OnePlus has always been the underdog, the brand that challenged the status quo with its “never settle” mantra and a software experience that felt both familiar and fresh. But with its recent absorption into sister company Oppo, the lines have blurred, and its dedication to differentiation is starting to wane. This is particularly evident with the launch of the OnePlus 10T 5G, a phone that feels more like a rebranded Oppo product than a true OnePlus flagship. Despite its impressive specifications, namely the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC and 150W charging, the 10T 5G has made some questionable choices that leave you wondering, “Is this still OnePlus?”
A familiar yet unfamiliar design
The OnePlus 10T 5G’s design bears resemblance to the OnePlus 10 Pro 5G in the way the camera modules are arranged. However, the 10T 5G abandons the separate band for a more integrated, albeit slightly bulging, rear panel. The glossy Jade Green finish, while eye-catching, doesn’t evoke a premium feel, particularly considering the device’s weight and thickness. At 8.75mm thick and 203.5g it feels substantial in your hand. It’s available in a slightly textured Moonstone Black finish as well, but the phone feels more like a bulky, reimagined design rather than the refined aesthetic OnePlus has cultivated.
One of the most significant departures from the OnePlus ethos is the ditching of the iconic alert slider – a signature feature. The omission is attributed to the need for more space for battery capacity, cooling, and better antennas. However, the lack of this feature, combined with the absence of other premium features like wireless charging, an official IP rating, and eSIM support, feels like a step backward, and a rather significant one considering the phone’s price point.
Spec sheet power
Despite these compromises, the OnePlus 10T 5G boasts a compelling spec list. The aforementioned Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip, coupled with up to 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage, delivers blistering performance, promising smooth multitasking and rapid app loading. The phone also flaunts a vibrant 6.7-inch fluid AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and crisp Full HD+ resolution. It packs in support for HDR 10+ and boasts slim bezels and a minimalist chin.
On the power front, the 4800mAh battery promises a decent runtime, while the addition of 150W wired charging allows for an exceptionally fast charging experience. OnePlus boasts about 30 applications running in the background due to the immense RAM capabilities, allowing for seamless multitasking and seamless app switching.
Camera compromises
The camera department, however, marks another departure from OnePlus’s usual standards. The 10T 5G throws back the Hasselblad branding and replaces it with a fairly standard camera setup. While you get a 50-megapixel main camera featuring the Sony IMX766 sensor with optical stabilization and an f/1.8 aperture, the 8-megapixel ultra-wide and 2-megapixel macro cameras feel like an afterthought. Although OnePlus promises improved processing algorithms and 10-bit colour capture support for rich detail even in low light, the camera specifications feel decidedly less impressive compared to other flagships in the market.
The OxygenOS dilemma
The OnePlus 10T 5G ships with OxygenOS 12.1 based on Android 12, which is a departure from the recently announced OxygenOS 13. While OxygenOS 12.1 offers a range of personalization options, including custom fonts and security settings, it is a bit disappointing that the 10T 5G doesn’t come equipped with the latest iteration of OnePlus’s software. This further fuels the concern that OnePlus is becoming increasingly integrated with Oppo, potentially impacting the unique identity it has cultivated.
OnePlus’ identity in question
With the OnePlus 10T 5G, OnePlus has veered away from its previous commitment to providing users with a complete flagship experience. The omission of wireless charging, an IP rating, the alert slider, and Hasselblad camera branding, coupled with the integration of Oppo software, raises a crucial question: is OnePlus still OnePlus? The brand is clearly trying to cater to a broader audience, focusing on performance and speed. However, this transition could alienate long-time fans who have come to appreciate OnePlus for its distinctive features and dedication to user experience.
The OnePlus 10T 5G delivers a powerful and fast performance with a compelling combination of high-end specs and impressive 150W charging, but its compromises on design, features, and software leave a sense of uncertainty about the future direction of the brand. As for whether it’s a “worthy” successor, that remains to be seen. We’ll need to delve deeper into its performance, camera capabilities, and software in our full review, but for now, the OnePlus 10T 5G leaves us with more questions than answers.
