OnePlus confirms a 50MP ultra-wide camera for its upcoming flagship

Posted on by Nadeem Sarwar

As the OnePlus 9 series inches closer to its official launch on March 23, official teasers revealing some of its headlining features have started to drop. After giving us a glimpse of the OnePlus 9 Pro’s design, OnePlus has dropped another major tease for its upcoming flagship, specifically its camera hardware. Founder and CEO Pete La shared another render of a OnePlus 9 series device on Twitter earlier today, confirming a 50MP ultra-wide-angle camera for the device. 

Sony IMX766 sensor has already appeared made its way to the OPPO Reno5 Pro+

The image shared by Lau specifically mentions the Sony IMX766 sensor that will be used for wide-angle photography on the OnePlus 9 Pro. Now, OPPO has already used this sensor on its high-end Reno5 Pro+ smartphone that was recently launched in China. A quick look at its spec sheet reveals that the IMX766 is a 1/1.56-inch sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and a 6-element lens assembly.

Yes, OnePlus 9 will come with a charger. Alas, that’s a thing we worry about now!

It is also mentioned that the sensor supports hardware-level HDR – something OPPO calls DOL HDR – which theoretically means much better control over colors and more crisp results. Interestingly, OnePlus has already revealed that it has partnered with Hasselblad for the OnePlu 9 series to improve upon camera performance aspects like color tuning and sensor calibration.

The main camera on OnePlus 9 Pro will be capable of 4K video capture at 120FPS

Additionally, the OPPO Reno5 Pro+ has employed both Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) to stabilize the photos and videos captured by the Sony IMX766 sensor, and it is quite likely that we might see a similar approach being followed for the OnePlus 9 Pro. A couple of days ago, OnePlus also confirmed that its upcoming flagship will employ the Sony IMX789 sensor that can capture 4K videos at 120FPS, confirming a previous leak as well.

OnePlus 9 Pro might use an LTPO display to enable adaptive refresh rate

In the past few years, it has been public knowledge that OnePlus phones have borrowed heavily from OPPO’s own high-end smartphones. And now that OnePlus has merged its R&D division with OPPO, it can be safely assumed that some OPPO Reno5 Pro+ inspiration will be visible on the OnePlus 9 series’ hardware too. Additionally, OnePlus chief Pete Lau also took over the command as Senior Vice President and Chief Product Experience Officer at OPLUS – a joint entity that is a majority shareholder in both OnePlus and OPPO.

 

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OnePlus smartwatch plans confirmed by CEO Pete Lau, no rush towards foldables though

Posted on by Nadeem Sarwar

The saga of a OnePlus smartwatch being in development has been a pretty confusing one. OnePlus was working on it way back in 2015, but the company pulled the plugs on it soon after. Then in 2020, rumors of a OnePlus-branded smartwatch rocking a circular display again surfaced online, with subsequent reports claiming that it has been postponed. Now, the company’s CEO himself has confirmed in an interview with InputMag that the company is indeed working on a smartwatch, with the report further predicting that the wearable might arrive next year.

Wear OS derailed plans of a OnePlus smartwatch

“About that smartwatch Lau officially confirmed is being worked on,” the report said. To recall, OnePlus teased the arrival of a smartwatch yet again in October, but has been mum on the project ever since. Interestingly, a OnePlus smartwatch was certified by Singapore’s IMDA earlier this year. As for the reason behind OnePlus originally putting its smartwatch ambitions on hold, the poor development status of Wear OS is to be blamed and how half-baked it was at the time compared to what Apple had to offer. 

“Wear OS definitely has room to improve. What we’re trying to do is work with Google to try to improve the connectivity between the Wear OS ecosystem, Android TV, and Android smartphones to create this ability for better device interoperability across the ecosystems. This has been something looked at very positively from Google’s side as well, so this is the direction that we’re trying to develop, but we don’t have more than we can share on that right now,” Lau was quoted as saying. 

OnePlus is not too keen on making a foldable right now

The OnePlus chief also broached the topic of foldable phones, but raised a point that the software experience is not yet mature enough to take full advantage of the foldable form factor. “One of the biggest issues you see now is the ability to have applications and the overall OS applied to leverage that larger screen, and have the larger screen be of really great use to users,” Lau was quoted as saying. 

However, the OnePlus chief did not entirely rule out the possibility of a foldable device in the future. “We are keeping a close eye on the status of the overall [foldables] industry and applications and the ability for the larger screen space to be leveraged and see that as a key determining factor for consideration of future foldable devices.” 

Essentially, Lau is neither confirming, nor denying that OnePlus will make a foldable phone anytime soon. However, if Google truly optimizes Android to maximize the benefits of a foldable form factor, we can at least hope to see OnePlus giving it a serious thought.

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OnePlus CEO Pete Lau confirms a 120Hz display for the upcoming OnePlus 8T

Posted on by Nadeem Sarwar

OnePlus 8T is all set to debut on October 14, and unsurprisingly, the rumor mill is in full swing around the upcoming smartphone. Leaks have already given us a glimpse of the phone’s design and some of its key specifications have also surfaced online, revealing the presence of an upgraded quad rear camera setup. Now, OnePlus CEO Pete Lau has shared some details about the OnePlus 8T’s display in an interaction with the folks over at TechRadar. The OnePlus co-founder mentioned that the OnePlus 8T will pack a 6.55-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate. 

A 2.5D flexible screen for the first time

With a 120Hz panel, the OnePlus offering will be only the second device in the company’s lineup aside from the OnePlus 8 Pro to touch that display refresh rate mark. Lau also added that the company is also using a 2.5D flexible screen for the first time starting with the OnePlus 8T. “Compared to regular panels, the 2.5D flexible screen offers an improved light permeability and can reach a maximum brightness of up to 1100 nits,” Lau was quoted as saying. The report adds that the OnePlus 8T will offer an impressive 91.9% screen-to-body-ratio, which is higher than any OnePlus phone currently available in the market. 

OnePlus 8T display will be the most color-accurate ever

Delving further into the attributes of OnePlus 8T’s display, Lau added that the panel used on it has received the highest quality certification by DisplayMate and that it offers “the highest color accuracy possible across the industry” with a “Just Noticeable Color Difference (JNCD) of around 0.3.” Talking about making the jump from 90Hz to 120Hz refresh rate, Lau noted that “screen is the most highly-used component on a phone” and that it “contributes significantly to the overall fast and smooth experience.” As per rumors circulating in the leak arena, OnePlus is not going to launch a ‘Pro’ model this time around, which means a “OnePlus 8T Pro” likely won’t happen. 

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OnePlus may once again deliver budget-friendly smartphones

Posted on by Samuel Martinez

There was a time when OnePlus used to be famous for delivering smartphones that would provide a near-flagship experience for less, almost half the price as the regular flagship devices on the market. However, the company has made several changes over the years, making the prices of their devices go up. Luckily, it seems that it will go back to making affordable smartphones.

OnePlus’s CEO, Pete Lau, explained during an interview with Fast Company that he wants the company to back to its roots and deliver a more affordable product offering. Even though he didn’t mention a specific name, we can assume that he may have been referring to the new OnePlus Z. He did however, say that this new affordable device would arrive soon, and he also said that there would be an announcement soon for India.

“OnePlus isn’t revealing any of those products yet, but a glimpse of the new strategy will arrive soon with an announcement for India. Later this year, the company hopes to bring lower-priced devices to other markets, including North America and Europe.”

The interview also picks up OnePlus’ desire to build its own ecosystem, which would’ve started with the OnePlus TVs that were presented last year, and the upcoming OnePlus Buds.

Source 9to5Google

Via Weibo

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Pocketnow Daily: Gaming on Google Pixel 4 FINALLY Worth It?! (video)

Posted on by Samuel Martinez

On today's Pocketnow Daily, we talk about game play in the Google Pixel 4, the Huawei Mate 30 seen in the wild, Galaxy S11 possible colors and more

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Pocketnow Daily: The iPhone XI is FINALLY bringing a BETTER BATTERY! (video)

Posted on by Samuel Martinez

On today's Pocketnow Daily, we talk about the new battery inside the iPhone XI, tne new foldable Motorola Razr, the new OnePlus 7T and more

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Pocketnow Daily: OnePlus 7 Pro Event, Honor 20 Pro Rumors & more (video)

Posted on by Samuel Martinez

On today's Pocketnow Daily, we talk about the event that will launch the OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro, new information on the Honor 20, and more.

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Samsung Galaxy Fold display breaks, OnePlus 7 official teaser & more – Pocketnow Daily

Posted on by Samuel Martinez

Watch today's Pocketnow Daily as we talk about the problems affecting the screens of some Samsung Galaxy Fold devices, more OnePlus 7 leaks & more

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OnePlus won’t compromise on wireless charging and won’t have it until it’s better

Posted on by Jules Wang

The CEO of the company is looking for faster, more efficient and non-destructive ways to charge his phones. Until then, it's business as usual.

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‘Honest’, premium OnePlus 6 design confirmed to use glass back providing ‘sense of value’

Posted on by Adrian Diaconescu

The OnePlus 6 will move away from the all-metal chassis of the 5T and the brand's sandstone roots, embracing a "premium" and "honest" glass design.

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Don’t worry, you will be able to hide the OnePlus 6 notch… eventually

Posted on by Adrian Diaconescu

If you don't feel ready to "love the notch" just yet, Pete Lau wants you to know a "black-out" feature will be delivered to the OnePlus 6 after the phone's commercial debut in a software update.

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