OnePlus last night launched their second flagship device for 2022, the OnePlus 10T 5G. This device is OnePlus' first “T” series after more than a year of not introducing it to the market. With the use of the “T” series, this means that the device focuses on performance but sacrifices many of the features of the Pro version in order to be sold at a more affordable price.
In this article I will share my experience after using this device for a few hours. I will also try to answer people's questions about whether the OnePlus device is still worth owning and who is the OnePlus 10T for?
Specifications And Design
OnePlus 10T 5G
6.7” 120Hz Fluid AMOLED screen, FHD+ 2412 X 1080 pixels
~394 ppi, HDR10+,
Snapdragon8+ Gen 1 processor (4nm)
1x 3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 chip
3x 2.75 GHz Cortex-A710
4x 1.80 GHz Cortex-A510
Adreno 730 Graphics Chip
RAM 8/16 GB LPDDR5
Internal Storage 128/256 GB UFS 3.1
Main Camera 50MP Wide Angle, f/1.8, OIS
8MP Ultra Wide Angle 119.9 degrees, f/2.2
2MP Macro
Selfie Camera 16 Megapixel f/2.4
4800 mAh battery
150W SuperVOOC, Wired
SIM/Telephony Dual SIM nano 5G
VoLTE, VoWiFi
NFC Yes
Audio No audio jack
Stereo speakers
Waterproof None
Scan System Under-screen fingerprint scanner
Sale Price $649 (~RM2890) 8/128 GB
$749 (~RM3336) 16/256 GB
The OnePlus 10T 5G is not a premium flagship device from OnePlus. Instead, it's an affordable flagship device that uses a Pro version-like design with some more premium features no longer included. Just like Samsung did with their Galaxy FE series. For example, on this device a 6.7-inch 120Hz Fluid AMOLED screen with FHD+ resolution and HDR10+ display is used instead of QHD+ on the Pro model.
But the color display on the screen is still bright and beautiful while the 120Hz refresh rate makes it still feel smooth while scrolling. The Netflix app has also been ready to support HDR10 mode since day one. Unlike some devices that require updates that take months. For 120Hz support, this device does not use an LTPO panel so it does not support 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate in real time. Users have to choose 60Hz, 90Hz or 120Hz.
The strength of this device is definitely the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip which is the most powerful chip for Android devices to date. It is paired with up to 16GB LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB UFS 3.1 internal storage. OnePlus also provides several new performance modes and presets to ensure the device stays fast and smooth. The device's battery is a 4800mAh dual-cell type with 150W SuperVOOC fast charging support.
This device is also the first OnePlus flagship device that does not include the iconic drop-down switch to control the use of ringtones, vibrations or muted notifications. This is disappointing as OnePlus flagship devices should retain features like this. Their mid-range device OnePlus Nord 2T that I tested earlier still retains it while flagship devices Vivo X Note and X Fold support it. This device also does not have any waterproof protection.
The design of this device is similar to the OnePlus 10 Pro by reusing the crater design with a glass panel on the back of the device joining the camera bump. It is a OnePlus design with the philosophy of "unburdened design" for user comfort. What OnePlus meant by "unburdened design" remains a mystery to this day.
On the right side of the device there is an audio adjustment button and on the left side is the power button. Underneath the device is a SIM card slot, a speaker grille, a microphone hole and a USB-C port. The screen of the device uses a perforated screen design for the selfie camera with relatively thin bezels.
OnePlus 10T in the hand is still very comfortable. The Jade Green color that I have on my hand just feels a bit smooth due to the use of glass panels. Even though it's a glass panel, it doesn't look premium and in the hand feels like a more affordable device. It also looks like it has no identity and looks like an Oppo device. One more thing despite coming with a glass panel, wireless charging support is not included.
Usage Experience
In the first few hours of use, the screen of this device still looks great as said earlier. It's bright enough, beautiful, sharp colors and streaming HDR content also looks satisfying. To the naked eye, FHD+ and QHD+ resolutions are actually difficult to distinguish unless the eyes are placed one inch from the screen. The 120Hz refresh rate on this device is also very fast and it provides a very smooth scrolling experience as it reads touch at a rate of 750Hz.
For a short period of use, the performance of the device is seen to be very good. There are no issues opening apps and all tested apps can be run without any problems so far. In Malaysia, this device is the third to use the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip after the Asus ROG Phone 6 and ROG Phone 6 Pro. I haven't tested it firsthand yet, but in the benchmark tests I've done several times the device still doesn't feel hot. So the cooling system that they say is the largest in the history of OnePlus devices with eight-channel technology really works.
The model I received for review is equipped with 16GB of RAM which is actually quite large. But with the help of adding another 7GB of virtual RAM can be added to give a total RAM size of 23GB!
In the Antutu 3D test, the OnePlus 10T with 23GB of RAM memory only scored 918,160. Lower than the Black Shark 5 Pro (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1) which scored 1,018,939 and the ROG Phone 6 Pro (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1) scored 1,099,5132.
Although OnePlus launched OxygenOS 13 last night, it will only be offered to OnePlus 10 Pro devices first. The OnePlus 10T will only receive the update at the end of next year. The device in hand still runs the same Android 12-based OxygenOS 12.1 as the Nord 2T.
Although the version is the same but there are some differences although not very noticeable. What I noticed is that the color and AOD customization section looks a little different. The OnePlus 10T has several Live Wallpaper options and better haptic controls.
Another thing that is different is the battery settings section where there is a special control for fast charging as given on Xiaomi devices. For the OnePlus 10T which supports up to 150W, battery control features and functions such as Smart Rapid Charging are a good thing to ensure that the device's battery will not be problematic. I also got to try this ultra fast charging. In just 15 minutes the battery at 5% level can be fully charged. I have only seen this fast performance on the Honor Magic4 Pro before.
Camera
There is no Hasselblad branding or Hasselblad features on the OnePlus 10T's camera app. It's a bit strange because the collaboration between the two companies should be for 5 years. Instead the Hasselblad system now appears on Oppo devices. This means no XPan feature and no exclusive color mode like on the 10 Pro.
I haven't had time to thoroughly test the camera yet. In brief use the pictures from the main 50MP sensor seem satisfactory. However, the photos from the 8MP ultra wide angle sensor and only 2MP macro are not very satisfactory.
What's in the box?
If you buy this device, here is what you will receive in the box;
1x OnePlus 10T
1x USB-C to USB-C Cable
1x 160W SuperVOOC Charger
1x Set of stickers
1x SIM Pin
1x Guidebook
Conclusion
The OnePlus 10T is clearly an attempt to lure consumers back to their product. But by ditching iconic features like the drop-down switch in favor of battery and fast charging it might be a self-defeating decision. The design although attractive is not helped by the plastic-like finish and does not feel premium in the hand even though the 10T is a flagship device.
OnePlus is gradually losing its original identity of offering devices without any compromises. On the OnePlus 10T, the compromises are so apparent that they are hard to hide. I can only hope that before the device goes on sale next September, an update will be provided to bring back the now endangered identity.
Pro
The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a very powerful chip right now.
Memory up to 23GB with the help of virtual RAM.
Super fast 150W charging system.
Smooth usage with 120Hz screen.
Cons
No more Alert Slider buttons on the side.
The finish does not feel premium.
No Hasselblad features.