Is OnePlus going to unveil more than one phone in its next launch?
Leaks suggest the upcoming OnePlus 7 may have a Pro model
By now it’s customary for major smartphone makers to roll out multiple models with each product launch. Samsung’s latest Galaxy S10, for instance, has four variants, including a freshly released 5G device. Yet so far, OnePlus has been standing on the sidelines of this trend, instead opting for a mid-year refresh of its flagship handsets with a T appended to the name.
That might be about to change, though, according to a leaked image appearing to show promotional material for the next OnePlus phone. You can see a “Pro” label right next to the OnePlus 7 name.
I'm pretty sure you all will soon see OP7 leaks flooding on your timelines since I can confirm that the launch is in May. It seems like the the name of the more expensive smartphone is indeed gonna be OnePlus 7 Pro and tagline will be "Go Beyond Speed". Although, it may change. pic.twitter.com/a42yjY0RY0
— Ishan Agarwal (@ishanagarwal24) April 10, 2019
It’s been more than five months since the OnePlus 6T was released, and the internet is rife with speculation on what’s in store for the company’s next phone. In China, OnePlus slashed the price of the 6T by about US$60 this week, fuelling hopes that the OnePlus 7 is coming soon.
New purported images of the upcoming OnePlus handset have also surfaced on Weibo. Again, the name OnePlus 7 Pro appears in one of the images that list out the phone’s apparent specs, although the thumbnail still features a OnePlus 6T.
The pictures are in line with previous rumors hinting that OnePlus’ new phone will have a motorized selfie camera that pops up from the top, a feature already found in devices from sister companies Oppo and Vivo. This feature enables a notch-less design and tends to show up in pricier phones, making it a potential “pro” feature.
Some people also suggest the pro model may have 5G capability. The company already showed off a 5G smartphone prototype at the Mobile World Congress back in February. In an interview published in Qualcomm’s Weibo account, OnePlus CEO Pete Lau said his company will release a 5G phone in Europe in the second quarter this year.
Any 5G phone from OnePlus probably won’t come cheap though. Lau told The Verge last year it will cost up to $300 more than a 4G handset. That said, most Americans probably won’t be in a rush to buy a 5G device: 5G coverage is available only in around two dozen US cities at the moment.
For more insights into China tech, sign up for our tech newsletters, subscribe to our Inside China Tech podcast, and download the comprehensive 2019 China Internet Report. Also roam China Tech City, an award-winning interactive digital map at our sister site Abacus.