The OnePlus 5T will be more expensive than the OnePlus 5

by Preslav Kateliev / Nov 09, 2017, 3:07 AM

The OnePlus 5T will be more expensive than the OnePlus 5

Ever since the first rumors of a OnePlus 5T started circulating, a couple of questions have been on our minds — what kinds of hardware upgrades should we expect over the OnePlus 5 and are we going to see another price hike?

The OG OnePlus One launched with a $299 price tag, but every consecutive model has seen a small increase in cost. That's how we ended up with a $479 price for the OnePlus 5, which, to be fair, is still an amazing deal, considering the current climate in the smartphone world.

Last year's OnePlus 3T had a base price increase of $40, which is why people are expecting the same of the OnePlus 5T. And while a rumor from yesterday claimed that the new handset will retain the very same price tags as the OnePlus 5, the company's CEO Pete Lau seems adamant on making it very clear that the 5T will actually be a bit more expensive.

Mr. Lau has taken to Twitter to say that smartphones are constantly getting better, but the cost of their components is also rising. He then finishes it off with a promise that OnePlus fans will still appreciate the new device.

Cost of smartphone components is rising, but phones are also getting better. OnePlus users will appreciate what's coming.
— Pete Lau (@petelau2007) November 8, 2017

So, we're pretty sure that this is a very, very direct hint that we are to expect a small price bump. Supposedly, Mr. Lau wants to avoid any backlash generated by false leaks and rumors. But very recently, he overtly confirmed that the phone's price won't exceed $600, so we wouldn't be worried about the OnePlus 5T entering the ballpark of a mainstream flagship smartphone just yet.

If we were to make a broad prediction, we'd say that a $40 base price increase sounds about right when looking at past OnePlus releases. So, around $519 for the 64 GB OnePlus 5T and $579 for the 128 GB OnePlus 5T.

Are these prices a bit too much? Or do you feel that OnePlus still has plenty of price headroom, considering that the modern flagship seems to be aggressively pushing the $900 boundary?

Options

14 Comments

1. Good-Is-Better

Posts: 105; Member since: Nov 12, 2015

To me, it's the best deal of the year. Unfortunately, OnePlus does not ship to Africa. I would have ordered some for my store.

posted on Nov 09, 2017, 3:23 AM 1

2. vvkdhkl

Posts: 4; Member since: Nov 09, 2017

Well, OnePlus are already backlashed by OP5 users. They need to justify them with some price rise, and also cash in the opportunity created by 800$+ phones. I would say they will definitely go for a price hike, around 50$. Time for a new startup producing 400$ flagships :)

posted on Nov 09, 2017, 3:42 AM 1

3. Settings

Posts: 2942; Member since: Jul 02, 2014

In other news, iPhone X will be expensive than the iPhone 8.

posted on Nov 09, 2017, 4:17 AM 0

4. markobarko

Posts: 176; Member since: Oct 09, 2016

In Europe we get the S8+ for 644€ so One plus has no chance for me.

posted on Nov 09, 2017, 4:49 AM 4

5. Martin_Cooper

Posts: 1774; Member since: Jul 30, 2013

Much faster OS/Skin, much faster updates. Basically its not a no chance. You either get the phone with better hardware or the phone with better and faster OS experience. A year with S7E I have to say a good phone, no major complaints, but the OS experience VS Pixel, and OP5 is lagging way behind.

posted on Nov 09, 2017, 5:27 AM 4

10. Boast_Rider

Posts: 529; Member since: Sep 14, 2017

The OS/skin is barely faster on the OP5. It's mostly animations. Check the speedtest between OP5 and, say a Note 8. S8/+ will get the update soon enough to make them as fast as the Note 8. Not to mention the Note 8 drops way less frames than OP5 according to XDA. None match the Pixel, but the OP5 is way behind Samsung in frame-rates/UI smoothness. It's one thing to be fast in straight line speed, but a whole another matter to be smooth AND fast. Samsung offers a much better phone. Better screen, better design, better camera, waterproofing, wireless charging, iris scanner, Samsung pay and so on.... And I'm a happy OP3 owner BTW. No Samsung here.

posted on Nov 09, 2017, 8:45 AM 2

11. Furkan

Posts: 552; Member since: Feb 25, 2017

you wanna get the worst flagship camera? how about bad design?

posted on Nov 09, 2017, 10:25 AM 0

12. cocoy

Posts: 454; Member since: Oct 30, 2015

Yeah good luck to you! One plus is spying on your activity by sending all your data to their servers

posted on Nov 09, 2017, 10:54 AM 0

7. vvkdhkl

@Martin_Cooper is true: People love OnePlus, but the main point is how long. Maybe not S8+ over OP5T, but maybe Honor/Huawei phones or even LG, they are getting better considering the price.

posted on Nov 09, 2017, 6:11 AM 2

6. roldefol

Posts: 4744; Member since: Jan 28, 2011

Pure speculation on PA's part. Maybe no price change, maybe $40, maybe $10.

posted on Nov 09, 2017, 5:58 AM 1

8. Ravi24365

Posts: 3; Member since: Nov 15, 2013

This is what's called forgetting The Basics. OnePlus was created as Bang for the Buck Phones. But lately they r just going on increasing the prices. I'm Sure OP 6 would be definitely above 600$. ZTE Axon 7 was way better phone than OP3 / 3T at the same price point with QHD AMOLED Screen & Excellent Build Quality. Yes I do understand the prices for components had been going up & so does your lust for profits. I simply feel OP5 could have been offered at 400$.

posted on Nov 09, 2017, 6:12 AM 2

9. lallolu

Posts: 729; Member since: Sep 18, 2012

Duh, Which phone is not more expensive than its predecessor, this year?

posted on Nov 09, 2017, 7:40 AM 0

13. michaelny2001

Posts: 318; Member since: Aug 01, 2012

very stupid move for OP. When OP3 came out, it was 399 no tax, free shipping. Great deal. At 600 for a chinese phone, nah. So let's add the math. If the newest iphone X costs about 378 to make, how much would the OP5T cost? something to think about it. and they're all made in china, where people are paid 50 cents an hour or so. i'll just buy the last year's flagship for less.