OnePlus 6T Hands-on - All About Trade-offs

The OnePlus 6T: A Trade-Off Between Form and Function

In my first couple days of use with the OnePlus 6, I was taken aback by how good it felt to have a phone without that straight edge. Now that I've upgraded to the 6T, I'm willing to sacrifice some of the sleek design for improved battery life. The camera app has received some significant updates, including a new Nightscape mode and Portrait Lighting mode. The Nightscape mode is similar to Google's Nitesite feature on Pixel phones, and it does an excellent job of brightening up dark areas in low-light images.

The Portrait Lighting mode is also a welcome addition, and it works surprisingly well. It uses advanced algorithms to create a more flattering light source for the subject, making you look like a million bucks. The camera app itself has also received some other improvements, including faster autofocus and better video stabilization.

One of the most noticeable changes in the 6T is the removal of the headphone jack. OnePlus had planned to remove it eventually, but they decided to do it now instead. While I understand their reasoning, I'm not entirely sure it was the right decision. Bluetooth isn't yet a complete standard, and many users still rely on wired headphones for music listening and gaming.

To address this issue, OnePlus conducted a survey of their user base, asking if they wanted the headphone jack to stay or go. The results were overwhelmingly in favor of keeping the headphone jack, but it seems that the company decided to move forward with the removal anyway. It's worth noting that not everyone is going to be affected by the lack of a headphone jack, especially those who use Bluetooth headphones.

Another notable change is the water drop notch, which has been reduced in size compared to the 6 and 6T's predecessor. This new design makes the phone look sleeker and more streamlined, while also moving the speaker grille into the frame of the device. I was pleasantly surprised by how much less obtrusive this redesign made the notch feel during YouTube viewing sessions.

The OnePlus 6T is running on Oxygen OS, which is still one of my favorite Android skins. It's lightweight, fast, and smooth, making for a great user experience. The latest update includes gesture animations that are more fluid than ever before, as well as improved app launch times thanks to the use of RAM.

In terms of specs, not much has changed compared to the 6. You're still getting a Snapdragon 845 processor, up to 8GB of RAM, and either 128 or 256GB of storage, depending on the model. The only notable change is that OnePlus has removed the 64GB option and increased the price of the base model by $20.

One of the biggest draws of the 6T is its availability at T-Mobile, which will be exclusive to this carrier for now. However, it's worth noting that Verizon customers will also have access to the phone, making it a great option for those looking for a compatible device from OnePlus. The 6T will be available on November 1st at T-Mobile stores nationwide and online, with pre-orders starting on the same day.

Ultimately, whether or not you should buy the OnePlus 6T depends on your priorities. If you want to sacrifice some design flair in exchange for better battery life, a smaller notch, and an in-screen fingerprint reader, then this might be the phone for you. However, if you're attached to the look and feel of the 6 or prefer the headphone jack, it's worth considering waiting for the next generation.

The OnePlus company will still be selling the 6 for a little while longer, but the 6T is an attractive alternative with similar specs at a lower price point. With extra camera samples and more detailed reviews coming soon, I encourage you to keep reading for more insights on this exciting new device from OnePlus.