Price and specifications of OnePlus 2 advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Introduction to OnePlus 2

Before diving into the technical specifications and features of the OnePlus 2, it's important to understand the context in which this device was launched. Announced in July 2015 and released in August of the same year, the OnePlus 2 was the company's second flagship smartphone. It was marketed as the "2016 Flagship Killer" due to its impressive hardware and competitive pricing starting at about 300 EUR. However, the OnePlus 2's journey was not without challenges, and it holds an interesting place in the evolution of OnePlus as a brand.

Design and Build Quality

The OnePlus 2 boasts a premium design with a glass front protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, a plastic back, and an aluminum frame. Its dimensions are 151.8 x 74.9 x 9.9 mm, and it weighs 175 g, making it slightly heavier than its competitors at the time. The device supports dual SIM cards (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by), an attractive feature for users in markets where managing multiple connections is essential. The initial model was available in Sandstone Black, a color that became synonymous with OnePlus' branding.

Display

The OnePlus 2 features a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display, offering a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels with an approximate pixel density of 401 ppi. The screen-to-body ratio is about 73.3%, which provides a decent viewing experience for various types of media consumption. While not AMOLED, the IPS panel provides good color reproduction and viewing angles under normal light conditions. However, the contrast and visibility in direct sunlight have room for improvement, with contrast ratios of 1187 (nominal) and 2.165 in sunlight.

Performance

Under the hood, the OnePlus 2 is powered by the Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 chipset, built on the 20 nm process. This octa-core processor consists of four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.56 GHz and four Cortex-A57 cores running at 1.82 GHz. It is accompanied by the Adreno 430 GPU. While the Snapdragon 810 was a powerful chip in its day, it was notorious for overheating issues which affected the performance of devices relying on it, including the OnePlus 2.

The device comes with two configurations: one with 16GB of internal storage and 3GB of RAM, and another with 64GB of storage paired with 4GB of RAM. Unfortunately, the OnePlus 2 does not feature a card slot, so users are limited to the built-in storage capacities.

In terms of software, the OnePlus 2 shipped with Android 5.1 (Lollipop) with the company's custom OxygenOS 3.5.6 UI on top. It was upgradable to Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow). OxygenOS was praised for retaining the stock Android experience while offering additional features and customization options.

Camera Capabilities

The main camera on the OnePlus 2 is a 13 MP sensor with an f/2.0 aperture, 1/2.6" sensor size, and 1.3µm pixel size. It features Laser Autofocus, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), and a dual-LED flash. The camera is capable of capturing videos in various formats, including 4K at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps, and 720p at 120fps. It also supports HDR and stereo sound recording.

The selfie camera offers a 5 MP resolution with an f/2.4 aperture, supporting 720p video recording at 30fps. While not groundbreaking, it was adequate for video calls and casual selfies.

Sound and Connectivity

The OnePlus 2 comes equipped with a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, crucial for audio enthusiasts who preferred wired audio solutions.

For connectivity, it features Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Bluetooth 4.1 with A2DP, and GPS with GLONASS. However, it lacks Near Field Communication (NFC) and a radio, which were drawbacks for users who frequently used NFC for mobile payments and data transfer. The presence of a USB Type-C 2.0 port represented a forward-thinking move for faster data transfer and charging.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 2 is powered by a non-removable Li-Po 3300 mAh battery. In terms of endurance, it offers up to 61 hours of standby time. While the battery capacity seems sufficient, real-world usage reflects that it could often struggle to last a full day under heavy use, an area where advancements in battery technology over the years have made significant improvements.

Sensors and Other Features

The device includes a front-mounted fingerprint sensor, which was a notable feature at its time, providing a secure and quick way to unlock the device. Other sensors included accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass.

Conclusion

The OnePlus 2 represents a significant step in the evolution of smartphones, attempting to deliver flagship-grade components at a fraction of the price of its competitors. However, it was not without its share of challenges, notably the overheating issues associated with the Snapdragon 810 processor and the absence of NFC and expandable storage. Nevertheless, it remains a crucial part of OnePlus' journey to becoming a major player in the smartphone industry. Despite being discontinued, its legacy continues to influence design and functionality decisions in contemporary devices.