The OnePlus 10R 5G represents a significant departure from the brand's traditional design language, offering users a fresh and distinctive experience. This comprehensive review delves into the device's key features, performance, and its position in the competitive mid-range smartphone landscape.
A Design Revolution
The OnePlus 10R 5G immediately captivates with its unconventional aesthetics. Gone are the curved edges and familiar contours of previous OnePlus models, replaced by a bold new vision. The device features straight sides and a flat back, complemented by a dual-textured rear panel with flowing lines emanating from the camera unit. This design choice not only sets the 10R apart from its predecessors but also from many of its competitors in the crowded smartphone market.
The square camera module, a departure from the typical rectangular design, adds to the phone's unique visual identity. OnePlus has also made the interesting decision to relocate its logo to the lower right corner of the device, further emphasizing the brand's willingness to challenge established norms.
Available in Sierra Black and Forest Green, the OnePlus 10R 5G offers two distinct visual experiences. The Sierra Black variant presents a sleek, understated appearance, while the Forest Green option showcases the distinctive stripe pattern more prominently, appealing to those who prefer a bolder aesthetic.
Measuring 163.3 mm x 75.5 mm x 8.2 mm and weighing 186 grams, the OnePlus 10R 5G strikes a balance between screen size and ergonomics. The use of a plastic back, while perhaps disappointing to some, contributes to the device's relatively light weight and potentially improved durability. However, it's worth noting that the glossy camera unit tends to attract dust, making the use of a protective case advisable for those concerned about maintaining the phone's pristine appearance.
Impressive Display Technology
The OnePlus 10R 5G doesn't compromise on screen quality, featuring a 6.7-inch Fluid AMOLED display that delivers a visually stunning experience. With a Full HD+ resolution of 2412 x 1080 pixels, the screen offers crisp, detailed visuals with a pixel density of approximately 394 PPI. This resolution strikes a good balance between visual fidelity and power efficiency.
One of the standout features of the display is its 120 Hz refresh rate, which ensures smooth scrolling and fluid animations across the user interface. This high refresh rate is particularly noticeable when navigating through apps, browsing web pages, or enjoying compatible games. Complementing this is the impressive 1000 Hz touch sampling rate, which provides near-instantaneous response to touch inputs, a feature that will be especially appreciated by mobile gamers.
The display's HDR10+ certification enhances the visual experience when watching compatible content, offering a wider color gamut and improved contrast. This results in more vibrant and lifelike images, particularly noticeable when streaming HDR content from platforms like Netflix or YouTube.
MediaTek Power: A New Era for OnePlus
Under the hood, the OnePlus 10R 5G introduces a significant change that has sparked considerable discussion among tech enthusiasts. For the first time in a non-Nord OnePlus device, we see the inclusion of a MediaTek chipset – specifically, the Dimensity 8100 Max processor. This move away from Qualcomm's Snapdragon series represents a bold step for OnePlus and has naturally raised questions about performance and efficiency.
The Dimensity 8100 Max is built on TSMC's 5nm process technology, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with four ARM Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.85 GHz and four Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz. This architecture aims to balance high performance with power efficiency. The GPU is a Mali-G610 MC6, capable of handling most modern mobile games with ease.
In real-world usage, the Dimensity 8100 Max proves to be a capable performer. It handles most high-end games without issues, delivering performance comparable to devices powered by the Snapdragon 888, such as the OnePlus 9RT. Popular titles like Genshin Impact run smoothly, though more demanding games like Call of Duty Mobile may require slightly lower settings for optimal performance.
One notable advantage of the Dimensity 8100 Max is its thermal management. Reports suggest that it manages heat more efficiently than some Snapdragon counterparts, leading to more stable performance during extended gaming sessions and less thermal throttling.
The OnePlus 10R 5G is available in configurations with either 8 GB or 12 GB of LPDDR5 RAM, paired with 128 GB or 256 GB of UFS 3.1 storage. This combination ensures swift app launches, seamless multitasking, and ample space for apps, media, and files.
OxygenOS 12.1: Refined Software Experience
The OnePlus 10R 5G runs on OxygenOS 12.1, based on Android 12. OnePlus has long been praised for its clean, user-friendly interface, and this latest iteration continues that tradition while introducing some new features.
OxygenOS 12.1 maintains its reputation for being responsive and fast, with smooth animations and minimal bloatware. The interface remains distinct from OPPO's ColorOS, despite the companies' merger, preserving much of what OnePlus users have come to appreciate about the software experience.
New features in OxygenOS 12.1 include enhanced customization options, improved privacy controls, and refinements to existing features like Zen Mode and Work-Life Balance. The operating system also incorporates Android 12's Material You design language, allowing for more personalized theming options based on your wallpaper.
OnePlus has committed to providing three major Android updates and four years of security patches for the 10R 5G, ensuring longevity and continued software support for the device.
Camera System: A Mixed Bag of Capabilities
The OnePlus 10R 5G features a triple camera setup that delivers mixed results. The star of the show is undoubtedly the main camera, which utilizes a 50 MP Sony IMX 766 sensor. This 1/1.56-inch sensor, combined with an f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization (OIS), delivers impressive results in various lighting conditions.
The main camera produces images with good color reproduction, though they tend to be slightly on the brighter side compared to some competitors. Detail capture is impressive, particularly in well-lit environments. Low-light performance is surprisingly good, thanks to the large sensor size and OIS, allowing for crisp, noise-free images even in challenging lighting conditions.
The ultrawide camera, featuring an 8 MP sensor, provides a wider 120-degree field of view, useful for capturing landscapes or large group shots. However, the lower resolution results in reduced detail compared to the main sensor, and image quality noticeably degrades in low-light situations.
The inclusion of a 2 MP macro camera is somewhat disappointing. While it allows for close-up shots, it struggles to capture clear, detailed images, and many users may find it of limited practical use.
For selfie enthusiasts, the 16 MP front-facing camera generally produces good results. It tends to apply some smoothing effects by default, which may appeal to some users but can be adjusted or turned off in the camera settings for those who prefer a more natural look.
Video performance is decent when using the main camera, capable of recording up to 4K resolution at 30 frames per second. However, video quality from the secondary lenses is less impressive, and stabilization could be improved, especially when compared to some competitors in this price range.
Battery and Charging: Setting New Standards
Perhaps the most impressive feature of the OnePlus 10R 5G is its charging capabilities, which set new standards for the mid-range smartphone market. The device comes in two variants, each offering different battery capacities and charging speeds:
The Endurance Edition boasts a 4500 mAh battery paired with groundbreaking 150W SuperVOOC charging technology. This combination allows the phone to charge from 0-100% in approximately 22 minutes, with a 0-25% charge achievable in just 3 minutes. These charging speeds are truly remarkable and represent a significant leap forward in mobile charging technology.
The SuperVOOC Edition features a larger 5000 mAh battery with 80W SuperVOOC charging. While not as blazingly fast as the Endurance Edition, it still impresses with a 0-100% charge time of about 60 minutes.
Both editions offer excellent battery life, easily lasting a full day of use with the 120 Hz refresh rate enabled. The efficient Dimensity 8100 Max processor contributes to this impressive endurance, managing power consumption effectively during both active use and standby periods.
It's worth noting that OnePlus has implemented several safety features to protect the battery from degradation due to these high charging speeds. The device includes a dedicated charging control chip, temperature sensors, and current and voltage protection mechanisms to ensure safe and long-lasting battery performance.
Connectivity and Additional Features
The OnePlus 10R 5G, as its name suggests, supports 5G connectivity, ensuring future-proofing for users in areas with 5G coverage. The device supports multiple 5G bands, making it compatible with networks in various regions.
Wi-Fi 6 support is included, allowing for faster wireless connections on compatible networks. Bluetooth 5.2 ensures stable connections with wireless accessories, and NFC is present for contactless payments and quick pairing with compatible devices.
One notable omission is the lack of the signature OnePlus alert slider, a feature that has been a staple of OnePlus devices for years. This may disappoint long-time OnePlus fans who have grown accustomed to the convenience of quickly switching between sound profiles.
The in-display fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable, offering quick and secure unlocking. Face unlock is also available as an alternative biometric authentication method, though it's worth noting that this is less secure than the fingerprint sensor.
Conclusion: A Bold Step Forward
The OnePlus 10R 5G represents a bold step forward for the brand, offering a unique blend of distinctive design, powerful performance, and industry-leading charging technology. While it may challenge the expectations of OnePlus traditionalists, it presents an attractive option for those seeking a device that stands out from the crowd without sacrificing flagship-level features.
With its competitive pricing and impressive specifications, the OnePlus 10R 5G holds its own against rivals like the Xiaomi 11T Pro and even the OnePlus 9RT. It's an excellent choice for users who prioritize fast charging, smooth performance, and a departure from conventional smartphone designs.
The device is not without its compromises – the secondary cameras could be improved, and some may lament the loss of the alert slider. However, these drawbacks are largely outweighed by the phone's strengths, particularly its exceptional charging capabilities and solid overall performance.
Available at ₹43,999 for the Endurance Edition (12 GB RAM / 256 GB storage), ₹38,999 for the SuperVOOC Edition (8 GB RAM / 128 GB storage), and ₹42,999 for the SuperVOOC Edition (12 GB RAM / 256 GB storage), the OnePlus 10R 5G offers compelling value in the mid-range smartphone market.
In conclusion, the OnePlus 10R 5G demonstrates that OnePlus is not afraid to evolve and experiment with its formula. While it may not be the perfect device for everyone, it certainly deserves consideration for those in the market for a capable and distinctive mid-range smartphone that pushes the boundaries of charging technology and design.
