The handset’s position in the market is indicated by its size. The 5-inch Full HD display puts it firmly in the “phone” form-factor, away from the currently fashionable large-screen phablets. Five inches is often viewed as the best compromise between large screen sizes and comfortable practicality, satisfying both groups of users with one phone.
The OnePlus X is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 801 processor which ticks along at 2.3GHz over four cores. Although this isn’t as capable as the Snapdragon 810 used in today’s top-tier phones, the 801 was the flagship mobile processor just two years ago.
Its age doesn’t necessarily mean it’s totally redundant and the processor, paired with 3GB of RAM, should be able to power the phone through any app that the average user would task it with. Storage is limited to a low 16GB but it is expandable with a micro SD card.
The primary camera has a 13-megapixel sensor while a high-resolution 8-megapixel one on the front provides for clear selfies. The main camera has a “lightning-fast” 0.2-second autofocus delay and a wide f/2.2 aperture to capture more light in photos.
As with other OnePlus handsets, the phone runs Android 5.1.1 Lollipop overlaid with the company’s own Oxygen OS. It includes “exclusive” features such as support for onscreen gestures to make navigation easier, a customisable quick settings panel and the ability to automatically wake the screen when the phone is removed from a pocket or bag.
OnePlus is keen to brag about the “beauty” and “exquisite handiwork” of the OnePlus X’s design. It describes the phone as a “work of art” and offers it in two versions: glass and ceramic. The ceramic edition, crafted over 25 days, will be limited to a production run of just 10,000 units.
OnePlus CEO Pete Lau said after the launch in London this morning: “Today’s smartphone user strives to find the perfect balance of style and performance. The OnePlus X is a design centric device chic and powerful enough to fit any lifestyle.”
The OnePlus X will cost $249, €269 or £199. It goes on sale on November 5 in Europe and on November 19 in the U.S. and buyers will have to obtain a OnePlus “invite” if they want to get their hands on one. OnePlus will also be offering the phone for open sale on an hourly basis during December.
People looking for the unique ceramic edition will have to wait until November 24 to get a ceramic-specific invite. The phone will only be offered in Europe and India and will cost €369.
