OnePlus 3

The OnePlus 3 is no longer available new from official retailers in Qatar. However, when it was initially released, the OnePlus 3 was priced at around 1,450 QAR for the 64GB variant. The device was only available in one storage option, unlike some of its successors.

It’s worth noting that prices may vary if you find used or refurbished models in the secondary market.

OnePlus 3 Specifications

Feature	Specification
Display	5.5″ Optic AMOLED
Resolution	1080 x 1920 pixels
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
RAM	6GB
Storage	64GB (non-expandable)
Main Camera	16MP, f/2.0
Front Camera	8MP, f/2.0
Battery	3000mAh
Charging	Dash Charge (20W)
Operating System	Android 6.0.1 (upgradable to Android 9.0)
Fingerprint Sensor	Front-mounted
5G	No
Water Resistance	No official rating

 

Release Date and Availability

The OnePlus 3 was officially released on June 14, 2016. It was made available globally, including in Qatar, shortly after its announcement. The device quickly gained popularity due to its flagship-level specifications at a mid-range price point. OnePlus followed a direct-to-consumer model, which allowed them to keep prices competitive compared to other major smartphone brands.

Design and Build Quality

The OnePlus 3 marked a significant departure from its predecessors in terms of design. It featured a sleek, all-metal unibody construction that gave it a premium look and feel. The phone was available in two color options: Graphite and Soft Gold. With dimensions of 152.7 x 74.7 x 7.35 mm and weighing just 158 grams, the OnePlus 3 struck a good balance between screen size and portability.

The front of the device was dominated by the 5.5-inch Optic AMOLED display, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4. The fingerprint sensor was integrated into the home button, which was flanked by capacitive navigation keys. The alert slider, a signature OnePlus feature, was present on the left side of the device, allowing users to quickly switch between notification profiles.

Performance and Software

At the heart of the OnePlus 3 was the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, which was the flagship chipset of its time. Paired with 6GB of RAM, the device offered smooth multitasking and excellent performance for both everyday tasks and demanding applications. The generous amount of RAM was particularly noteworthy, as it exceeded what many other flagship devices offered at the time.

The OnePlus 3 ran on OxygenOS, a custom Android skin developed by OnePlus. OxygenOS was known for its clean, near-stock Android experience with useful additions that enhanced functionality without bloating the system. The device launched with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow and was later updated to Android 9.0 Pie, receiving several years of software support.

Camera Capabilities

The camera system on the OnePlus 3 was a significant improvement over its predecessors. The main rear camera featured a 16-megapixel Sony IMX298 sensor with an f/2.0 aperture, phase detection autofocus, and optical image stabilization (OIS). This setup allowed for quick focusing and good low-light performance. The camera app offered various modes, including Manual mode for more advanced users.

On the front, an 8-megapixel camera with an f/2.0 aperture took care of selfies and video calls. While not groundbreaking, it was more than capable for social media uploads and video chats. The camera software included features like smile capture and beauty mode to enhance self-portraits.

Battery Life and Charging

The OnePlus 3 was equipped with a 3000mAh non-removable battery. While not the largest capacity for its time, it was generally sufficient for a full day of moderate use.

The real star of the show was OnePlus’s proprietary Dash Charge technology (later renamed to Warp Charge). This fast-charging solution could replenish the battery from 0 to 60% in just 30 minutes, which was impressive for 2016 standards.

Comparison with Other Models

When comparing the OnePlus 3 to its immediate successor, the OnePlus 3T, the differences were subtle but notable. The 3T featured a slightly more powerful Snapdragon 821 processor, a larger 3400mAh battery, and an improved 16MP front camera. These upgrades came with a small price increase, making the 3T a worthy consideration for those who wanted the latest specs.

The OnePlus 5, released about a year after the OnePlus 3, brought more significant changes. It introduced a dual-camera system, a more refined design, and the then-latest Snapdragon 835 processor. The OnePlus 5 also offered options for more storage and RAM, catering to power users who needed additional resources.

In the same price range as the OnePlus 3, competitors like the Xiaomi Mi 5 and the Honor 8 offered similar performance with their own unique features. The Mi 5 boasted a more compact design with a glass back, while the Honor 8 featured a dual-camera setup that was ahead of its time for the price point.

Compared to flagship devices from Samsung, Apple, and LG at the time, the OnePlus 3 held its own in terms of performance and build quality. While it lacked some premium features like water resistance and wireless charging, it offered a comparable user experience at a significantly lower price point.

OnePlus 3’s Legacy

The OnePlus 3 was a pivotal device for the company, cementing OnePlus’s position as a serious contender in the smartphone market. It demonstrated that it was possible to offer flagship-level specifications and performance at a mid-range price point. The device’s success paved the way for future OnePlus models and influenced the broader smartphone industry, pushing other manufacturers to offer better value in their mid-range and flagship devices.

Display Technology

The 5.5-inch Optic AMOLED display of the OnePlus 3 was a significant talking point upon its release. AMOLED technology offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast ratios, making it ideal for multimedia consumption. The “Optic” branding referred to OnePlus’s custom tuning of the display to enhance color accuracy and outdoor visibility.

With a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels (Full HD), the OnePlus 3 offered a pixel density of about 401 PPI (pixels per inch). While some competitors were moving to Quad HD resolutions, OnePlus argued that Full HD was the sweet spot for balancing sharpness and battery efficiency. The display was protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4, providing good resistance against scratches and minor drops.

Storage and Memory Management

The OnePlus 3 came with 64GB of internal storage, which was generous for its time and price point. However, it’s important to note that the device did not support expandable storage via microSD card. This decision was part of OnePlus’s strategy to maintain performance consistency and reduce costs.

To complement the storage, the OnePlus 3 boasted 6GB of LPDDR4 RAM. This was a standout feature in 2016, as many flagship devices were still offering 3GB or 4GB of RAM. The abundance of RAM allowed for excellent multitasking capabilities and future-proofing, as apps and operating systems tend to become more resource-intensive over time.

Connectivity Options

In terms of connectivity, the OnePlus 3 was well-equipped for its time. It supported 4G LTE networks, ensuring fast mobile data speeds where available. The device also featured dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC for contactless payments, and GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS, and BDS for accurate location services.

The inclusion of NFC was particularly noteworthy, as it allowed users to take advantage of contactless payment systems like Google Pay. This feature had been absent in some previous OnePlus models, so its inclusion in the OnePlus 3 was well-received by users.

Audio Capabilities

While not primarily marketed as an audio-centric device, the OnePlus 3 offered a solid audio experience. It retained the 3.5mm headphone jack, which was becoming increasingly rare in flagship devices of that era. This allowed users to continue using their favorite wired headphones without the need for adapters.

The device featured a single bottom-firing speaker, which provided adequate sound for casual listening. For those seeking a better audio experience, the OnePlus 3 supported audio over USB-C, and Bluetooth, compatible with various high-quality audio codecs.

Software Features and Customization

OxygenOS, the custom Android skin running on the OnePlus 3, was praised for its clean, near-stock Android experience with thoughtful additions. Some notable features included:

1. Dark Mode: A system-wide dark theme that predated Android’s native implementation.
2. Customizable Accent Colors: Users could personalize the UI by choosing from a range of accent colors.
3. Shelf: A customizable space to the left of the home screen for widgets and quick access to frequently used apps.
4. Off-screen Gestures: The ability to draw gestures on the screen when it’s off to quickly launch apps or functions.
5. App Locker: A feature to secure specific apps with a password or fingerprint.

These software features, combined with regular updates and optimizations, contributed to the OnePlus 3’s reputation for offering a smooth and user-friendly experience.

Gaming Performance

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, coupled with the Adreno 530 GPU and 6GB of RAM, made the OnePlus 3 a capable gaming device. It could handle most popular mobile games of its time with ease, including graphically intensive titles like Asphalt 8 and Modern Combat 5.

The 1080p resolution of the display actually worked in favor of gaming performance, as it required less graphical processing power compared to higher-resolution screens. This allowed for smoother framerates and less heat generation during extended gaming sessions.

Camera Software and Modes

The camera app on the OnePlus 3 offered a range of features to enhance the photography experience:

1. HDR Mode: For balancing high-contrast scenes.
2. Panorama: To capture wide landscapes.
3. Manual Mode: Allowing control over ISO, shutter speed, white balance, and focus.
4. Slow Motion Video: For capturing dramatic action shots.
5. RAW Image Capture: For more advanced post-processing capabilities.

The device also introduced a “Dynamic De-noise” feature, which aimed to reduce noise in low-light photos through software processing. While not always perfect, it demonstrated OnePlus’s commitment to improving camera performance through both hardware and software.

Build Materials and Durability

The OnePlus 3’s unibody design was crafted from a single block of space-grade aluminum alloy. This not only gave the device a premium feel but also contributed to its structural integrity. The use of metal instead of glass for the back panel made the device less prone to shattering if dropped, although it was still susceptible to dents and scratches.

It’s worth noting that the OnePlus 3 did not have an official IP rating for water and dust resistance. While it could likely survive minor splashes, it wasn’t designed for submersion or exposure to heavy rain. This was one area where some competing flagship devices had an advantage.

Battery Optimization

While the 3000mAh battery of the OnePlus 3 wasn’t the largest in its class, OnePlus implemented several software optimizations to maximize battery life:

1. Doze Mode: An Android feature that puts the device into a deep sleep state when inactive.
2. App Standby: Limiting background processes for apps that aren’t frequently used.
3. Aggressive Memory Management: Closing background apps to conserve power, though this was sometimes criticized for being too aggressive.

These optimizations, combined with the efficient Snapdragon 820 processor and 1080p display, helped the OnePlus 3 achieve respectable battery life for its capacity.

OnePlus Community and Support

One of the strengths of OnePlus devices, including the OnePlus 3, was the active community of users and developers. This community contributed to the device’s longevity through:

1. Custom ROMs: Allowing users to install alternative operating systems even after official support ended.
2. Kernel Modifications: For users who wanted to tweak performance and battery life.
3. Community Feedback: OnePlus actively engaged with users to gather feedback for software updates and future devices.

This community support meant that even years after its release, enthusiasts could keep their OnePlus 3 devices running with the latest software features and security updates.

Value Proposition and Market Impact

The OnePlus 3 was a landmark device that helped establish OnePlus as a serious player in the smartphone market. Its combination of high-end specifications, premium build quality, and competitive pricing challenged the traditional flagship model of established brands.

This approach of offering “flagship killers” influenced the broader smartphone market, pushing other manufacturers to reconsider their pricing strategies and offer better value in their mid-range and even high-end devices. The success of the OnePlus 3 and subsequent models contributed to the blurring of lines between mid-range and flagship smartphones, ultimately benefiting consumers with more choices and better value for money.

Long-term Software Support

OnePlus committed to providing software updates for the OnePlus 3 for an extended period. The device launched with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow and received updates to Android 7.0 Nougat, 8.0 Oreo, and finally 9.0 Pie. This level of support was commendable, especially for a device in its price range.

The final official update for the OnePlus 3 was released in 2019, providing security patches and bug fixes. This three-year support cycle was impressive for an Android device of its time, though it fell short of the longer support periods offered by Apple for iPhones.