 2018’s staple flagship platform, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845, OnePlus is for the first time offering a $629 256GB storage option to go along with 8GB of RAM.
The $529 base model still comes with 6GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, which should be more than enough for most people, but without expandable storage, many will likely choose to go with the $579 middle option, which pairs 8GB of RAM with 128GB of storage, and also comes in two additional colors — Midnight Black and, starting June 5, Silk White — to go along with the standard Mirror Black.
(All three colors are gorgeous, by the way.)
Like I said before, aside from a few smaller omissions, it’s really difficult to fault the company for any of its specification decisions here, especially if you’re a number counter like many OnePlus customers are. This is the first OnePlus phone to reach gigabit speeds, thanks to Qualcomm’s X16 baseband and the antenna density to support 4×4 MIMO. Unfortunately, despite having the CDMA and LTE bands to support Verizon’s network, the phone is only certified to work on AT&T and T-Mobile in the U.S. Oh, well.
On the upside, the OnePlus 6 is unlocked and has two SIM slots, both of which can access LTE — a first for the OnePlus line.
If you’re after a pure numbers game, the OnePlus 6 dominates the industry.
The 3300mAh battery inside the OnePlus 6 is unchanged in capacity from the OnePlus 5 series, and is down slightly over the OnePlus 3 series, but the company says this one is the longest performer yet thanks to processor efficiencies and software improvements. I haven’t had enough time with the device to evaluate its longevity, but so far I have no reason to doubt OnePlus.
At the same time, 3300mAh is probably enough to get through a day; devices like the Galaxy S9+ and Pixel 2 XL, which both have slightly bigger batteries, have enough space to maneuver at the end of each working day, so I’m not too worried.
OnePlus 6 specs: More expensive, more swagger
The camera’s the thing
OK, let’s talk camera. Every smartphone is only as good as its camera, or cameras if you’re being snarky about it, and the OnePlus 6 makes some important changes to shore up that side of things. But to understand the OnePlus 6’s camera setup, we have to go back to the OnePlus 5, where the dual-sensor combination took shape.
With the 5, OnePlus decided to follow Apple’s and Samsung’s lead by giving its second shooter a focal length double that of the primary, allowing both for “telephoto” shots and, more importantly, bokeh effects through its portrait mode. Like any feature borne of algorithms, OnePlus’s portrait mode wasn’t great at first but improved significantly through software updates. By the time we got the OnePlus 5T, the feature was reliable and, more importantly, fun.
But the 5T changed the core idea of the secondary camera, shooting (mo’ pun intended) for better low-light shots with a sensor that only kicked in under dark conditions. Unfortunately, it didn’t work that well for such a task, and the OnePlus 5T maintained the company’s reputation for below-average nighttime photography.
With the OnePlus 6, the company is taking a deliberately simple approach — one that’s worked for Samsung, Apple, Huawei and many others. It’s increasing the size of the main sensor — it’s still 16 megapixels, but the individual pixel size has grown to 1.22 microns from 1.12 in the OnePlus 5 — which, along with optical image stabilization (OIS) and a wide ƒ/1.7 lens, should make for much-improved low-light photography. (The IMX519 sensor found in the OnePlus 6 is brand new and other than the Oppo R15, which formed the basis for the OP6’s design, it’s yet to ship in volume.)
And the 20MP secondary sensor? Well, it’s the same one used in the OnePlus 5T, but its sole purpose is to add depth information for the phone’s much-improved portrait mode. No low-light tricks; no telephoto gimmicks.
OnePlus can’t make up its mind about the purpose of its phones’ secondary camera, so dedicating it to portrait mode makes sense in a reductive way.
I can’t share photo samples just yet, but suffice it to say the OnePlus 6 takes some excellent photos in most lighting conditions, although sheer physical limitations will likely prevent it from competing against phones like the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Huawei P20 Pro at night. It’s inevitable, though, that the Snapdragon 845’s ISP, which has boosted so many phones’ photographic abilities, will help here; in my early testing, low-light photos tuned for high sensitivity (ISO) produced fewer artifacts and less grain and than in any OnePlus device to date.
On the front, we’re looking at the same 16MP sensor as the last two generations, because if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
As for video, well — there’s 60fps 4K video (with an unfortunate 5-minute recording limit) along with 480fps slow motion at 720p (or 240fps at 1080p), both new to the OnePlus line. The company’s also touting a much-improved video editor to accommodate both these new features.
OnePlus 6 cases
As it does with every phone, OnePlus has announced a bunch of first-party cases in a number of materials, colors, and levels of protection. From the simple red silicone to a new ultra-protective and grippy nylon bumper, there’s something for everyone here.
These are the official OnePlus 6 cases you can buy at launch
Software simplicity
I have very little to complain about when it comes to OnePlus’s OxygenOS software.
There are a few new features, like improvements to the well-received Gaming Mode, that PUBG fans will love — I’ll get to those more in the full review — and, as usual, OnePlus peppers its software with splashes of esoterism, such as drawing letters on the screen to open apps, but overall this is about as unadorned an Android 8.1 experience as you’ll find today.
What’s even better is that starting today (May 16), early adopters can download a beta version of Android P for the phone. It’s sure to be buggy, and may not ensure the phone receives stable P before the end of the year, but it’s mana for anyone who pores over software updates.
If you’re into gestures on Android, OnePlus’s implementation is as good as you’re going to get right now.
And yes, the gestures that came to the OnePlus 5 and 5T are here, too, and they’re a bit more refined on the tall 19:9 display. I still prefer the on-screen navigation keys to get around the OS, but coupled with a very minor bottom chin, turning on the gestures gives you about as much full-screen real estate as I’ve seen on an Android phone.
The cost of doing good business
If you’re in the market for a OnePlus phone, it’s likely because you get great value for your money. Starting at $529, the OnePlus 6 is a $30 from the 5T, which itself was a $30 jump from the 5, and so on. That’s been OnePlus’s strategy since its first device, the OnePlus One, was released for $299 in 2014 — slowly up the cost every generation, and improve just enough to justify it.
If you can wait it out, and can justify the extra $50, the Silk White model is worth it.
As for the colors, I got a chance to use all three, including the limited-edition Silk White, which debuts two weeks after the other two versions in just one configuration. And as much as I like the shiny, fingerprint-attractive Mirror Black version, and as comfortably familiar as is the matte-finish Midnight Black model, I’m hoping to get my hands on the Silk White at some point. The textured white back, coupled with subtle gold accents, is a sight to behold, and an even better phone to hold.
Of course, if you’re prone to dropping your expensive phones, OnePlus has an extensive line of cases, from wood to carbon fiber to, new this year, a ballistic nylon “bumper,” that should appeal to everyone.
Available starting May 22 in North America, Europe, and India, the phone will roll out into other markets in the coming weeks.
See at OnePlus
OnePlus 6
- OnePlus 6 hands-on preview
- OnePlus 6 vs. OnePlus 5T: How much changes in six months?
- OnePlus 6 vs. OnePlus 5: Should you upgrade?
- These are the official OnePlus 6 cases
- The OnePlus 6 doesn’t work on Verizon or Sprint
- Join the discussion in the forums
