The OnePlus 6 Is a Sleek Smartphone That Doubles as a Speed Demon
The OnePlus 6 smartphone is the latest chapter in its manufacturer’s quest for delivering uncompromising performance and value in equal measure. The highly anticipated Android newcomer brings sharp new looks and the usual long list of top-shelf specs we’ve come to expect from OnePlus.
This Is the Sleekest OnePlus Yet
With an elegant, glass-covered body and a front that’s almost entirely all-screen, the OnePlus 6 is the company’s most elegant smartphone to date. The device’s build quality and tactility are also impeccable, though it’s worth noting that its glass back is prone to smudges, so you might be better off covering it with a case.
There are three great colors to choose from: Mirror Black (like the device we tested), a Midnight Black option with a matte finish, and Silk White. The last one will be available as a limited edition.
OnePlus has kept its signature horizon line and alert slider, and we like them both. The former runs elegantly through the sides of the device, and, in our opinion, the alert slider should come standard on all phones out there.
We really wish that OnePlus had avoided the iPhone-esque notch on the phone’s display - it’s becoming a bit too common in new smartphones lately. However, it’s hard to argue with the company’s desire to give users as much screen space as possible.
Today’s most popular Android apps are compatible with the quirky design solution, so you can view them in full screen. There’s also the option to conceal it in the UI settings - the feature works well thanks to the device’s AMOLED display.
It's important to note that unlike other high-end smartphones available today, the OnePlus 6 is not rated as capable of surviving water submersion. Its maker claims that the phone has a water-resistant design, so it should be able to handle rain and accidental splashes of liquid. Still, the OnePlus limited warranty doesn’t cover damage from liquid, so you might want to check your pockets carefully before jumping into the pool.
It Has a Display You’ll Instantly Love
The 6.3-inch AMOLED display of the OnePlus 6 takes up 84% of its front, so it’s as attention-grabbing as it gets. The screen is sharp and incredibly vibrant, thanks to its exceptional contrast (all OLED panels display black color by literally switching off pixels). OnePlus allows you to tweak the color mode of the screen to your liking in the settings. You can choose between several preset options, or create your own.
Praise-Worthy Performance Features That Don't Disappoint
The OnePlus 6 is wickedly fast, and we're not even remotely surprised by this. The phone packs Qualcomm’s range-topping Snapdragon 845 chipset, coupled with a desktop-computer-worthy 8 GB of RAM. As a result, there’s no slowing down the device, regardless of what you throw at it.
You can expect to easily get a full day of heavy use from the 3,300 mAh battery of the OnePlus 6 - right in line with what we’ve come to expect from a high-end smartphone these days. Being mindful with your screen-on time will make your trips to a power outlet even less frequent, too.
The Dash Charge tech by OnePlus is one of the fastest wired charging options in the business, and it's a pleasure to use. You'll get hours of screen-on time from your OnePlus 6 after just minutes on the charger.
As excellent as Dash Charge is, we feel that OnePlus should have also added wireless charging to its latest smartphone. The solution is nowhere near as fast as the OnePlus wired charging tech, but there’s no denying how seamlessly convenient it is.
The bottom-firing loudspeaker of the phone is adequate. Stereo speakers would have suited the excellent display of the OnePlus 6 much better - they come standard on the device’s competitors from the likes of Apple, Google, and Samsung.
A Fantastic User Experience You'll Love to Interact With
The OnePlus 6 runs Android Oreo with the manufacturer’s Oxygen OS custom user interface. Designed with speed and fluidity in mind, the UI has retained the sleek looks of stock Android, yet it adds a whole bunch of cool and useful features.
OnePlus has added a number of useful on- and off-screen gesture controls, a gaming mode that pauses notifications and prioritizes data traffic for the title you're playing, and an AMOLED screen-friendly dark theme. There’s also an excellent reading mode, which changes the screen colors of the phone to grayscale.
Oxygen OS also includes a Face Unlock feature that’s fast and convenient. However, it's not as secure as using the excellent fingerprint sensor of the OnePlus 6.
The Dual-Camera Is a Nice Touch
The dual-camera setup of the OnePlus 6 includes a 16 MP main snapper with optical image stabilization and a 20 MP secondary one. The secondary camera is tasked with gathering data, so that the main unit can capture nicer-looking photos. Both sensors have a bright f/1.7 aperture.
The image quality of the OnePlus 6 is a solid improvement over its predecessors, which is hardly a surprise given that the device has a larger image sensor and image stabilization. The images captured by the phone are excellent for a device in its price range, offering well-processed colors and good dynamic range. Just don’t expect them to send the industry-leading camera phones from Apple, Google, and Samsung packing.
Thanks to its powerful hardware, the OnePlus 6 can capture 4K video at a smooth 60 fps. You can also record slow-motion footage at a whopping 480 fps.
Final Verdict: It's a Speed Demon in a Sleek Smartphone
The OnePlus 6 is honest in its design and intentions. It’s incredibly sleek, mind-bendingly fast, and it offers a clean and fluid user experience. Overall, the phone is truly a joy to use, just like the model it's replacing.
That said, we feel that OnePlus should have made the phone waterproof to bring it on par with the devices it’s going to compete with. Lack of stereo speakers and wireless charging are also worth a mention, given the higher price tag of the OnePlus 6. All three features aren't deal-breakers, yet we’ve come to expect them from premium phones in 2018.
The OnePlus 6 pricing starts at a reasonable $529 for a variant with 6 GB of RAM and 64 GB of nonexpandable storage. Stepping up to 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage will cost you $579. The range-topping OnePlus 6 with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage will set you back $629. The phone is compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile and their affiliate carriers in the United States.
We highly recommend that you grab one of the excellent original OnePlus cases when you shop for the phone. For the first time, OnePlus is also offering all-new Bullets wireless earbuds that play nicely with the 6.
More from Best Products:
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