It would seem odd for a company to release an updated version of its phone so soon — the OnePlus 5 launched to rave reviews only four months ago — but it wouldn't be an unprecedented move.
Last year, OnePlus replaced the OnePlus 3 with the 3T less than half a year after its release, and it didn't appear to hurt the company or its bottom line.
When I asked OnePlus's head of marketing Kyle Kiang why it was launching the 3T so quickly after the 3, he told me the company's small size and scrappiness means it doesn't need to follow annual launch cycles. It launches new products when they're ready, and if that means it's sooner than fans expect, then so be it.
The report claims the new 5T might come with a larger 6-inch 18:9 aspect ratio display with curved edges. The screen's resolution might also finally get a bump up from 1,920 x 1,080 to 2,160 x 1,080. That's a higher-resolution display than the OnePlus 5's, but still short of the crisper displays Samsung and LG use in their flagship phones.
Not else is known about the purported 5T, except that it might resemble a Galaxy S8 with slim bezels above and below the display.
When OnePlus launched the 3T, it included a slightly faster processor, better front-facing camera, and larger battery. It's possible a 5T could include improvements beyond the screen. What's likely to remain is the dual camera system on the back, which enables Portrait mode like on the iPhone 8 Plus.
And if the 3T is any indication, the 5T could also cost more. OnePlus built its brand allegiance with premium design and specs with affordable pricing, but it's already shown that it's not against hiking prices with each new device. Even if you don't like the higher pricing, OnePlus' phones still usually cost hundreds less than competitors. With Samsung and Apple's best phones now at the $1,000 price range, OnePlus has plenty of wiggle room between $500-$1,000.
