About the OnePlus 7 Pro
Chinese manufacturer OnePlus might not be the household name that, say, Samsung is, but they are building a solid reputation. After a shaky start with phones that could be bought only by invitation, OnePlus phones are now fairly easy to find on the UK market. Not only that, they tend to promise big specs for lower than average prices, which is always tempting. The latest flagship, the OnePlus 7 Pro, promises a lot for that sticker price, but could it possibly be worth it? We think so, and this is one of the best flagships we’ve seen so far in 2019.
Why should you want the OnePlus 7 Pro? There’s obviously plenty of power and speed. There’s also a fantastic screen that takes up the entire front panel. Then there’s that camera set, with a hefty set of rear cam specs and an innovative pop up front cam. Add that to the price (which will see you saving a couple of hundred pounds over bigger name flagships) and you can see that the 7 Pro is a steal.
Key Features on the OnePlus 7 Pro
The first thing that you’ll notice about the 7 Pro is that it’s literally all screen at the front. Thanks to a pop up front camera there’s no screen notch, not even a pinhole to mar the front panel. This gives the 7 Pro a sleek, minimalistic look that’s almost futuristic. It’s got a glass and aluminium build making it lightweight but preserving that premium hand-feel. And it’s quite simply a great looking device.
Aside from those looks you’re getting good internals under the hood as well. There’s plenty of power and tons of RAM. The screen specs themselves are excellent. Camera specs are very solid. In fact, there’s really nothing lacking here.
Yes, you’re going to be spending in the high hundreds. However, when compared to other flagship prices, the 7 Pro comes pretty cheap. And the features and specs you’re getting for that price should really seal the deal.
Performance and Power Specs
There’s no shortage of power here. Performance is a priority on any top end smartphone, and the 7 Pro isn’t going to let you down. You get octa core processing here, with a processor set made up of a 2.84 GHz chip, along with three 2.42 GHz chips and four 1.8 GHz models. Add in tons of RAM (either 6, 8, or 12 GB, depending on which model you choose) and you’re looking at super fast speeds on a truly responsive device.
This is an Android device, and you’ll be getting the newest Android 9.0 Pie version right out of the box. Having the latest OS version gives you added security, stability and speed, but you also get some nice new features. Most notably there’s a new gesture control system that’s more intuitive, and a new look as well, with more rounded icons that are more pleasant to look at.
The bottom line here is that performance is excellent. There’s no lag, no slowing, and certainly no freezing, even when multi tasking. This is a phone that will be able to do anything, and that should please even demanding users.
That Display
Let’s move on now to that amazing display. Again, you’re getting a full front display, no notch, no pinhole. And it’s a big one. Coming in at 6.67 inches this is a huge screen, and perfect for viewing, reading, or playing. Being so large does mean that the 7 Pro isn’t really a phone for those with small hands though, and you won’t be able to use it one handed…
Resolution numbers are good with a whopping 1440 x 3120 pixels (about 516 PPI) on a 19.5:9 ratio display. This is a fluid AMOLED liquid display as well. This means that you’re getting sharp, clear, crisp pictures with fantastic colour reproduction. Add in a 90 HZ refresh rate and you’re also getting smooth flowing video.
This is one of the best displays around right now, and it’s a real pleasure to look at. From high-end gaming to HD video, the 7 Pro has an awesome screen, and that lack of notch or pinhole makes more of a difference than you might think.
The Innovative Camera Set
And now a huge selling point: that camera set. Starting at the front you’re seeing a motorized pop-up camera that literally pops up from the top corner of the phone (which is why there’s no screen notch or pinhole for a camera lens). It’s a solid 16 MP, f/2.0, 25 mm cam, which should be more than good enough for video calling and selfies.
At the rear you’re seeing a huge triple lens camera. This is made up of a 48 MP (f/1.6, wide angle), an 8 MP (f/2.4, telephoto), and a 16 MP (f/2.2, ultrawide) lens. You get laser and phase detection autofocus, optical image stabilization, dual tone, dual LED flash, HDR and a whole boatload of other camera features too.
If you’re looking for a phone that takes great pictures then you’ve found it. Whether you’re into action shots or stills, serious photography or casual snaps, the 7 Pro is more than capable of doing what you need. And a recent camera software update has improved a couple of technical glitches the 7 Pro had at launch.
And All the Rest…
Obviously the Pro 7 has plenty of extra features since it is a flagship phone, but a few deserve special mention. The most notable feature is the underscreen fingerprint sensor. This means that you simply press your finger to the bottom of the screen to unlock the phone, so there’s no bulky sensor on the back panel.
You get excellent battery life as well, with a huge 4000 mAh battery on board. That should be more than enough to get you through the day. And if it’s not, you have fast charge (warp charge) capability for a faster charge cycle. This is also one of the first generally available 5G phones, meaning should you get access to a 5G network you’ll have ultrafast mobile data. However, 5G networks are not yet commercially available.
There are a couple of things missing, however. The 7 Pro does NOT have a standard headphone jack, so you’ll need an adaptor for headphones (or just go wireless). There’s no expandable memory, so you won’t be able to add more storage. And there’s no wireless charging either, which could be a dealbreaker for some.
The OnePlus 7 Pro comes in three colour options: mirror grey, almond and nebula blue. There are also three storage options: a 128 GB version which has 6 GB of RAM, and two 256 GB versions with either 8 GB or 12 GB of RAM.
OnePlus 7 Pro Deals
So, what’s the damage to the wallet here? Well, not as much as you might think. Firstly, the OnePlus 7 Pro isn’t quite as available as other models are. You can find it at John Lewis or through OnePlus or through Amazon, though it’s likely to become more available over time. If you’re looking at buying SIM free you’re going to be paying around £649 for the basic 128 GB version, or about £699 for the 256 GB, 8 GB RAM, or £799 for the 256 GB, 12 GB of RAM version. A couple of operators do carry the 7 Pro (EE and Three, for example) and contract prices go from around £35 a month with about £29 up front.
This is a high end, 5G capable phone. This means that your priority when contract shopping should be big data plans, since the 7 Pro is likely to eat up your data limit fast. If you happen to constantly be around WiFi though, you might be able to get savings by opting for a lower data limit.
As for sales and discounts, you’re unlikely to find any anytime soon. This is a new release, so we wouldn’t expect to see discounts until at least the end of 2019. If the 7 Pro is a little expensive for you then we’d suggest checking out early OnePlus models The 6T, for example, is a great phone and will come in cheaper than the 7 Pro.
The OnePlus 7 Pro is a fantastic phone. It looks amazing and gets truly top end specs, and it won’t cost you the earth either. With so many great features this is a real crowd pleaser, and you won’t be disappointed if this is the new mobile that you choose!Chinese manufacturer OnePlus might not be the household name that, say, Samsung is, but they are building a solid reputation. After a shaky start with phones that could be bought only by invitation, OnePlus phones are now fairly easy to find on the UK market. Not only that, they tend to promise big specs for lower than average prices, which is always tempting. The latest flagship, the OnePlus 7 Pro, promises a lot for that sticker price, but could it possibly be worth it? We think so, and this is one of the best flagships we’ve seen so far in 2019.
Why should you want the OnePlus 7 Pro? There’s obviously plenty of power and speed. There’s also a fantastic screen that takes up the entire front panel. Then there’s that camera set, with a hefty set of rear cam specs and an innovative pop up front cam. Add that to the price (which will see you saving a couple of hundred pounds over bigger name flagships) and you can see that the 7 Pro is a steal.
Key Features on the OnePlus 7 Pro
The first thing that you’ll notice about the 7 Pro is that it’s literally all screen at the front. Thanks to a pop up front camera there’s no screen notch, not even a pinhole to mar the front panel. This gives the 7 Pro a sleek, minimalistic look that’s almost futuristic. It’s got a glass and aluminium build making it lightweight but preserving that premium hand-feel. And it’s quite simply a great looking device.
Aside from those looks you’re getting good internals under the hood as well. There’s plenty of power and tons of RAM. The screen specs themselves are excellent. Camera specs are very solid. In fact, there’s really nothing lacking here.
Yes, you’re going to be spending in the high hundreds. However, when compared to other flagship prices, the 7 Pro comes pretty cheap. And the features and specs you’re getting for that price should really seal the deal.
Performance and Power Specs
There’s no shortage of power here. Performance is a priority on any top end smartphone, and the 7 Pro isn’t going to let you down. You get octa core processing here, with a processor set made up of a 2.84 GHz chip, along with three 2.42 GHz chips and four 1.8 GHz models. Add in tons of RAM (either 6, 8, or 12 GB, depending on which model you choose) and you’re looking at super fast speeds on a truly responsive device.
This is an Android device, and you’ll be getting the newest Android 9.0 Pie version right out of the box. Having the latest OS version gives you added security, stability and speed, but you also get some nice new features. Most notably there’s a new gesture control system that’s more intuitive, and a new look as well, with more rounded icons that are more pleasant to look at.
The bottom line here is that performance is excellent. There’s no lag, no slowing, and certainly no freezing, even when multi tasking. This is a phone that will be able to do anything, and that should please even demanding users.
That Display
Let’s move on now to that amazing display. Again, you’re getting a full front display, no notch, no pinhole. And it’s a big one. Coming in at 6.67 inches this is a huge screen, and perfect for viewing, reading, or playing. Being so large does mean that the 7 Pro isn’t really a phone for those with small hands though, and you won’t be able to use it one handed…
Resolution numbers are good with a whopping 1440 x 3120 pixels (about 516 PPI) on a 19.5:9 ratio display. This is a fluid AMOLED liquid display as well. This means that you’re getting sharp, clear, crisp pictures with fantastic colour reproduction. Add in a 90 HZ refresh rate and you’re also getting smooth flowing video.
This is one of the best displays around right now, and it’s a real pleasure to look at. From high end gaming to HD video, the 7 Pro has an awesome screen, and that lack of notch or pinhole makes more of a difference than you might think.
The Innovative Camera Set
And now a huge selling point: that camera set. Starting at the front you’re seeing a motorized pop up camera that literally pops up from the top corner of the phone (which is why there’s no screen notch or pinhole for a camera lens). It’s a solid 16 MP, f/2.0, 25 mm cam, which should be more than good enough for video calling and selfies.
At the rear you’re seeing a huge triple lens camera. This is made up of a 48 MP (f/1.6, wide angle), an 8 MP (f/2.4, telephoto), and a 16 MP (f/2.2, ultrawide) lens. You get laser and phase detection autofocus, optical image stabilization, dual tone, dual LED flash, HDR and a whole boatload of other camera features too.
If you’re looking for a phone that takes great pictures then you’ve found it. Whether you’re into action shots or stills, serious photography or casual snaps, the 7 Pro is more than capable of doing what you need. And a recent camera software update has improved a couple of technical glitches the 7 Pro had at launch.
And All the Rest…
Obviously the Pro 7 has plenty of extra features since it is a flagship phone, but a few deserve special mention. The most notable feature is the underscreen fingerprint sensor. This means that you simply press your finger to the bottom of the screen to unlock the phone, so there’s no bulky sensor on the back panel.
You get excellent battery life as well, with a huge 4000 mAh battery on board. That should be more than enough to get you through the day. And if it’s not, you have fast charge (warp charge) capability for a faster charge cycle. This is also one of the first generally available 5G phones, meaning should you get access to a 5G network you’ll have ultrafast mobile data. However, 5G networks are not yet commercially available.
There are a couple of things missing, however. The 7 Pro does NOT have a standard headphone jack, so you’ll need an adaptor for headphones (or just go wireless). There’s no expandable memory, so you won’t be able to add more storage. And there’s no wireless charging either, which could be a dealbreaker for some.
The OnePlus 7 Pro comes in three colour options: mirror grey, almond and nebula blue. There are also three storage options: a 128 GB version which has 6 GB of RAM, and two 256 GB versions with either 8 GB or 12 GB of RAM.
OnePlus 7 Pro Deals
So, what’s the damage to the wallet here? Well, not as much as you might think. Firstly, the OnePlus 7 Pro isn’t quite as available as other models are. You can find it at John Lewis or through OnePlus or through Amazon, though it’s likely to become more available over time. If you’re looking at buying SIM free you’re going to be paying around £649 for the basic 128 GB version, or about £699 for the 256 GB, 8 GB RAM, or £799 for the 256 GB, 12 GB of RAM version. A couple of operators do carry the 7 Pro (EE and Three, for example) and contract prices go from around £35 a month with about £29 up front.
This is a high end, 5G capable phone. This means that your priority when contract shopping should be big data plans, since the 7 Pro is likely to eat up your data limit fast. If you happen to constantly be around WiFi though, you might be able to get savings by opting for a lower data limit.
As for sales and discounts, you’re unlikely to find any anytime soon. This is a new release, so we wouldn’t expect to see discounts until at least the end of 2019. If the 7 Pro is a little expensive for you then we’d suggest checking out early OnePlus models The 6T, for example, is a great phone and will come in cheaper than the 7 Pro.
The OnePlus 7 Pro is a fantastic phone. It looks amazing and gets truly top end specs, and it won’t cost you the earth either. With so many great features this is a real crowd pleaser, and you won’t be disappointed if this is the new mobile that you choose!
