OnePlus 6T review: the most powerful smartphone under Rs 40,000

OnePlus 6T specifications: 6.4-inch Full HD+ AMOLED Display, 19.5:9 aspect ratio | Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor | 6GB RAM/8GB RAM | 128GB/256GB storage | 16MP+20MP rear camera, 16MP front camera| OxygenOS with Android 9.0 Pie | 3700mAh battery

OnePlus 6T price: Rs 37,999 onwards

OnePlus 6T review: Design and display

Even before we get into what goes inside the OnePlus 6T, I have to confess that this phone offers something which is becoming increasingly rare. This is among the few phones these days that come easily within my grip, and I’m not saying that philosophically. The OnePlus 6T is the perfect size for a phone, without compromising the utility of a large screen. Hopefully more manufacturers will come back to or still to this phone for their screens.

Also read: OnePlus 6T launched with ‘Screen Unlock’: Price, detailed specifications and features

That does not mean OnePlus 6T has a small screen. In fact, the 6.41-inch AMOLED display is quite big, it has just been put in a smaller chassis. There is more to the display too. I have not seen other phones that offer so many calibration options when it comes to display settings. Also, the tear drop notch does not come in your way while consuming content and is likely to find favour with more manufacturers this year.

OnePlus 6T features an in-display fingerprint sensor, which seems quite natural to use and works accurately.

The display has one other feature that is noteworthy. OnePlus 6T features an in-display fingerprint sensor, which at least to me seems quite natural to use. However, the animation when you click on the Green Lantern like icon on the locked screen seems straight out of a super hero movie and just packs a punch to your day. This is a really fast fingerprint scanner too, despite being behind the glass.

OnePlus 6T review: Camera and nightscape

The camera of the OnePlus 6T has got some serious upgrades. To start with this is a camera that can really shoot stuff you can’t see with your naked eye. So work into a dark alley and click a photo to see the cat in the corner smirk at you. Yes, it is a bit unnatural but this results are good, provided you have a steady hand for the couple of seconds its takes the camera to process and stitch the multiple images needs to give you a clean night mode shoot.

Even without the nightscape mode, the OnePlus 6T camera does a great job. It offers really vivid colours and sharp detail. Yes, it can have a bit too much detail at times, but this is not something you cannot live with. This is also a really fast camera in the regular photo mode. There is a Pro mode that offers quite a bit of controls, but I would have loved more to exploit the full potential of this camera.

OnePlus 6T camera sample. (Image resized for web)

OnePlus 6T camera sample. (Image resized for web)

OnePlus 6T camera samples. In the left without Nightscape mode and the right one with Nightscape mode on. (Image resized for web)

OnePlus 6T camera samples taken in low-light using the Nightscape mode.

The portrait mode is decent and offers cutout like photos when the conditions are right. The 16mp selfie camera can use software to take everything from pimples to a day-old stubble of your face, but can also give great contours that accentuate the lighting.

OnePlus 6T is also powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845. The phone is capable of handling everything that comes in its way and stays cool too.

OnePlus 6T review: Performance and software

Like the OnePlus 6, the OnePlus 6T is also powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845. The phone is capable of handling everything that comes in its way and stays cool too. The only place where I hoped it was faster was while processing the night mode shots. But shuffling apps, playing top-ends games and shooting 4K video at 60fps all works really well on this phone.

The OnePlus 6T runs OxygenOS based on Android Pie. While the phone has a lot of stock Android features, the really fun in using a OnePlus phone is with the amount of control the software gives you. Also, there are some tweaks that are even better than stock Android. For instance, on the app tray one tap on the icon switches a feature on and off while a long press takes you to the settings for the same. Also, there are a bunch of gestures which — if you can remember them — can become very handy for power users.

OnePlus 6T has a smaller, waterdrop notch on the front, that does not come in the way of full screen viewing.

The battery life on the phone is good and will last you a full day, or about 18 hours. The Android Pie features like adaptive battery and the battery saver options give you more control.

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OnePlus 6T review: Verdict

The OnePlus 6T is a no nonsense phone that offers you everything you would expect from an Android flagship without gimmicks. The phone has a very functional design, great software and offers enough controls for the users to use the OnePlus 6T the way she likes. The phone is a good upgrade for anyone on a version of OnePlus before the OnePlus 5T. Also, this is among the best Android phones you can buy and will help OnePlus consolidate its position as market leader among top-end phones.