Well, the OnePlus 5 is here and the reviews were....rather mixed.
The OP5 continues its tradition of supreme hardware specs combined with a relatively affordable price tag for the relative hardware on offer. However, the device also has its share of criticisms, ranging from its camera to the 1080p PenTile display.
Some think it's fine while others think that these do not complement the increased price tag well, especially with the onslaught of deals with phones like the Galaxy S8.
Personally, I fall in the latter camp. I think we ought to start being slightly more critical. Here's why.
Every OnePlus flagship has creeped up in price over the last one. While the 128GB variant of the OP5 is $540, significantly cheaper than others with equivalent storage, the phone is already well past the $500 mark, and this is where we start to throw in offerings like the LG G6, HTC U11 and even the standard Galaxy S8 with deals in the case of that phone.
At that price point, any shortcoming is harder to look over, such as an okay-but-inconsistent camera and a display that, while fine, is nothing really that special.
If OnePlus is aiming to become a mainstream brand soon, I think we also need to look at the company from a different perspective.
The OP5 continues its tradition of supreme hardware specs combined with a relatively affordable price tag for the relative hardware on offer. However, the device also has its share of criticisms, ranging from its camera to the 1080p PenTile display.
Some think it's fine while others think that these do not complement the increased price tag well, especially with the onslaught of deals with phones like the Galaxy S8.
Personally, I fall in the latter camp. I think we ought to start being slightly more critical. Here's why.
Every OnePlus flagship has creeped up in price over the last one. While the 128GB variant of the OP5 is $540, significantly cheaper than others with equivalent storage, the phone is already well past the $500 mark, and this is where we start to throw in offerings like the LG G6, HTC U11 and even the standard Galaxy S8 with deals in the case of that phone.
At that price point, any shortcoming is harder to look over, such as an okay-but-inconsistent camera and a display that, while fine, is nothing really that special.
If OnePlus is aiming to become a mainstream brand soon, I think we also need to look at the company from a different perspective.