OnePlus 3T Review

Update: Read our OnePlus 5 review!

Introduction

The OnePlus 3T comes just five months after the launch of the OnePlus 3. Why so soon?

Simple: OnePlus got the newer and more powerful Snapdragon 821 system chip and heard users' complaints about the not-so-great battery life on the OnePlus 3, and it took the opportunity to improve on these two key aspects of the experience.

Along with those improvements, it increased the price: the OnePlus 3T 64GB model costs $440, $40 more than the OnePlus 3 with the same amount of storage. There is also a new, 128 gig option for the OnePlus 3T for $480. Yes, this is slightly more expensive than before, but when you compare it to phones with similar hardware and screen size like the Google Pixel XL, the OnePlus 3T is still nearly half their price.

Specs, however, don’t tell us much about the actual experience of using the OnePlus 3T: that’s why we’ve been using the phone over the past week to tell you how good of a device it is. Join us below for the full OnePlus 3T review.

Design

Same refined, premium design as the OnePlus 3, the pre-applied screen protector is a nice touch.

In terms of its physical design, the OnePlus 3T is the exact same phone as the OnePlus 3: same form, same thickness, all to a degree that guarantees that OnePlus 3 cases fit the 3T perfectly.

There is one thing changed in the outwards appearance, though, and that is color: the new 3T features a darker, ‘gunmetal’ grey that looks great. The old light silver shade of the OnePlus 3 is no longer available. There is also a second, soft gold color option, but that one is only available on the 64GB OnePlus 3T and is in very limited supply.

Just like the OnePlus 3, the 3T comes with a pre-applied screen protector right out of the box: and just like before it’s a little too narrow, not covering the full width of the screen, and when you use it you constantly feel its sharp edge interfere with the otherwise smooth glass surface. Yes, this is a minor thing, but you can’t help but notice it. OnePlus is also selling a better, full-width $20 screen protector on its official website, and we recommend considering buying one.

Then, there is the mute switch. It’s an extremely convenient little thing that we’ve come to appreciate more and more. We wish more phones had it.

Along with the launch of the 3T, the company also brings an optional, separately purchased new case: an ebony wood option that looks great. This brings it to a total of six cases made by OnePlus itself: there’s the signature sandstone one, a bamboo one, a karbon one, as well as a few wooden cases. While they are not meant to protect from heavy drops, they do an excellent job at being light and stylish, as well as protecting from scratches.

Display

Great display: you can choose between the default vivid color mode and sRGB mode, which is for those who want accurate colors.

The OnePlus 3T features a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels. And it looks great.

Some might be concerned about sharpness: yes, it’s not as sharp as Quad HD screens, but the difference is very hard to notice in real life, and you really have to look at the screen from very up close to notice it’s not as sharp. It’s a non-issue.

In terms of colors, the default setting of the screen is for vivid colors that pop right at you, whites are a bit on the blue side, and while technically the colors are not very well calibrated, this is the typical default AMOLED look that many users like.

Luckily, it’s not the only option: many users, including photography professionals and others who care for accurate rather than impressive color, would prefer the sRGB color standard. You can switch to it easily: go into Settings > Display > Screen Calibration, and select the sRGB option. We’ve measured the phone in this mode as well, and it is very well balanced, with very accurate colors. Try both color modes and choose the one you like more, we tend to go for sRGB.

We also find the screen is not too reflective and is comfortable and easy to read outdoors.