Year after year, OnePlus releases phones with one clear goal; to pack all the best flagship smartphone features into a reasonably priced Android phone.
The OnePlus 6 is no different. Released merely six months after the OnePlus 5T, the flagship device has ditched the metal design seen in its predecessor for an all-glass Gorilla Glass 5 body.
The OnePlus 6 also features a bigger 6.28-inch screen with a notch cut out at the top and the resolution is slightly higher at 1080 x 2280 to account for the larger screen size and the new 19:9 aspect ratio. Other notable features include a top-shelf Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor and a dual-camera setup on the rear.
There's no denying that the OnePlus 6 bundles a host of features into a powerful device but is it worth the $529 price tag? Here's what the critics have to say about the OnePlus 6
Wired
"The OnePlus 6 is a kickass Android phone and the best unlocked device you can buy for around $500. The only big caveat worth highlighting is carrier compatibility,"
"If you want the best of the best, you can purchase Android phones that edge out the OnePlus 6 in one regard or another, but it's hard to beat a phone that's as powerful as a Galaxy S9, yet nearly $200 cheaper. OnePlus continues to offer stellar value here, making the OnePlus 6 a true bargain."
Engadget
"The company has upped its game with the OnePlus 6 while hitting pretty much all the checkmarks: the latest specs, better cameras and slick performance, all packaged within a beautiful new glass body."
"Even with a slightly higher price, starting at $529, the OnePlus 6 is a desirable handset -- and one that can stand toe to toe against the likes of Apple and Samsung this year."
The Verge
"Here's what the OnePlus 6 has going for it: a bigger screen, a refreshed and modernized design, the latest processor from Qualcomm, upgraded cellular capabilities, an improved camera system, and the best version of Android outside of Google's own Pixel line - all for $529. But there are still compromises - and they're the same compromises we keep talking about."
"It still can't compete with Samsung, Google, Apple, or even Huawei when it comes to cameras, it doesn't have proper water resistance, doesn't work on half the carriers in the US, and only comes in one size: pretty big."
Digital Trends
"Price is where OnePlus wins. It's almost impossible to find the same level of power, style, and ability for the same amount of money. We're inundated with phones that cost at the minimum $700 ($950-plus isn't uncommon either), yet the OnePlus 6 manages to squeeze in the key features for several hundred dollars less."
"However, if price is no object, and you just want the best phone for you, then the OnePlus 6 faces tremendous competition, because the standard of smartphones released recently is so high."
Conclusion
The OnePlus 6 could very well be the best Android smartphone this year for consumers who are on a tight budget. The flagship device offers incredible value for money, given that it includes the same features of some of the high-end smartphones out there, but costs about $200 less.
However, if they're willing to splurge, there are plenty of other options in the market that outdo the OnePlus 6 when it comes to camera quality, water resistance, and carrier compatibility.
