The OnePlus 10 Pro 5G represents a significant milestone in OnePlus' evolution from "flagship killer" to premium contender. This device aims to compete with the best smartphones on the market while maintaining some of the brand's core values. Let's dive deep into what makes the OnePlus 10 Pro 5G unique and whether it's worth considering as your next flagship phone.
Design: Daring to Be Different
OnePlus has taken a bold step with the design of the 10 Pro, moving away from conventional styling. The camera unit is a standout feature, with a distinctive dark rectangle that blends into the phone's frame. This design choice not only sets the device apart visually but also provides a more integrated feel to the camera system.
The OnePlus 10 Pro is available in two striking colors: Emerald Forest and Volcanic Black. The Emerald Forest variant features a frosted green glass back with a contrasting black camera unit, while the Volcanic Black offers a more subtle matte black finish where the camera unit blends in seamlessly. This attention to aesthetics showcases OnePlus' commitment to creating devices that are as visually appealing as they are functional.
In terms of build quality, the OnePlus 10 Pro doesn't disappoint. The device measures 163 mm in height and 8.55 mm in thickness, weighing a solid 201 grams. The front of the phone is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, while the back uses Gorilla Glass 5. This combination provides excellent durability against scratches and drops, though it's worth noting that unlike its predecessor, the OnePlus 9 Pro, there's no official IP68 dust and water resistance rating for this model.
The curved 6.7-inch display dominates the front of the device, with a small punch-hole camera in the top left corner. While the OnePlus 10 Pro is undeniably a large phone, it manages to be slightly shorter than its predecessor, improving overall handling.
Display: A Visual Treat
The OnePlus 10 Pro boasts an impressive display that stands among the best available on Android devices. The 6.7-inch Fluid AMOLED panel offers a QHD+ resolution of 3216 x 1440 pixels, resulting in a crisp 525 pixels per inch. This high pixel density ensures that text, images, and videos appear sharp and detailed, even upon close inspection.
One of the standout features of this display is its 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate, which can dynamically adjust between 1 Hz and 120 Hz depending on the content being displayed. This adaptive refresh rate is made possible by the implementation of LTPO 2.0 (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide) technology, which not only provides smooth scrolling and responsive touch input but also contributes to improved power efficiency.
Color accuracy is another area where the OnePlus 10 Pro excels. The display features dual-color calibration, ensuring consistent color accuracy at both high and low brightness levels. This is particularly beneficial for content creators and photography enthusiasts who require precise color representation across various lighting conditions.
The display also supports HDR10+ content, offering enhanced contrast and color range when viewing compatible media. With a peak brightness of up to 1300 nits, the OnePlus 10 Pro's screen remains easily readable even in bright outdoor conditions.
Camera System: Hasselblad Collaboration Bears Fruit
The camera setup on the OnePlus 10 Pro shows significant improvements, thanks to deeper integration with legendary camera manufacturer Hasselblad. This collaboration, which began with the OnePlus 9 series, has resulted in notable enhancements to color science and overall image quality.
The main camera features a 48 MP Sony IMX789 sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS). This large 1/1.43" sensor, combined with a wide f/1.8 aperture, allows for excellent light gathering capabilities. In practice, this translates to impressive performance in most lighting conditions, with natural color reproduction and good detail retention.
The ultrawide camera utilizes a 50 MP Samsung ISOCELL JN1 sensor, offering an impressive 150-degree field of view option. This extremely wide perspective allows for dramatic landscape shots and creative compositions. However, it's worth noting that this camera lacks autofocus and macro capabilities, which may limit its versatility in certain scenarios.
For zoom photography, the OnePlus 10 Pro employs an 8 MP telephoto camera with OIS, providing 3.3x optical zoom. While the resolution may seem low compared to some competitors, the optical stabilization helps maintain image quality. The camera performs decently up to 8-10x zoom, though image quality begins to degrade noticeably beyond this range.
The front-facing selfie camera has been upgraded to a 32 MP sensor, a significant improvement over the 16 MP cameras found in previous models. This upgrade results in more detailed self-portraits with smoother skin textures, catering to the ever-growing demand for high-quality selfies.
One of the most notable aspects of the Hasselblad collaboration is the implementation of three new filters tuned by Hasselblad experts. These filters aim to replicate the look of iconic Hasselblad cameras, offering users a unique way to enhance their photos. Additionally, the improved color science provides more natural-looking images across all cameras.
For photography enthusiasts, the OnePlus 10 Pro offers a Hasselblad Pro mode, available on the main and telephoto lenses. This mode provides manual control over various settings, allowing for greater creative freedom and the ability to capture RAW images for post-processing.
In terms of video capabilities, the OnePlus 10 Pro offers 8K recording at 24fps and 4K recording at up to 120fps. A new Movie Mode has been introduced, giving users manual control over settings during video recording. While video quality is generally good in well-lit conditions, low-light performance can be somewhat inconsistent.
Performance: True Flagship Power
The OnePlus 10 Pro doesn't disappoint when it comes to raw performance. At its heart lies the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, built on a 4nm process. This cutting-edge chipset offers significant improvements in CPU and GPU performance compared to its predecessor, the Snapdragon 888.
The device comes in two configurations: 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM with 128GB of storage, or 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM with 256GB of storage. The use of LPDDR5 RAM ensures fast and efficient memory performance, while the UFS 3.1 storage provides rapid read and write speeds for apps and media.
In benchmark tests, the OnePlus 10 Pro consistently ranks among the top performers in its class. Geekbench 5 scores show single-core performance around 1200 points and multi-core scores exceeding 3500 points, placing it in direct competition with other flagship devices.
Real-world performance is equally impressive. The device handles multitasking with ease, switching between apps seamlessly even with numerous background processes running. Gaming performance is particularly noteworthy, with the powerful GPU capable of running graphically intensive titles at high frame rates and detail settings.
The clean, minimalist OxygenOS 12.1 interface, based on Android 12, contributes to the snappy user experience that OnePlus is known for. The software includes various optimizations and features designed to enhance performance and battery life, such as AI-based system booster and RAM expansion technology.
Battery Life and Charging: Mixed Results
The OnePlus 10 Pro comes equipped with a large 5000 mAh battery, which on paper should provide excellent battery life. However, real-world performance has shown somewhat inconsistent results. At QHD+ resolution, most users can expect all-day battery life under moderate usage. Lowering the resolution to FHD+ does result in improved battery life, which may be a worthwhile trade-off for users prioritizing longevity over display sharpness.
Where the OnePlus 10 Pro truly shines is in its charging capabilities. The device supports 80W SuperVOOC wired charging, with the charger included in the box. This powerful charging technology can replenish the battery from 0 to 100% in approximately 35-40 minutes, which is incredibly fast for a battery of this size.
Additionally, the OnePlus 10 Pro supports 50W wireless charging, which is among the fastest wireless charging speeds available on smartphones. This allows for a full charge in about an hour without the need for cables. The device also offers reverse wireless charging capability, allowing it to charge other Qi-compatible devices such as earbuds or smartwatches.
It's worth noting that while the incredibly fast charging speeds help compensate for any potential battery life shortcomings, heavy users may still find themselves reaching for the charger before the end of a long day.
Should You Buy the OnePlus 10 Pro 5G?
At a starting price of ₹66,999 for the 8GB/128GB model and ₹71,999 for the 12GB/256GB variant, the OnePlus 10 Pro 5G positions itself as a true premium flagship. It offers a compelling package that includes a unique and eye-catching design, excellent performance for all tasks, a versatile camera system with improved color science, one of the best displays on the market, and incredibly fast charging speeds.
However, potential buyers should consider a few factors before making their decision. The battery life, while adequate for most users, may not meet the expectations of heavy users who demand all-day performance under intensive use. The lack of an official IP rating for water and dust resistance may also be a concern for some, especially given the device's premium positioning.
It's also important to consider the strong competition in this price range, including devices like the iQOO 9 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S22. Each of these competitors offers its own set of strengths and may be more suitable depending on individual priorities.
For those seeking a premium Android experience with a focus on speed, display quality, and a capable camera system, the OnePlus 10 Pro 5G is undoubtedly a compelling option. It successfully bridges the gap between OnePlus' "flagship killer" roots and the premium segment, offering a device that can confidently compete with the best smartphones on the market.
In conclusion, the OnePlus 10 Pro 5G represents a significant step forward for the brand, showcasing its ability to create a true premium flagship device. While it may not be perfect in every aspect, its combination of cutting-edge technology, thoughtful design, and competitive pricing make it a worthy contender in the high-end smartphone market. For tech enthusiasts and OnePlus fans alike, the 10 Pro 5G offers an exciting blend of performance, style, and innovation that is sure to impress.
