The OnePlus 5T, launched in November 2017, was a significant milestone for OnePlus, solidifying its position as a formidable player in the smartphone market. Known for delivering flagship-level features at a competitive price, OnePlus continued this trend with the 5T, a phone that offered remarkable performance, an immersive display, and a refined design. Even years after its release, the OnePlus 5T remains a notable example of how the company managed to balance power, design, and value, appealing to a wide range of consumers.
Contents
Design and Build: Sleek and Sophisticated
The OnePlus 5T marked a departure from its predecessor, the OnePlus 5, in terms of design. One of the most noticeable changes was the shift to an 18:9 aspect ratio, which allowed for a larger 6.01-inch display without significantly increasing the phone’s physical size. This edge-to-edge display provided a more immersive viewing experience, perfect for watching videos, playing games, or browsing the web.
The phone’s body was crafted from anodized aluminum, giving it a premium feel and a robust build quality. Despite its larger screen, the OnePlus 5T remained relatively compact, with slim bezels and a curved back that made it comfortable to hold. The fingerprint sensor was moved to the back of the device to accommodate the new display, resulting in a cleaner and more modern front design.
The OnePlus 5T also retained the signature alert slider, a small but appreciated feature that allowed users to quickly switch between sound profiles. Available in Midnight Black and later in a limited edition Lava Red, the phone’s minimalist design was both functional and aesthetically pleasing, appealing to users who appreciate a clean and understated look.
Display: A Vivid Visual Experience
One of the standout features of the OnePlus 5T was its 6.01-inch Optic AMOLED display. With a resolution of 2160 x 1080 pixels, the display offered sharp visuals with vibrant colors and deep blacks, characteristics typical of AMOLED technology. The 18:9 aspect ratio provided more screen real estate for multitasking and media consumption, making it an ideal choice for users who prioritize display quality.
The display also featured Sunlight Display technology, which adjusted the screen’s brightness and contrast based on ambient lighting conditions. This ensured that the screen remained readable even under direct sunlight, a useful feature for users who frequently use their phones outdoors. Additionally, the OnePlus 5T included a night mode and a reading mode, which adjusted the display settings to reduce eye strain during prolonged use.
Performance: Powerhouse with Speed
Under the hood, the OnePlus 5T was powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, paired with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM, depending on the storage variant. This combination delivered blazing-fast performance, handling everything from intensive gaming to multitasking with ease. The phone’s speed was further enhanced by OnePlus’s OxygenOS, a customized version of Android that was optimized for smooth performance and minimal bloatware.
The Snapdragon 835 was one of the most powerful processors available at the time, and it allowed the OnePlus 5T to compete with other flagship devices in terms of raw power. Whether running graphics-intensive games or switching between multiple apps, the OnePlus 5T showed no signs of lag or slowdown. The 5T also supported UFS 2.1 storage, which ensured fast read and write speeds, further contributing to the device’s overall responsiveness.
OxygenOS on the OnePlus 5T was known for its near-stock Android experience, with added customization options and features that enhanced usability. The software was lightweight, fast, and intuitive, with features like App Priority, which optimized memory usage based on app frequency, and Gaming DND, which blocked notifications during gaming sessions.
Camera: Dual-Lens Versatility
The OnePlus 5T featured a dual-camera setup, with a primary 16-megapixel sensor and a secondary 20-megapixel sensor. Both cameras had an f/1.7 aperture, allowing for improved low-light performance and faster focus speeds. The secondary sensor was designed to enhance low-light photography by using Intelligent Pixel Technology, which combined four smaller pixels into one larger pixel to capture more light and detail.
The dual-camera system also enabled portrait mode, allowing users to take photos with a bokeh effect, where the background is blurred to emphasize the subject. The camera app was user-friendly and offered several shooting modes, including Pro mode, which allowed for manual adjustments to ISO, shutter speed, and white balance. Video recording capabilities were equally impressive, with support for 4K video at 30fps and electronic image stabilization (EIS) to reduce shake and motion blur.
While the OnePlus 5T’s camera system was not the absolute best in its class, it was more than capable of delivering high-quality photos and videos, particularly in good lighting conditions. The inclusion of features like portrait mode and improved low-light performance made it a versatile camera for everyday use.
Battery Life: All-Day Power
Battery life is a crucial aspect of any smartphone, and the OnePlus 5T did not disappoint. Equipped with a 3,300mAh battery, the phone provided all-day battery life under moderate to heavy use. Whether streaming video, browsing the web, or playing games, the OnePlus 5T could easily last through a full day without needing a recharge.
OnePlus’s Dash Charge technology was another highlight, offering fast charging speeds that could top up the battery from 0% to about 60% in just 30 minutes. Unlike some fast-charging technologies, Dash Charge worked efficiently without causing the phone to heat up, ensuring that users could quickly recharge their device without worrying about performance throttling.
Value for Money: A True Flagship Killer
One of the key selling points of the OnePlus 5T was its value for money. Priced significantly lower than other flagship devices from brands like Samsung and Apple, the OnePlus 5T offered similar, if not better, performance in many areas. This made it an attractive option for users who wanted a high-end smartphone experience without the high-end price tag.
The OnePlus 5T was marketed as a “flagship killer,” a term the company had used for its previous models as well. This strategy paid off, as the 5T was widely regarded as one of the best smartphones of 2017, delivering premium features and performance at a fraction of the cost of its competitors.
Legacy and Impact
The OnePlus 5T was a critical and commercial success, helping to establish OnePlus as a major player in the global smartphone market. Its combination of design, performance, and value made it a favorite among tech enthusiasts and everyday users alike. The lessons learned from the 5T’s development influenced subsequent models, including the OnePlus 6 and beyond, which continued to build on the principles of delivering top-tier technology at accessible prices.
Even years after its release, the OnePlus 5T remains a beloved device for many who appreciate its balanced approach to smartphone design. It stands as a testament to OnePlus’s commitment to challenging the status quo, offering consumers a compelling alternative to the more expensive flagship devices on the market.
Conclusion
The OnePlus 5T is a classic example of a smartphone that strikes the perfect balance between power, design, and value. Its sleek design, powerful performance, and thoughtful features made it a standout device in 2017, and it continues to be remembered as one of OnePlus’s most successful models. For users who appreciate a clean, fast, and reliable smartphone experience without breaking the bank, the OnePlus 5T remains a shining example of what can be achieved when innovation meets affordability.