Is It Time to Consider a OnePlus Smartphone?
You might not recognize the brand name, but the manufacturer routinely makes top-rated phones, including one priced as low as $300
By Melanie Pinola
OnePlus might not have the name recognition and market share in the U.S. that Apple and Samsung do, but its Android phones routinely rank among the top performers in Consumer Reports’ tests.
They used to have bargain prices, too, though, they’ve now moved more in line with the premium sums charged by other phone makers.
Last year, the Chinese company’s phone sales grew by leaps ahead of competing smartphone manufacturers—428 percent, according to Counterpoint Technology Market Research. By comparison, Motorola, which ranked second for phone sales growth, grew 83 percent.
What’s the big appeal?
Here’s an up-close look at what the three most recent OnePlus phones have to offer, so you can decide for yourself whether one is in your future.
Left to right: OnePlus 10 Pro, Nord N20, and OnePlus 10T.
Photo: OnePlus
OnePlus 10 Pro 5G
The OnePlus 10 Pro 5G is the only phone in the top 10 of CR’s ratings not made by Apple or Samsung. It’s a bit cheaper than the flagship phones from those companies, too, retailing for $800, while the iPhone 14 Pro costs $1,000 and the Galaxy S22 Ultra has a $1,200 price.
The 10 Pro earns an Excellent rating from our testers for its sharp 6.7-inch OLED display, impressive performance, and ease of use. It also has a fast 120-hertz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations.
The model boasts a triple-rear-camera system (48-megapixel main, plus zoom and ultrawide) and a 32-megapixel front camera that rate very well for still-image, selfie-image, and video quality.
So what are the downsides? The 30.5-hour battery life lags behind that of similar large-sized phones, although the 10 Pro’s (wired) 65-watt fast charging can provide more than a full day’s power in 15 minutes, according to the company. Also, unlike the earlier OnePlus 9 Pro, the 10 Pro is not rated for water resistance, so try not to dunk it in the bath or the pool.
OnePlus 10 Pro 5G
OnePlus 10T 5G
With its large 6.7-inch OLED display and 120-Hz refresh rate, the OnePlus 10T has a lot in common with the 10 Pro. However, it adds a few new hardware improvements: a bigger battery that lasted 33.5 hours on one charge in our labs; 125-watt fast charging; Qualcomm’s latest chipset, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1; and new antenna and cooling systems designed to enhance mobile gaming.
The single, rear 50-megapixel camera rates well for taking still photos. However, the phone’s video quality and selfie-image quality are just middle-of-the-pack.
Like the 10 Pro, the OnePlus 10T isn’t rated for water resistance.
OnePlus 10T 5G
OnePlus Nord N20 5G
The OnePlus Nord N20 5G, $300, works exclusively on T-Mobile’s network, but it’s now the lowest-priced smartphone CR recommends. It has some impressive features, too. The 6.4-inch OLED display earns a Very Good rating. The 44.5-hour battery life ranks among the best. And the Nord N20 lets you unlock the phone using facial recognition, a feature not always found on models in this price range.
On the flip side, the phone’s cameras perform just okay for video, still-image, and selfie-image quality. The main 64-megapixel camera lacks optical image stabilization, which can help a phone produce crisper photos on the go and in low light.
The Nord N20 has 33-watt fast charging, but it can’t be charged wirelessly. And like the other OnePlus phones on this list, the model is not water-resistant.
OnePlus Nord N20 5G
So Should You Buy a OnePlus Phone?
That is the question.
All three phones have Very Good Overall Scores and can compete against Samsung’s offerings as well as models from other manufacturers.
They stand out for their warp-speed charging, which offers peace of mind if your phone is running low on power—as long as you’re near an outlet, that is.
The 120-Hz refresh rate on the 10 Pro and 10T may appeal to gamers in particular, and the large 6.7-inch displays are ideal for consuming media.
The Nord N20’s long battery life makes the device a good contender for those who travel a lot. The low price doesn’t hurt, either.
We have over 50 phones in our ratings, though. CR members can see detailed ratings and phone specs in the full view, filter by criteria such as display size, and directly compare as many as five phones side by side.
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