The world of budget Android smartphones is filled with options, but two models that stand out are the Essential Phone and the OnePlus 5T. Both of these devices offer impressive specifications and features at a fraction of the price of traditional flagship phones. In this article, we will compare the Essential Phone and the OnePlus 5T, diving into their design, performance, camera capabilities, and more. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast on a budget or simply looking for a reliable and feature-packed Android phone, this article will help you decide which of these two devices is the right choice for you. So, let’s dive in and see how these budget Android flagships stack up against each other.
Inside This Article
- Design and Display
- Performance and Hardware
- Camera Comparison
- Software and User Interface
- Battery Life and Charging
- Pricing and Availability
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Design and Display
When it comes to design and build quality, both the Essential Phone and the OnePlus 5T offer impressive aesthetics and premium construction. The Essential Phone features a unique ceramic and titanium build, which not only gives it a sleek and modern look but also enhances its durability. On the other hand, the OnePlus 5T boasts a sleek aluminum frame that exudes sophistication and feels great in the hand. Both devices have a solid and sturdy feel, ensuring a premium user experience.
In terms of the display, the Essential Phone sports a stunning edge-to-edge 5.7-inch Quad HD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1312 pixels. This display provides excellent color reproduction, sharpness, and clarity, making it a visual delight for users. The OnePlus 5T, on the other hand, features a 6.01-inch Optic AMOLED display with a resolution of 2160 x 1080 pixels. This display offers vibrant colors and deep blacks, providing an immersive viewing experience.
One notable difference between the two devices is the aspect ratio of their displays. The Essential Phone features an unconventional 19:10 aspect ratio, which provides a taller display and less bezel compared to traditional 16:9 aspect ratio screens. On the other hand, the OnePlus 5T adopts a more standard 18:9 aspect ratio, giving it a sleek and modern look.
In terms of overall design and display quality, both the Essential Phone and the OnePlus 5T excel. Whether you prefer the unique ceramic and titanium build of the Essential Phone or the sleek aluminum design of the OnePlus 5T, both devices offer a premium feel. When it comes to the display, the Essential Phone’s edge-to-edge Quad HD display and the OnePlus 5T’s Optic AMOLED display deliver exceptional visual experiences, ensuring that users can enjoy their content in stunning detail.
Performance and Hardware
When it comes to performance and hardware, both the Essential Phone and OnePlus 5T are powerhouses in their own right. Let’s take a closer look at what each phone has to offer.
The Essential Phone is equipped with the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, coupled with 4GB of RAM. This combination ensures smooth multitasking and fast app launches, making it a reliable device for everyday use. Whether you’re browsing the web, streaming videos, or playing games, you can expect a seamless experience on the Essential Phone.
On the other hand, the OnePlus 5T steps up the game with the Snapdragon 835 processor and a whopping 6GB or 8GB of RAM, depending on the configuration you choose. This extra RAM allows for even more fluid multitasking, as well as smoother performance in resource-intensive applications and games. With the OnePlus 5T, you’ll have no problem pushing the limits of your device.
Both phones offer ample internal storage options, with the Essential Phone providing 128GB of non-expandable storage and the OnePlus 5T offering either 64GB or 128GB options. While the Essential Phone lacks a microSD slot for expandable storage, the OnePlus 5T does not have this limitation, giving users the ability to further expand their storage if needed.
Another important factor to consider is the battery life. The Essential Phone comes with a 3040mAh battery, which is quite decent considering its compact size. It offers all-day usage with moderate to heavy use. On the other hand, the OnePlus 5T boasts a larger 3300mAh battery, offering a similar all-day usage experience. Both phones also support fast charging, allowing you to quickly top up your battery when needed.
When it comes to connectivity, both phones offer support for 4G LTE networks, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC. The Essential Phone also boasts a USB Type-C port, while the OnePlus 5T includes a headphone jack, which is a welcome feature for audiophiles who prefer wired audio.
In terms of biometric security, the Essential Phone features a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, while the OnePlus 5T sports a fingerprint sensor on the front. Both sensors are fast and accurate, providing a convenient way to unlock your phone and secure your personal data.
Overall, both the Essential Phone and OnePlus 5T deliver impressive performance and hardware specifications. From powerful processors to ample RAM and storage options, these budget Android flagships are more than capable of meeting the demands of modern smartphone users.
Camera Comparison
When it comes to smartphones, the quality of the camera plays a vital role for many users. Both the Essential Phone and the OnePlus 5T are equipped with dual cameras, but there are some notable differences between them.
The Essential Phone boasts a dual 13MP rear camera setup, capable of capturing stunning photos with its RGB and monochrome sensors. The 8MP front-facing camera takes impressive selfies with good detail and accurate colors.
On the other hand, the OnePlus 5T steps up its game with a dual 16MP + 20MP rear camera setup, providing users with more versatility and better low-light performance. The 16MP front camera delivers clear and vibrant selfies that are sure to impress.
Both smartphones offer various shooting modes and features. The Essential Phone includes a monochrome mode that allows for dramatic black and white photos, while the OnePlus 5T offers a portrait mode that creates a bokeh effect for stunning portraits.
When it comes to image quality, both phones perform well. The Essential Phone captures photos with good dynamic range and accurate colors. The OnePlus 5T, on the other hand, produces photos with excellent detail and vibrant colors.
In low-light situations, the OnePlus 5T shines with its larger aperture and advanced software optimizations. It excels at capturing well-lit photos with minimal noise, while the Essential Phone’s camera struggles a bit in low-light conditions.
Overall, the camera comparison between the Essential Phone and the OnePlus 5T is a tough call. While the Essential Phone offers good image quality and unique features, the OnePlus 5T takes the lead with its superior low-light performance and overall versatility.
Software and User Interface
When it comes to software, both the Essential Phone and the OnePlus 5T offer a user-friendly experience, but with slightly different approaches.
The Essential Phone runs on a near-stock version of Android, providing a clean and uncluttered user interface. This means you get a minimalistic design with no unnecessary bloatware or pre-installed apps. It’s the perfect choice for users who prefer a pure Android experience.
In contrast, the OnePlus 5T utilizes OxygenOS, a custom skin that is built on top of Android. It offers a range of additional features and customization options that give users more control over their device. With OxygenOS, you can customize the look and feel of your phone, set gesture controls, and even enable a reading mode to reduce eye strain.
Both the Essential Phone and the OnePlus 5T receive regular software updates to improve performance and introduce new features. However, it’s important to note that OnePlus has a strong track record of providing timely updates, often delivering the latest Android version to their devices quicker than other manufacturers.
It all comes down to personal preference – if you value a stock Android experience with minimal modifications, the Essential Phone is a great choice. But if you enjoy having more customization options and extra features, the OnePlus 5T’s OxygenOS will provide a richer user experience.
Battery Life and Charging
When it comes to battery life, both the Essential Phone and OnePlus 5T offer impressive performance, ensuring you won’t be tethered to a charging cable all day long.
The Essential Phone is equipped with a non-removable 3040mAh battery, which may be slightly smaller than the 3300mAh battery found in the OnePlus 5T. However, the Essential Phone’s power-efficient display and optimization in stock Android help maximize its battery life.
On the other hand, OnePlus 5T offers a larger battery capacity, but its AMOLED display and OxygenOS may consume more power. In real-world usage, both devices provide a full day of use on a single charge with moderate to heavy usage.
When it comes to charging, both phones offer fast charging capabilities to ensure you spend less time waiting for your phone to recharge. The Essential Phone supports Quick Charge 4+, allowing you to charge up to 50% in just 30 minutes. Meanwhile, the OnePlus 5T features Dash Charge, which can provide a day’s worth of power in just half an hour.
It’s worth noting that the Essential Phone is equipped with a USB Type-C port, while the OnePlus 5T retains the ever-popular headphone jack but uses a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer.
In terms of wireless charging, Essential Phone has an advantage as it supports Qi wireless charging out of the box. This means you can simply place your Essential Phone on a compatible wireless charging pad without the need for any cables. Unfortunately, the OnePlus 5T does not offer wireless charging functionality.
Ultimately, your choice will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If wireless charging is important to you, the Essential Phone may be the better option. However, if you prioritize a larger battery capacity and the versatility of a headphone jack, the OnePlus 5T won’t disappoint.
Pricing and Availability
When it comes to deciding between two budget-friendly Android flagships like the Essential Phone and the OnePlus 5T, pricing and availability play a significant role. Let’s take a closer look at how these two devices stack up in terms of their price points and market availability.
The Essential Phone was launched with a starting price of $699, making it quite competitive in the flagship segment. However, since its initial release, the price has dropped significantly, making it even more affordable for consumers. Keep in mind though, that additional charges may apply depending on where and how you purchase the device.
In contrast, the OnePlus 5T offers buyers incredible value for their money. With a starting price of $499, it significantly undercuts many other flagship devices on the market. For the price-conscious consumer, the OnePlus 5T is an attractive option, providing high-end features without breaking the bank.
Availability is another important factor to consider. The Essential Phone has seen wide availability in the United States and select international markets. Moreover, it is available for purchase directly from the manufacturer’s website, as well as through major retailers and online platforms.
The OnePlus 5T, on the other hand, operates on a slightly different model. It is primarily sold through the OnePlus website and is often available for purchase through limited-time flash sales. This exclusivity can sometimes make it challenging to get your hands on a OnePlus 5T, especially during peak demand periods.
Fortunately, both devices are compatible with various carriers, giving customers the flexibility to choose their preferred network provider. Whether you opt for the Essential Phone or the OnePlus 5T, chances are you’ll have no trouble finding a carrier that supports it.
Conclusion
When it comes to budget Android flagships, both the Essential Phone and OnePlus 5T offer impressive features and value for money. The Essential Phone stands out with its sleek design, bezel-less display, and modular accessories, while the OnePlus 5T impresses with its powerful performance, dual camera setup, and fast charging capabilities.
Ultimately, the choice between the Essential Phone and OnePlus 5T will depend on personal preferences and priorities. If a stunning design and modular functionality are high on your list, the Essential Phone is a great choice. However, if you prioritize performance, camera quality, and face recognition, the OnePlus 5T may be the better option.
Both phones are equipped with powerful processors, ample RAM, and ample storage, ensuring smooth multitasking and seamless performance. Additionally, they both run on stock Android with minimal bloatware, providing a clean and intuitive user experience.
Regardless of your choice, you can’t go wrong with either the Essential Phone or OnePlus 5T. These budget Android flagships offer premium features at a fraction of the cost of their high-end counterparts, making them an excellent choice for those looking for a powerful and affordable smartphone.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Essential Phone and the OnePlus 5T:
1. What is the Essential Phone?
The Essential Phone is a flagship Android smartphone developed by Essential, a company founded by Andy Rubin, who co-created the Android operating system. It features a sleek design, high-end specifications, and a near-stock Android user experience.
2. What is the OnePlus 5T?
The OnePlus 5T is a budget-friendly flagship smartphone produced by OnePlus. It offers top-of-the-line features at a more affordable price point. The device boasts powerful specifications, a large display, and a customized version of the Android operating system called OxygenOS.
3. Which phone has a better camera?
Both the Essential Phone and the OnePlus 5T have competent cameras, but the OnePlus 5T has a slight advantage in this department. It sports a dual-camera setup with improved low-light performance and detailed image processing. However, the Essential Phone’s camera still produces excellent results, especially in well-lit conditions.
4. Can I expand the storage on these phones?
Unfortunately, neither the Essential Phone nor the OnePlus 5T offers expandable storage options. Both devices come with fixed built-in storage capacities. However, with the OnePlus 5T, you have the option to choose either 64GB or 128GB of internal storage, offering flexibility depending on your needs.
5. Which phone has a better battery life?
When it comes to battery life, the OnePlus 5T comes out on top. Its larger battery capacity coupled with efficient software optimization allows for longer usage without needing to recharge. The Essential Phone, while still respectable in terms of battery performance, falls slightly behind its competitor.
