OnePlus 5 Initial impressions- I'm on the fence

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

I tried the OnePlus 5 earlier.

Quite honestly, it's a good phone, especially if you value sheer performance. Make no mistake, this thing is FAST. It's pretty hard to get this thing to cough up.

It's not all roses, though. 1080p is fine for daily use but the display wasn't all that bright and I can actually see some slight pixelation even without overly squinting, possibly due to the PenTile submatrix. It won't bother most but it's something to note. The camera is also good but not to the degree it was hyped. In most conditions, it will deliver a solid photo but I wouldn't recommend using the zoom lens in anything other than good lighting as the smaller pixels and smaller aperture lead to more noise and as a result, heavier NR.

$540 is actually not a bad price at all for the specs you get, but that also means it's getting some competition from some actual flagships. Not all of them can touch the OnePlus for sheer speed, but some, like the G6, offers a more flexible camera while others provides more features.

It's your call on what you prefer.

 

[ODog2323]

I'm pretty happy with my OP5. My biggest gripe is the camera. Obviously I don't expect it to go toe to toe with the 900 dollar flagship, but it's missed too many shots for me.

 

[AJ Bankston]

Wow...after reading this thread its pretty obvious ill be keeping my G6 instead of trading it for the OP5. The only thing I don't like about my G6 is the rear placement of the home button and the lag that i get once in a while, but then I remember that I got the phone for 50% off through AT&T so I paid around $320 for it. Well worth the flaws.

 

[LeKeiser]

I love people bringing over and over the lack of water resistance IP68... I've had dumbphones and then smarphones for 20 years and never once have I dropped one in the toilet... I don't use my phone in the shower... And when it's raining, I'm usually running to find a cover, I don't stand under the rain with my phone to check the weather :O

Also, I don't understand people complaining about the display. It's a really good display. I have also an Axon 7 QHD and side by side, playing a movie, you can't tell the difference. If I use the same picture, you can't tell the difference. Or you have to come so close to the display that 1) you'll look stupid, and 2) you'll see only a part of the picture, and you'll look stupid.

I love people saying they can cope with the lag on their phone, and yet criticize the O+5 for whatever reason, like the design, or the lack of IP68, or...

 

[codeda]

I love people bringing over and over the lack of water resistance IP68... I've had dumbphones and then smarphones for 20 years and never once have I dropped one in the toilet... I don't use my phone in the shower... And when it's raining, I'm usually running to find a cover, I don't stand under the rain with my phone to check the weather :O

Also, I don't understand people complaining about the display. It's a really good display. I have also an Axon 7 QHD and side by side, playing a movie, you can't tell the difference. If I use the same picture, you can't tell the difference. Or you have to come so close to the display that 1) you'll look stupid, and 2) you'll see only a part of the picture, and you'll look stupid.

I love people saying they can cope with the lag on their phone, and yet criticize the O+5 for whatever reason, like the design, or the lack of IP68, or...

I live somewhere where it rains a lot (Seattle) no one runs for cover every time it rains. They just go about their life. Pretty handy to also have a phone that I don't have to worry about in that weather in case water gets in my purse or pocket or if I need to pull it out for transit or walking directions. So, like most things on a cellphone, it isn't a necessity, but it can sure be nice to have.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

Also, I don't understand people complaining about the display. It's a really good display. I have also an Axon 7 QHD and side by side, playing a movie, you can't tell the difference. If I use the same picture, you can't tell the difference. Or you have to come so close to the display that 1) you'll look stupid, and 2) you'll see only a part of the picture, and you'll look stupid.

I can actually see the resolution difference.

I was watching a Mr Mobile video and I can actually see some pixelation on the Mr Mobile logo on the bottom right corner. It’s not obvious but it’s there. I didn’t really have to squint.

Really, I’m more let down by how it doesn’t seem to get much brighter. The OP3T was next to it and the OP5 was about the same, if not a little dimmer. You might be asking why do I need a brighter panel. Well, I use my phone in outdoor conditions a little more often than I thought, so a readable panel is important.

At a lower price point, I can let it slide. At sub-$500, I’ll have to mention it as we’re close to the point where any downsides are more obvious.

 

[blended84]

super disappointed at the release - photo reviews aren't great for a company which is promoting it as the main selling point. This was my gonna be my next phone... not so much now...