OnePlus has taken the wraps off of the OnePlus 2, the highly anticipated successor to the OnePlus One smartphone.
The device is aptly being hailed as the "flagship killer," offering specs that might be found on any flagship device for a much lower cost.
The device was launched through a specially designed virtual reality app, allowing users to experience the launch of the OnePlus 2 through Google Cardboard or another smartphone virtual reality headset.
The OnePlus 2 is exactly what users would expect from an upgraded version of the OnePlus One. It features the same basic design as its predecessor, however it takes things to the next level with things like an updated processor. While the OnePlus One featured a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801, OnePlus is offering Qualcomm's flagship 64-bit Snapdragon 810 processor in the OnePlus 2. Coupled with a huge 4GB of RAM, the OnePlus 2 is a real powerhouse of a smartphone, and should have plenty of gusto for the power users among us.
Apart from processing, the device includes an updated battery, coming in at 3,300 mAh, compared to the One's 3,100 mAh battery. While the battery is better, the display has remained the same, at 1,080p. This, however, means that a bigger battery will translate into a longer battery life rather than the ability to power a better display.
The camera has also been improved in the new device. While it offers a 13MP sensor, like the One, it adds optical image stabilization, or OIS, which should significantly reduce blurriness. Another addition is a low-light sensor, which should help the camera be able to take better low-light photos.
Interestingly enough, OnePlus has opted to give the OnePlus 2 a USB-C port rather than a micro-USB port. This is the new USB standard, and allows users to plug in their cable without having to worry about rotation. The USB-C standard can also transfer data faster, however data transfer over a wired connection will be limited by the computer or other device involved in the data transfer.
While OnePlus put a heavy emphasis on CyanogenMod when it released the One, this time around the company has developed its own Android variant, dubbed OxygenOS and based on Android 5.1. OxygenOS is a little closer to stock Android than CyanogenMod, and offers a little less customization.
The OnePlus 2 does feature a similar design compared to the One, however there are a few changes, such as the alert slider on the side of the device, which allows users to be shown all notifications, priority notifications, or only some notifications. This is basically an extension of the notification customization features already found in Android, and will be a nice addition for those who prefer to change settings in between things like going to work meetings and being at home.
As was the case with the OnePlus One, the real kicker isn't the great specs included in the device, but rather the specs for the price. The OnePlus 2 will be offered for $389, coming with 16GB of memory and being available starting on August 11. A lower-cost version will be released later this year, and will come with 3GB of RAM and 16GB of memory. As was the case with the One, the device will be available invite-only. For more details on how to get your hands on the device, head to the OnePlus website.
