OnePlus grabbed
headlines when it launched its first smartphone back in 2013 for a couple of
reasons. Firstly, the OnePlus One delivered flagship specs for significantly
less cash than the devices it was pitched against. Secondly, the Chinese
company made the "flagship killer" smartphone desirable by
introducing an invite system that consequently made the OnePlus One harder to
get hold of than other smartphones.
Since the
original OnePlus One, we have seen two more smartphones from OnePlus - the
OnePlus 2 and the more recent OnePlus X. Both follow the same lead as the
OnePlus One by offering decent specs for a decent price, with the OnePlus 2
aiming at the flagships while the OnePlus X chases the mid-range.
The OnePlus 2
has been kicking around for a while now, launching in July, while the OnePlus X
only graced us with its presence in October but that hasn't stopped rumours
sparking for the next OnePlus device. This feature is all about the OnePlus 3.
As usual, we will update this feature as more speculation and rumours appear,
but for now, this is everything we have heard so far about the OnePlus 3, mixed
in with some extra speculation for good measure.
OnePlus 3
rumours: Release date
Unlike some
other manufacturers, such as Apple and Samsung, OnePlus doesn't have a
predictable release cycle. The OnePlus One launched at the end of April 2013,
while the OnePlus 2 was announced at the end of July 2014 so there isn't an
immediately obvious pattern.
There are a
couple of tradeshows coming up over the next couple of months, including both
CES and MWC but we can't see OnePlus unveiling the OnePlus 3 at either. Those
shows will kick-start the new breed of flagship devices for 2016 though so
OnePlus will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye to see what the competition has
done.
We'd be
surprised to see a new OnePlus device much before May but never say never.
OnePlus
3 rumours: Design
The OnePlus One and the OnePlus 2 were
almost identical in measurements, which suggests OnePlus has found a form
factor it thinks works well. There aren't many rumours surrounding the next
design at the moment but if we took a guess, we would think the OnePlus 3 will
be a similar size to its predecessors, perhaps slimming down slightly.
Sandstone Black was a finish that appeared
on both the OnePlus One and the OnePlus 2 so we wouldn't be surprised to see it
again on the OnePlus 3. The OnePlus 2 has four optional covers for a slightly
different look though and we would expect the OnePlus 3 to arrive with
something similar.
In terms of tech, the OnePlus 2 introduced
a fingerprint scanner and USB Type-C so it would make sense to include both of
these on the OnePlus 3. A spec leak from Chinese website mobile-dad suggested
no fingerprint scanner for the next flagship, which could suggest other methods
of identification like iris recognition that is rumoured to appear on the LG
G5.
Realistically we can't see this happening
for the OnePlus 3 however as this would more than likely increase the cost,
which is something we don't think OnePlus will want to do. We'd put our money
on a fingerprint scanner over iris recognition for sure.
OnePlus 3 rumours: Display
Both the OnePlus One and the OnePlus 2
offer 5.5-inch displays, both of which have a 1920 x 1080 resolution for a
pixel density of 441ppi. We'd expect a similar size for the OnePlus 3,
certainly not smaller as that would filter into OnePlus X territory.
Whether OnePlus will up the resolution to
Quad HD in order to compete with the likes of Samsung and LG is anyone's guess
but we would be inclined to say no for the simple fact of sustaining the low
price OnePlus devices are known for.
The leaked specs suggest we will see a
Full HD resolution again, which doesn't come as a huge surprise. You never know
though, OnePlus could play the numbers game with the OnePlus 3 and up the
resolution but we'd expect this will also up the price.
OnePlus
3 rumours: Camera
The OnePlus 2 offers a 13-megapixel rear
camera with a 0.2-second autofocus and optical image stabilisation. The
front-facing snapper is 5-megapixels. It doesn't operate as well as the likes
of the Samsung Galaxy S6 but the OnePlus 2's camera does a sterling job when it
comes to image quality, meaning OnePlus is already on the right path with its
cameras.
We would expect OnePlus to up the
megapixels on the front camera to 8-megapixels for the OnePlus 3 as this is
what is found on the OnePlus X and we wouldn't be surprised to see a few
changes to the rear either, although we don't think it will be anything too drastic.
Possibly an increase to 16-megapixels perhaps but as the OnePlus 2 performed
well, OnePlus might not deem it necessary to change too much for the OnePlus 3.
OnePlus
3 rumours: Hardware
Hardware is one area that is easier to
predict than others if OnePlus follows the same pattern as the OnePlus One and
OnePlus 2. Both these devices came with the latest Qualcomm chipset at their
time of release, which was the Snapdragon 801 for the OnePlus One and the
Snapdragon 810 for the OnePlus 2.
Leaked specs suggest the OnePlus 3 will
come with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, which makes perfect sense.
We'd expect 4GB of RAM for the OnePlus 3 too given the OnePlus 2 offered this
as an option and we'd also expect at least a 3300mAh battery capacity like the OnePlus
2, if not slightly larger.
Neither the OnePlus One or the OnePlus 2
offered microSD support for storage expansion, but the latest OnePlus X does so
it might be that this extends to the OnePlus 3, although we wouldn't count on
it. The OnePlus 2 comes in 32GB and 64GB storage options so we would expect the
same for the OnePlus 3 and maybe even a larger 128GB if there is no microSD
support.
OnePlus
3 rumours: Software
The OnePlus One arrived on the scene with
a modified version of Android in the form of Cyanogen Mod, while the OnePlus 2
and the OnePlus X both feature the company's own OxygenOS, which is again, a
customised version of Android.
We would highly expect the OnePlus 3 to
arrive with the next update to the OxygenOS, with a few more features. Ultimately,
it will be another Android handset like the others are but with a couple of
customisation functions. What these will be for the OnePlus 3 remain to be seen
but expect the OnePlus 2's features to cross over.
OnePlus
3 rumours: Price
The OnePlus One cost £230 when it first
launched, while the OnePlus 2 starts at £239 and creeps up to £289 for the
larger storage capacity.
We
would expect the OnePlus 3 to stay within a similar price bracket. We'd be
surprised to see it go over the £300 mark but it isn't going to be any less
than £230. We'd guess a starting price of around £250 for the OnePlus 3, give
or take a few pounds.
As with previous OnePlus devices, we also
expect the invite system to remain to start with for the OnePlus 3. The OnePlus
One and the OnePlus 2 are now both available to buy without an invite so no
doubt the same will happen for the OnePlus 3 eventually, but to begin with, an
invite to buy is likely to be needed.
OnePlus
3 rumours: Price
The OnePlus One cost £230 when it first
launched, while the OnePlus 2 starts at £239 and creeps up to £289 for the
larger storage capacity.
We would expect the OnePlus 3 to stay
within a similar price bracket. We'd be surprised to see it go over the £300
mark but it isn't going to be any less than £230. We'd guess a starting price
of around £250 for the OnePlus 3, give or take a few pounds.
As with previous OnePlus devices, we also
expect the invite system to remain to start with for the OnePlus 3. The OnePlus
One and the OnePlus 2 are now both available to buy without an invite so no
doubt the same will happen for the OnePlus 3 eventually, but to begin with, an
invite to buy is likely to be needed.
OnePlus
3 rumours: Conclusion
The rumours and speculation for the
OnePlus 3 will pick up over the next couple of months, which will help to draw
conclusions as to what will and will not appear.
For now, we would expect the OnePlus 3 to
arrive with a similar design and size to the previous models, along with
Qualcomm's SD820 processor, 4GB of RAM and USB Type-C.
We don't expect to see a QHD display, nor
iris recognition but a larger battery capacity and a slight increase in price
from the OnePlus 2 wouldn't surprise us. In terms of release date, we are
pinning our bets around May but all this could change as the rumours flood in.
We will keep you posted on any findings.
The rumours and speculation for the
OnePlus 3 will pick up over the next couple of months, which will help to draw
conclusions as to what will and will not appear.
For now, we would expect the OnePlus 3 to
arrive with a similar design and size to the previous models, along with
Qualcomm's SD820 processor, 4GB of RAM and USB Type-C.
We don't expect to see a QHD display, nor
iris recognition but a larger battery capacity and a slight increase in price
from the OnePlus 2 wouldn't surprise us. In terms of release date, we are
pinning our bets around May but all this could change as the rumours flood in.
We will keep you posted on any findings.
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