OnePlus could skip the OnePlus 5T in favor of a full-fledged OnePlus 6

Last year's OnePlus 3 launched earlier in the year followed by a slightly updated OnePlus 3T for the tail-end of the year. The 3T model introduced a 10-percent faster Qualcomm SoC with improved camera and more memory in a very similar package. This year, however, the Chinese manufacturer could be skipping over the OnePlus 5T as Qualcomm may be leaving them no other choice.

Android Marvel is suggesting that the OnePlus 5T will not become a reality for several reasons. For one, Qualcomm has already confirmed that the Snapdragon 836 is not planned for 2017 and so a potential OnePlus 5T would have to sport the exact same Snapdragon 835 SoC as the original OnePlus 5. Secondly, the OnePlus 5 is already available in 64 GB and 128 GB SKUs. Thus, a hypothetical 5T model would not offer a lot of benefits or incentives for users to purchase over the OnePlus 5.

Additionally, the same source is reporting that the company has recently dropped development of the OnePlus 5T in order to refocus its efforts and resources on the more ambitious OnePlus 6. High-end smartphones are currently trending towards 18:9 bezel-less designs and OnePlus smartphones have always been about offering key flagship features and powerful SoCs on its more affordable lineup. An early 2018 launch window would put the OnePlus 6 directly against competitors like the LG G7 or Galaxy S9 and so the OnePlus 6 would have to be a significant jump over the OnePlus 5 in design alone. Here's hoping that the manufacturer will produce its next device in sufficient quantities and not fall back on its loathed invite system.

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