Are OnePlus smartphones good?
OnePlus smartphones have an average overall score of 8.1, placing them #5 among all brands, and a user rating of 9, which ranks them #7 in user reviews.
OnePlus smartphones are good, especially if you want flagship-level performance without paying top-tier prices.
You experience fast processing with chips like the Snapdragon 8 Elite in models such as the OnePlus 13, which handles gaming and multitasking smoothly. The battery lasts long, often over 20 hours on a single charge, and you charge it quickly with 100W wired speeds. Displays shine bright with LTPO OLED technology and 120Hz refresh rates, so you see vivid colors and fluid scrolling. Cameras capture clear photos, especially action shots and portraits, thanks to Hasselblad tuning, although they fall short of some rivals in versatility. You benefit from durable builds with IP69 ratings, and the phones resist dust and water well.
You might notice some drawbacks, but they do not ruin the experience. For instance, AI tools lag behind Samsung or Google phones, so you miss advanced features like agentic editing. Software, now OxygenOS based on Android 15, resembles ColorOS from Oppo, and that shift disappoints longtime fans who liked the old clean interface. Prices have risen, with the OnePlus 13 starting around £690, yet it undercuts flagships from Apple or Samsung. Cameras perform well for action shots and portraits, but they fall short in zoom versatility compared to the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
(Note: A total of 37 brands were evaluated in the comparison in the first paragraph. Only those with at least 6 smartphones in our database that were released after 2022 were included.)
The best available OnePlus smartphones (with the highest overall score) are as follows:
- OnePlus 15 (16GB + 512GB) Overall score: 9.09
- OnePlus 13 5G (16GB + 512GB) Overall score: 8.88
- OnePlus 12 5G (16GB + 512GB) Overall score: 8.69
The following chart ranks different smartphone brands by their overall score.
[horizontal-chart-14855520977915281854131920228859147337322180876303]What are the main advantages of OnePlus smartphones?
The main advantages of OnePlus smartphones are as follows:
- Fast performance: OnePlus smartphones use high-end chipsets like Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, so they run demanding apps and games smoothly and handle multitasking without slowdowns. OxygenOS is lightweight, so it helps the device stay responsive over time.
- High refresh rate displays: Most models feature AMOLED screens with refresh rates of 120 Hz, which improve scrolling smoothness and gaming fluidity. The displays have high brightness levels and accurate colors, so they work well both indoors and outdoors.
- Fast charging technology: OnePlus supports very high wired charging speeds, such as 80 W, 100 W, or 150 W depending on the model, so the battery charges from empty to full in less than 30 minutes. Some models also include wireless charging at up to 50 W.
- Good camera systems: Premium models have multi-lens setups with high-resolution main sensors, telephoto zoom, and ultrawide lenses. Hasselblad color tuning in higher-end models improves image accuracy and dynamic range, especially in daylight shots.
- Strong build quality: Most devices have aluminum frames, Gorilla Glass protection, and IP ratings for dust and water resistance (e.g., IP68 in top-tier models). The design is slim and comfortable to hold, with premium materials that last.
- Competitive price-to-spec ratio: Compared to other flagship brands, OnePlus usually sells devices with similar performance and features for a lower price, so they are attractive for buyers who want high-end specs without paying a premium.
What are the main disadvantages of OnePlus smartphones?
OnePlus smartphones have the following disadvantages:
- Limited camera performance in low light: While daytime shots are sharp, night photography can show noise and reduced detail compared to top competitors like Samsung or Apple.
- No microSD card slot: Storage is fixed, so you must choose a model with enough capacity at purchase, as there is no option to expand later.
- Software update policy shorter than some rivals: OnePlus gives up to four years of major updates and five years of security patches, which is less than the seven years now offered by Google and Samsung on new models.
- Limited wireless charging support: Not all models include wireless charging, and mid-range devices may lack this feature entirely.
- Occasional heating during heavy use: Long gaming sessions or 4K video recording can make the phone warm, which can lead to reduced performance in extreme cases.
