OnePlus: How midrange flagship brand is discreetly inching towards premium

With smartphone prices gradually increasing with every new generation, the midrange flagship brand OnePlus has turned into a premium brand. Here is a look at the company's journey so far

In 2014, Chinese smartphone manufacturer OnePlus debuted in the smartphone space with the launch of the OnePlus One, which was termed a flagship but had the price of a midrange device. Thanks to its top-notch specifications and brilliant build quality, the phone famously became the first midrange flagship, giving birth to a smartphone segment that had never before been explored or experimented with but had a huge potential in India’s price-conscious smartphone market.

Over the years, the company has continued to offer value-for-money products in the midrange segment, redefining the flagship smartphone segment and proving that a flagship need not be costly. However, with every consecutive launch, the company has raised the price substantially and moved closer to the premium smartphone segment. OnePlus still continues to offer value-for-money smartphones when compared with premium flagships. However, with the premium edition of its current-generation flagship priced at nearly Rs 44,000, OnePlus does not look like a midrange flagship brand any more.

ALSO READ : OxygenOS makes OnePlus 5T faster, smarter: An Android Oreo on steroids

OnePlus journey so far

OnePlus One

Launched in 2014, the OnePlus featured a premium design and top of the line innards. However, it was the launch price of Rs 21,999, almost half of other premium smartphones' cost that changed the notion of flagship smartphones, making this the first midrange flagship. The OnePlus One redefined the flagship smartphone segment and showed that a flagship need not be costly.

OnePlus 2

Riding on the success of the OnePlus One, the company launched the OnePlus 2 in 2015. Priced at Rs 24,999, the second-generation OnePlus smartphone featured top-tier specifications, coupled with a top-notch build quality which made it a value-for-money product that was hard to beat at its price.

OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T

Launched in 2016, the OnePlus 3 was a game-changer for the company. With the OnePlus 3, the company not only plugged the shortcoming of its predecessor, but also brought a new operating system that made it a robust flagship with an all-round performance. That justified its price tag of Rs 27,999.

Later that year, the company upgraded the model with a new processor, camera and improved user interface. Named the OnePlus 3T, the phone was an all-rounder. Launched at Rs 29,999, the phone had everything you expect from a premium flagship, but it had the price of a midrange. It is this smartphone that set the benchmark for the company’s future smartphones. (more)

Here is how Samsung regained market leadership title from Xiaomi in Q2 2018

After falling short of Xiaomi's market share in last two quarters, Samsung regained the lead spot by capturing 29% market share, one per cent more than that of Xiaomi in the second quarter of 2018

South Korean electronics giant Samsung has toppled Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi as the leading smartphone brand in India, according to the Hong Kong-based Counterpoint report. After falling short of Xiaomi’s market share in last two quarters, Samsung regained the lead spot by capturing 29 per cent market share, one per cent more than Xiaomi’s 28 per cent market share in the second quarter of 2018.

“The success of Samsung during the quarter can be attributed to its refreshed J-series; it launched more models than any other brand across multiple price points during the quarter. These new launches have some of the most popular and sought-after features like dual cameras, 18.5:9 aspect ratio display and facial unlock. Additionally, the strong offline distribution and aggressive marketing campaign around its J-series helped Samsung to gain not only market share but also mindshare during the quarter,” said Karn Chauhan, a research analyst at Counterpoint.

ALSO READ: Apple's iPhones trail Samsung, Google devices in internet speeds

The report also highlights that Apple managed to capture only a mere one per cent market share during the quarter, its lowest in recent history. The OnePlus, on the other hand, became the fastest growing premium smartphone brand with the growth of a whopping 284 per cent in the quarter. It also became the top premium smartphone brand in more than Rs 30,000 segment.

Here are the key highlights of the report:

• In the smartphone segment, Samsung regained its lead in Q2 2018 with 29 per cent market share -- thanks to strong performance of models such as the Galaxy J6, Galaxy J2 2018 and Galaxy J4 focusing on the budget segment.
• Xiaomi recorded its highest ever shipments in India during the same quarter.
• Vivo shipments increased sequentially driven by new launches, celebrity endorsement and aggressive campaign around IPL 2018.Its V9 model became its most popular V-series smartphone ever.
• During the quarter, OPPO launched its sub-brand Realme in a bid to increase its online presence. Realme, which debuted in partnership with Amazon, quickly managed to grab 1 per cent market share of the total smartphone market due to strong-perceived value-for-money, unique industrial design and positive customer feedback for its initial model.
• OnePlus (284 per cent), Honor (188 per cent) and Xiaomi (112 per cent) were the fastest growing smartphone brands during the quarter. Honor continues to retain its share among top five brands while OnePlus led the premium (more than Rs 30,000) segment for the first time ever.

Article Source : BS

Surprise! OnePlus 3, 3T also had OnePlus 5T's face-unlock feature all along

The face-unlock feature in earlier devices works flawlessly and is almost as quick as the one in the latest flagship

Chinese smartphone maker OnePlus has been promoting face unlocking as one of the OnePlus 5T, besides other upgrades that the phone brings. The feature is promised to roll out in the OnePlus 5 with the Android Oreo update. However, the yesteryear’s flagships are said to have been kept out from the list of phones that get the feature in the software update.

If you are using one of the earlier OnePlus flagships – OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T – and thinking of upgrading to the OnePlus 5T only for its face-unlock feature, we have a reason for you to stick around for a little more.

It turns out, the face unlock feature has all along been available in the OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T devices as well -- sitting within the settings options. And, it works flawlessly -- almost as quickly as the one in the latest flagship.

Here’s how to enable the face-unlock feature in the OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T devices running on the Android Oreo operating system:

Step 1: Go to settings and look for ‘security & fingerprint’ option and click on it

Step 2: In the security & fingerprint option, there is another option of ‘Smart Unlock’ under the device security tab

Step 3: The smart unlock option provides 5 different ways that can be used to unlock the device – On-body detection, Trusted places, Trusted devices, Trusted face and Trusted voice. Click on Trusted face option to set up the face-unlock feature

Step 4: Find a place, which is not too bright or too dim before setting up the face-unlock feature, and hold the phone at the eye level

Step 5: The phone recognises your face in the same manner as the OnePlus 5T does. (more)

OnePlus 5T sold within 5 minutes during preview sale on Amazon

OnePlus 5T also broke the company's launch-day sales record and became the company's fastest-selling device in six hours

Chinese smartphone maker OnePlus on Friday said it sold out its newly-launched OnePlus 5T within five minutes of the special one-hour preview sale on Amazon.

"We have seen unprecedented customer response to the early access sales, in India as well as globally. Hundreds of fans stormed our 'Experience Stores' in Bengaluru and Delhi," Vikas Agarwal, General Manager, OnePlus India, said in a statement.

"We are happy to announce that OnePlus 5T will go on open sale, starting on November 28, across all channels including Amazon.in, Never Settle - OnePlus.net, select Croma stores and 'Experience Stores' in Bengaluru and Delhi," Agarwal added.

OnePlus 5T also broke the company's launch-day sales record and became the company's fastest-selling device in six hours, the company said.

The device marks the introduction of a 6-inch "Full Optic AMOLED Display" with an 18:9 aspect ratio to deliver a more immersive viewing experience.

The device features a new "Sunlight Display" that adapts automatically to harsh light.

OnePlus has moved its fingerprint sensor to the back of the device.

The OnePlus 5T comes with the same main camera as that of OnePlus 5 but also houses an improved secondary camera for superior low-light photography.

The device has super-fast Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor. The "Adreno 540 GPU" boosts graphical performance.

OnePlus 5T launched with 6-inch screen, face unlock feature from Rs 32,999

This is OnePlus' first smartphone to feature an 18:9 aspect ratio display

OnePlus on Thursday launched its next iteration of its flagship OnePlus 5T in New York. The smartphone, which uses Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 SoC, can be purchased in 64GB and 128GB storage options at a price of Rs 32,999 and Rs 37,999 respectively. OnePlus 5T will go on early-access sale on November 21 at 4.30 PM on Amazon India – for Prime member only -- and OnePlus online store. The device will also be available through all sales channels starting November 28.

This is OnePlus' first smartphone to feature an 18:9 aspect ratio display and Facial recognition features that could help to compete with Apple and Samsung.

As for launch offers, OnePlus 5T users will be eligible for a complimentary 12-month accidental damage insurance by Servify on downloading the Kotak 811 savings account and activating it with an initial deposit of Rs 1,000 in the introductory period. Additionally, those who get the OnePlus 5T will get 100GB data from Idea. Moreover, HDFC Bank debit and credit cards users are eligible for a Rs 1,500 instant discount on purchase of OnePlus 5T through Amazon India till December 2017.

ALSO READ: OnePlus 5T sets benchmark; 1.1 mn people subscribe for more info on Amazon

Chinese firm OnePlus today said it will continue to focus on the premium smartphone category in the Indian market, competing with heavyweights like Samsung and Apple.

"There was a duopoly in the premium segment in India. With our entry three players now account for about 98 per cent of the segment. We have been able to secure a significant part of the segment by offering feature-rich device at a competitive price," OnePlus India General Manager Vikas Agarwal said.

According to Counterpoint Research, OnePlus had over 30 per cent market share in the premium category smartphones (handsets priced above Rs 30,000). (more)

OnePlus 5T launch on Nov 16: Details of design, features & specs revealed

The upcoming flagship from OnePlus is going to cost more than predecessor OnePlus 5, CEO and co-founder Pete Lau hinted in a tweet. The smartphone will be unveiled on Nov 16 in New York

Chinese smartphone manufacturer OnePlus is gearing up to launch the next iteration of its flagship OnePlus 5T on November 16. The smartphone design, features and specifications, however, have been leaked by various sources, attributing the review unit shared by OnePlus.

In terms of design, the upcoming smartphone is reported to sport a 6-inch Optic AMOLED screen in the 18:9 aspect ratio, with FHD+ resolution. Like other smartphones with ultra-wide screens, the OnePlus 5T is also reported to have a fingerprint scanner on the back to allow the phone to accommodate a big screen on the front with small bezels. The device is also reported to have a software-based face unlock feature.

The OnePlus 5T is reported to boast the same innards as the OnePlus 5. The smartphone would use Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 SoC, in 64 GB and 128 GB storage options. It would come in 6 GB and 8 GB RAM variants. Built on the same chassis of OnePlus 5, the upcoming flagship would feature 3.5mm audio jack at the bottom, along with a USB type-C charging and data transfer port and speaker grill.

The smartphone is reported to boot OnePlus proprietary Oxygen operating system, based on Android Nougat 7.1.1.

The upcoming flagship from the stable of OnePlus is going to cost more than predecessor OnePlus 5, CEO and co-founder Pete Lau had hinted in a tweet a few days ago. The smartphone will be unveiled on November 16 in New York.

Independence Day offer: Buy OnePlus 5 and get free flip cover, other deals

The OnePlus 5 flip cover normally costs Rs 1,290

Planning to buy the OnePlus 5? Why wait - this is one of the ideal times to buy it as OnePlus is offering a free flip cover to those who purchase the phone on or before August 15.

Along with a free flip cover, buyers can also avail 50 per cent off on OnePlus Bullets (V2), OnePlus 5 Essentials Bundle at 10 per cent off when purchased with the Oneplus 5 device.

The OnePlus 5 flip cover normally costs Rs 1,290 and are available in two colours- Black and Grey. The OnePlus 5 costs Rs 32,999 for 6GB RAM and Rs 37,999 for the 8GB variant.

Today is also the last day of Amazon Great Indian Sale. Amazon is offering a discount of Rs 2000 on OnePlus 3T with 6GB RAM + 64GB memory. Hence, it will be sold at a price of Rs 27,999.

Also Read : Global cyberattacks prompt India Inc to run for cover

ALSO READ: Amazon Great Indian Sale: 50% off on smartphones, home appliances, fashion

With its flagship OnePlus 5, launched in India on June 22, smartphone manufacturer OnePlus has shrugged off other Chinese handset makers’ strategy of targeting the budget smartphone segment. The result: A smartphone that is the priciest OnePlus device but the most affordable flagship product.

Click here to read the complete review

OnePlus 5 to be launched in India at Rs 32,999; here is what the device looks like

The much-awaited smartphone is expected to initially have two variants -- 64GB/6GB and 128GB/8GB

Company News :Chinese smartphone maker OnePlus is gearing up for the launch of its much-awaited flagship OnePlus 5 on June 22. And, according to latest reports, the smartphone is initially going to be available in two variants and a price tag of Rs 32,999 for the base model.

A True-tech.net report mentioned the price quoting "reliable sources" and said OnePlus 5 would be launched with two storage and RAM variants – 64GB/6GB and 128GB/8GB. According to the report, the base model, with 64 GB of storage and 6 GB of RAM, might be priced at Rs 32,999, while the premium version with 128 GB of storage and 8 GB of RAM could retail at Rs 37,999.

Recently, a teaser image posted on microblogging site Twitter by OnePlus showed that the OnePlus 5 smartphone would have dual rear cameras placed horizontal at the top left of the device. It also revealed that the upcoming smartphone might offer black as a colour option.

OnePlus on Twitter

Follow

OnePlus ✔@oneplus

Carl drops the mic this week! Check out his post on the forums to learn how your feedback makes us better. http://onepl.us/op5details

View image on Twitter

 Follow

OnePlus 

✔@oneplus

Carl drops the mic this week! Check out his post on the forums to learn how your feedback makes us better. http://onepl.us/op5details 

4:31 PM - 8 Jun 2017

 
•  4747 Retweets
 
•  612612 likes

Twitter Ads info and privacy

• 4747 Retweets
• 612612 likes

Twitter Ads info and privacy

Of late, OnePlus has been teasing the upcoming flagship through subtle tweets and images on other social media channels. Not much information has been divulged yet about the device, except CEO Pete Lau confirming that the phone would use a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor.

OnePlus 5 launch imminent; company halts 'flagship' OnePlus 3T production

OnePlus 5 is due to be launched soon and it will feature Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 835 processor

OnePlus has announced that its latest flagship OnePlus 3T, will soon be discontinued. The production of OnePlus 3T has already reached the end of its production life, and sale of the devices will continue till the stock lasts.

The latest development comes days after the company’s CEO revealed that the next flagship smartphone OnePlus 5 will be launched soon and will feature Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 835 processor.

Recently, the China-based smartphone manufacturer OnePlus teamed up with DxO, a software company with expertise in image processing software, to enhance the photography capabilities of the upcoming OnePlus 5 smartphone.

Also Read : Smartphones, TVs with new colour-changing surface offer 3 times resolution

In a blog post on the OnePlus official forum, the company said: "We are happy to announce that we have teamed up with DxO to enhance your photography experience with our upcoming flagship, the OnePlus 5. DxO is perhaps most well-known for creating the defining photography benchmark, the DxOMark. They’ve got years of imaging experience and expertise, both for professional cameras and for smartphones."

"But we can only go so far in telling you that we’re excited to be working with DxO. Our friend Etienne Knauer, SVP Sales & Marketing at DxO, had this to say: “OnePlus has always been one of the leading innovators in the smartphone industry, and we are proud to partner with them and support their exciting mobile photography strategy.” (more)

OnePlus 3 smartphone with fast charging technology now in India

OnePlus 3 smartphone with fast charging technology now in India

Chinese smartphone maker OnePlus on Wednesday launched its flagship device OnePlus 3 with 6GB RAM and a unique dash charge feature that gives 60% of battery in a flat 30 minutes.

Threat to several flagship devices, the Rs 27,999 smartphone is available on Amazon .in starting from June 15. The device is also available on the pop-up stores located at The Collective in New Delhi (June 15) and Mumbai (June 17) and Indelust stores in Bengaluru (June 18).

"OnePlus 3 delivers the ultimate experience that our customers already love about our products," Pete Lau, Founder and CEO, OnePlus, said in a statement.

The dash charge feature charges the smartphone even when a user is gaming or working on it. The feature shifts the heat generated while charging back to the adapter, thus keeping the device cool.

"Dash charge has set a new standard for the fast-charging technology. It's a flagship smartphone inspired by -- and made for -- our fans," Pete added.

The device has Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 processor clocked at 2.2 Ghz, 6GB LPDDR4 RAM, a 16MP rear camera with optical stabilisation and a smart capture feature. It sports an 8MP selfie camera with Smile Capture feature.

The smartphone incorporates a fingerprint scanner that unlocks the device in 0.2 seconds, the company said. Read More.