Everything you need to know about the newly unveiled OnePlus 3T smartphone.
Around this time in 2015, OnePlus launched the OnePlus X – an affordable handset that served to fill the year-long gap between the OnePlus 2 and the OnePlus 3.
This year, the Chinese company has opted for something a little different to tide fans over until the OnePlus 4, unveiling a slightly upgraded version of the current OnePlus 3 in the form of the OnePlus 3T.
With improvements on both the hardware and software side of things, plus a new Gun Metal colour option, the new handset looks to be a real powerhouse that adds some significant extras to an already stellar handset.
Here’s what you need to know about the OnePlus 3T.
OnePlus 3T – Hardware upgrades
The OnePlus 3 came with a speedy chip when it launched in the form of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820. For the new device, the company has opted for the newer, and slightly faster Snapdragon 821 – that's the same chip that runs the Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL.
Our experience with the Pixels didn't reveal a huge speed increase at the benchmark level, but daily use was noticeably quicker. We're intrigued to see whether OnePlus' latest offers a similar boost when it comes to day-to-day use.
So, what about that rumour that we'd see a ridiculous 8GB of RAM on the 3T? Well, it ain't true. Instead, you'll find the same 6GB of memory this time around. However, there is a new internal storage option, so now you can choose between 64GB or 128GB. Hey, we never needed all that RAM anyway.
OnePlus 3T – Camera tweaks
If you were hoping for a massive change to the OnePlus 3's camera, the 3T might disappoint. It retains the 16-megapixel Sony sensor and f/2.0 aperture from the previous model, but it does come with strong sapphire glass on the lens to aid protection. There's also improved electronic image stabilisation (EIS) which should make videos a lot more stable.
The major change in this department comes round the front of the device. The front-facing shooter has gone from an 8-megapixel sensor to a 16-megapixel offering, so your selfies should look much more stunning than they already did. Also, you can now smile to take those selfies automatically.
OnePlus 3T: Battery boost
Another small, but significant tweak is the new battery in the 3T. It's gone from a 3,000 mAh offering on the OnePlus 3 to a 3,400 mAh cell on the new handset. That means you're basically getting 13% more capacity.
Dash Charging returns too, meaning you'll be able to charge the 3T from 0% to full in just over an hour, as long as you use the supplied cable and plug
OnePlus 3T: The AMOLED screen returns
Prior to the phone's release, there was talk of OnePlus switching to LCD panels due to a shortage of OLED alternatives. CEO Carl Pei promised the firm would be sticking with the latter, and his promise has been fulfilled with the OnePlus 3T.
The screen is still a 5.5-inch Optic AMOLED offering with a 1080p resolution, which is good news for OLED fans, but the screen on the OnePlus 3 wasn't the greatest we'd ever seen so we were hoping for some improvements with the 3T.
OnePlus 3T: Oxygen gets better but Marshmallow's here to stay
OnePlus' proprietary skin, OxygenOS, returns this time around, but the company says it's made a few improvements. The skin is now lighter than before, with slightly rejigged icons and a simpler ‘Shelf’ pane.
However, if you were hoping for an update to Android Nougat, you'll be disappointed to learn that the 3T runs on good ol Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. OnePlus 3 owners can already use a beta version of Nougat so it would have been nice to see it appear on the new handset. The Snapdragon 821 also provides support for Google’s Daydream VR platform, which requires Android 7.1 to run.
Hopefully a Nougat update will arrive soon.
OnePlus 3T: The price just went up
One of the less exciting changes that come with the 3T is the price. OnePlus has increased the cost from £329 for the OnePlus 3, to £399 for the 3T. And that's for the 64GB storage option. If you want the 128GB option, you'll have to shell out £439. It's cheaper than the iPhone 7, and still pretty good value for money. But it's a lot more than you've ever had to pay for a OnePlus device.
If the price increase hasn't put you off, the OnePlus 3T will be available in the US from November 22, while Europe will have to wait until November 28.
