The OnePlus 10T is OnePlus' new flagship device that was just launched a few weeks ago. It's an affordable flagship device from OnePlus that focuses on performance by using the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip, which is the most powerful Android device chip right now. Despite using a design similar to the OnePlus 10 Pro, this device is not a replacement.
After a few weeks of using this device as a daily device, I share my experience of using it and my opinion on whether this device is worth having? The OnePlus 10T to me is OnePlus' attempt to appeal to people who have never used their device. But did they succeed?
Specifications And Design
OnePlus 10T
Screen 6.7″ Fluid AMOLED, 2412 x 1080 FHD+ (394 ppi),
120Hz, HDR10+
Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor (4nm)
1x 3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 chip
3x 2.75 GHz Cortex-A710
4x 1.80 GHz Cortex-A510
Adreno 730 Graphics Chip
RAM 16GB LPDDR5
Internal Storage 256 GB UFS 3.1
Primary Camera 50MP f/1.8, OIS
8MP f/2.2, ultra wide angle
2MP f/2.4, macro
Nightscape, Super Stable, Nightscape Video, RAW
16 Megapixel Selfie Camera, f/2.4
4,800 mAh battery
150W wired charging
SIM/Telephony Dual SIM nano
NFC Available
Stereo Audio, Dolby Atmos
Waterproof None
Scan System Fingerprint scan under the screen
Selling Price RM 3,199 (16/256 GB)
Overall, the OnePlus 10T still looks like a OnePlus 10 Pro only. It uses a glass panel on the back, a giant camera bump, a front screen with a bezel almost flush with the hole on the screen and has the appearance of a premium device.
This device uses a 6.7-inch FHD+ Fluid AMOLED screen with 120Hz high refresh rate support that uses an adaptive system but the screen is not of the LTPO type. The device is powered by a Snapdragon 8 + Gen 1 processing chip and paired with 16GB LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB UFS 3.1 internal storage with up to 7GB virtual memory support. The device also comes with a stereo speaker system, an under-screen fingerprint scanner and a 4800mAh battery that supports 150W fast charging.
OnePlus has also ditched their iconic drop-down switch, making this their first flagship device to not have it. This is a big issue for me, because this switch has always been what makes OnePlus devices unique and different from other devices. Under the BBK company, this switch has been used on Vivo devices.
For the camera, even though the big bump is used, the actual sensor is only 50MP+8MP+2MP. It's a camera configuration that's frequently used on many mid-range devices these days. Considering OnePlus says the OnePlus 10T doesn't focus on the camera and more on performance, the Hasselblad camera system is also not included.
In addition to the screen of this device, the 6.7-inch size with a Fluid AMOLED panel that only has FHD+ resolution is a downgrade compared to the OnePlus 10 Pro which supports QHD+. But I was surprised by the quality of the screen on this device which is quite bright, the colors are very sharp and beautiful, the blacks are really dark and it supports HDR10+ on Netflix without any problems.
Watching videos on this device is very satisfying, because of the wide, large and wide display. I spend a lot of time with this device streaming videos. Netflix and YouTube seem to have no problem, but on Prime Video FHD content seems difficult to play and often crashes. But not all content has this problem, it's just a strange thing because this content is only problematic on OnePlus 10T and not on other devices.
The 120Hz refresh rate support on this device is also quite fast, smooth and stable. Ever since the high refresh rate support started on the OnePlus 7 Pro series, which only depends on the software – it rarely disappoints. Although not an AMOLED panel with LTPO technology, the refresh rate on the OnePlus 10T device can be said to be quite impressive and comparable to flagship devices on the market today.
Use And Software
The OnePlus 10T still runs Android 12-based Oxygen OS 12.1 which they say is its own, as it hasn't merged with Color OS yet. But for me who tested a lot of Oppo and Realme devices and know the Oxygen OS of Carl Pei's era - Oxygen OS 12.1 actually has a lot in common with Oppo devices with a realme-like user experience.
Many elements of Color OS are included in the software used, but the OnePlus identity is still preserved. A little. This is not a problem for me, as long as the concept of the real Oxygen OS is still maintained, which is an operating system that is as smooth and fast as the original Android. Although there is no appearance, but it is fast as if the device is not using a heavy theme.
Throughout the use of this device, I have never experienced any system crashes and lag issues. The device always runs smoothly and fast like a real flagship device.
Among the things that I still know this device is still a OnePlus device is the RAM Boost feature that has been there for a long time since the OnePlus 7T, Zen Mode, their own Oxygen icon, Game Mode and the most important thing that is still maintained until today is the OnePlus Shelf which is the widget area special hidden that does not take up space on the main screen. I'm still comfortable using this device even though it's no longer my best and favorite. I can run many applications simultaneously, write articles, play games, use the camera, stream videos very smoothly.
The first mode on the OnePlus device does not help much even though there is a Performance Mode. It provides additional features such as better memory management, voice change, more sensitive touch control and some more to make the first play experience better.
Performance Mode was more about battery management only. Even so, playing first on the device is still great and interesting because of the memory and chip used. PUBG Mobile can be played at the highest graphics settings and the game sessions are very smooth without any heating issues. Playing Asphalt 9 on the device is also a lot of fun and makes it easy for me to focus and be first at the finish line.
Bench mark
OnePlus seems to still be limiting their CPU usage like they did on last year's OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro. In the AnTuTu 3D and Geekbench 5 tests, the device could not receive the score it should receive for a device powered by a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor chip and paired with 16GB of memory and 256GB of internal storage that supports 7GB of virtual memory.
With AnTuTu 3D, the device can only receive a score of 918,160. While Black Shark 5 Pro with 8GB RAM can reach up to 1 million. For Geekbench 5, the score obtained is 1040/3485. This may happen because in the first mode, OnePlus does not allow the CPU to be overclocked for more powerful use. Below is a comparison with other Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 devices that have been tested in our labs;
AnTuTu 3D
OnePlus 10T: 918,160
ROG Phone 6 Pro: 1,099,5132
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4: 804,731
Geekbench 5
OnePlus 10T: 1040/3485
ROG Phone 6 Pro: 1312/4191
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4: 1282/3686
Although the score is not as good as competing devices. The actual usage experience is satisfying and very fast. This is possible because the device uses an all-new, larger cooling system to ensure that heat is spread evenly and not in just one spot. Not only that, OnePlus also sells a OnePlus 10T 5G Glacier Mat Case protective frame that has a gel pad to absorb heat so that the device stays cool when charging and playing first.
Telephony And GPS
OnePlus 10T 5G as the name suggests, is a device that already supports 5G networks. But as this article is being written, it is not yet listed on the DNB site. Even so, for 4G network connection this device does not experience any problem. It is quite stable and fast, unlike other flagship devices that cost much more. The WiFi connection also seems to be pretty good, and I rarely have problems with connection drops.
For telephony, the device supports VoWiFi and VoLTE with Maxis network. All phone calls I received were clear and had no issues with noise interference. The GPS also worked well, successfully locking in the exact location and giving turn-by-turn directions without me getting lost.
Camera
Because the OnePlus 10T uses the same design as the OnePlus 10 Pro with a big camera bump, people who don't know the brand and don't keep up with OnePlus can easily get confused. This device does not have the same camera capabilities as the OnePlus 10 Pro with Hasselblad tuning and technology. On the other hand, the camera configuration is like a mid-range device only and what makes the device's camera versatile is the processing chip and software only.
The first example is the selfie camera, only using a 16MP sensor and there is no uniqueness or greatness on a device that costs more than RM3K. The results given are not very satisfactory and taste ordinary. The front-facing camera's portrait mode is also messy with inconsistent blur effects, while the focus system isn't great.
The main camera of the device, which is 50+8+2 Megapixels is not the best configuration. Especially the 2MP sensor for macros. The macro system on the device is of poor quality, as if it has no function at all because it is unable to provide a usable image. Then the 8MP sensor for ultra-wide angle, which OnePlus used to be great with
Conclusion
Although the OnePlus 10T is not a replacement for the OnePlus 10 Pro, it is still a powerful and undeniably great flagship device. The device has a beautiful, bright screen, fast and smooth performance, supports insanely fast fast charging and offers a good package for those who value performance.
The camera is still not a strength for this device as it is not the main focus. The T series is affordable so a lot of sacrifices are made. But the device feels too generic for a flagship device and lacks specific strengths. Again with them ditching their iconic dropdown switch. So for now, the uniqueness of this device is the 150W SuperVOOC charging support and the device with the cheapest Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip in the local market right now.
OnePlus 10T is sold at a price of RM3199 with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. If you want the latest OnePlus device, the one with the most powerful chip and don't want to spend up to RM4199 on the OnePlus 10 Pro with only 12GB RAM – this might be the best option. The OnePlus 10T will also be the second OnePlus device to receive the Android 13-based Oxygen OS 13 update.
Pro
Beautiful screen, bright and fast.
Smooth performance without heating issues.
Loud and nice audio for everyday use.
Ultra fast charging, 10 minutes can be full.
A design that looks attractive and premium.
Cons
Oxygen OS 12.1 has no identity, similar to Color OS/Realme UI.
Camera with inconsistent focus.
No protection from water and dust.
No more iconic dropdown switches