When OnePlus first launched its flagship smart phone One last year, it received fairly positive comments from overseas blogs. With its tagline ‘Never Settle’, the phone maker was credited for pushing the boundary of low-cost phone with its premium features. Chinese upstart smartphone manufacturer OnePlus has officially just launched OnePlus 2, which – so far – looks like a significant step up from its predecessor.
The appetite for affordable smartphones with high-end specifications is rising quickly. With the aim of being a global phone maker, OnePlus ships phones and supports service providers worldwide. Earlier this year, the company doubled its overseas markets to 35 countries, adding 16 from Europe. The new OnePlus 2 introduces dual SIM capabilities that allow users to connect to two networks simultaneously.
From a specs perspective, the phone features a 5.5-inch, 1080p screen, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor paired with a 3,300 man battery. It features 4G LTE and an octacore CPU which should power through demanding apps, games, and HD video.
The back-facing camera has a 13 0megapixel sensor with optical image stabilzation, while providing multiple lens elements that prevent distortion and improve clarity. Also, its 5.5 inch IPS LCD display produces clear images and provides a front-facing fingerprint unlock sensor.
OpenPlus’s in-house software OxygenOS provides off-screen gestures and customizable buttons. The company also provides a SwiftKey Keyboard, that uses Artificial Intelligence to automatically learn the words you like to type and enhanced audio in collaboration with MaxxAudio sound design technologies.
OnePlus is notorious for its invite-only purchase system. In order to preorder OnePlus 2, one needs to get an invite from a OnePlus phone buyer. However, this time it will be much easier to get an invite as anyone can sign up to the OnePlus website. The 16GB model is affordable at $329 USD, while the 64GB version is $389 USD. OnePlus’s optional $27 rear covers use actual wood (bamboo, rosewood, black, apricot) or Kevlar for great looks and feeling. The phone reportedly will start shipping to the US, Europe, and India by the middle of August.
Image Credit: OnePlus