OnePlus 5 Unveiling Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Introduction

The OnePlus 5 was launched in June 2017, positioned as a powerful flagship smartphone offering premium features at a competitive price point. Even though it's now discontinued, the OnePlus 5 still retains its appeal for smartphone enthusiasts who appreciate its design, performance, and software experience. This article provides a comprehensive examination of the OnePlus 5, exploring its design, hardware capabilities, camera features, battery performance, and additional features that make this device noteworthy.

Design and Build

The OnePlus 5 boasts a sleek and sophisticated design, featuring a sturdy build quality that combines a glass front protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and an aluminum back and frame. Measuring 154.2 x 74.1 x 7.3 mm and weighing 153 grams, the OnePlus 5 is lightweight and slim, making it comfortable to hold and easy to operate with one hand. The device supports dual SIM functionality, utilizing Nano-SIM cards in a dual standby arrangement, which is convenient for users managing multiple numbers or networks.

The design elements include smooth curves and a meticulous attention to detail that reflect the brand's commitment to aesthetics. Available in colors like Midnight Black and Slate Gray, the phone appeals to users who prefer understated elegance over flashy design choices.

Display

The OnePlus 5 is equipped with a 5.5-inch Optic AMOLED display that delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks, thanks to its 1080 x 1920 pixel resolution at a 16:9 aspect ratio. With a pixel density of approximately 401 ppi, the display offers sharp and clear visuals, making it ideal for media consumption and gaming. The screen-to-body ratio is approximately 73.0%, providing an immersive viewing experience without making the device bulky.

Additionally, the display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, which enhances durability against scratches and minor drops, ensuring longevity and reliability.

Performance

Under the hood, the OnePlus 5 is powered by the Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 chipset, which was top-of-the-line in 2017. Its octa-core CPU, consisting of four 2.45 GHz Kryo and four 1.9 GHz Kryo cores, delivers a balanced combination of power and efficiency. The Adreno 540 GPU complements the CPU, providing excellent graphics performance for gaming and multimedia applications.

The device offers two variants in terms of memory and storage: one with 64GB of internal storage paired with 6GB of RAM and the other with 128GB of storage coupled with 8GB of RAM. This ample memory ensures smooth multitasking and sufficient storage space for applications, media, and other data needs, though it lacks an option for memory expansion via microSD card.

Camera Capabilities

Photography is a notable strong point of the OnePlus 5, featuring a dual rear camera setup. The primary camera comprises a 16 MP sensor with an f/1.7 aperture for wide-angle shots, enhanced by Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF). The secondary 20 MP camera offers a standard view with an f/2.6 aperture, 1.6x optical zoom, and autofocus capabilities.

The combination of these cameras allows users to capture high-quality photos with refined detail and color accuracy. Features such as HDR, panorama mode, and dual-LED flash further enhance the photographic experience. The camera supports video recording at 4K resolution at 30fps, as well as other modes including 1080p at 30/60 fps and slow-motion recording at 720p up to 480 fps.

For selfies and video calls, the OnePlus 5 employs a 16 MP front-facing camera with an f/2.0 aperture and Auto-HDR, ensuring clear and detailed selfies even in challenging lighting conditions. The front camera also supports 1080p video recording with gyro-EIS for stabilized output.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 5 is powered by a non-removable Li-Po 3300 mAh battery. With moderate usage, the battery offers endurance that can easily last a full day, supported by its 83-hour endurance rating in older battery tests. The phone's power management is further complemented by the efficient Snapdragon 835 processor.

Charging the OnePlus 5 is fast and straightforward, thanks to its 20W wired charging capability. This ensures the battery can be rapidly recharged in a short period, which is a significant benefit for users on the go.

Software Experience

Out of the box, the OnePlus 5 runs on Android 7.1.1 Nougat, customized with the OxygenOS 10.0.0 skin. OxygenOS is known for being close to stock Android in terms of appearance and functionality, with the integration of useful additional features that enhance user experience without causing bloat.

OnePlus has ensured that the OnePlus 5 continues to benefit from software updates, with the ability to upgrade all the way to Android 10. This illustrates a commitment to providing ongoing support and improvements to their devices, keeping them relevant even years after their initial release.

Additional Features

The OnePlus 5 includes a diverse array of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD support for improved wireless audio quality, and GPS supported by multiple systems such as GLONASS, BDS, and GALILEO. NFC functionality is present, facilitating contactless payments and other convenient wireless interactions.

For audio, the OnePlus 5 maintains a 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature appreciated by audiophiles who prefer traditional wired headphones over the growing trend of eliminating this port in newer devices. The device also features a front-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass, contributing to a comprehensive sensory suite that enhances user interaction and security.

The OnePlus 5's loudspeaker offers adequate sound output with voice, noise, and ring levels tested at 69dB, 72dB, and 77dB respectively, ensuring good audio quality for media and calls. Furthermore, its audio quality in terms of noise and crosstalk is measured at -94.1dB and -94.2dB, respectively, indicating high fidelity in audio reproduction.

Conclusion

The OnePlus 5 remains an exemplar of what a flagship smartphone should be, offering robust performance, quality construction, capable cameras, and a smooth user experience. Its carefully chosen features, supported by competitive pricing at around 500 EUR at the time of release, position it as a highly desirable device even in today's market.

Although the OnePlus 5 has been discontinued, its legacy endures as a symbol of OnePlus's commitment to delivering high-performance technology accessible to a wide range of users, setting a benchmark for future technology innovations in the smartphone industry.