OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei addresses the “iPhone 7 lookalike” concerns for the OnePlus 5

by Preslav Kateliev / Jun 15, 2017, 3:47 AM

OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei addresses the “iPhone 7 lookalike” concerns for the OnePlus 5

The OnePlus 5 – the anticipated “flagship killer” of 2017 – is right around the corner and, after teasing the device numerous times, the company actually revealed its looks well before the announcement day. The shown render confirmed previous leaks and concerns that the device would look a lot like the Apple iPhone 7 Plus.

Naturally, the backlash is prominent. Across user boards, Twitter posts, and Reddit threads, consumers are voicing their disappointment, some mocking the design humorously, others all-out bashing it.

OnePlus has a very “on the ground” approach to its marketing and its ears are always perked around such user channels, so, naturally, the company is well aware of the posts that are floating around. Carl Pei, co-founder of OnePlus, voiced his opinion on the matter in two tweets, saying that people were also disappointed about the design of the OnePlus 3, but the salty comments stopped as soon as the handset was in people’s hands.

Does anyone still remember the commotion regarding the OnePlus 3 design before it came out? It stopped as soon as people got the device.
— Carl Pei (@getpeid) June 14, 2017

When the OnePlus 3 was first revealed, its design was quickly dubbed “a mix between an HTC 10 and Samsung Galaxy S6”, with design elements of both phones shining through.

But, despite featuring familiar components, we wouldn’t say that the OnePlus 3 looked like a direct re-draw of any of the aforementioned phones – it was its own type of beast, with its own looks. So, it’s pretty obvious why the community got over whatever it similarities it had with other phones and moved on.

Somehow, we feel like the OnePlus 5’s looks will be a bit harder to swallow. Looking back at the HTC One A9, which was a pretty unapologetic iPhone 6 lookalike, we can see that users never cut it any slack, even way after release.

What are your thoughts on the OnePlus 5’s looks (at least the official renders we’ve seen thus far)?

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51 Comments

1. bugsbunny00

Posts: 2264; Member since: Jun 07, 2013

well this wont stop,this is a xeroxed iphone and i bet people wont want a copy of it.

posted on Jun 15, 2017, 4:00 AM 7

21. maiquelborges

Posts: 2; Member since: Jun 06, 2015

It's funny u talk about xerox and apple when apple won't be anywhere if hasn't stoled the concept of personal computer from xerox back in the 80's.

posted on Jun 15, 2017, 7:59 AM 8

26. Eclectech

Posts: 349; Member since: May 01, 2013

Oh puhlease. They're gonna snap up the iPhone looking OnePlus because it looks like an iPhone lol. OnePlus demonstrates once again that if you can't innovate, recreate.

posted on Jun 15, 2017, 9:10 AM 7

31. ZombieHunter

Posts: 265; Member since: Oct 13, 2013

Funniest post of the day.... iPhone isn't pretty, and totally not innovative.. People buy iPhones for one of two reasons; 1. They a simple (I like legos and blocks simple) 2. Brand loyal

posted on Jun 15, 2017, 9:57 AM 0

37. you_sukk_it

Posts: 219; Member since: Apr 11, 2017

no, people buy iphones because they think there is a coolness factor to it and because they payed so much they think its better then other phones. theres a snob factor. the phones have older tech in many aspects though. they resell better but also cost a lot. I usually buy an android phone after 6 months and get an amazing price. I dont see a reason to pay for any flagship phone over $500. I will say that iphones hardware is very good. no one can argue that. the software is the juice at the bottom of a garbage bag though. I hate apple with a passion and left after using 3 gens of their phones. I felt snobbish with the 3gs and then 4. and I hated my move to android. hard learning curve a lot of stupid things with android. like why do I need be harassed and know I did a screenshot in my notifications. and why cant they put the date in the edge of the screen? but today, I wouldnt go back. one reason. I TUNES SYNC SOFTWARE-its a crime against humanity,

posted on Jun 15, 2017, 12:26 PM 3

41. Odeira

Posts: 300; Member since: Jun 29, 2012

I still want an iPhone because it APPS RUN OBJECTIVELY BETTER ON IT. There are cameras from phones released FIVE YEARS AGO that shoot better than the newest Androids through the Android Snapchat app. Games look objectively better on iPhone; Injustice 2 still runs PROBLEMATICALLY on new Androids, but runs EXCELLENTLY on iPhone 5S, that's insane!!! I could go on on which apps run better on iOS than Android, but this comment would run way too long, so...

posted on Jun 15, 2017, 7:12 PM 1

47. trojan_horse

Posts: 5868; Member since: May 06, 2016

"Injustice 2 still runs PROBLEMATICALLY on new Androids, but runs EXCELLENTLY on iPhone 5S, that's insane!!!" Which new Android phones are you talking about? Because you definitely aren't talking about flagship Android phones. Heck, midrange Android phones do run Injustice 2 without issue, and the graphics quality and detail on the mid-range Droids far out classes the one iPhone 5s with it's pathetic screen resolution. SMH

posted on Jun 16, 2017, 1:49 AM 0

46. Leo_MC

Posts: 7432; Member since: Dec 02, 2011

Dude, how about people that buy iPhones because those phones are the best ones for them: fast, reliable, ecosystem, cheap(er) (plan+phone+services)?

posted on Jun 16, 2017, 1:36 AM 0

48. trojan_horse

Posts: 5868; Member since: May 06, 2016

"Dude, how about people that buy iPhones because those phones are the best ones for them" Yeah, there are people who buy iPhones because it is better for them, tech-wise... But there are also people who buy iPhones solely for it's brand status symbol. And we all kjow that the vast majority of consumers aren't tech nerds and they know little to nothing about the specs and features of the phone they use... So, it's safe to say that the vast majority of those who buy iPhones do so just for it's brand status symbol... I suppose.

posted on Jun 16, 2017, 1:54 AM 0

49. Leo_MC

Posts: 7432; Member since: Dec 02, 2011

The brand is something that companies spend tons of money to build. How do they spend that money? First of all, building a great quality product and/or service - advertise all you want a s**tty line of products and see why it's just money down the drain. Now, people have 2 choices: spend time, investigating the quality of they product of choice (let's say the Essential or Robin phone that are built by no-names) or they could spend a little more money by going for a brand (like Apple, Samsung, LG etc). If you look at the usage-scenarios of the average iPhone or Galaxy user, you'll find out that it's pretty much similar, meaning that both OEM have a vast majority of users that buy their phones just for the brand. I'm not defending or accusing, I'm just setting straight a stereotype: "all Apple products are bought because of the brand, the choice has nothing to do with objective, reasonable, smart reasons" when, in fact, there are numerous reasons an iPhone could be (and is) better than an Android device (just as there are numerous reasons an Android device could be - and is - better than an iPhone).

posted on Jun 16, 2017, 4:34 AM 0

50. trojan_horse

Posts: 5868; Member since: May 06, 2016

"First of all, building a great quality product and/or service - advertise all you wanta s**tty line of products and see why it's just money down the drain." Didn't imply that the iPhone is a s**tty product, but it just isn't the best out there. But there are s**tty products vwhich have grown in popularity due to advertising. The Apple brand somehow happened to be a status symbol, and though the iPhone grew in much popularity mostly because was arguably the best phone on the market during it's early years, now it is growing more because to it's brand than anything else m

posted on Jun 16, 2017, 7:36 AM 0

51. Leo_MC

Posts: 7432; Member since: Dec 02, 2011

The value of a product is given by the customer satisfaction, the willingness to make the same choice over and over again; and Apple is the king here. Everybody knows that the iPhone doesn't have the best camera - but it's among the best; doesn't have the numbers on paper - but it's performances are among the best; doesn't have the nicest design - but it's one of the most beautiful phones. This is one of the reasons that makes people stick with Apple brand. I bought a Galaxy S7, because I thought - based on everything I read - it was better than my 6s (at that time), but, although a nice phone, it felt like it was always missing some things so I sold it and bought a P9 - to keep myself connected to Android world and to be able to write objectively about it - and upgraded my main phone to 7 - to have the best (for me).

posted on Jun 16, 2017, 2:55 PM 0

32. ZombieHunter

Posts: 265; Member since: Oct 13, 2013

The people who like phone freedom and customization with want it... Not all of us like to be stuck in the IOS jail cell with bubba.

posted on Jun 15, 2017, 9:59 AM 0

2. Alter

Posts: 230; Member since: Mar 25, 2016

The design is disappointing. I think it's unattractive but not a deal breaker because performance and features are more important to me than looks.

posted on Jun 15, 2017, 4:03 AM 0

3. deewinc

Posts: 455; Member since: Feb 21, 2013

In the past, people would see you with this phone and ask you, What type of phone is this? It looks classy. But now, you'll have to deal with questions like, "Is that an iPhone? Which iPhone is that?"

posted on Jun 15, 2017, 4:25 AM 6

4. Myphoneisonfire

Posts: 403; Member since: Sep 05, 2016

normal people would die of embarrassment in this situation. OP lovers , since they have no self respect anyway... its cool for them

posted on Jun 15, 2017, 4:29 AM 9

5. Ray.S

Posts: 456; Member since: Jul 19, 2011

True that.

posted on Jun 15, 2017, 4:51 AM 7

11. RebelwithoutaClue unregistered

Normal people don't care less of what others think of them based on phone choice. If you relate self-respect to phone choice, you really need to grow a personality, But given your statement, that seems an impossible task,

posted on Jun 15, 2017, 5:42 AM 4

13. Myphoneisonfire

Posts: 403; Member since: Sep 05, 2016

Unless you are a loner , have no friends and cut off from normal human society , it DOES matter .

posted on Jun 15, 2017, 6:00 AM 1

15. RebelwithoutaClue unregistered

You should seek out less shallow and more intelligent friends if they judge you on your phone. It could be a cultural thing, in my country they rarely judge on phone. Unless you're a kid that doesn't know any better yet.

posted on Jun 15, 2017, 6:18 AM 4

17. Myphoneisonfire

Posts: 403; Member since: Sep 05, 2016

Yeah , like you even have any friends in the first place !

posted on Jun 15, 2017, 6:28 AM 0

23. NoToFanboys

Posts: 3231; Member since: Oct 03, 2015

"oh this guy has a different opinion from me, he must have no friends!"

posted on Jun 15, 2017, 8:43 AM 3

27. Plasticsh1t

Posts: 3103; Member since: Sep 01, 2014

#15 he's a racist garbage. Don't mind him.

posted on Jun 15, 2017, 9:17 AM 3

29. RebelwithoutaClue unregistered

His avatar says it all

posted on Jun 15, 2017, 9:53 AM 1

38. Myphoneisonfire

Posts: 403; Member since: Sep 05, 2016

My avatar is your justification.... shows your class.. sorry couldn't find any.

posted on Jun 15, 2017, 1:31 PM 0

40. RebelwithoutaClue unregistered

At least we both have American dogs as our avatar ;)

posted on Jun 15, 2017, 2:43 PM 0

45. Myphoneisonfire

Posts: 403; Member since: Sep 05, 2016

Plasticsh!t , please eat your name.

posted on Jun 15, 2017, 10:35 PM 0

35. jjface

Posts: 235; Member since: Jun 07, 2017

People ask you if it is a iphone no matter what phone you have.

posted on Jun 15, 2017, 12:21 PM 0

6. nooi_c

Posts: 21; Member since: Nov 20, 2012

So you can copy other company's design as many times as you want. Consumers will stop talking about it at some point. I hope he didn't mean that, right?

posted on Jun 15, 2017, 5:11 AM 0

7. aegislash

Posts: 1492; Member since: Jan 27, 2015

So instead of addressing why OnePlus is so unoriginal in the design department, he brings up the fact that OnePlus 3 was also an unoriginal design? Talk about deflecting.

posted on Jun 15, 2017, 5:14 AM 4

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