OnePlus merging with OPPO meant different things for different people but here in our part of the world, it just means we’re finally getting local access to these phones. There are currently three OnePlus phones now locally available in the Philippines but today we’re looking a the OnePlus 10T

There are already a lot of reviews out there since this phone has been out for quite a while now so let us share with you instead our favorite features of the OnePlus 10T 5G and what makes it worth getting.

Beefy performance

First on our list and one of the most notable and probably one of the best features of this phone is its performance.

You’re given a flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor that’s able to sail through all sorts of tasks – intensive or not. For the average user, it may even be a bit too much considering it’s partnered with a capable 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.

In other regions, you’re even given a more powerful 16GB+256GB variant. But considering this is OnePlus’ debut entry into the Philippines, it makes sense for them to test the waters with just a few phones first.

If you do need that extra push, virtual RAM is available which borrows from the phone’s storage to increase the phone’s RAM capacity. You can expand up to 15GB total with 7GB maximum virtual RAM. We also have UFS 3.1 storage which makes transfers fast and easy as well.

But expanded or not, intensive tasks like gaming or photography are also handled with ease and grace. Resource-heavy games like Genshin Impact ran smoothly even at high settings. If you’re an FPS gamer, games like Apex Legends are also no problem on this device.

You will experience heat however but the new cooling system on this phone does a pretty good job. I would personally put the included case on, however, as it makes it more comfortable.

When it comes down to performance, the OnePlus 10T 5G knocks it out of the park. That’s expected, though, with its flagship chip. Heating is probably its major issue but is something you can find fixes for.

Clean UI

With OnePlus and OPPO merging, there were a couple of software concerns. Would OPPO inject too much of itself into the well-loved OxygenOS of OnePlus? Or maybe there would be no difference at all?

With the OnePlus and OPPO partnership, there were a couple of concerns on how OxygenOS would look and feel with OPPO’s DNA inserted into it.

I would like to disclose, however, that this is the first OnePlus phone I’ve handled since the brand wasn’t readily available here in our country.

I can’t deny that, at first glance, you can feel OPPO’s ColorOS DNA with the overall look. OnePlus and OxygenOS have been known to closely stick to Google’s stock Android but not for this version of the OS. I’ve heard some OnePlus fans were rather disappointed with the new UI and software but as for someone looking at it with pretty fresh eyes, it’s still neater and more minimalist than a lot out there and there are a couple of things that I really appreciate.

The overall software experience was painless but that’s thanks to the flagship processor we were talking about. As for functionality, OxygenOS 12 offers fun and nifty features that I’ve come to love during my time with this phone.

First up is OnePlus Shelf which offers easy access to frequently used widgets and apps. Bring it up by swiping on the top right side of the device. The look of the UI also offers deep customization as well. From icon shapes, accent colors, and even layout.

Another notable and useful feature for this day and age is Work & Life mode. If you’re familiar with Focus Mode on Apple devices, it’s quite similar.

You can set up a schedule for work and for life and delegate the time, apps, and notifications that can come through. Work mode automatically minimizes the use of entertainment or gaming apps and silences notifications. But you can easily “take a break” anytime by tapping on the notification.

What’s next isn’t really a feature but just a fun OnePlus easter egg. Bring up the system calculator and type in 1+ and you’ll get a cute little animation.

Delightful display

In terms of the overall design, the OnePlus 10T 5G isn’t really putting out anything groundbreaking. The company has always stuck to minimalist designs which makes sense because we see a lot of the work go into its processing power and other internal features,

There’s more effort in the 10T’s display for example. Offering a 6.7-inch OLED panel with a maximum 120Hz refresh rate, 10-bit color, HDR10+ support, and Corning Gorilla Glass protection make it a well-specced flagship-fit display.

The smooth display has excellent touch response as well which can help make it a gaming phone as well. And with a peak brightness of 950nits, it’s also usable even under direct sunlight.

Enough juice for the day

And last but definitely not least on our list is the OnePlus 10T’s battery.

Carrying a battery with a 4800mAh capacity, the OnePlus 10T 5G was able to accompany me through the day given I didn’t game or use the camera too much. And while it’s not at the 5000mAh capacity most of us are getting used to, the OnePlus 10T does make up for it by offering incredibly fast charging speeds.

On the OnePlus 10T 5G is support 150W SuperVOOC Endurance Edition and comes with a 160W charger in the box. So even if your phone taps out mid-day, you can quickly recharge and go. How fast? We were able to fully charge the phone from zero in just 20 minutes.

Some folks are still iffy about fast charging for safety reasons but OnePlus did enforce measures within the phone to keep you and it safe.

What about its cameras?

OnePlus has been known to equip their phones with pretty capable cameras as well so why didn’t it make it to the list?

For a device in its segment, the OnePlus 10T 5G’s camera comes up just a little bit short in my opinion. Not saying that it’s not a good camera because it is.

In optimal conditions, photos come out sharp with punchy colors. Cutouts are pretty good though not the most natural I’ve seen but are more than acceptable for social media. Even during low light, a steady hand and good ambient lighting can give you really nice photos as well.

Again, the cameras are not bad at all they’re just not the most exceptional thing about this phone and probably won’t be the main reason you’d pick it up.

Final thoughts

With a price tag that boasts less than most of today’s flagship devices, the OnePlus 10T 5G offerings may not be well-rounded enough to call itself a flagship killer. But it remains that this phone bodes really great qualities, especially in the performance and battery department.