Information for the next OnePlus device is already pouring in as the launch for the OnePlus 7 comes inevitablycloser. If industry trends are to go by, OnePlus phones might soon feature wireless charging. OnePlus is slowly moving from the budget flagship tag to becoming a full fledged flagship phone and in doing so they will slowly introduce features and benefits that other competing flagships have. These include wireless charging, IP Rating and better cameras. While we know very little about the upcoming phone from OnePlus, we do know that they like to share certain technology with their sister company Oppo.
Oppo has joined the ‘Wireless Power Consortium’. The consortium is an an open, collaborative standards development group of more than 600+ company members around the globe. The members include big names such as Apple, Samsung and Huawei.
Oppo had refrained from wireless charging so far. They have not used this charging technology citing that the technology is not upto the mark since their Super VOOC technology can charge faster. OnePlus’ reasons are similar and the company has said that they will include wireless charging when they figure out a way to include fast charging technology onto wireless chargers.
Oppo joining the consortium maybe a good sign as it might mean their next flagship featuring wireless charging which might eventually lead to wireless charging supported on OnePlus devices. While the industry suspects that this technology will be available on OnePlus 7, we feel it might be added to the OnePlus 7T six months from April/May 2019.
Over the past couple of years, OnePlus has gained a loyal fanbase in markets like India. One of the main reasons for that is its devices’ price and the specifications they provide at that price. However, there has been a steady increase in the prices of OnePlus devices. The OnePlus 5 received a lot of flak for a hike in its price.
In 2018, OnePlus will launch the OnePlus 6, and in all probability, the OnePlus 6T. While the OnePlus 6T is far away right now, the OnePlus 6 is expected to be launched in the next couple of months. So far, we know that it will be powered by the Snapdragon 845 chipset and have up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.
OPPO R15
Recently, a leaked image of the OnePlus 6 revealed that, like so many of new Android devices, it could also have an iPhone X-like notch. However, it won’t go all out Apple route as the back of the device doesn’t look anything like an iPhone X. However, it is expected to move away from the aluminium build and embrace the “glass sandwich” design. The image shows that the OnePlus 6 will have a shiny back made of glass which means it could support wireless charging.
However, we might get a better look at the possible OnePlus 6 when the OPPO R15 is launched in China. The R15 is tipped to have a design very similar to what is being speculated for the OnePlus 6. A trailer of the OPPO R15 has been leaked, which reveals a glass back with a shiny finish and a dual-camera setup.
OnePlus 6 Leaked Image
The OnePlus 5 was essentially the OPPO R11 with better hardware and the same was with the 5T and R11s. Similarly, we expect the OnePlus 6 to be almost identical to the OPPO R15 which is due to launch soon. If so, we could have an early look at what the OnePlus 6 might turn out to be, eventually. It is, however, worth noting that the shape of the fingerprint sensor on the OPPO R15 is different than the leaked image of the OnePlus 6.
Also, the dual-camera setup of the R15 looks more like the OnePlus 5T. The leaked image of the OnePlus 6 tells us a different story about the dual cameras which are placed vertically. There is no denying that the OnePlus 5’s comparison to the iPhone 7 Plus was mainly due to the camera placement. However, OnePlus has no reason to tinker with that. After all, it is a leaked image and the end product could be different.
OnePlus 5
The most interesting aspect of the OnePlus 6 will be the apparent notch. The same notch is found on the OPPO R15, in fact, it is rumoured to sport a 19:9 aspect ratio. The Asus Zenfone 5Z also has the same aspect ratio and a notch, and similar design is expected from the OnePlus 6. However, what is yet to be seen is whether the notch on the OnePlus 6 will serve any purpose. Apple went with a notch to not only house a lot of sensors in it, but, to also keep the bezels uniform on the rest of the three sides.
However, what we have seen so far from Android smartphone makers is blatant copying without a cause. Even the Zenfone 5Z has a bigger chin which defeats the purpose of a protruded area. OnePlus has shown its keenness to Face Unlock with the OnePlus 5T. Hence, it won’t be surprising if the OnePlus 6 has an advanced facial recognition system to compete with Face ID. In that case, a notch would definitely serve a purpose and its existence will be justified.
Apple started it and now Android OEMs are following the trend. A teaser from Oppo confirms that the upcoming Oppo R15 and the Oppo R15 Plus will have a notch. In fact, the smartphone looks similar to the Asus ZenFone 5.
From the initial impression of the teaser, the Oppo R15 and R15 Plus has an almost bezel-less design with a notch on the top.
Speculated specifications of Oppo R15
The Oppo R15 is expected to have a 5.99 inch 2160 x 1080px OLED display with 18:9 aspect ratio. Under the hood, the smartphone will be powered by either Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 or 660 chipset with up to 6GB RAM and 64GB Storage.
The smartphone will have a dual primary camera setup. In fact, it is speculated to have a similar camera setup as of the OnePlus 5T. For the front-facing camera, the device might have a 16 MP shooter with facial recognition.
Asus Zenfone 5Z
Speculated specifications of Oppo R15 Plus
The Oppo R15 Plus will have a 6.2 inch OLED display with 18:9 aspect ratio. Similarly, the plus model is also expected have an In-screen fingerprint scanner like the Vivo APEX. The smartphone is expected to feature the upcoming Qualcomm Snapdragon 700 series chipset with up to 8GB RAM and 128GB storage.
The smartphone will have a similar camera setup like the Oppo R15. Finally, the Oppo R15 Plus will have a slightly bigger battery with a possible wireless charging support.
Conclusion
The Oppo R15 and the Oppo R15 Plus are expected to feature the latest technology in the smartphone industry. However, just like the Oppo R11s, these devices might just be limited to the Chinese market. In fact, the OnePlus 6 is also expected to feature a similar design with a faster Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset.
The Apple iPhone X was launched in September 2017 to enormous anticipation. For weeks leading up to the launch, there were hints that the iPhone X won’t look like a regular iPhone. The launch confirmed that as the iPhone X was unveiled with nearly bezel-less design and notch on the display. While the notch received mixed reviews at the beginning, it has since then, become very popular.
iPhone X
The Oppo R15 looks like another Android phone trying to go the iPhone route. New leaked images of the device reveal that R15 will have a nearly bezel-less design but, with a notch on the top. The notch on the Oppo R15 does look to house the front-facing camera and the earpiece. However, it doesn’t look like it will have any of the hardware similar to what the notch on the iPhone houses.
The company has stuck to its older design for the back of the smartphone. In fact, it resembles the Oppo R11s.
A recent rumour speculated that Android P might natively support the notch. Therefore, there have been speculations that the upcoming Google Pixel 3 and the Google Pixel 3 XL might come with a notch with the iPhone X-like Face ID setup.
Specifications:
The Oppo R15 is expected to feature a 5.8-inch QHD+ OLED display with 19.5:9 aspect ratio. Under the hood, the smartphone might be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 Oct-core chipset with 6GB RAM and 64GB storage.
The device might come with the dual camera setup with a primary RGB lens and a secondary telephoto lens. For the front-facing camera, the smartphone might offer high-resolution 2o MP camera with features like Animoji and Face Unlock.
While the iPhone X was met with scepticism, it has since then, become a fan-favourite. However, smartphones like the Huawei P20 Lite, P20 and P20 Plus are expected to be launched with an iPhone X-like notch as well. It begs the question, is the display notch, the answer the design problems of future completely bezel-less smartphones?
