OnePlus 2 vs OnePlus One
The OnePlus 2 is turning out to be one heck of a smartphone so far, with its super fast fingerprint scanner, updated Oxygen OS software overlay and new hardware features. While the “2016 flagship killer” may be lacking a few notable features such as NFC and wireless charging, we’d still wager to say this device can go toe-to-toe with some of the best smartphones out there. But how does it compare to its predecessor? Now that the OnePlus One has been dropping in price, is it worth the extra cost for the updated model? We aim to answer those questions, and more, in this in-depth look at the OnePlus 2 vs OnePlus One!
OnePlus 2 in video
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Design
As we are moving toward our full review of the OnePlus 2, a look at the original seemed appropriate – both phones stick to the signature OnePlus style very well, and that starts with the design. Even though both smartphones feature 5.5-inch displays, the OnePlus 2 is noticeably easier to handle than its predecessor due to the 2’s slightly smaller footprint.
Not only is the smaller footprint responsible for the OnePlus 2’s easier handling, the phone now features a premium metallic frame that surrounds the chassis. This adds a bit of heft to the device and makes it feel much more substantial in the hand. That’s not to say the OnePlus 2 feels heavy or the OnePlus One feels cheap, but you can really sense the upgrade in materials.
Elements around the device in the OnePlus 2 show what new features the company is bringing to the table, as well. Capacitive keys still line the front but now the home button is a carved out area, this is to house the fingerprint reader, which is flanked by simple lines for back and recent apps keys. The button layout has been brought all to the right side with the power button below the volume rocker. The left side of the 2 houses a new Alert Slider, which allows users to toggle through different notification modes found in Lollipop. And of course, there is the new USB Type-C connector port at the bottom, which we will get into a little more later – what I can tell you now is that having a reversible plug is already proving to be a small, yet noticeable positive.
Don’t miss: OnePlus 2 – New Features Focus
The back of the 2 is of the Sandstone Black variety, which retains the exact same feel as the original OnePlus One. Unlike the One, though, the OnePlus 2 will be available with various StyleSwap back plate options (for an additional cost), allowing you to easily change the device’s appearance if you’d like. What is important to note here, however, is how the back plates are implemented – instead of a full shell replacement in the OnePlus One, the back cover of the 2 is simply a slab of textured plastic, which easily pops on and off. But this also means that the new material will only change the back plate and not anything else – the metal frame is, of course, a very welcome change but it does hinder the customization just that little bit.
Overall these two devices feel similar in handling but the OnePlus 2 gets the points for an overall more premium aesthetic – the OnePlus 2, in this regard, really feels like the true upgrade it is supposed to be.
Display
On the display front, not much has changed from the OnePlus One to the 2. Both devices feature the same 5.5-inch LCD Full HD panels, which might come as a bit of a bummer to those that wanted a Quad HD screen on the OnePlus 2. Given the price, though, it isn’t that much of a surprise, but a higher resolution could have easily been a new trump card for the new phone.
With that said, 1080p is still the complete standard in all media – thankfully, the fidelity of the display has been upgraded in the OnePlus 2. Viewing angles are pretty great, viewing in daylight is quite easy, and text remains as sharp as it did in last year’s edition. Though there may not be much to talk about in ways of enhancements between these two screens, we can definitely say that what was once a good Full HD experience in the OnePlus One becomes a pretty great Full HD experience in the OnePlus 2.
Performance
It is definitely in performance where we feel the update, as the Snapdragon 801 is bumped up to the 810 with the 2. OnePlus really goes for the gold with one of the most powerful processors in existence right now. The new flagship is simply a beast in the performance department and I have yet to experience any slowdowns or crashes as a result. Navigating around Oxygen OS is as smooth as ever, only made even more fluid with Oxygen’s own transitions, and running various applications is a breeze when the bugs in this operating system are kept at a minimum. And gaming is as great as ever, with 3D games like UFC and sprite-based games like Angry Birds 2 proving nice and enjoyable for long periods of time. For those worried about the heat of this processing package under load, I can say that after long periods of gaming the phone did get warm but it never got uncomfortable (just like most other smartphones on the market).
The OnePlus One is not far behind on the performance front
Now, this is not to say that the OnePlus One is far behind in performance. On the contrary, it is still one of the most reliable devices available today. And when considering the current competitive price point, having the tried and true Snapdragon 801 can be considered a steal in today’s general market. You might not really notice the difference in speed opening these applications, and that is also true in actual daily usage. Keep in mind that this OnePlus One is a unit that has been used for over a year, and you can see that it hasn’t really lost its step.
The spec hungry will likely go for the updated OnePlus 2, and for good reason. The Snapdragon 810 is definitely the beast it sets out to be and establishes the OnePlus 2 as the flagship it needs to be. But we would be remiss if we didn’t give the OnePlus One the props it deserves for rocking its own processor very well even over a year after its release.
Hardware
If not the screen or the overall design language, it feels like the hardware is where OnePlus hopes to differentiate itself from the 2. The simplest of these additions is the Alert Slider, which changes between different notification modes in Lollipop. The slides feel really solid and the textured button makes it easy to find even when the phone is in a pocket. Need to quickly silence the phone? No problem. And even then, it’s time we saw some new input methods in Android and we do credit OnePlus for making the move forward.
The OnePlus 2 also introduces a new fingerprint scanner that’s housed in the physical home button, which has been working quite well so far. Even when the phone screen is off, just resting a registered finger on the area wakes and unlocks the phone in short order. It’s up there with some of the better fingerprint readers we’ve seen in the market.
All of the connections remain largely the same, but the OnePlus 2 actually supports dual SIM out of the box, which can be a big deal to people in the west who have never experienced it. That’s not to say that it will be completely useful for anyone in the United States, unless the user travels a lot, but in those cases it can be really handy.
The OnePlus 2 lacks NFC, and that’s a problem
And of course there is the glaring omission of NFC in the OnePlus 2, which is included in the One. This is a problem not only because it keeps the 2 from its convenient usage on various peripherals like headphones and speakers, but it will also keep the new phone from supporting various pay services in the future such as Android Pay.
On the battery front, the 3100mAh battery gets a small bump up to 3300mAh in the OnePlus 2, and it seems optimizations and the upgraded processor do their job in keeping the phone trucking along. While the OnePlus One never really made us worry about shutdowns far before bedtime, we can already feel a bit more life in the new iteration. Both phones will definitely get through a day’s worth of moderate to heavy usage, but the OnePlus 2 will likely have a little more in the tank before it takes its nightly charge.
Read more: OnePlus 2 vs the competition: by the numbers
For anyone wondering, the USB Type-C connector does make plugging the phone in easier, but it is basically a USB 2.0 construction that omits quick charging capabilities. The new connection standard will take some getting used to due to it not being backwards compatible, but thankfully OnePlus is making these cords available for a pretty low cost. In turn, charging times will be mostly standard but certainly no worse that any other typical performer.
Camera
Updates to the camera don’t directly deal with the optic packages, but rather with a few new features instead. 13 megapixels remain the size of the pictures, with f/2.0 aperture which should prove pretty decent low light situations. But what the OnePlus 2 brings to the table are optical image stabilization and laser autofocus, both of which should help in plenty of key picture taking situations.
With that said, the app has been given a bit of a facelift from the OnePlus One if you were using Cyanogen on the original. Oxygen OS strips the camera app down to its main essentials, including HDR, Clear Image, Panorama, and even a Timelapse mode with not many additional options. Overall the OnePlus 2 offers a responsive experience but certainly not the fastest out there, especially when considering the spot metering that has to be done for exposure. This is a pet peeve of mine, as spot metering does make it a little tougher to keep everything exposed properly – as was the case in the OnePlus One, it is easy to get brighter elements blown out, but in the 2 this has been toned down to some degree.
There’s still quite a bit of ground for OnePlus to cover
Picture quality between these two phones is largely comparable, with improvements made in the processing of the OnePlus 2. Colors are not quite as washed out with the newer flagship, but they are not too saturated either. What hinders the OnePlus 2, despite its OIS, is what held the One back. With an f/2.0 aperture, low light shots require a balance of high ISO and slower shutter speed; but in the OnePlus 2, it seems slower shutter speed is prioritized, making OIS job that much tougher. Unfortunately this means that both phones require really steady hands for low light shots, despite both performing really well in brighter situations.
OnePlus One camera samples
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OnePlus 2 camera samples
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Both cameras manage to be good companions on the daily, though Oxygen OS does stifle them to a fair degree. But as flagship killers, there is still quite a bit of ground for OnePlus to cover, just as it did with last year’s offering.
Software
Software for OnePlus has been a pretty eventful affair, with the One originally coming with Cyanogen. But when that relationship went south, OnePlus had to make it themselves and it is called Oxygen OS. For anyone with the OnePlus One, updates to the included Cyanogen software were still updated to 12S, which is the version that I still have on my unit. But installing Oxygen OS does require some work on the recovery end. Otherwise, Oxygen is the default operating system for the OnePlus 2, updated to version 2 and based on 5.1.1 Lollipop.
We will talk about Cyanogen for a little bit and mention how much it did bring to the table, aside from the usual gestures, somewhat different take on the core elements of Material Design, and some security features, CyanogenMod did allow for a lot of customization in the Android build of the OnePlus One.
All of that has been basically stripped in Oxygen, which mostly makes sense, as the name implies simplicity. What we have, here, though are some of OnePlus’ core features baked in with what can only be described as a very stock-like Android experience. Material Design is prevalent and the launcher basically looks like the Google Now Launcher. Though there are some places where customization can be had, like in the notification dropdown, other features like the screen off gestures and one addition of the Dark Mode don’t do too much to make this feel any different from, let’s say, a Nexus device.
What we like most is the optimization Oxygen has been given for both of these devices. As a very spartan OS, it should be no surprise that Oxygen is really smooth and snappy. Though a couple bugs here and there might appear, OnePlus looks to be vigilant in fixing them.
Though it is still easy to root and ROM the OnePlus One and, I imagine, the same will go for the 2, the built-in Oxygen OS manages to be functional and simple, which we always like to see. However, if OnePlus is looking to really differentiate itself, it has to do more in its operating system inside as it has been doing outside.
Specifications
| OnePlus One | OnePlus 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 5.5-inch LCD display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, 401ppi | 5.5-inch LCD display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, 401ppi |
| Processor | 2.5 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor | 1.8GHz Snapdragon 810 processor |
| RAM | 3GB RAM | 3 or 4 GB (depending on storage option) |
| Storage | 16 or 64GB storage | 16 or 64GB storage |
| Software | CyanogenMod OS or OxygenOS | OxygenOS based on Android 5.1 |
| MicroSD | No | No |
| Dual-SIM | No | Yes |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Fingerprint Scanner | No | Yes |
| Camera | 13 MP Sony Exymor f/2.0 rear-facing camera 5 MP front-facing camera |
13MP rear-facing camera 5MP front-facing camera |
| Battery | 3,100mAh | 3,300mAh |
| Dimensions | 152.9 x 75.9 x 8.9 mm 162 grams |
151.8 x 74.9 x 9.85 mm 175 grams |
Gallery
Conclusion
Looking to purchase either one of these devices? That might be a big factor in your decision. The 64GB OnePlus One can be purchased from OnePlus for around $300, no invite required. The OnePlus 2, however, is much more difficult to buy. You need an invite, and to get one of those, you’ll need to reserve your spot on OnePlus’ site. There are almost 4 million users waiting to get their hands on one, which means it will take quite awhile to actually receive your device if you’re interested. With that said, if you’re enamored with the fingerprint scanner, USB Type-C port and Alert Slider and don’t mind waiting a few months, go with the OnePlus 2. But if you need a phone sometime soon, the OnePlus One is for you.
So, there you have it – a look at the OnePlus 2 vs OnePlus One! Our full review is on its way, but it felt right to see where the updates were made from One to 2. In some places more than others, there is real progress that makes the follow up to the OnePlus One a worthy contender. While we will further see if the OnePlus 2 actually “kills” current flagships, we will make the case that the OnePlus One is still a very viable offering especially with its lower price point. That said, the OnePlus 2 still comes in at a pretty good price on its own, so it really only matters if you want to spend the extra money for features like the fingerprint sensor, the Alert Slider, a new USB standard, and of course the very powerful processor underneath.
OnePlus releases OxygenOS 1.0.2 update, Stagefright pach on board
The Stagefright vulnerability that leaves your phone defenseless against MMS-induced attacks has been all the hype the past weeks. Every manufacturer out there is working on sending out patches, and if you are a OnePlus user today is your lucky day.
The Chinese startup has just released the OxygenOS update version 1.0.2, which comes with the anticipated patch for the Stagefright vulnerability. No other improvements or bug fixes are mentioned, making it safe to assume this update is all about this specific issue.
You can go ahead and flash the software manually. Simply download the necessary files from OnePlus’ forum post. Not sure how to install updates? OnePlus also made sure to keep you well informed and created a step-by-step guide on how to flash OxygenOS.
With that, we can go back to our normal lives and forget this whole Stagefright issue ever happened. Just make sure you are smart about your smartphone usage! Stay safe and don’t download anything weird. You never know what’s out there.
Latest OxygenOS update addresses StageFright exploit for OnePlus One devices
OnePlus recently announced that it is slowing down the rate at which it issues invites for its 2016 flagship killer, the OnePlus 2, which isn’t great news for its fans. But, on the other hand, it has also just announced that it’s released a firmware update for the OnePlus One to deal with the marauding StageFright exploit. And that is good.
According to announcement on its forums, the OxygenOS firmware for the OnePlus One has been updated to v1.0.2 and includes security fixes for the StageFright exploit. Before proceeding to flash the updated, it’s recommended that OnePlus One owners backup their data. If your OnePlus One already has the OxygenOS installed, there’s no need to factory reset your device, again, a good thing. Needless to say, it’s strongly advised to upgrade your OnePlus One to this latest firmware. More information about the update can be found on the OnePlus website.
Source: OnePlus
Come comment on this article: Latest OxygenOS update addresses StageFright exploit for OnePlus One devices
OnePlus Carl Pei: another phone in 2015 & NFC is overblown
It’s barely been a week since OnePlus released its latest flagship – the OnePlus 2 – but the company already has its sight set on another phone for later this year. In an interview with USAToday, OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei revealed that the company has already turned its attention to another phone planned for before the end of this year and it may be a mid-range device.
Related: Should you buy the OnePlus 2?
Pei was asked whether the company had plans for another phone this year, to which he replied:
There’s going to be a second phone this year, before the end of the year. Hopefully for Christmas.
It may or may not be (higher spec’d than the OnePlus 2). When I saw the prototype for that phone I was like ‘holy s— that’s going to be my daily driver’ but then when the OnePlus 2 production version came out it’s also super nice, so its really hard to decide now what to use.
It’s going to be amazing, but today I’m not going to talk about it.
Pei’s answer suggests that we may see the company launch a handset that fits into the mid-range market but with the OnePlus 2 covering the $330-$400 price range and the OnePlus One filling in below that, the new handset will certainly need to be very aggressively priced.
Related: What features is the OnePlus 2 missing?
Rival companies such as Samsung, LG and Motorola have all gained significant market share by focusing on devices in the sub-$200 price range and OnePlus could be looking at a similar strategy. Pei said the company is targeting being the third major OEM in the market (alongside Apple and Samsung) in five years and expects all other OEMs to have died.
In 5 years I think it will be Apple, OnePlus and Samsung because there’s no more room in the market. Everyone else would’ve died because they couldn’t reach the scale they wanted fast enough or they couldn’t have a margin to sustain their business. Look at the soft drink space: there are only two players, Pepsi and Coke.
Pei was interviewed after OnePlus launched the OnePlus 2 last Tuesday and since then, the company has received somewhat mixed feedback; on the one hand, its latest smartphone delivers an impressive feature set at a reasonable price but on the other, it left out some features that many users associate with a flagship device.
Related: OnePlus 2 hands-on and first impressions
One of these is NFC (Near Field Communications), which is a major requirement for the increasing trend of using your mobile phone to pay for items. Pei said the company didn’t include NFC as very few people use it and that NFC is overblow.
I think the entire issue of NFC is overblown. Very few people are using NFC, so we cut it. It’s as simple as that.
I know that Android Pay is coming but all that is in the future. It (NFC) is going to gain widespread adoption in stores 12-18 months from now. By that time people will have moved on to the next device.
OnePlus 2 in video:
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The last comment is definitely interesting given that the company teased the OnePlus 2 by calling it the “2016 Flaship Killer” and we were expecting the handset that challenged flagships, both this year and next. Yet Pei expects people to be moving on within a year, which may yet happen but surprising given the forward-thinking claims of the Chinese company’s latest flagship.
Would you buy a low to mid-range OnePlus smartphone at the end of the year? What about Carl Pei’s thoughts on being one of only three manufacturers in five years and the lack of NFC in the OnePlus 2? Let us know your views in the comments below guys!
Should you buy the OnePlus 2?
The OnePlus One was a major device last year and despite limited availability and marketing campaigns that went wrong, it continues to sell. Just over a year later, the Chinese manufacturer has taken to the stage to announce its new flagship, the OnePlus 2, which hopes to stay at the top with some impressive hardware.
Like its predecessor, the OnePlus 2 combines flagship specs with an affordable price tag, but should you buy one? With phones like the Axon and the Moto X Style just coming to the market, the choice is not as simple as it may simple. Here’s a few reasons to buy the OnePlus 2 (and a couple not to):
Reasons to buy the OnePlus 2
Latest hardware
The OnePlus 2 has a 5.5-inch Full HD display, which a density of 401 pixels per inch and this is one of the few specs that you might consider dated. Many of the leaks prior to today’s launch suggested we could see OnePlus adopt QHD resolution but as it turns out, the company felt that Full HD was good enough.
That being said, the handset can boast to have the brightest smartphone display and OnePlus says that – based on internal testing – it is brighter than competition including the likes of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, LG G4, HTC One M9 and Samsung Galaxy S6.
While the display may not be the latest and greatest, a lot of the specs certainly are; the handset is powered by an octa-ocre Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor clocked at 1.8GHz with an Adreno 430 GPU and 3GB/4GB RAM (depending on the version you buy). The handset also has 16GB/64GB storage (which reflect the amount of RAM you get) and a 3300mAh non-removable battery which should power you through at least a day.
Future proofed
The display certainly isn’t the latest and greatest but even in a years’ time, handsets are likely to sport Full HD resolution (although Quad HD will hopefully be more widely adopted). The rest of the OnePlus 2 is pretty much set for the future, with OxygenOS (based on Android 5.1 Lollipop) and the promise of at least one update covering the software.
On the hardware front, the OnePlus 2 has 4GB RAM, which is likely to become the standard for flagship handsets next year, the Snapdragon 810 processor will still be one of the fastest and the 13MP camera with laser autofocus, f/2.0 aperture, 1.3µm pixel size and Optical Image Stabilisation will still pack a hefty punch.
A couple of hardware features could yet prove to be the deciding factor for the OnePlus 2 in the coming years – in the fingerprint sensor and the USB Type-C port, the handset does have features that are will become standard on flagships and more widely adopted respectively. USB Type-C is certainly a big feature for the future as we’re at the beginning of an era where a universal port covers all electronics, which is giving birth to new types of accessories and an era where your phone can charge whichever way you put the cable in!
Yes, “2016 flagship killer” should probably be taken as a marketing slogan and nothing more. In the fast paced race of mobile industry, no device can claim supremacy for more than a few weeks, never mind a year. That said, the OnePlus 2 strives to deliver on its promise of being a flagship killer, by offering a blend of the flagship specs from this year’s handsets combined with projected requirements of a flagship in a year’s time with an eye on the overall price.
In-part due to its affordable price tag and in part due to the specs including the RAM, fingerprint sensor, camera and dual SIM, the OnePlus 2 specs should, on paper, at least be good enough to challenge flagships from this year and next, at all but the top price bracket.
Value for money
On paper, the OnePlus 2 is equal to many devices – and better than a lot of others – but what really sets it apart is its price tag; other devices offering similar specifications retail in excess of $550 but the OnePlus 2 retails a lot lower at $389 for the higher-specced 64GB model (and even lower at $329 for the lesser-spec 16GB model).
Comparing the specs on paper is certainly one consideration but the actual experience also has to deliver. The $300 to $500 price bracket is becoming one of the most fiercely contested amongst OEMs and the OnePlus 2 will likely compete against devices that feature many of the similar specs.
See also: ZTE Axon vs OnePlus 2 vs Moto X Style: value for money, redefined
For a lot of consumers, the little considerations may be the difference when choosing a handset, and while the OnePlus 2 certainly has a lot going for it, there are a few little things that could let the handset down.
Reasons NOT to buy the OnePlus 2
Missing features
OnePlus has prided itself on offering flagship specs on its smartphones and while the OnePlus 2 does this mostly, there are a couple of features that have been omitted from the handset. The 3300 mAh battery is certainly large enough for most usage but as it’s non-removable, so you can’t swap it out when your battery does get low.
For other handsets like the Galaxy S6, this is not so much of an issue as that handset has both wireless and quick charging, but these are two features that are missing from the OnePlus 2. Wireless charging is a feature that is a nice-to-have but Quick Charge 2.0 is definitely a must-have feature and as the OnePlus 2 doesn’t have it, it means it’s likely to take several hours to charge to full (as opposed to other Quick Charge handsets that can charge half the battery in just half an hour).
A crucial feature that’s also been omitted from the OnePlus 2 is NFC (Near Field Communications) and while OnePlus claim it left the feature out as it’s not used that often, we’re entering an era where mobile payments are becoming mainstream. The lack of NFC means you won’t be able to pay for items using your phone and it also means you won’t be able to use NFC for accessories and cross-device communication, which are both likely to become popular features in the ecosystem over the next 18 months.
The invite system
The one thing that sets OnePlus apart from the competition is the (dreaded) invite system. To manage its inventory, the company issues invites to purchase the handset (and then allows people who have bought it to also share invites) and while they have promised a much larger launch inventory, actual availability could be an issue.
The other thing that could hamper the OnePlus 2 is its release date; the handset launches on August 13th and with availability likely to be significantly less than the demand, you might find yourself turning to other handsets. For example, the Galaxy Note 5 should be announced the same day before hitting the market a few days later on August 21st and offer similar specs (with a heftier price tag) while IFA at the beginning of September should herald other devices that vie for your money.
Support: Is there any?
One reason many customers opt not to buy a handset from a start-up (can we still call them that?) like OnePlus is the question of support and the OnePlus One doesn’t leave us with any confidence. OnePlus’ first handset failed on the support front and quality assurance fronts with numerous reports of DOA (defective/dead on arrival) devices and a lack of communication from the Chinese manufacturer.
For the OnePlus 2, it’s unclear how the company aims to improve this, especially as it seems to predominantly operate out of an Asian base (although it does have warehousing and admin functions in Europe). For customers in the USA and Europe, support (or the lack of it) could be a reason to skip the OnePlus 2 and opt for a handset with better support, should you need it.
So should you buy the OnePlus 2?
Whether you should buy the OnePlus 2 or not depends on one thing; how important is value for money for you. If you’re after the best specs (and likely one of the best experiences) but have a limited budget, the OnePlus is likely to be one of the best handsets you can buy. Similarly, if you’re after something unique that is most likely future-proofed for the next couple of years, the OnePlus 2 definitely ticks the boxes.
However, if you’re after a handset that you can buy subsidised as part of your subscriber agreement, you’re out of luck as the OnePlus 2 will only retail SIM free direct from the manufacturer and not through a carrier partner. Also, if price isn’t a factor and you need local support or would rather opt for a more established manufacturer, rival handsets like the Galaxy Note 5, LG G Pro 3 and rumoured Xperia Z5 could all be worth a look. Furthermore, the rumoured Huawei Nexus could go back to Google’s Nexus roots by offering impressive hardware and stock Android at an equally impressive affordable price tag and could yet be the challenger to OnePlus 2.
What do you think of the OnePlus 2; are you going to buy it? If not, what would you buy instead and how important are things like 4GB RAM, USB Type-C and a fingerprint sensor to you? Does the lack of removable battery, wireless charging and quick charging put you off the OnePlus 2? Let us know your views in the comments below and for all our coverage around OnePlus’ latest flagship, check out our OnePlus 2 portal.
OnePlus asks “What Would You Do For The 2?”
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Oh, you do you, OnePlus. Despite the debacle that surrounded the launch of the OnePlus One which saw quite a lot of people destroy their phones in the hopes of getting the device, OnePlus has decided once again to engage in a viral marketing campaign that relies on its fans to embarass promote themselves for the opportunity to get their new device, the OnePlus 2, for free. Titled “What Would You Do For The 2?”, OnePlus has put up a new webpage that lets you submit a link to an example of your devotion to OnePlus. Among the ludicrous tasks you can attempt are:
CHALLENGES
Take over the world
1. Pimp your rideDrive around in your OnePlus themed car – show the world you Never Settle.2. Project the OnePlus logo in a busy area in your citySilently show everyone what it means to Never Settle.Show your love for OnePlus
3. Organize a flash mob with at least 50 peopleThe power of crowds! Grab your friends, your family, and everyone you know.4. Create a OnePlus-themed dance and get 10 people to post videos of them doing the sameWho doesn’t love an impromptu dance party!Show us your talent
5. Perform something awesomeDo you have any hidden talents? Show it to us!6. Write a poem or sing a song about why you deserve the OnePlus 2 and perform it in publicFor the creative ones. Sing your heart out!
Shout your love for OnePlus
7. Showcase your love for OnePlus in your social media profilesNot a performer? Make your entire social media profile OnePlus-themed.8. Go run in the middle of a live performance or event while wearing a OnePlus t-shirtFor the wild ones. Would you do it for the OnePlus 2?Give back to the community
9. Create an app for OnePlus fans and share with the communityCalling all coders! Show us something new to do, perhaps soon on your OnePlus 2.10. Contribute to a local community project with your tech powerTechnology can help the world in all kinds of ways. Become a role model and show some thought leadership!
Admittedly, there are a few options that aren’t completely bonkers, like creating a community app and helping the local community, but I can’t imagine these being the most popular among all the options. From a marketing perspective, it’s kind of deviously genius to get other people to help promote your device, so we’ll just leave it at that and see what comes of it. If you do want to enter OnePlus’ contest, you now have just over 5 days to submit your entry – you can submit your entry here.
What do you think about OnePlus’ latest marketing stunt? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: OnePlus via TalkAndroid
The post OnePlus asks “What Would You Do For The 2?” appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
OnePlus 2 vs OnePlus One: A quick look at the specs
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OnePlus aims for 1 million sales in India this year
Chinese manufacturer OnePlus may have just launched its new OnePlus 2 smartphone but the company is still relying on its first handset, the OnePlus One, in developing economies as it seeks to increase sales and market share. Outside of China, the Indian market is the third largest for OnePlus (after the USA and Europe respectively) and the company has major aims for the rapidly growing market.
OnePlus India General Manager Vikas Agarwal revealed:
India is an important market for us. Outside of China, it is already the third largest market for us, after the US and Europe… We expect to sell one million units of OnePlus One and Two by December.
From day one, we’ve prioritised our product and our community above all else, we carefully listened to our users’ feedback and incorporated suggestions in building the OnePlus 2.”
The Indian smartphone market is one of the world’s fastest growing market and with over 19.5 million smartphones shipped in the first quarter of 2015, the market has plenty of potential for OnePlus to tap into. OnePlus launched its first smartphone in India in December and has sold 250,000 units to-date and based on this, it’s fair to say that the OnePlus 2 will make up a large number of the 1 million sales target.
OnePlus’ latest smartphone certainly delivers on its aims of being the 2016 Flagship Killer, having picked up the mantle from the OnePlus One, which was the self-acclaimed 2014 Flagship killer. The OnePlus 2 brings the latest hardware including a Snapdragon 810 processor, a 3300 mAh battery and a 13MP camera with f/2.0 aperture, laser autofocus, 1.3µm pixel size and optical image stabilisation and combines these with future proofed specs such as 4GB LPDDR4 RAM, the brightest smartphone display on the market and much more.
The resulting handset has impressive specs but even more impressive is the affordable price tag; the OnePlus 2 will retail for $329 for the 16GB/3GB RAM version and $389 for the 64GB/4GB RAM model, which equates to €339 and €399 respectively. In India, the handset’s price tag reflects the company’s aims with the 16GB version retailing for Rs. 22,999 ($359) and the 64GB model retailing for Rs. 24,999 ($390).
OnePlus in video:
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Given the impressive price tag and the fact that the OnePlus 2 will be significantly cheaper than flagship rivals, the smart money would be on OnePlus achieving its sales targets.
OnePlus 2 vs OnePlus One – the battle of the “flagship killers”
The OnePlus 2 has finally been announced and is set to compete against all the major flagships out there from the likes of Samsung, LG, HTC, Sony, and others. But how does the new “flagship killer” fare against its very own predecessor? While we’ll likely be bringing you a more detailed look later, let’s jump in and pit these two OnePlus devices against one another in this short comparison.
Design
Both OnePlus devices share very similar design characteristics, but the Chinese startup has managed to differentiate them in a few key ways. The first change you will notice is the addition of a home button right below the screen on the OnePlus 2. This may take away from that sleek, simple look the OnePlus One has been known for, but one can also argue the phone maker was forced to do this, as that is where the fingerprint reader is located. The camera on the back is also placed a bit lower, while the flash has been relocated above the lens.
Looking around the new flagship, you’ll notice the rest of the button layout has been changed up a bit. The 3.5mm headphone jack still sits on the top, and the volume rocker sits on the right side, this time joined by the power/standby key. This is to make room for the new Alert Slider on the left side of the handset, giving users the ability to quickly mute and un-mute the device with the flip of a switch.
Moving to the bottom of the device, you’ll find a USB Type-C port flanked by two speaker grills. We’re extremely happy OEMs are finally beginning to make phones with this new type of port, as it opens up a whole new set of capabilities for the handset, including support for universal accessories, a reversible connector and more.
Display
When it comes to the display, OnePlus chose to go with essentially the same panel this time around. Measuring 5.5 inches and bringing the same 1920 x 1080 resolution to the table, the new flagship’s display looks very similar to that of the OnePlus One. While it’s a little odd that the company didn’t choose to go with a much higher-end Quad HD display, one benefit to keeping the resolution down is battery life. It takes a lot of battery to power a higher resolution display, so we’re sure some users out there will be fine with this trade-off.
Hardware
Even though the OnePlus 2’s display didn’t receive much of an upgrade this time around, the new flagship’s internals did receive a significant improvement. The OnePlus 2 comes with a Snapdragon 810 v2.1 processor, Adreno 430 GPU and 3/4GB of LPDDR4 RAM, which should be more than enough to perform everyday tasks for most users.
So far performance seems great, and we’re excited to test out the OnePlus 2 in our full review.
Now that the OnePlus One has been out for over a year, the smartphone’s specs are beginning to feel a tad outdated by today’s standards. With its Snapdragon 801 processor, Adreno 330 GPU and 3GB of RAM, the One still runs smoothly from day to day, though it’s not as zippy as some of the more recent flagships on the market.
Overall both ph0nes will provide great experiences, though we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that the OP2 brings a few new extras to the table including the aforementioned fingerprint scanner, the new Alert Slider, and dual-SIM support for all versions of the OnePlus Two.
Camera
The OnePlus One is able to take some very decent photos, and that’s thanks in part to its powerful Sony Exmor sensor. The Japanese camera manufacturer is widely known for making some of the best smartphone cameras in the industry, and that was very true for the OnePlus One at the time of its launch. We’ll obviously have to wait and see how the OnePlus 2’s camera fares against the competition, but if history is any indicator, this new flagship probably won’t fail to deliver.
The OnePlus 2 and One both feature 13MP rear-facing cameras and 5MP front-facers, though the new handset has a few tricks up its sleeve. It now features laser autofocus technology and an f/2.0 aperture, which will make for quicker, better shots, even in low light situations. There’s also OIS this time, which is a nice bonus.
Software
Both the OnePlus One and OnePlus 2 are able to take advantage of OnePlus’ in-house built OxygenOS, so they are basically on par in terms of software. The main difference is that the OnePlus One originally launched with CyanogenMod, one of the most popular third-party Android ROMs. OnePlus parted ways with Cyanogen just some months ago, and so the phone maker moved on to its own OS. That said, OPO owners still have the option of running CM, while the OP2 will not offer the ROM out of the box.
While many folks love Cyanogen, Oxygen OS is actually pretty solid as well. The OnePlus-made ROM is known for its vanilla-like Android experience. It’s simple and clean, but also takes advantage of nifty gestures, quick settings improvements and a few other tweaks. Some of the OnePlus-centric features here include the ability to use soft keys instead of the hardware keys, a new shelf widget that lets you quickly get to the apps and contacts you want, and a few other minor changes.
Specs
| OnePlus One | OnePlus 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 5.5-inch LCD display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, 401ppi | 5.5-inch LCD, Full HD |
| Processor | 2.5 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor | 1.8GHz Snapdragon 810 |
| RAM | 3GB RAM | 3 or 4 GB (depending on storage option) |
| Storage | 16 or 64GB storage | 16 or 64GB storage |
| Software | CyanogenMod OS or OxygenOS | OxygenOS based on Android 5.1 |
| MicroSD | No | No |
| Dual-SIM | No | Yes |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Fingerprint Scan | No | Yes |
| Camera | 13 MP Sony Exymor f/2.0 rear-facing camera 5 MP front-facing camera |
13MP rear 5MP front |
| Battery | 3,100mAh | 3,300mAh |
| Dimensions | 152.9 x 75.9 x 8.9 mm 162 grams |
151.8 x 74.9 x 9.85 mm, 175g |
Gallery
Pricing and final thoughts
This is where things get interesting, because the OnePlus One, more than anything, is known for its amazingly affordable pricing. The company exploded mostly thanks to this, as they managed to cut competitors’ prices in half and still offer similar performance. It was a bomb drop on the industry. No one had released a high-end phone for $300 before!
We now expect the same out of the OnePlus 2. Sadly, the price did go up, but not by much. The OnePlus 2 is priced at just $389 for the 64GB model, while the variant with 3GB of RAM will cost only $329. Even though the price has gone up slightly, this is still one hell of a deal for everything you get. OnePlus went above and beyond our expectations once again.
Now, back to the main question – which phone is better? Obviously, the OnePlus 2. It’s newer, much more powerful and adopts technology that was not yet standardized when the OnePlus One reached the market (some of it still isn’t, really). Now you have to ask yourself whether you really need the latest and greatest. Some don’t, and the OnePlus One is still an amazing device that could keep you satisfied. Especially if you get it at a good discount.
In relative terms, I’d say the OnePlus 2 will also be more successful and important to the industry. It’s a forward-thinking product that focuses on making a difference by competing with specs, features, quality and innovation, whereas before it was mostly about the price relative to performance.
What do you folks say? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
OnePlus 2 hands-on and first impressions
One of last year’s break-out devices was the OnePlus One, created by newcomer OnePlus. The handset offered a credible challenge to the status quo with impressive specs at an even more impressive price tag, and although it had a few faults, it was one of the most impressive devices of the year.
One year on, after months of teasers, leaks and announcements, OnePlus has unveiled the successor in the form of the OnePlus 2. The handset continues the philosophy of the OnePlus One but introduces several refinements to the original formula. But will it have the same effect as its predecessor? Here are our first impressions of the new OnePlus 2.
At first glance, the OnePlus 2 does bear some similarities to the OPO, mainly in the shape but also somewhat in its size. After all this is a 5.5-inch display returning once again, but the overall footprint is smaller than the OnePlus One and makes handling that much better. Looking on the front side of the phone you’ll instantly notice one of the biggest design changes with the OnePlus 2. There is now a home button under the display that is somewhat similar to what is found on Samsung devices, this houses the device’s fingerprint scanner. The button doesn’t quite have the tactile press that you’d get from a device like the Galaxy S6, however, as it is actually a small divet in the screen panel that is flanked on each side by back and recent apps keys that are designated by small lines.
Moving around the metal frame, you’ll find the power button is now on the right side of the phone, directly below the volume rocker. On the left side is a new button called the Alert Slider, which lets you quickly toggle between your notification settings (none, priority, and all), without needing to unlock your phone.
On top you’ll find the standard 3.5mm head phone jack, and on the bottom is the new USB Type-C port, making the OP2 one of the first phones to adopt the next-generation USB standard.
While many were hoping to see the OnePlus 2 embrace QHD, the 5.5-inch panel is only of the Full HD variety. Of course, this is kind of understandable when you consider the price of the phone, and the good news is that the display is still quite attractive and visibly brighter with better saturation when compared to the OP2’s predecessor. Bottom-line, the display might not be as impressive when compared to the higher-resolution screens found on Samsung and LG products, but is on similar ground to what HTC and Sony are offering in their current flagships.
In terms of build materials, the OnePlus 2 features metal chamfered edges with a Sandstone Black rear cover. For those looking for something a bit different, OnePlus will also offer actual wood Bamboo, Black Apricot, Rosewood, and even Kevlar through its SwapStyle line. Unlike the original SwapStyle covers, this time around OnePlus promises that removing and switching covers will be a painless process with no tools required. Additonally, the SwapStyle covers will be made available from day one, something that OnePlus failed to do with its original covers.
On the back of the phone is the 13MP rear camera, which has the same megapixel count as the original handset with improvements in processing and features. To improve the overall pictures, OnePlus has upgraded its new phone with laser auto-focus and a f/2.0 aperture lens, which should result in faster and better shots. Also on board is Optical Image Stabilization, which should help ensure better low light camera performance as well as software and algorithm improvements and 4K Ultra HD video recording. The front camera is a 5MP snapper that can capture Full HD video.
The improvements in this year’s OnePlus handset don’t stop there, as the Chinese manufacturer has also made major changes under the hood of its latest handset. The OnePlus 2 is powered by an octa-core 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 v2.1 processor and an Adreno 430 GPU. As part of its future-proofing claims, OnePlus is offering 4GB LPDDR4 RAM in the OnePlus 2 which is coupled with 64GB internal storage that cannot be expanded. There will also be a cheaper model with 16GB storage and 3GB RAM.
Another interesting change in the hardware department is the decision to make all models of the OnePlus 2 dual-SIM compatible. While this may be less common in the west, there are still circumstances where such a feature could come in handy, such as while traveling or if you keep seperate numbers for work and personal.
The OnePlus 2 sports a non-removable 3300 mAh battery which OnePlus claims should last a full day but with so many next-generation specs, the jury is out until we review the handset. Like any flagship, the OnePlus has a plethora of connectivity options that include Wi-Fi 802.11 n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Bluetooth v4.1, GPS, NFC and FM Radio. As previously mentioned, the USB Type C port at the bottom of the handset is the next generation in USB standards and opens doors to a whole new set of capabilities, including support for universal accessories, a reversible connector and a lot more.
In the year since its inception, OnePlus has made the news for a variety of reasons and while some have been positive, its very public and messy falling out with Cyanogen was not so. When the OnePlus One was launched, the handset ran on CyanogenMod – a forked version of Android with lots of customization options – but its fallout with Cyanogen resulted in OnePlus launching its Oxygen OS earlier this year.
The latest version of OxygenOS is based on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop – which OnePlus said would also be coming to the OnePlus after the OnePlus 2 launch today – and brings the same clean user interface that’s akin to pure Android. That said, there are a few standout features that go beyond stock, including an expanded app permissions manager, an app for custom LED notifications, a dark/night reading mode, and a variety of special gestures tailored to make the OP2 experience as convenient as possible. The new software version is also introducing Shelf (beta), a new space to “keep, organize, and discover things you care about”. You’ll get frequent apps and other apps you’d use the most, and OnePlus says this feature will continue to evolve in the months to come as it marches out of beta.
It is also worth noting that OnePlus says it worked very closely with Qualcomm to optimize its software for the Snapdragon 810 and it shows as the phone gave us no trouble when it came to speed and lag was a non-issue in our time with the handset.
The OnePlus 2 will be launching in the coming weeks and, like the OnePlus One, it will be available via an invite system that OnePlus claims has been heavily improved since last year’s handset. There will be 30 to 50 times’ more inventory of the OnePlus 2 (compared to the OnePlus One) at launch and invites will be more readily available as well. The company has launched public registrations for OnePlus 2 invites and at the time of writing, it has over 300,000 registrations.
The OnePlus 2 definitely delivers an impressive specs list on paper and from our first hands-on, it seems that OnePlus is onto another winner. While the first handset’s specs now seem somewhat outdated, the second handset is a sign of the future with several features ensuring that the handset will still be current for the next year.
The first handset was dubbed the 2014 flagship killer, but it’s quite telling that OnePlus is referring to the OnePlus 2 as the 2016 flagship killer; rather than being reactive to other handsets this year, the OnePlus 2 is designed to offer superior specs not only to the OnePlus One but to most current handsets launched this year and into the next. In fact, companies may be scrambling to make modifications to their product portfolio, especially when you consider that the OnePlus 2 will cost just $329 for the base model.
AIVAnet 