OnePlus 2

OnePlus 2 is no officially no longer sold in Qatar. However, you can buy this phone in Kit, second hand,  or refurbished form for 300-400 QAR.

Specifications

Release Date and Features

The OnePlus 2 was announced in July 2015 and released in August of the same year. It was marketed as the “2016 Flagship Killer,” aiming to compete with high-end smartphones at a more affordable price point. The phone featured a 5.5-inch Full HD display, which was considered large and high-quality at the time. It was powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, which was one of the top-performing chips of its generation.

One of the standout features of the OnePlus 2 was its fingerprint sensor, which was not common in mid-range phones at the time. The device also introduced USB Type-C to OnePlus phones, which was a forward-thinking move as this port was not yet widely adopted. The phone’s build quality was impressive, with an aluminum-magnesium alloy frame and a range of back cover options including Sandstone Black, Bamboo, Rosewood, and Kevlar.

Camera and Battery Life

The OnePlus 2 came with a 13-megapixel main camera, which was capable of taking good quality photos for its time. It featured optical image stabilization (OIS) and laser autofocus, which helped in capturing sharper images and faster focusing. The front-facing camera was 5 megapixels, suitable for selfies and video calls.

Battery life was a strong point for the OnePlus 2, thanks to its 3300mAh battery. This was a significant upgrade from its predecessor and could easily last a full day of moderate to heavy use. However, it’s worth noting that the phone did not support fast charging, which was becoming more common in flagship devices of that era.

Software and User Experience

The OnePlus 2 initially ran on OxygenOS, based on Android 5.1 Lollipop. OxygenOS was praised for its clean, near-stock Android experience with useful additions. The phone was later upgraded to Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, which brought additional features and improvements. The user interface was smooth and responsive, thanks to the powerful processor and ample RAM.

One unique feature of the OnePlus 2 was the Alert Slider, a physical switch on the side of the phone that allowed users to quickly toggle between different notification profiles. This feature became a signature of OnePlus phones and is still present in their newer models.

Comparison with Other Models

When compared to its predecessor, the OnePlus One, the OnePlus 2 offered several improvements. It had a more powerful processor, a fingerprint sensor, and a larger battery. The design was also more premium, with the metal frame giving it a more high-end feel.

The OnePlus X, which was released after the OnePlus 2, was positioned as a more compact and affordable option. While it had a smaller 5-inch display and a less powerful processor, it featured a premium glass and metal design that some users preferred over the OnePlus 2’s more utilitarian look.

The OnePlus 3 and 3T, which followed the OnePlus 2, brought significant upgrades. They featured AMOLED displays, more RAM (6GB), and introduced Dash Charge for fast charging. These models also had improved cameras and a more refined design.

In comparison to other phones available in the market at a similar price point, the OnePlus 2 held its own. It offered flagship-level specifications at a lower price than many competitors. Phones like the Xiaomi Mi 4 and Asus ZenFone 2 were close competitors, offering similar performance at comparable prices. However, the OnePlus 2’s clean software experience and unique features like the Alert Slider set it apart.

Higher-priced flagships of the time, such as the Samsung Galaxy S6 or the iPhone 6s, offered more premium builds and additional features like wireless charging or more advanced cameras. However, the OnePlus 2 provided a compelling alternative for users who wanted high-end performance without the premium price tag.

Long-term Performance and Updates

Over time, the OnePlus 2 maintained its performance relatively well. The Snapdragon 810 processor, while powerful, was known to have some heating issues, which OnePlus addressed to some extent through software optimizations. The 4GB RAM variant, in particular, continued to handle multitasking well even as apps became more demanding.

However, one area where the OnePlus 2 fell short was in terms of long-term software support. OnePlus initially promised Android Nougat for the device but later backtracked on this commitment, leaving Android Marshmallow as the final official update. This was disappointing for many users who had come to expect longer software support from OnePlus.

Build Quality and Design

The OnePlus 2 featured a solid build quality that was a step up from its predecessor. The aluminum-magnesium alloy frame gave the phone a premium feel, while the customizable back covers allowed for personalization. The Sandstone Black option, in particular, became iconic for OnePlus, offering a unique texture that improved grip.

The phone’s design was functional rather than flashy. At 9.9mm thick, it was not the slimmest phone on the market, but this allowed for the larger battery and sturdy construction. The front of the device was dominated by the 5.5-inch display, with capacitive navigation buttons below it. The fingerprint sensor was integrated into the home button, which was a physical button but didn’t actually press in – a design choice that some users loved and others found odd.

Display Technology

The 5.5-inch IPS LCD display of the OnePlus 2 was a strong point. With a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels, it offered a pixel density of about 401 ppi, resulting in sharp and clear visuals. The display was protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, providing decent protection against scratches and minor drops.

While not an AMOLED display like some of its competitors, the IPS panel on the OnePlus 2 offered good color accuracy and viewing angles. It was also sufficiently bright for outdoor use, though it didn’t quite match the peak brightness of some higher-end flagships of the time.

Audio and Connectivity

In terms of audio, the OnePlus 2 featured a single bottom-firing speaker. While not the loudest or highest quality, it was adequate for casual use. The phone retained the 3.5mm headphone jack, which was (and still is) appreciated by many users.

For connectivity, the OnePlus 2 supported 4G LTE, which was becoming standard at the time. It also featured dual-SIM capability, making it attractive for users who needed to manage multiple phone numbers. The introduction of the USB Type-C port was forward-thinking, although it meant that users had to replace their existing micro-USB cables.

Gaming and Performance

The Snapdragon 810 processor, coupled with the Adreno 430 GPU, made the OnePlus 2 a capable gaming device for its time. It could handle most high-end games of 2015 and 2016 without significant issues. The 4GB RAM variant, in particular, was well-equipped to handle multitasking and app switching during gaming sessions.

However, the phone’s performance in sustained gaming scenarios was sometimes hampered by the Snapdragon 810’s tendency to heat up. OnePlus implemented measures to mitigate this, including underclocking the processor, which helped with heat management but could occasionally result in slight performance throttling during extended gaming sessions.

Camera Capabilities

The 13MP main camera of the OnePlus 2 was a capable shooter for its time. It featured optical image stabilization (OIS), which helped in reducing blur from hand shake, especially in low light conditions. The laser autofocus system allowed for quick focusing, particularly useful for capturing moving subjects.

The camera app offered a range of modes and settings, including a manual mode for more advanced users. In good lighting conditions, the OnePlus 2 could capture detailed and well-exposed images. Low-light performance, while not class-leading, was respectable for a phone in its price range.

The 5MP front-facing camera was adequate for selfies and video calls. It didn’t have any standout features like a wide-angle lens or high megapixel count, but it performed its job competently in good lighting conditions.

Battery Life and Charging

The 3300mAh battery in the OnePlus 2 was a significant improvement over its predecessor. For most users, it could easily last a full day of moderate to heavy use. The phone’s battery life was helped by the 1080p display, which was less power-hungry than the QHD displays that some competitors were using.

However, one notable omission was the lack of fast charging technology. While many flagships of the time were introducing quick charge capabilities, the OnePlus 2 stuck with standard charging speeds. This meant that topping up the large battery could take a considerable amount of time.

Software Features and Customization

OxygenOS, the custom Android skin used by OnePlus, was a key selling point of the OnePlus 2. It offered a near-stock Android experience with some useful additions. The interface was clean and uncluttered, appealing to users who preferred a more vanilla Android look.

Some of the standout software features included:

1. Dark Mode: Before it became a standard Android feature, OnePlus offered a system-wide dark theme.
2. Customizable Quick Settings: Users could rearrange and customize the quick settings tiles to their liking.
3. Gesture Controls: The phone offered various gesture controls, such as double-tap to wake and drawing symbols on the screen to launch apps.
4. Shelf: A custom screen to the left of the home screen that displayed frequently used apps and widgets.

These software features, combined with the generally smooth performance, contributed to a positive user experience that many OnePlus fans appreciated.

OnePlus 2 in the Context of OnePlus’s Evolution

The OnePlus 2 played a significant role in OnePlus’s journey as a smartphone manufacturer. It helped establish OnePlus as a serious player in the smartphone market, building on the surprise success of the OnePlus One.

With the OnePlus 2, the company showed that it could iterate and improve upon its previous model, introducing new features like the fingerprint sensor and USB-C port. It also demonstrated OnePlus’s commitment to offering high-end specs at a mid-range price point, a philosophy that would continue to define the brand in subsequent years.

However, the OnePlus 2 also revealed some of the challenges the young company faced. The issues with the Snapdragon 810 processor, the lack of NFC (which was criticized by many), and the eventual backtracking on software update promises were learning experiences for OnePlus.These lessons seemed to inform the development of future models. The OnePlus 3, for instance, addressed many of the criticisms of the OnePlus 2, featuring NFC, fast charging, and an improved camera system.

The Legacy of the OnePlus 2

Looking back, the OnePlus 2 can be seen as an important transitional device for OnePlus. It wasn’t without its flaws, but it represented a significant step forward from the OnePlus One in terms of build quality and features.

The phone helped solidify OnePlus’s reputation for offering flagship-level specs at lower prices, a positioning that would serve the company well in the years to come. Features introduced or refined in the OnePlus 2, such as the Alert Slider and the focus on a clean, fast user interface, would become hallmarks of the OnePlus brand.

While it may not be remembered as the best phone OnePlus ever made, the OnePlus 2 was undoubtedly an important part of the company’s evolution. It helped set the stage for the more refined and successful models that would follow, contributing to OnePlus’s growth from a niche player to a recognized force in the smartphone industry.