The OnePlus 7 Pro is one of my favorite Android phones of all time. The 7T brings a lot of the same things that make the 7 Pro great, but at a more accessible price point. It’s a killer phone for $600.
To make it clear, the 7T isn’t an upgrade of the 7 Pro—it’s an updated version of the OP 7, which wasn’t released in the US. So, this is kind of like the new 6T, if anything. But compared to the 7 Pro, it’s more of a lateral movement—an upgrade in some ways, but not in others. It’s a more affordable version of the 7 Pro but still manages to somehow be better than the 7 Pro in a few ways. It’s a fascinating piece of hardware when placed in the product lineup as a whole.
RELATED: OnePlus 7 Pro Review: The Benchmark
And just like the 7 Pro was the best Android phone, you could buy when it was released (and really, it probably still is), the 7T is the best phone in its price range that you can buy right now. In reality, I would easily pit it against the $800-1000 flagship phones from other manufacturers without hesitation.
Specs, Performance, and Software: Speedy McSpeedpants
Since the OnePlus 7 was never released in the US and I’ve been using the 7 Pro for the last several months, that’s where most of the comparisons will be drawn when it comes to the 7T. In the review of the 7 Pro, I said it was “mind-reader fast,” which is also true of the 7T. And while the speed isn’t as mind-blowingly impressive in comparison, it’s still sure to be huge for anyone that isn’t coming from another current-generation flagship phone. The Snapdragon 855 Plus in the 7T is a beast.
As for the other specs, here’s a quick overview:
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Display: 6.55-inch QHD+ AMOLED panel (402 PPI) w/ 90Hz refresh rate and waterdrop notch
- Cameras: 48MP main camera, 12 MP telephoto lens, 16 MP ultra-wide lens; 16MP front camera
- Ports: USB-C
- Headphone Jack: No
- Battery: 3,800 mAh
- Fingerprint Sensor: In-display
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi a/b/g/b/ac, 2.4GHz/5GHz; 2×2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.0; NFC; AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile support
- Colors: Glacier Blue, Frosted Silver
- Price: $599
The 7 Pro that I’ve been using for the last several months has 12 GB of RAM, which isn’t even an option in the 7T. But you know what? I haven’t noticed a single difference in performance or memory management. It’s pretty clear to me that 12 GB of RAM is overkill in a phone (at least for now), with 8 GB hitting the sweet spot for performance and price. That’s one of the things I was talking about earlier when I said the 7T is a lateral movement compared to the 7 Pro—it’s has a faster processor, but less RAM. Ultimately, the performance is killer and there’s no tangible trade-off here.
Speaking of what is tangible, let’s talk about the overall form factor of the phone for a second. It’s smaller than the 7 Pro—albeit not by much—and lighter. That last bit is a welcome change because the 7 Pro is one of the heaviest phones I’ve ever carried. I got used to it pretty quickly, but it was immediately apparent to me that the 7T is just easier to carry. Period.
Otherwise, the rear finish on the 7T is also a noteworthy feature. My review unit is Glacier Blue, and the overall look is very similar to the 7 Pro. The main difference here is that the color is under a layer of frosted glass (the back of the 7 Pro is aluminum), which gives the phone a unique look. It’s a little more understated than the 7 Pro, so if flashy phones are your thing, you may want to look at that instead. Or, you know, just a get a fancy case. It’s worth noting that the OnePlus includes a basic clear TPU case in the box with the 7T, so if you don’t want to cover the look but still want to protect it, you’re good to go with no additional purchases.
0 Response to The OnePlus 7T is the Best Value in Smartphones Today
Post a Comment