Signs point to next OnePlus handset being OnePlus 5; will have ceramic construction

If you're both a fan of aluminum and the OnePlus series,you might be disappointed that Chinese smartphone manufacturer OnePlus will be going ceramic on its next phone, according to an article posted by Phone Radar. 

The move to ceramic is said to be related to signal-conduction issues for 5G networks through aluminum, but there are other benefits of using ceramic over aluminum as well: Ceramic has a higher strength and improved resistance to scratches, corrosion, and heat. Drawbacks include increased chances of chipping, much higher production cost, a slippery finish, and being more prone to fingerprints—according to Phone Radar's experience with the ceramic Mi MIX. The same supplier for the Xiao Mi Mi MIX's ceramic is said to be providing for the OnePlus 5, according to Chinese sources.

Changing to ceramic makes sense because of 5G, but what about the OnePlus 4? OnePlus is a Chinese company, and many countries with Chinese-language roots (including China, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam, and Korea) have a cultural belief that the number 4 is unlucky. Why? In Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, the number "4" sounds close to (or the same as) "death". Thus, buildings often don't have 4th floors, and companies may elect to omit the number 4 from their products.

As the OnePlus 3T has only recently been released, Phone Arena predicts the next OnePlus handset to come out in Q2 2017.

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