Update that brings streaming HD video to the OnePlus 5/5T is available with one big caveat

by Alan Friedman / Feb 24, 2018, 11:17 PM

The update that will allow the OnePlus 5T to stream HD video from certain sites is now available

Last December, we told you that the OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T do not support HD streaming video from several popular sites such as Google Play Movies, Netflix, and Amazon Video. The reason for this is that neither phone has the Widevine Level 1 Certification; this certification is required to stream certain DRM protected content in HD. Both phones shipped with Widevine Level 3 certification instead.

There is some good news on this front at last. On the OnePlus 5T community forum, a manager named David Y. wrote that OnePlus rolled out a program that will fix the issue. But there is also some bad news. The update must be delivered "via a physical connection from an authenticated PC." In other words, if you want the update, you're going to have to send your OnePlus 5 or OnePlus 5T back to the company for the update to be installed. The manufacturer says that it will pay all courier costs related to shipping your phone to OnePlus, and then back to you.

OnePlus says that it understands that this is an unwieldy process; after all, OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T users who want the update will have to give up their phone for more than a few days. We wonder how many will decide just to pass up the opportunity to receive the update. If you own either phone, are you planning on shipping your handset back to the company to be updated?

source: OnePlusForum via AndroidCentral

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11 Comments

1. UglyFrank

Posts: 2188; Member since: Jan 23, 2014

I'd hope they at least give confirmation that all future shipped units will have this. It would be a pain to have to wait for your device to arrive and then have to ship it straight back in order to get something every other device comes with.

posted on Feb 24, 2018, 11:33 PM 1

2. iamarjun

Posts: 1; Member since: Feb 25, 2018

if thats the case then they should also make the phone project treble by the same process having necessary vendor partition and give it back to the customers as they are doing with this update.

posted on Feb 25, 2018, 12:29 AM 0

3. Boast_Rider

Posts: 531; Member since: Sep 14, 2017

Can't they just post the firmware online and post the steps required to do it through ADB shell for at least the tech savvy ones of us. No one is going to courier it to them to get it, even though it's an important feature. I'm 99% sure it can be done at home with root access and wiping the phone. You screwed it up, Oneplus. Time to fix it, and the right way. And I hope that the Oneplus 6 at least has this by default.

posted on Feb 25, 2018, 12:31 AM 0

5. RebelwithoutaClue

Posts: 5485; Member since: Apr 05, 2013

Nope Google is demanding it has to be done using an authorized PC. Otherwise, anybody can just put the DRM on their phones. And they are fixing it, the right way. Just not the way you like it.

posted on Feb 25, 2018, 5:37 AM 0

4. foreverNOOB

Posts: 143; Member since: Jul 07, 2017

I had purchased my OP5T from India to be using in my country. if i want my phone to get update, i need to travel back to India for the sake of the new update...WTF!! There is one easier way for me... Just put it on sale as a second hand item, then i'm done with it.

posted on Feb 25, 2018, 3:38 AM 1

6. RebelwithoutaClue

Or just contact OnePlus and send it directly to them.

posted on Feb 25, 2018, 5:38 AM 0

7. KingSam

Posts: 1346; Member since: Mar 13, 2016

You probably don't even use Netflix so shut up. Btw I wonder if people are safe sending their device to OnePlus with all their data.

posted on Feb 25, 2018, 6:46 AM 1

10. ebilcake

Posts: 1215; Member since: Jul 16, 2016

Hell no, wipe it first.

posted on Feb 25, 2018, 2:49 PM 0

8. therealestmc

Posts: 679; Member since: Jul 23, 2012

I use Netflix and I never noticed the quality was bad. Anyway, how did OnePlus think that was a good idea to ship the phone without such an important feature?

posted on Feb 25, 2018, 10:32 AM 0

11. ebilcake

Cost cutting, hoped nobody would notice.

posted on Feb 25, 2018, 3:17 PM 0

9. ebilcake

Realistically you're probably looking at 1-2 weeks without your phone, that's a terrible solution and I doubt many will bother. How about compensating customers as well? free headphones maybe like there should have been in the first place. Really "generous" to cover shipping for their f**k up.