OnePlus finally unveiled the most-awaited and rumoured OnePlus X in India to much fanfare, bringing a device that appeals to a new set of customers. Targeting the upper mid-range category, OnePlus X makes a sound argument with its features and highline specifications. We received the OnePlus X unit for review and here's our first impression of the much-lauded device.
Design
OnePlus really took its OnePlus X to a whole new level on the design front. The handset not only looks premium but feels great in hand. The Onyx version, which we received for review, boasts a fine metal frame and a protective Gorilla Glass 3 on front and rear side of the device. While it gives the iPhone 4 feel, it brings elegance and class to the table.
OnePlus X Onyx measures 140 x 69 x 6.9mm and weighs 138g, while the ceramic variant weighs 160g. The mid-range smartphone borrows the Alert Slider found on the OnePlus 2 while replacing the USB Type-C port with a microUSB slot. There is no Home button on the device, but the capacitive touch buttons perform Home, Back and Recent actions, which are reversible in order.
On the right side of the device, you will find a SIM card tray, which also houses a microSD card-cum-second SIM slot, volume buttons and the power/lock key. The speakers are placed at the bottom of the device and deliver good sound.
Display
OnePlus X features a 5-inch Full HD 1080p AMOLED display with 441ppi. The touch feels great and the Full HD display brings out the true colours. OnePlus X offers good viewing angles with sharp images, but the display glass is highly reflective and catches fingerprint smudges easily.
Camera
OnePlus X camera is one of our favourite features. The handset packs a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera with f/2.2 aperture with ISOCELL technology for sharp images and true colours. On the front side of the device is an 8MP shooter with f/2.4 aperture that delivers great selfies.
The camera is equipped with PDAF (Phase Detection Auto Focus) that guarantees you superfast processing of images. While using the camera to shoot multiple photos in a row, there was no lag and the focusing was almost instantaneous. The UI is simple, just like in the OnePlus 2, with all basic options such as flash, timer, capture, selfie camera and settings in a dedicated, easily accessible bar.
The OnePlus X camera packs several features and different modes to take great photos no matter the situation. There are separate modes for Clear Image, Slow Motion, Time lapse, HDR, Beauty mode and further customisations using ISO, shutter speed and white balance.
We will extensively explore every corner of the OnePlus X during our review and return with the results.
Performance
It may be too soon to conclude the performance of the OnePlus X, given that it has only been two days with the handset, but we will share more detailed information in our review piece. So far, everything seems to work great. The Oxygen OS based on Android 5.1 Lollipop offers a seamless experience without lags. The OS is highly customisable, with plenty integrated options such as Ambient Display, off-screen gestures, dark more, app permissions and Shelf.
OnePlus X is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor clocking speeds at 2.3GHz. The same processor has been used in several flagships including HTC One M8, LG G3 and others. The chipset is accompanied by 3GB RAM and 16GB onboard storage that can be expanded up to 128GB via microSD cards.
The handset supports high-speed browsing through 4G LTE and packs a 2,525mAh battery. It is surviving a day easily on mixed usage, but we are yet to throw in more pressure on the phone with gaming, video streaming, et al, which we will cover in our upcoming detailed review.
Our say
OnePlus X is priced at Rs 16,999, and in our view it is one of the best smartphones in that budget. The company is following the invite-only model for sales, which may be a turn-off for many, but it is totally worth it.
We loved the design of the OnePlus X, but you must know to handle it with care. The glass panels on both sides are prone to fingerprint marks, so be prepared to some cleaning at the end of the day. Performance and camera fall on the good side of the handset, which makes it quite appealing to many.
So there's really isn't much to criticise at this early stage, but we are holding off our final verdict to review the battery and performance under pressure.
