Is the OnePlus 10 Pro the Best Android Phone Under $1,000?
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The OnePlus 10 Pro — the hardware maker’s latest flagship smartphone — is a noteworthy and welcome addition to the crowded Android market. Like all OnePlus phones that rock a “Pro” tag, the newcomer brings sleek design and top-notch hardware specs that include a powerful chip, a cutting-edge display, and a multi-sensor camera at a competitive price point.
OnePlus 10 Pro 5G Android Smartphone
$525.00
amazon.com
Key Specs
• Qualcomm Snapdragon Gen 1 chipset
• 6.7-inch QHD+ AMOLED display with 120 Hz maximum refresh rate, HDR compatibility
• Triple camera with 48MP main, 8MP telephoto, 50MP ultra-wide, 32MP selfie camera
• 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage
• 5G, Wi-Fi 6
• 5,000 mAh, fast wired and wireless charging, reverse wireless charging
• Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos
I’ve been looking forward to putting the OnePlus 10 Pro to the test since I first heard about it a few months ago. At a glance, the product is a solid competitor to the big-screen Samsung Galaxy S and Google Pixel smartphones with beefier specs for a similar or lower cost.
After weeks of daily testing, the OnePlus 10 Pro met my expectations for being a stellar alternative to the deservedly popular top-shelf Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones. Here's everything you need to know about the device’s design, hardware, and performance.
DESIGN
Over the past few years, bezel-free screens have become ubiquitous on Android phones regardless of their sticker. Thankfully, the OnePlus 10 Pro's uniquely shaped rear camera has a glossy ceramic finish that helps it stand out from both its predecessors and its direct competitors — the Samsung Galaxy S22+ and the Google Pixel 6 Pro.
Thanks to its fingerprint-resistant glass finish and aluminum frame, the OnePlus 10 Pro has a lovely in-hand feel. Not only does it look great in its classic volcanic black and eye-catching emerald-green offerings, but it's also built to last. OnePlus has crafted the 10 Pro using Gorilla Glass Victus and Gorilla Glass 5, and while both materials are resistant to scratches and damage from accidental drops, I still recommend using a protective cover just in case (pun intended!).
Oddly, the unlocked OnePlus 10 Pro I tested doesn’t have an official rating for water resistance, even though the T-Mobile version comes with a robust IP68 certification. A OnePlus representative assured me that the phone is indeed water-resistant, so I’m guessing that the unlocked iteration lacks a rating to keep its cost in check.
DISPLAY
The curved 6.7-inch AMOLED display of the OnePlus 10 Pro is excellent and one of the best in its class. It produces vibrant colors, infinite contrast, and fluid interactions thanks to a maximum refresh rate of 120 Hz. The latter can adjust based on the task and the content, saving you more battery life in the process.
During my testing, the OnePlus 10 Pro’s screen delivered a top-tier experience while browsing the web, endless scrolling through Instagram, and navigating my email inbox, to name a few tasks.
Compared to the Samsung Galaxy S22+, the screen of the OnePlus 10 Pro is not only slightly bigger but also significantly sharper. That said, Samsung’s display is on another level for maximum brightness and is better for outdoor use.
CAMERA
A multisensor camera is pretty much mandatory for all high-end phones on the market, and the 10 Pro checks all the boxes. Compared to the similarly priced Pixel 6 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S22+, the OnePlus 10 Pro brings an ultra wide rear sensor and a selfie camera with more megapixels. Its rivals have sharper telephoto sensors and better optical zoom capabilities, and, in the case of the big-screen Pixel, the difference is quite significant.
If you're a mobile shutterbug obsessed with pixel-by-pixel quality, you should take a long look at the latest Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy S phones. Their image processing is on another level, so you’ll get detailed photos with more natural colors.
With the OnePlus 10 Pro, you’re able to snap high-quality images from every sensor in most lighting scenarios, including even low-light settings. And although photo quality is solid, it's not the best in its class.
The 8K video recording of the 10 Pro is on par with the Samsung Galaxy S 22 product family. The incredibly detailed videos have four times more megapixels than 4K, and you can also snap high-resolution stills while recording.
PERFORMANCE
I’ve been testing OnePlus phones since 2016, and the products have always been among the fastest, most powerful money can buy, and the OnePlus 10 Pro is no exception. It packs the same Qualcomm Snapdragon Gen 1 chip as Samsung’s Galaxy S22 phones and plenty of RAM, so it is as futureproof as a 2022 Android phone can be. It conquered every task I threw at it with ease — from switching between a double-digit amount of open apps and editing images to competitive online gameplay.
The powerful 5,000 mAh battery has the same capacity as the much pricier Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. While testing it, I always got a full day of heavy use from the OnePlus 10 Pro and never worried about midday recharging sessions. Its convenient reverse wireless charging capability came in handy when my wireless earbuds needed a boost on a few occasions.
Not only does the battery life last, but it charges quickly, too. In fact, the OnePlus 10 Pro is in a league of its own and miles ahead of its competitors when it comes to charging speeds. Its bundled 65-watt charging adapter — a notably missing accessory in its rivals’ boxes, can bring the device’s empty battery to a full charge in a mind-altering 34 minutes.
While evaluating the 10 Pro, I was amazed at how quickly its battery indicator changed while charging it. Paired with a OnePlus 50W wireless charger, the phone's charging speed is just as incredible, allowing you to fully power up in just 40 minutes.
USER EXPERIENCE
Dubbed OxygenOS, the custom Android 12 interface of the OnePlus 10 Pro complements its hardware nicely, offering instant transitions and countless customization options to tailor the experience to your exact taste.
One particular bit I enjoyed a lot while testing the OnePlus is the haptic feedback it offers, which treats you to subtle sensory input responses. It is one of the best I have encountered on an Android phone, making even mundane interactions feel more enjoyable. The customizable under-display fingerprint animations were also cool.
According to OnePlus, the 10 Pro will receive three years of Android platform updates, and four years’ worth of monthly security updates, meaning that it will deliver a top-tier experience until your next phone upgrade. While testing it, the phone received one, so my experience is off to a good start. However, Google and Samsung phones have been consistently excellent for years, so OnePlus has hefty expectations to meet.
WRAP-UP
The OnePlus 10 Pro is the best alternative to the finest Samsung and Google Androids. Hardware specs are always important when shopping for an Android phone, and if you're looking for the best under $1,000, you should definitely consider the 10 Pro. Its charging speeds alone might alter your expectations and usage patterns, but keep in mind that its Android rivals have better camera quality.
You should also know that although the OnePlus 10 Pro is incompatible with AT&T 5G networks, it will deliver full 5G functionality on T-Mobile and Verizon. I had a great experience testing it out on Google Fi as well, which mainly relies on the T-Mobile infrastructure.
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