The "1-Minute" Review
Verdict
The OnePlus 6 is about as good as it gets without paying flagship prices. If you don’t mind the lack of waterproofing and don’t mind picking up a case to keep it looking good, it’s a solid value that reviewers loved.What's good
- Bright, vibrant display
- Sleek design
- Excellent value
- Great cameras
- Clean interface
- Dash charging
- All-day battery life
What's bad
- No microSD support
- Fingerprint magnet
- No IP rating
OnePlus has a rocky history with their releases. But, as other manufacturers have shown, offering top-end performance at mid-range prices is all about making the right choices and not getting ahead of yourself. The latest release, the OnePlus 6, features one of the most impressive spec sheets of the year -- even compared to high end phones. But, as previous models have shown, that doesn’t mean everything.
Keeping with the latest trends, the OnePlus 6 is wrapped in glass. If you’re at all worried about dropping it, a case is a must. Fortunately, OnePlus makes a full line of cases to give you options. Other features on the phone include a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner and an Alert Slider to change sound profiles without unlocking the phone.
Apart from fingerprints and smudges, reviewers loved the new design. There was little mention of slippery glass, sharp edges, or heat issues.
Coming around front, you’re greeted with a 6.28-inch 1080p+ AMOLED display. Love it or hate it, the screen also includes a notch cut out at the top. Most reviewers had no issues with it and raved about the brightness of the display and the rich colors and contrast on offer. If you don’t want the notch, toggling the black bar setting will all but remove it thanks to the display’s inky blacks.
Powering the phone, you’ll find an octa-core 2.8Ghz Snapdragon 845 processor with 6GB to 8GB of RAM. As one of the newest processors available in 2018 if offer blazing performance -- even when multitasking or playing the latest games.
The phone offers 64GB to 256GB of internal storage depending on the variant you choose. But choose wisely, there’s no microSD support. However, even the 64GB option is generous for the current market.
The phone runs Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box with OnePlus’ OxygenOS skin. It’s also compatible with the Android P beta. Overall, the minimalist take on changing the Android experience pleased reviewers. Apart from a few gesture controls -- which work well -- it’s a stock affair.
The cameras are one of the biggest improvements over the previous model . OnePlus used a sensor that is 19% larger than their previous choice. Combined with a dual-lens 16MP/20MP rear camera and a 16MP front-facing lens, reviewers loved the results. Low-light performance and HDR were compared to that of the Google Pixel 2 and the Samsung Galaxy S9 -- no small feat considering the price. The phone also supports 4K video at 60FPS and portrait mode on both the front and rear lenses.
One of the few carry-over features from the previous model, the 3300mAh battery with USB Type-C Dash charging good made it through the day with no issues for most reviewers. Power users might find juice running low toward the end of the day. However, the included charger offers a 60% top up in 30 minutes.
If you’re an audiophile, the phone also supports Bluetooth 5.0 with aptXHD for the best audio quality possible. There’s also a 3.5mm headphone jack for plugging in your favorite cans.
Overall, reviewers loved the OnePlus 6. The Next Web summed up opinions well, saying, “... a significantly improved camera experience and gorgeous screen make the OnePlus 6 the first of the company’s devices I’ve really considered using as a daily driver. Rather than just recommending it as a great value (which it still is, by the way) the OnePlus 6 is well worth your consideration even if the price difference means nothing to you.”
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Edgar Cervantes, Android AuthorityThe OnePlus 6 is priced to sell at $529. This gets you a smartphone with powerful specs and great performance, but costs had to be cut somewhere. The camera won't be getting any awards, but it is a nice shooter for an average consumer. More demanding photographers will have to look elsewhere.
- Chris Rowland, AusdroidAt a good $200-$300 below the cost of an entry-level “premium” smartphone, the OnePlus 6 is a formidable proposition. It has everything inside that the big guys do, including a great camera, all-day battery life, and the fastest interpretation of Android you’re ever likely to see.
- Kevin Carter, DxOMarkWith the OnePlus 6, the Chinese manufacturer has proven itself capable of producing a convincing premium-grade smartphone with some serious imaging capabilities that can compete with high-end models from more established brands. From our tests, the results from the dual-camera module are very good i...
- Jason Million, G Style MagazineI been using the OnePlus 6 for probably about a month and half its turned into one of my favorite phones of the year. You are getting tremendous value for your dollar with its killer updated hardware and software to accompany it. Of course I’d like to see maybe stereo speakers and a slightly better...
- Jared Peters, Talk AndroidI can wholeheartedly recommend the OnePlus 6 as a great phone that’s worth your money, but at this point you should at least take a look at some of its contemporaries before you place the order.
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
OnePlus released the 6 on May 22, 2018.
The 6 price will vary depending on retailer, age, special offers and whether or not it's purchased with a service plan. If purchased with a 2 year service contract for example, you would likely pay much less for the phone itself up front. You can compare OnePlus 6 prices from around the web here on The Informr.
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the OnePlus 6 user manual here.
OnePlus backs up the 6 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your 6 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact OnePlus support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find OnePlus's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
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Resources
Manuals / User Guides
- OnePlus 6 Manual (PDF)
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