The OnePlus 3T, a minor upgrade to the already powerful OnePlus 3 and one of the best Android smartphones currently available, features a combination of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 821 and 6 GB of RAM that pushes it past rival smartphones in terms of performance.
The device also comes with 16 MP front and rear cameras, a large 3,400 mAh battery, and dual SIM slots, all for the rather reasonable price of $439 for the 64 GB version and $479 for the 128 GB version.
With such high-end specifications already in tow, it is difficult to see how OnePlus can make its next flagship smartphone even better. However, as they say, there is always room for improvement, and these are the upgrades that OnePlus could include for the OnePlus 5.
Why OnePlus 5, Not OnePlus 4?
Many might be wondering why the next OnePlus flagship smartphone after the OnePlus 3T would be named the OnePlus 5, instead of the OnePlus 4.
The reason is with OnePlus being a Chinese company, it believes in the tradition that the number four is unlucky. Skipping numbers is something that has been done in the smartphone industry before, though Samsung did it for a different reason.
How The OnePlus 5 Could Be Better Than The OnePlus 3T
The first upgrade that OnePlus could apply to the OnePlus 5 would be to switch the processor from the Snapdragon 821 to the Snapdragon 835, the latest processor released by Qualcomm that would likely be first seen in action in Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S8.
The RAM of the OnePlus 5 could also be increased to 8 GB, which is possible as the Snapdragon 835 is capable of supporting it. Pushing the RAM of the OnePlus 5 to 8 GB from 6 GB in the OnePlus 3T would be a significant change that would help keep the smartphone's title as one of the best Android flagship smartphones in the market.
Customers have clamored for a Quad HD display for the OnePlus 3T, but that did not happen as the smartphone only had a Full HD 1080p display. Such a screen could be added to the OnePlus 5, though it is believed that the OnePlus 5 will retain the Full HD 1080p specifications, but with a dual-curved edge AMOLED screen.
OnePlus could also make further improvements with the camera of the OnePlus 5, and rumors are claiming that the rear-facing camera would be upgraded to a 23 MP one. The battery of the smartphone could also be enlarged from its already massive 3,400 mAh size, but will likely keep the Dash Charge technology found in the OnePlus 3T.
OnePlus could also be adding a USB Type-C port to the OnePlus 5, along with making it get an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.
OnePlus 5 Announcement Coming Soon?
A teaser by OnePlus that featured its tagline "Never Settle" hinted that the company would soon be making an announcement, with many speculating that it would be the OnePlus 5. There have been rumors going around that the phone will hit the market in Q3 or Q4 of 2017, but it is always best to take such information with a grain of salt.
If the teaser turns out to really be for the OnePlus 5, then we should know more about the smartphone soon and how it will further improve on the flagship killer OnePlus 3T.
