OnePlus 5 fails at 4K video: comparison vs Apple iPhone 7 Plus

by Victor Hristov / Jun 22, 2017, 9:29 AM

The OnePlus 5 is the new kid on the flagship smartphone block, but how does it do when it comes to 4K video recording? We test its video stabilization (or lack thereof) against the popular Apple iPhone 7 Plus. Keep in mind that the OnePlus 5 lacks optical image stabilization (OIS) and relies on electronic IS only, while the iPhone 7 Plus support both OIS and EIS.

Even the slightest trembling of the hand results in an earthquake-like commotion on screen

And the results are... disappointing. At least for the OnePlus 5 that is. While we have seen phones like the Google Pixel achieve miracles with electronic stabilization only, the OnePlus 5 is definitely not of the same kin: the slightest hand jitter results in an earthquake-like commotion on screen.

And it's particularly embarrassing when you compare it with a phone with great video stabilization like the iPhone 7 Plus, which - in the same handheld conditions - produces extremely smooth and stable footage.

You don't need to trust our word for it, though: take a look yourselves at the video right above.

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PhoneArena Rating:

8.5

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User Rating:

10.0

Based on 3 Reviews

Display 5.5" 1080 x 1920 pixels

Camera 16 MP / 16 MP front

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, Octa-core, 2457 MHz

Storage 128 GB

Battery 3300 mAh

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50 Comments

1. Myphoneisonfire

Posts: 403; Member since: Sep 05, 2016

Hahaha.

posted on Jun 22, 2017, 9:30 AM 12

22. you_sukk_it

Posts: 219; Member since: Apr 11, 2017

people are not liking this phone. DOA fail.

posted on Jun 22, 2017, 12:40 PM 1

25. Tondern

Posts: 164; Member since: Feb 23, 2015

DOA fail is a double negative meaning that the phone is a success. Just sayin'

posted on Jun 22, 2017, 1:32 PM 4

28. you_sukk_it

Posts: 219; Member since: Apr 11, 2017

no it means dead on arrival and a failure. the phone will not be a success understand now?

posted on Jun 22, 2017, 1:43 PM 1

2. surethom

Posts: 1635; Member since: Mar 04, 2009

I so want the OnePlus5 But this is the number 1 reason i CANNOT buy the phone no stabilization on 4K, wonder if it can be added via software update? Also can you please stop comparing Android with apple, can you compare OnePlus 5 with LG G6, Samsung or Pixel.

posted on Jun 22, 2017, 9:32 AM 2

3. Victor.H

Posts: 1050; Member since: May 27, 2011

Don't worry, we will be comparing it with all major Android phones, as well as the iPhone.

posted on Jun 22, 2017, 9:37 AM 5

23. ShaikhJGI

Posts: 358; Member since: Jan 10, 2014

On the other hand Victor, One Plus 5 trumps down iPhone 7Plus in 1080P stabilisation with a fair margin(Courtesy Super Saf Video review). Can you also update this please in your article?? Or you are only Authorised/allowed (In PA) to show the positives of iPhones here? Just that EIS is not working at 4K in One Plus 5 as of now. It may get better with time & updates. Apart from that One Plus 5 is better than iPhone 7 Plus in all other Areas. Also only a handful %ge of people, may be 5-10% of them record in 4K as of now. All others are probably end up with 1080P which is sweet spot as of now. Peace :)

posted on Jun 22, 2017, 1:13 PM 7

9. TechieXP1969

Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013

They could. But facts have shown, software stabilization isn't as good as hardware based of the same.

posted on Jun 22, 2017, 10:01 AM 2

4. adi90

Posts: 554; Member since: Dec 21, 2015

If op5 cannot beat iphone 7 plus. How can it beat g6, s8, pixel? There is no need for further comparison.

posted on Jun 22, 2017, 9:39 AM 10

6. TechieXP1969

Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013

I agree with you. Because the iPhone 7's vs the Galaxy, even the S7 the iPhone couldn't beat. So the OnePlus is actually even further down the list. The S8 is surely first, the S7 I say is 2nd and tied with the Pixel, with the iPhone at 3rd and the OnePlus5 at 4th(maybe). The OnePlus pictures are very dull and plain. The blue sky is a very light blue which is "near" natural", but it just looks stale. I like the punchier blue from the S7/S8 and the iPhone 7

posted on Jun 22, 2017, 9:42 AM 2

15. bucky

Posts: 3774; Member since: Sep 30, 2009

Lol you guys just pat yourselves on the back all day. I agree with pictures but video stability is well known to be best on the pixel first, then the iPhone- most likely why the iPhone was used in the comparison.

posted on Jun 22, 2017, 10:49 AM 2

33. thejamesarnold

Posts: 16; Member since: Jul 08, 2015

I think that new HTC is in the top of the list followed by the S8. Yeah, the iPhone 7 is lower in the ranking so that makes the OnePlus 5 even way way lower.

posted on Jun 22, 2017, 7:35 PM 0

20. maherk

Posts: 6749; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

It won't beat them because the stabilization on it is crap. But one thing you should know, the stabilization on the iPhone 7 is far more superior than that on the S8 and G6.

posted on Jun 22, 2017, 12:27 PM 2

36. ibend

Posts: 6747; Member since: Sep 30, 2014

it actually beat iPhone in all camera screnario except in 4k stabilization.. check supersaf review... is have better low light, much faster autofocus, much better front camera stabilization, better color reproduction, etc... all for half iPhone price.. but OP5 camera still far behind S8 :-/

posted on Jun 23, 2017, 12:34 AM 0

5. TechieXP1969

Posts: 14967; Member since: Sep 25, 2013

SuperSAF - OnePlus5 vs iPhone 7 -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXRh6zoDVX4 In the video, actually BOTH did poorly overall. The iPhone was better, but ot by a wide margin. Then when you compare the S8 to the iPhone 7 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcmSQ48WyqE It would be good to watch both video side by side, that way you can also pause and line them up and see all 4 phone do the video test and you will see the S8 does better than both. I certainly give the iPhone 2nd place between the 3. The OnePlus is horrible. But likely the issue could be fixed with a software update. But as soon as the OnePlus5 came, PA was hyped all over it, like it was the best thing since sliced bread, and its just a lackluster piece of tech. The 1-Plus5 isnt even as good as the S6's or S7's...lol. So much hype for nothing.

posted on Jun 22, 2017, 9:40 AM 2

16. bucky

Posts: 3774; Member since: Sep 30, 2009

You don't need to watch a saf video (which is your personal favourite) to know which he will pick...

posted on Jun 22, 2017, 10:49 AM 2

7. seedorf

Posts: 44; Member since: Feb 16, 2015

iphone 7 n s8 should do this test not 1plus 5,and they already knows who the winner will be so ,they will do it iphone n 1 plus5,cos s8 will nail it down

posted on Jun 22, 2017, 9:49 AM 0

8. seanmirza23

Posts: 10; Member since: Feb 19, 2016

Easily fixable by An Android Update...

posted on Jun 22, 2017, 9:51 AM 0

13. trojan_horse

Posts: 5868; Member since: May 06, 2016

"Easily fixable by An Android Update..." Yeah, but it still won't be anywhere near as good as a hardware-based 4K stabilization.

posted on Jun 22, 2017, 10:42 AM 5

34. thejamesarnold

Posts: 16; Member since: Jul 08, 2015

I really believe before that hardware OIS will be better than digital OIS but after the Pixel, maybe that's not the case.

posted on Jun 22, 2017, 7:36 PM 0

10. splus

Posts: 148; Member since: Nov 26, 2011

Yes, the difference in stabilization is obvious, but do you notice that OP5's video is sharp and clear, whereas iPhone's video is not sharp and has artifacts?? It looks like iPhone's video is shot at much lower quality!

posted on Jun 22, 2017, 10:12 AM 2

18. blkkobra

Posts: 42; Member since: Jan 22, 2014

I also noticed that the iPhone footage looked like it was shot at a noticably lower resolution. Possibly 1080p or even 720p. Looks like they may have fudged things to try and get the iPhone to look better by comparison.

posted on Jun 22, 2017, 12:15 PM 1

37. ibend

Posts: 6747; Member since: Sep 30, 2014

thats because... iPhonearena

posted on Jun 23, 2017, 12:39 AM 0

46. d1g1te

Posts: 59; Member since: Oct 04, 2016

That is cost of using OIS and EIS together in video, it creates nasty artifacts, like water effect. There is lack of education for this in broad public audience. People still think, that OIS on phone is must. Only benefit for it is for low light static scene photography and for people with extremely shaky hands. If you shooting any fast objects moving photos in low light with OIS you're out of luck, just paying extra for useless piece od tech.

posted on Jun 25, 2017, 3:06 AM 0

11. scarface21173

Posts: 646; Member since: Aug 17, 2014

One big problem here you are comparing a phone at half the price of an iphone. Which the oneplus 5 beats the iphone in other tests.

posted on Jun 22, 2017, 10:22 AM 0

14. adi90

Posts: 554; Member since: Dec 21, 2015

In that case op team should stop advertising their flagships as 'flagship killer'. Or atleast specify in which category it is flagship killer. Then people will stop comparison with real flagships.

posted on Jun 22, 2017, 10:47 AM 7

30. nepalisherpa

Posts: 337; Member since: Jul 17, 2015

So it's ok that they can call it a "flagship killer" but not ok to compare it to flagship phones?

posted on Jun 22, 2017, 2:04 PM 3

12. itslauri

Posts: 4; Member since: Mar 28, 2017

It's already been mentioned that the OP5 doesn't have stabilisation in 4k. Only in 1080p. Why even make a comparison and leaving out any mention or testing of 1080p stabilisation?

posted on Jun 22, 2017, 10:26 AM 8

47. d1g1te

Posts: 59; Member since: Oct 04, 2016

It was skipped intentionally. Because OP5 may have beat Iphone in that one, even without OIS.