Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

OnePlus 5 vs. OnePlus 3T: An upgrade that won’t break the bank

oneplus 5 vs 3t screen
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
It’s been a little more than half a year since OnePlus, the smartphone company backed by Chinese tech giant BBK Electronics, launched its last flagship — the OnePlus 3T. The 3T was an incremental upgrade over the OnePlus 3, but the newly-announced OnePlus 5 is a different beast altogether.

No matter how you slice it, the OnePlus 5 is an impressive specimen of a smartphone. It’s packed to the brim with competitive hardware, including a 5.5-inch 1,080-pixel resolution screen, a whopping 8GB of RAM, and a battery that lasts “all day” on a charge. Just like the OnePlus 3T before it, the price is still the spotlight — no other phone offers flagship-level specs for under $500.

Recommended Videos

But just how much of an improvement is the OnePlus 5 over its predecessor? We compared the two to find out.

Specs

OnePlus 5

OnePlus 5

OnePlus 3T

oneplus-3t

Size 154.2 x 74.1 x 7.25 mm (6.07 x 2.92 x 0.28 in) 152.7 × 74.7 × 7.4 mm (6.01 × 2.94 × 0.29 inches)
Weight 5.39 ounces (153 grams) 5.57 ounces (158 grams)
Screen 5.5-inch AMOLED 5.5-inch AMOLED
Resolution 1,920 x 1,080 pixels 1,920 x 1,080 pixels
OS Android 7.1.1 Nougat Android 7.1.1 Nougat
Storage 64GB or 128GB 64GB or 128GB
SD Card Slot No No
NFC support Yes Yes
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 Qualcomm Snapdragon 821
RAM  6GB or 8GB 6GB
Connectivity GSM / HSPA / LTE GSM / HSPA / LTE
Camera  Front 8MP, Rear Dual 16MP and 20MP Front 8MP, Rear 16MP
Video 4K 4K
Bluetooth Yes, version 5 Yes, version 4.2
Fingerprint sensor Yes Yes
Other sensors Gyroscope, accelerometer, compass, proximity sensor Gyroscope, accelerometer, compass, proximity sensor
Water Resistant No No
Battery 3,300mAh 3,400mAh
Charger USB Type-C USB Type-C
Quick Charging Yes Yes
Wireless Charging No No
Marketplace Google Play Store Google Play Store
Color offerings Black, gray Gunmetal, gold, black
Availability

Unlocked

, OnePlus

Unlocked

, OnePlus
DT Review 4 out of 5 stars 4 out of 5 stars

Under the hood, the differences between the OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 3T may not seem too different, but the former packs a more powerful punch. The OnePlus 5 uses Qualcomm’s newest processor, the Snapdragon 835, which is more powerful and more battery efficient than the Snapdragon 821 processor powering the OnePlus 3T.

The OnePlus 5 comes in two configurations: 6GB RAM and 64GB of storage, or 8GB RAM and 128GB of storage. The OnePlus 3T offers 6GB of RAM, and you likely won’t ever fully take advantage of the whopping 8GB on the OnePlus 5. More RAM means more apps can be held in active memory, and won’t have to be reloaded when you switch between them. The 6GB RAM in the 3T is already remarkable, but the OnePlus 5 takes it a step further. The OnePlus 5’s Wi-Fi chip is up to twice as fast as the OnePlus 3T, and its Bluetooth version 5 boasts quadruple the range and twice the speed of the 3T’s Bluetooth 4.2 radio.

The OnePlus 3T has a slight advantage when it comes to battery (3,400mAh compared to the OnePlus 5’s 3,300 mAh). But the Snapdragon 835 is a more battery efficient processor, so you may hardly see a difference overall. The OnePlus 5 is a solid step up from the OnePlus 3T in terms of raw hardware.

Winner: OnePlus 5

Design, display, and durability

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The OnePlus 5 doesn’t look very much like its predecessor — in fact, it looks more like an iPhone than the 3T. It retains the OnePlus 3T’s oval-shaped front fingerprint sensor, volume rocker, Alert Slider, and power button positioning, but ditches the angular design for smooth, curved edges on all four sides. On the rear, a camera hump accommodates the OnePlus 5’s dual rear shooters, and antenna lines bisect the top and bottom edges. Design is subjective, but we think the OnePlus 5 looks far more attractive than the 3T.

The AMOLED screen is the same as the OnePlus 3T — it’s 5.5 inches in size, and offers a 1,920 x 1,080 pixel resolution. In terms of durability, the OnePlus 5 isn’t any more water- or dust-resistant than the OnePlus 3T. Unlike most flagship smartphones, neither are certified for exposure to the elements — if both take an accidental dip in a pool, their chances of survival aren’t great.

We’re fans of the OnePlus 5’s design refinements. For that reason, we’re crowning it the winner this round.

Winner: OnePlus 5

Battery life and charging

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

On paper, there isn’t a drastic difference between the OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 3T in the battery department. The OnePlus 5 packs a smaller battery than last year’s model — 3,300mAh versus the OnePlus 3T’s 3,400mAh. But there’s more to battery life than capacity.

The OnePlus 5’s processor, the Snapdragon 835, consumes up to 40 percent less power than the Snapdragon 821. Those savings will depend on the apps you’re using, but the OnePlus 5 should last just as long, if not slightly longer, on a single charge than the OnePlus 3T. In terms of charging speed, the OnePlus 5 supports the same proprietary fast-charging technology: Dash Charge. OnePlus says you should be able to recover about 60 percent of the battery in half an hour, or the full battery in 90 minutes. Both phones have a USB Type-C port for charging.

It’s a close call between the OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 3T when it comes to battery life, but the OnePlus 5’s power-efficient processor is enough to put it slightly ahead.

Winner: OnePlus 5

Camera

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

One of the OnePlus 5’s most notable improvements is the addition of a second rear camera. The dual rear camera module, which combines a 16-megapixel (with a f/1.7 aperture) with a 20-megapixel telephoto lens (with a f/2.6 aperture), helps create the same depth effect that won the iPhone 7 Plus camera so much praise. Last year’s OnePlus 3T, on the other hand, makes do with a single 16-megapixel sensor (with a f/2.0 aperture). Because of the f/1.7 aperture, OnePlus 5 should perform better in low-light scenarios as well.

When it comes to video, both shoot in the same resolutions: 4K at 30fps, 1,080p at 60fps, 720p at 30 fps, and slo-mo 720p at 120fps.

On the front, the OnePlus 5 shares the same selfie cam as the OnePlus 3T — a 16-megapixel camera with a f/2.0 aperture. We were impressed by the OnePlus 3T camera’s shots, but the added portrait mode offers the OnePlus 5’s camera more versatility.

Winner: OnePlus 5

Software

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The OnePlus 3T and OnePlus 5 run OxygenOS, a customized version of Google’s Android 7.1.1 operating system. It’s almost the same user experience as the Google Pixel, except it goes a step further by adding nifty options that help users customize the phone more to your liking. There’s a Reading Mode, which uses gray-scale mapping to filter out blue light and adjust the display’s sharpness and brightness, and an Auto Night Mode, which takes advantage of the ambient light sensor to adjust the color temperature according to the environment. Other highlights include off-screen programmable gestures, tweakable vibrations, a gaming “do not disturb” mode, and password-protected folders for sensitive documents.

There’s no clear advantage, here. The newest version of OxygenOS — the version that ships on the OnePlus 5 — is already available in beta for the OnePlus 3T. Assuming nothing changes between now and the time the OnePlus 5 launches, we’re expecting the same experience.

Winner: Tie

Price and availability

The OnePlus 5 is $480 for the gray version, which has 64GB of storage and 6GB of RAM. It will work just fine on AT&T, T-Mobile, and other GSM networks in the United States, but not on Verizon or Sprint. If you want the black version with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, then you’ll have to pay $540. You’ll have to buy directly from OnePlus and pay the full amount.

The OnePlus 3T, which works on the same carriers as the OnePlus 5, is a good deal cheaper. It’s $440 for the 64GB variant and $479 for the 128GB model, but it’s no longer listed on OnePlus’ official site. If you want one, you’ll have to look at other sellers.

OnePlus 5 OnePlus 3T
AT&T $480 $440
Sprint N/A N/A
T-Mobile $480 $440
Verizon N/A N/A

Winner: OnePlus 3T

Overall winner: OnePlus 5

OnePlus has done it again — the OnePlus 5 is just a great a value for your money as the OnePlus 3T. It packs a superior processor, a massive amount of RAM, dual cameras, and a bevy of other hardware improvements that put the comparably-priced competition to shame. It might not boast the water resistance and screen resolution as other flagships, but in terms of sheer bang-for-your-buck value, the OnePlus 5 is a worthy successor to the OnePlus 3T — and an improvement in every way.

Got a OnePlus 3T? There’s no reason to upgrade other than lusting for the latest and greatest.

Kyle Wiggers
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kyle Wiggers is a writer, Web designer, and podcaster with an acute interest in all things tech. When not reviewing gadgets…
New OnePlus budget phone comes packing 2 super-rare features
OnePlus Nord N30 5G rear face.

OnePlus has introduced a new budget-priced phone for the U.S. market that includes some compelling hardware -- and a couple of rare conveniences. The OnePlus Nord N30 5G will set you back by $300 and is already up for preorders in the U.S., with a free pair of earbuds in tow. 
Starting with the standout tricks, this phone comes with a microSD slot for storage expansion. It supports cards with up to 1TB storage capacity, which should be plenty if you are into capturing a lot of videos and high-resolution videos. Just keep in mind that microSD cards of 1TB capacity from reputed brands could cost as much as the phone itself.

Another notable perk is the presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack on the OnePlus Nord N30 5G. You don’t have to fork out extra cash on a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter or splurge on a Bluetooth audio wearable. However, there is more to this OnePlus phone than meets the eye, as some of its hardware perks defy its asking price by a huge margin. 
You are greeted by a 6.7-inch Full HD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels) display with a 120Hz refresh rate. For comparison, Apple will charge you $800 for the iPhone 14 Plus, but it still keeps you limited to a slow 60Hz LCD screen. And there is no ugly notch to be seen here, as the selfie camera is neatly housed inside a dot-shaped cutout at the top. 
Qualcomm’s octa-core Snapdragon 695 chipset powers this phone, paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard storage. The battery capacity is also fairly generous at 5,000 mAh. Plus, you get support for 50-watt fast charging. OnePlus ships the fast charger in the retail package, just in case you’re irked by the bad precedent set by the thousand-dollar phones from Apple and Samsung. 

Read more
The new OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is perfect if you hate expensive phones
Promotional image showing the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite.

OnePlus describes the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite as, “exuding a simple charm,” and in the world of folding smartphones and $1,500 iPhone models, there are probably a lot of people looking for a phone exactly like it.

If you’re new to the Nord series, these occupy the lower end of the market compared to the flagship OnePlus 11 and are released outside of the U.S., where instead the company releases phones like the OnePlus N300.

Read more
The best OnePlus 11 screen protectors: our 5 favorite ones
The OnePlus 11's screen.

The OnePlus 11 is an amazing smartphone with a big and beautiful display, enough power to run a desktop computer, and a strong and capable camera. It rivals phones that cost $1,000, so it's pretty incredible that it costs just $699. But even at that bargain price, you're going to want to keep your new smartphone safe.

While investing in a protective case is always a good idea, we heavily recommend also getting a screen protector. Your display is the way you access all that power, and dirt, chips, and cracks can really mar that experience. Don't let it; get a good screen protector that helps keep your device safe, sound, and as well protected from damage as you can. Here are some of the best OnePlus 11 screen protectors you can buy right now.

Read more