OnePlus

OnePlus 5: Pros and Cons

Android OS v7.1.1 (Nougat)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 MSM8998
Adreno 540
6 GB / 64 GB
5.5 inch (1080 x 1920 px)
16 MP, 4608 x 3456 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization

OnePlus announced the launch of the 5 smartphone in 2017. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.5 inch AMOLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 MSM8998 SoC, and 6 GB of RAM. The smartphone runs on the Android OS v7.1.1 (Nougat) operating system. The AMOLED display provides deep blacks, vibrant colors, fast response times. This phone has only one rear-camera (16 MP, 4608 x 3456 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization) on its back for photos and videos. Will it prove its worth? I aim to reveal that by the end of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the OnePlus 5 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

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OnePlus 5 specifications

BrandOnePlus
Name5
ModelFIVE
Release date2017

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.4 oz
Dimensions6.07 x 2.92 x 0.29 inch
Colorsblack, gray
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of the OnePlus 5 is still considered to be lightweight and portable. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a subscriber identity module (SIM), which is a chip card.

OnePlus 5 / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v7.1.1 (Nougat)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 835 MSM8998
CPUOcta-core, Quad-core 2.45 GHz Kryo, Quad-core 1.9 GHz Kryo
GPUAdreno 540

The OnePlus 5 comes with Android OS v7.1.1 (Nougat) out of the box. Google regularly releases new versions of Android. They have new features, improvements, and security updates. This CPU makes it ideal for running resource-intensive applications. Smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices use Adreno GPUs.

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Display type, size, resolution

Display typeAMOLED
Screen size5.5 inch
Resolution1080 x 1920 px
Multitouch supportyes

AMOLED displays are famous for their vibrant colors. They also have high contrast and are energy efficient. The 5.5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.

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Memory, storage

RAM6 GB
Internal storage64 GB
Memory card slotno

The OnePlus 5 comes with 6 GB of RAM, which is considered to be sufficient for most users' needs. The needed RAM amount for good performance depends on factors. These include the OS, the apps, and the services you use. 64 GB of storage is usually seen as good for a smartphone. It should be enough for most users. The internal storage of the OnePlus 5 (6 GB) cannot be expanded.

Cameras, flash

Main camera16 MP, 4608 x 3456 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization
FlashLED
Selfie camera8 MP

You may have budget limits. Or, you may prioritize other features over a multi-camera system. If so, this single camera setup can be a good choice. The 5 offers optical image stabilization (OIS) for their rear camera systems.

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv5.0, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCyes
FM radiono
USBUSB Type-C
Headphone3.5 mm jack

Worldwide, people use 4G networks. They have become the standard for mobile networks in many countries. This OnePlus phone can connect to Wi-Fi networks at home, at work, or in public places. You can use Bluetooth to connect your 5 smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. This phone has a built-in GPS receiver. The 5 has a built-in NFC chip, which allows it to support various NFC applications and services. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 3300 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 3300 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. The 5 does not have a removable battery, it integrates the battery into the phone's design.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, hall, light, proximity
SpecialsCorning Gorilla Glass 5, Dual SIM, Fast charging, Sony Exmor RS, OxygenOS, Dash Charge

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The 5 smartphone has an accelerometer. The fingerprint reader is a biometric security feature found in 5 smartphones. The light sensor is a type of sensor in a smartphone. It lets the phone measure light intensity around the device. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use.

With fast charging, you can get a significant amount of battery life in a few minutes of charging. Corning Gorilla Glass is a type of chemically strengthened super-glass.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this OnePlus phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • AMOLED display
  • adequate memory
  • optical image stabilization (OIS)
  • Dual SIM support
  • Corning Gorilla Glass shield

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • non-expandable storage
  • single camera setup
  • no 5G support
  • low-capacity battery
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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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