OnePlus 5T Evaluation and Comparison

I changed my smartphone to a model called OnePlus 5T. It's the latest high-end model from a manufacturer called OnePlus, and it's very user-friendly.
There are plenty of articles comparing it to the iPhone X and Pixel 2, so I'd like to write about how it has changed compared to the model I used before, my personal evaluation and comparison, and how to purchase it.

https://oneplus.net/5t

My previous smartphone was a low-end model

The smartphone I used before was also a OnePlus phone. It was an entry-level model called OnePlus One.

Actually, there was a trap where I thought I bought a Two at a bargain price but ended up buying a One, but that can be summed up with "be careful," so I won't write about it here specifically.

My current smartphone is a high-end model

There are two types depending on memory/storage, but I purchased the cheaper 6GB/128GB version.

From here on, I'll list the changes compared to the old One.

[Added] Lightning-fast face recognition

It authenticates at a speed that makes you wonder, "Is it really authenticating?" From sleep state, when you face it and press the power button, you only see the unlocked screen.

As written on the settings screen, "Face authentication is a bit lax in terms of security," it seems like it could be authenticated even with a photo, but considering the daily convenience, it's an acceptable trade-off.

[Added] Convenient fingerprint authentication

There's a round groove on the back for fingerprint authentication. Payments and important settings can be authenticated not by face, but by fingerprint or pattern input.

Furthermore, this groove can display the notification screen by sliding up and down. With recent large-screen smartphones, it's a hassle to bring your finger to the top of the screen to display notifications, but with this mechanism, you can easily operate with one hand. It's extremely convenient.

[Added] Case included

Due to fingerprint authentication, it's difficult to find a case that fits this. However, if you don't have any particular preferences, a dedicated case comes with it at the time of purchase.

It's perfect if you just want to protect it for now. It's made of vinyl, not very thick, and doesn't bulk up.

[Added] Dual SIM support

You can use two nano SIMs. You can switch between them depending on your usage, but I've never used it, so I can't say much about it.

[Changed] Thinner screen edges = Larger screen

The body size is almost the same as the One, but the screen edges have become thinner, and the home button area has disappeared, making the screen more spacious.

The difference is particularly noticeable on the home screen and in games. It may or may not make your heart feel more spacious.

[Changed] Thinner

At first glance, there doesn't seem to be a big change, but when you actually hold it, it's considerably thinner.

With the One, the middle was raised, so the flatness has greatly changed how comfortable it is to hold.

[Changed] Camera has become clearer

I'm not an expert, so I don't understand the details, but the amount of light it takes in has changed significantly, resulting in more vivid photos.

Perhaps because there are two lenses, it seems like there's no need to focus. Manual focusing is also fast, so it might be very convenient for Instagram users who want to blur the background.

[Changed] Price has increased

At $500, it's quite expensive for a so-called Chinese phone. Considering that the One was around $200, you can feel the difference between low-end and high-end.

The One also had very good specs for its price, but the 5T can also be said to have very high cost-performance. You can buy a little over two units for the price of an iPhone X.

[Changed] No more up and down for the power cable

The power cable has become USB-Type C, so there's no more mistaking the up and down. I often made mistakes, so this has subtly improved my QOL.

[Changed] Processing speed has improved

Naturally, the CPU has also evolved. Screen transitions and

[Changed] Android version has changed from 6 to 7

It has a custom OS installed, but the base Android version has changed from 6 to 7. It's said to support 8 soon, which is exciting.

If necessary, you can install LineageOS (CyanogenMod) etc. The installation method is written in the forum.

[Changed] Vibration has become weaker

The vibration has become more refined compared to the One. I sometimes didn't notice it when it was in my pocket, but now I notice it even less.

Perhaps it's an order to look at it frequently.

Other good points of OnePlus series

• It supports a wide range of bands, so you can avoid tragedies like "I bought it but can't use it properly in Japan!"
• It's well-known, so you can quickly find information by googling
• The user forum is active, so if you have any problems, you can usually find topics about them

Purchase channel

I bought the One on AliExpress, but this time I purchased it on a site called GearBest.
Coupons are occasionally issued, so you can buy it cheaper than the official site by using them.

https://www.gearbest.com/

I'll omit the common precautions for overseas shopping, so please google if necessary.

By the way, I ordered with Priority Line at the beginning of the year, and it arrived in about 5 days including weekends. That's fast.

Summary

In addition to the difference between low-end and high-end models, as a result of nearly 4 years of time, it has become hardware with improved comfort in various areas.

It has the necessary functions for a high-end model while maintaining ease of use at this price. It's a highly recommended model for Android users who haven't changed their smartphones recently.