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OnePlus 10 Pro: 4 wildly compelling reasons to skip the new flagship smartphone

Never settle? Seems like OnePlus has been settling for less and charging more these days...(Image source: OnePlus)
Never settle? Seems like OnePlus has been settling for less and charging more these days...(Image source: OnePlus)
OnePlus has entered the flagship sphere once again, this time aiming to simplify its smartphone lineup with the introduction of the OnePlus 10 Pro. With a basic OnePlus 10 “non-pro” notably missing from its lineup, take a look at why Android users should skip the best of what OnePlus has to offer this year.
Article compiled by Brahm Shank
The choices and comments made on this list belong solely to the author.

1. Say goodbye to 5G on AT&T

The OnePlus 10 Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, which packs the latest-gen 5G platform technology from Qualcomm. Therefore, users would expect this flagship offering to access 5G connectivity from US carriers without issue.

Unfortunately, 5G remains a complete mess on the OnePlus 10 Pro, with AT&T support missing entirely. While OnePlus is allegedly working to certify the 10 Pro with Verizon to work on low and mid-band 5G frequencies, T-Mobile remains the only carrier allowing users to access 5G albeit with mmWave support absent altogether. 

2. Disappointing durability

After OnePlus launched the 10 Pro in China in mid-January, it was not long before YouTuber JerryRigEverything conducted a thorough durability test on the device. Reminiscent of BendGate on the iPhone 6, the OnePlus 10 Pro lacks significant structural integrity, particularly due to the positioning and lack of hardware reinforcement regarding a few key components.

As demonstrated in JerryRigEverything’s video, bending the device just beneath its camera array emits a creaking sound while continued force can cause the smartphone to snap in two.

OnePlus might have "bent" the truth with durability claims. (Image source: JerryRigEverything)
OnePlus might have "bent" the truth with durability claims. (Image source: JerryRigEverything)

3. Confusing liquid resistance

Certifying any smartphone for water resistance can cost companies a pretty penny. OnePlus has historically been able to reduce the cost of its flagship handsets by forgoing to obtain an ingress protection (IP) rating when possible.

With no IP certification to support OnePlus’ water resistance claims, handset durability remains a paramount concern among potential buyers. T-Mobile reportedly has plans to sell a version of the OnePlus 10 Pro with an official IP68 water resistance rating, though users looking for an unlocked model are still out of luck. 

Is it me or does the camera array look like an electric stovetop? (Image source: OnePlus)
Is it me or does the camera array look like an electric stovetop? (Image source: OnePlus)

4. Telephoto oh no…

The OnePlus 10 Pro features a rear-facing telephoto camera that is less than lackluster. At a measly 8 MP, photos taken with the OnePlus 10 telephoto camera typically appear noisy, dull, and unsaturated, especially when up against rival Android flagships like the Pixel 6 Pro or Galaxy S22 Ultra

Source(s)

OnePlus, JerryRigEverything, Own

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2022 04 > OnePlus 10 Pro: 4 wildly compelling reasons to skip the new flagship smartphone
Brahm Shank, 2022-04- 5 (Update: 2022-04- 5)