Now, it is official: OnePlus is rolling out a Snapdragon 821 device on Nov. 15. But the company still left everyone hanging as to whether this device is actually the widely speculated OnePlus 3T.
OnePlus 3T, T-7 Teaser Announcement
The announcement was made on Twitter and was accompanied by a 15-second teaser trailer. Both of these materials included a reference to a mysterious T-7, which could actually form part of the new device's name.
The T-7 language, however, could also mean that it falls within the OnePlus flagship category and that it merely indicates an updated version and more mobile computing power. Whatever the case is, the world is certain to know five days from now.
T-7: The @Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 (2.35GHz) is coming your way. Find out more on November 15. pic.twitter.com/fA8mUTYAjd
— OnePlus (@oneplus) November 8, 2016
Since OnePlus seems content with the brevity of its latest official announcement, we are left again to our own devices to determine the specifications of the OnePlus 3T. Fortunately, the information floated about in the past few weeks is more than enough to satisfy our curiosity.
OnePlus 3T Rumored Specs
The emerging narrative is that OnePlus 3T will ship with minor improvements. This means, specs-wise it should resemble its predecessor, which is still considered one of the best Android phones to date. The same could be said about its design language. It will likely have an all-metal body.
OnePlus 3T might also sport a 5.5-inch Optic AMOLED screen and this is based on the statement of OnePlus' cofounder Carl Pei that the company will stick to this display technology in the foreseeable future.
The grapevine also has something to say about the camera. The OnePlus 3T is said to feature a 16-megapixel rear-facing shooter with a Sony IMX398 sensor. Prospective buyers could also expect to get a 6 GB RAM with two storage options: 64 GB and 128 GB. It could also be preloaded with a Nougat-based Oxygen OS.
Handset Pricing And Launch
The improvements, particularly the use of the latest Qualcomm processor, would reportedly hike the device's price to $479, which is $80 more expensive than the OnePlus 3.
With the upcoming OnePlus 3T, it appears that OnePlus is careful not to cannibalize the market for the OnePlus 4, which could hit stores in the middle of 2017.
The strategy can be interpreted as a refresh to make the OnePlus 3 more attractive especially with the entrant of devices that sport the Snapdragon 821 processor such as the Google Pixel. It should be able to fill the gap between now and the OnePlus 4 public release next year.
