OnePlus 6 vs OnePlus 5: Worth the Upgrade?

When it comes to choosing your next smartphone there are plenty of choices in 2018. And now with the new OnePlus 6 release, that choice became even more difficult. Whether you’re considering a device from OnePlus, or want to upgrade to its new phone, here’s everything you need to know.

This company releases two phones a year, instantly delivering upgrades. If you’re still enjoying the OnePlus 5 you passed up the OnePlus 5T. If so, you’re in for a treat.

We’ll explain what’s new, what stayed the same, and what to expect from the OnePlus 6. The new king of the budget smartphone market. Coming in at just $529 this is a big 6.3-inch phone with a lot to love.

OnePlus 6 vs OnePlus 5: Display

One of the most important aspects of any smartphone is the size and quality of the display. The OnePlus 5 is a good phone with a 5.5-inch screen and big bezels. It looks like a phone that’s a few years old. If you’re looking for a bigger and better display or a device made for 2018 that can compete with the iPhone X and Galaxy S9, you’ll want the OnePlus 6.

This new phone packs in a huge 6.28-inch 2280 x 1080p Full HD AMOLED display into a body that’s nearly the same size as the OP5. And while it’s a little taller and skinnier, it’s not by much. You’re getting much more screen real estate without dealing with a huge phone. That’s because the OnePlus 6 has an edge-to-edge screen like the iPhone X. With the same notch and all.

We know, some of you won’t like the idea of the notch. If so, you can hide it with software. This device adapts the new 2:1 aspect ratio we’re seeing from Samsung, HTc, LG and even Apple. Pair that with an improved AMOLED display and you’ll love all that it has to offer.

OnePlus 6 vs OnePlus 5: Design

Another major change this year comes to the overall design. While the OnePlus 6 is only a year newer than the 5, it feels like a massive generation jump in terms of the look, feel, and design. The company is using an all-new premium metal and glass frame. Yes, there’s glass on the back, but it’s a durable Gorilla Glass 5.

However, the biggest change (aside from the huge screen) is the rear-mounted fingerprint scanner and an edge-to-edge screen. Gone are the massive bezels. Now, you get all screen on the front, with a fingerprint scanner under the cameras on the back. If you’re not a fan of that change, they’ve added a lightning fast 0.04-second face unlock using the front-facing camera in that notch around the screen.

The metal body of the OP5 was likely more durable, but the company promises the new OnePlus 6 is more durable than you think. Screen and glass design aside, not a lot changed. you still have dual cameras on the back, an alert slider, USB Type-C, a 3.5mm headphone jack (yes) and a bottom-firing speaker.

It’s just a more modern look, feel, and display.

OnePlus 6 vs OnePlus 5: Specs

Look, the OnePlus 5 is only a year old and that means it’s still plenty fast and powerful. That said, something better is here this year. Even if it’s only a marginal improvement. You’ll probably upgrade for the screen or cameras, not the specs. Either way, here’s the full rundown.

OnePlus 6 Specs

• 6.28-inch 2280 x 1080p Full HD Optic AMOLED Display
• Snapdragon 845 Processor with 6-8GB of RAM (Same processor as S9)
• 64, 128, or 256GB of storage, no microSD slot
• 16MP + 20MP Rear Camera (f/1.7, OIS, EIS, 4K) Finally, optical image stabilization
• 16 Megapixel f/2.0 front-facing selfie camera
• Android 8.1 Oreo (or Android P beta)
• Rear fingerprint scanner, Fast Face Unlock, more
• 3,300 mAh battery with fast Dash Charging
• Daily Water-Resistance (whatever that means)
• 3.5 mm headphone jack, BT 5.0, NFC, 4G LTE, alert slider
• Mirror Black, Midnight Black, or Silk White color options

You’re getting a big screen, tons of storage or RAM options, better cameras, the latest version of Android, and the exact same 3,300 mAh battery. The biggest change is the screen and camera.

OnePlus 5 Specs

• 5.5-inch 1080p HD AMOLED Display
• Snapdragon 835 Processor (same as Galaxy S8)
• 6GB of RAM and 64GB internal storage, or 8GB of RAM and 128GB storage
• No micro-SD card slot
• Android Nougat with Oxygen OS (now on Android 8.1 Oreo)
• Dual Rear Cameras – 20 Megapixel f/2.6 camera and secondary 16 Megapixel f/1.7 aperture lens
• 16 Megapixel front camera
• Front-facing ceramic fingerprint scanner
• 3,300 mAh battery with Faster Dash Charging (0-92% in one hour)
• USB Type-C Port, headphone jack, mute slider button
• Bottom Firing Speakers, more

Look, these are two very similar phones with upgrades you’d expect to see year over year. Basically, the OnePlus 5 is still an excellent and highly capable device. If you want a bigger screen or better cameras, upgrade. If you don’t need those things, keep what you have until the 6T comes out later this year.

That said, there is one other extremely important upgrade on the OnePlus 6, and that’s the cameras.

OnePlus 6 vs OnePlus 5: Cameras

This company delivers amazing phones at a budget price, and it’s what makes them wildly successful. However, one downside to most OnePlus phones is usually the camera. They just can’t compete with Samsung or Apple. Each year they get closer, and that’s more apparent than ever with the new OP6.

Both phones have dual cameras on the back coming in at 16 and 20MP, and a 16MP front-facing camera. So, at first glance, they look the same. They’re not. The OnePlus 5 has a slow and average camera along with a secondary zoom telephoto lens. This lets you zoom in close on subjects, or take portrait-style photography. It’s nice, but it’s not that great. The 16MP f/2.4 lens just can’t compete with devices from 2018.

With the OnePlus 6, the company is finally delivering a better camera experience. The main 16MP camera has an f/1.7 aperture and a large 1.22 um sensor. That larger sensors captures more light, quick, and has optical image stabilization. Both EOS and IOS, a first for OnePlus. You’ll also enjoy 480 FPS slow-motion video recording (1 minute long) and tons of new controls for portrait photography.

The OnePlus 5 camera was small, slow, and took average photos. The OnePlus 6 main lens is bigger, faster, catches more light, and has more to offer. It might not beat the Galaxy S9, but it comes close. For the price, you can’t complain.

OnePlus 6 Release Date & Price

In closing, we want to go over two more important aspects. Those being the release date and price. The new OnePlus 6 will be readily available starting on May 22nd. You’ll be able to get it with 64GB of storage and 6GB of RAM for only $529. That’s a LOT of phone for the price.

Or, get 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM for only $579. Then, for the first time ever, they’re offering a 256GB model option for those that want to download tons of apps and games, shoot 4K video, and need extra space.

The OnePlus 6 is a globally unlocked device with support for over 40 network bands. And while it won’t work on Verizon or Sprint, you can enjoy this phone just about everywhere else. You’re getting a bigger, better, faster device than something like the Galaxy S9, for over $200 less.

Should You Upgrade?

So, should you upgrade to the OnePlus 6, or buy one? Yes and no. If you have the OP5 there aren’t a ton of reasons to upgrade, as the software experience is great on both phones. It all comes down to the size of the screen, and the quality of the cameras. This is a hard choice, so do what’s right for you.

The company no longer sells the OnePlus 5, which initially arrived for only $479. And while you can probably find it for under $350 these days, we recommend spending a few more bucks for the OP6. Or, sell your OP5 and get more than halfway there, then snag the new OnePlus 6.