OnePlus 6T review - in-screen fingerprint reader looks to the future

The OnePlus 60: A Flagship with Notable Changes

After months of rumors, speculations, and official statements, Chinese phone maker OnePlus finally unveiled its latest flagship, the OnePlus 60. At first glance, the phone looks similar to its predecessor, the OnePlus Six, which was released only five months ago in May. However, there are important differences that set this device apart from its sibling.

One of the most significant changes is the inclusion of an in-screen fingerprint reader on the front of the display, allowing users to scan their fingerprints to unlock their lock screen. This feature is widely available in the US for the first time, making it a notable addition to the OnePlus lineup. However, the reviewer notes that they haven't noticed any improvements in their day-to-day life with this change and that the scanner works fast enough but doesn't appear as quick as a dedicated reader on the back of the OnePlus 6 due to the fingerprint on display.

Another significant change is the phone's abandonment of the headphone jack. This move may be disappointing for those who prefer wired headphones, as there is no headphone jack on this device. However, a dongle is included in the box to help users connect their wireless headphones. The reviewer notes that while this move is kind of a drag, it goes with the flow.

The phone's notch has also been modified, with a smaller, less obtrusive teardrop shape instead of the black tab found on previous models. If you still hate the notch, there's an option to blacken the sides for a more traditional look. Lastly, the OnePlus 60 is certified to work on Verizon's Network, even though OnePlus doesn't have any commercial relationship with the carrier.

In terms of camera improvements, OnePlus claims that the 60 has better low-light pictures thanks to its new dedicated night mode. The reviewer notes that this mode supposedly captures better low-light images and that the phone handles lighting better for portraits. However, it's worth noting that all hardware specs remain the same as previous models.

One area where the 60 shows improvement is in battery capacity. According to preliminary lab tests, the phone lasted over 16 hours for continuous video playback on airplane mode, which is an improvement over the OnePlus 6, which lasted only 15 and a half hours on average. This increase in battery life is likely due to the bumped-up battery capacity.

The starting price of the OnePlus 60 has increased slightly due to the baseline storage increase, now starting at $549 for six gigs of RAM and 128 gigs of storage. The highest tier with eight gigs of RAM and 256 gigs of storage still costs $629 overall. Overall, the OnePlus 60 delivers notable new changes to the OnePlus lineup while iterating on the already excellent OnePlus 6.

Including Verizon customers is a step in the right direction for expanding OnePlus's reach in the US. By making this phone available to more carriers, OnePlus can further establish its presence in the competitive Android market. For those looking for an affordable top-notch Android device, the OnePlus 60 is definitely worth considering. However, if you already own the OnePlus 6 and don't want to update, there's no need to do so, especially if holding on to your headphone jack is a priority.