The Flagship Killer: OnePlus One Initial Review

[vijay_968]

Updated to Android L and mini Review.

Was waiting for the OTA update to arrive in India but got egged to go ahead with manual update (in oneplus forum). Downloaded the manual (OTA) update file from OnePlus forum. Today morning manually updated. The screen shots before and after update are:





Battery consumed was from 97% to 85% and it took 19 minutes to complete. Needed to update "Google Play" and reconfigure "eMail" App (not the gmail). ALL other Apps n Data are intact.

I like the new like screen, which shows notifications also. We can directly open the notifications from the lock screen (after keying in the PIN).

Notifications and toggles are available together now; the toggles at the top & notifications at the bottom. A small down swipe brings the Notifications; screen is covered only to the extent of notifications. Full down swipe shows the toggles and above it "time, date, next alarm, weather, owner info, battery / signal etc" are shown in the Status Bar.

Touching the battery icon in status bar brings the battery consumption statistics. CM11S allowed for showing Signal Level in dBm in the status bar; I'm yet to locate it in CM12.

This CM12 allows user to Change "Hue, Saturation, Contrast etc" of the screen apart from the standard Brightness. Yet to fiddle with that.

Rebooting takes wee bit more time now. Battery consumption will be seen in a couple of days. Free RAM is 1.9GB as against less in CM11S. Soooooo, obviously everything is super quick. Happy to update.

 

[vijay_968]

OnePlus One : OTA available in India

This always happens to me. Recently updated my OPO to CM12 manually and yesterday got the OTA too. The automatic download started at 7:20PM and the file size was a little over 590MB. Was reminded to update (after download was completed) and I initiated the update at 8:39PM. Update was completed at 8:53PM. I could spot the following differences in CM12 versions (Settings ---> About Phone):

10-days old CM12 Version:
Cyanogen OS Version : 12.0-YNG1TAS0YL
Kernel Version: 3.4.67-cyan... / build04... / Thu Apr 9 14:37:58 PDT 2015

Yesterday's CM12 Version:
Cyanogen OS Version : 12.0-YNG1TAS17L
Kernel Version: 3.4.67-cyan... / build04... / Tue Apr 21 13:54:34 PDT 2015

Training the phone for "OK, Oneplus" was futile and I disabled it. Battery status is shown bit differently after OTA. Couldn't find any other difference so far. Hmmm, waste of close to 600MG data for the "OK Oneplus" voice feature.

NOTE: Those who haven't got the OTA can try manually install it from https://forums.oneplus.net/threads/cm12s-yng1tas17l-installation-guide-review-change-log.304615/. This link also contains the Change Log and "How to" info.
https://forums.oneplus.net/threads/cm12s-yng1tas17l-installation-guide-review-change-log.304615/

 

[vijay_968]

OS UPDATE:
Heard about a new Cyanogenmod incremental update 12.1.1-YOG7DAS2K1 a few days back. Today morning my phone downloaded a 70MB OTA update (on its own ) and I installed it.

The screen-shot after the update is below:


This update is for "bug fixes, security patches and deeper integration of Microsoft's Cortana (whatever that means)". What Cortana does I am not sure. Specially after my disabling "OK OnePlus" joke.

But, it is nice to have an update even after Cyanogen and OnePlus parted ways in India.

*******************

BSNL SERVICE and DATA PLAN:
Of late I had trouble in 2G mode and the reception was better in 3G. So I have changed the network setting from 2G to 3G. BSNL's 3G speed is nothing to write home about. At my hometown and the nearby Battlagundu in TN, BSNL towers ask, "3G, what is THAT". Battlagundu is near Kodaikanal, which is a key Tourist spot in TN. Considering THAT, BSNL's attitude IS a joke. But the network doesn't have call drops or doesn't overcharge, doesn't push unwanted services, doesn't cheat me blah blah blah.

And they have a terrific data plan : about Rs 1250 for an year, with 750MB data per month (no carry forward). As there's WiFi at home, 750MB is more than adequate for me. Last month I did not use about 200MB. Yet, the Data remains ON most of the times.

*******************

BATTERY LIFE:
My current talk time is about an hour a day.
The Battery yields a Screen On Time of around 6 Hrs between charges.
This Screen On Time happens normally over 1 day and some 30% times it may happen over 1.5 days.

I earlier thought with a huge battery, I would reach for the power point once in 2 days But, I tend to use the phone more.

*******************

OPENING AutoCAD Files:
In office, I received a ACAD file from a German Vendor forwarded it to the concerned Dept. During the review, they complained that they couldn't open it as the file was missing some layers and hence couldn't act on it. During all these drama, I downloaded GstarCAD from Google Playstore and downloaded the attachment from the mailbox. In the presence of the Senior Staff, I held the phone up for everyone to see and touched the File. The 3GB RAM, Snapdragon Processor and S/W combo opened the 6MB file . . . in under 5 seconds and saved me

 

[vijay_968]

After the last update, the phone crashed 2 times, but going fine now. I'm noticing slightly better Battery life. But never expected THIS:

 

[vijay_968]

Oneplus / Cyanogen is pushing Android 6 (Marshmallow) update OTA. File size is 509.4 MB. That's cool .




After the break up b/w OnePlus and Cyanogen, I didn't expect this to happen so soon. Will download and install later with full battery.

-------------------------------

Normally I don't use Mobile for personal photos, due to presence of my Sony NEX-5R. Recently, I was in a controlled area and the Sunrise was beautiful, with rays spreading from behind clouds. NEX was inviting attention, so I relied on OPO for the job. After a little post processing (in Android App Snapseed, I think) here it is :



More than adequate for web view, I feel.

 

[type-r]

I am using OnePlus 2 since August 2015. And I am quite satisfied with it as I had a Lumia before. The lumia's camera was faaar better but this as a phone is much better. I am still clueless when Marshmellow will be rolled out for OP2.

 

[vijay_968]

I am using OnePlus 2 since August 2015. And I am quite satisfied with it as I had a Lumia before. The lumia's camera was faaar better but this as a phone is much better. I am still clueless when Marshmellow will be rolled out for OP2.

Oxygen OS Marshmallow update for OP2 was supposed to be in March - April 2016. Hope you get it soon.

 

[vijay_968]

Downloaded and installed the update.



My criticisms :
1. Darn Darn and Darn ... the "quick unlock" (you enter correct PIN to unlock w/o pressing OK button) is MISSING. Grrrr...

2. In CM12, I had assigned long press of 'on screen Nav Home Key' to Screen-Off or go to search. GONE in CM13. Grrrrrrrrrrr.
This was super cool. With 'double tap to wake screen ' and this, I mainly used Power ON button for getting Screenshot :-) Now Nav keys are disabled and the 'three capacitive navigation' keys have been enabled back. I've assigned double tap on Home Key to "screen off". Basically no need to use Power ON button again.

About Marshmallow Goodness :
When you press and hold onto something in Browser, a 'Copy - share - Select All - Web Search - Translate' ribbon appears. Press Share, and surprise surprise, it shows your frequent Whatsapp contacts in the top row followed by Whatsapp, Messaging, Google+, Yahoo Mail, Gmail, Send by LAN (what's this?), Bluetooth, Hike, Vibe, and compatible Apps like Calendar, Evernote, Keep (didn't know this is in my phone) etc.

The Share option doesn't appear in the Ribbon, say when I chose a word in this editing window. That's cool.

The toggle switched can be edited and rearranged just by pulling down from Status Bar itself, instead of having to enter setting. And a Toggle is now available against "BT, WiFi, Data" at first entry into Settings. Earlier I had to enter one level deep. I remember this was available in my Moto Atrix 2 in the 2012 itself. V...e...r...y slow CM team.

About performance improvements - No idea.
About battery life - No idea.

Look at the date of 'Android Security Patch Level' at the bottom of Pic. It is 01-May-2016. They rolled the OTA Four days ahead of their plan ? Good project execution guys. Kudos.

My Wife's Asus Zenfone 5 is still on Android 4.4. ASUuuuuuuS, learn from CM team.

Off Topic - Quick Review of Mi Battery Bank :
Bought a Mi 20,000 mAh Power Bank in the Flash Sale from Mi App on 27th ; for a friend. It came today, with some 20% charge. It got empty after charging my half charged phone. Length and Breath wise, it is little smaller than my Phone and thickness could be around an inch. Weighs heavy, but 20,000 mAh is HEAVY. Cost was 1699/- Cool. Here in this Photo, it is next to my Daughter's Vibe P1m and my own Mi 5,000mAh Power Bank. Just for info guys.

 

[vijay_968]

3 weeks back, as I was showing a Pic to a senior colleague, the phone slipped out of my hand. We both tried to catch it but ended up giving it more momentum. Phone landed a couple of feet away, as if I being thrown down. The Tempered Glass protector had cracked heavily and the screen also was cracked.

The phone stopped responding to touch and the last seen photograph refused to go. It was 9:30AM and I had to go out of station that day evening for about a week and I even flirted with the idea of getting a new cheap phone.

Uncle Google recommended iService (opposite to Nexus Service Center near M.S.Ramaya Hospital, BLR) as the closest place. After calling them I gave the phone at 11:30AM. 30 minutes later, the screen was replaced. Charge was Rs.5,000/-. Phone is working as usual

Moral of the Story: Stick with the Flip Cover if you do not want risks

 

[vijay_968]

I WAS not able to receive any SMS on my Oneplus One

Wow, I am posting in this thread after an year. The phone is with me for nearly 2.5 Yrs and is still good. Not finding any substantial urge to change the phone... until this Tuesday.

On 11th June 2017, I was not receiving OTP SMS on my phone from bank. My default SMS App was Android Messages by Google. First I wrongly attributed the problem to Bank's slow Server, but found the problem continuing even after 2 hours. Upon checking, I found that I was not able to receive any SMS on my Oneplus One. Outgoing SMS was fine, telephony was perfect, music was loud (tea shop radio loud), Camera was perfect, file transfer rate to PC was super fast, Whatsapp notification was at its normal nuisance level, etc etc, but phone refused to receive any SMS messages ... period. Was frustrating, as others were complaining that I was ignoring their messages

Tried many methods (from Onplus Form threads) to enter and re-enter SMSC number in Oneplue One. Nothing worked and I started thinking about a new phone. Oneplus 5 was in the agenda, but the need 2-3 more months to iron out those tiny bugs. What to do ??? One option was to "Factory Reset" the phone, and I delayed it for the evening.

Solution:
At home, on an impulse I installed a few SMS apps. Still no incoming SMSs. Then I installed Textra SMS App. Bingo, I am getting SMSs with proper Notification. Today morning I received 3-4 SMSs within a short time and did not see one of them. Textra's Notification icon persisted till I opened the message. Problem solved

Possible Reason :
I was fiddling with memory management and removing permissions for many Apps in my phone. I would have removed some permission wrongly and the Android Messages App could have been hit. I removed all restrictions for Android Messages App, but still the problem persisted. Most likely, those restrictions would have affected "some Android handles, the Google App was connecting to". I think, basically, the OS was NOT permitting the App to be in touch with the SIM for receiving SMS. My Android knowledge is close to 1%. But, some one who knows Android OS may be able to decode the problem.

 

[Prabhagar]

Hi Vijay,
Nice to see gadget reviews on TAI, and you have presented a well written review, thanks for that. Can't believe OP1 was sold for a mere 22K while OP5 has shot up to 33K within 2 years.
While I don't have a solution for your SMS issue (I know only 0.5% android ), I wanted to ask if you are planning to switch to Nougat? As there won't be an official update, any thoughts of trying out third party OS like Lineage?

 

[vijay_968]

Hi Vijay,
Nice to see gadget reviews on TAI, and you have presented a well written review, thanks for that. Can't believe OP1 was sold for a mere 22K while OP5 has shot up to 33K within 2 years.
While I don't have a solution for your SMS issue (I know only 0.5% android ), I wanted to ask if you are planning to switch to Nougat? As there won't be an official update, any thoughts of trying out third party OS like Lineage?

Thanks for the appreciation, Mr.Prabhagar. Yes, I too feel OnePlus went overboard in pricing OP5. IMO, it is not a FlagShip Killer, sadly. There are some worthy competitors around same price point. Yet, the way OPO excited me in 2014-15, no phone has excited me so far, including OP5.

Though Lineage OS is from the original CyanogenMod (CM) team, I don't have any plans to go for it. IMHO, the benefits of Lineage may be 10 to 15 % over the current ROM ... THAT does not qualify to bet on it. The links are given below. Go thro the comments written by those who installed Lineage OS (in links) and decide.

[Official] Download Official LineageOS 14.1 for Oneplus one (bacon) Nougat 7.1.1 - LineageOS ROMs | LineageOS ROM Download

https://forums.oneplus.net/threads/lineage-os-review-oneplus-one-best-rom-video.495479/

https://forums.oneplus.net/threads/lineage-os-for-opo.494460/

Me... ? When I get a new phone, I might try Lineage on current OPO. My nature is to stick with OEM version ... be it in Car or in Gadgets.

 

[Prabhagar]

Sorry didn't mean to ask for help with Nougat. Was just curious if you were planning on switching to a custom ROM. I should have used better words in my post, my apologies. In fact, I do not own a OP phone at all but a long time user of CM ROMS on my HTC M8 since CM 12. My switch to was primarily to get rid of all the bloatware that came pre-installed.

 

[vijay_968]

Sorry didn't mean to ask for help with Nougat. Was just curious if you were planning on switching to a custom ROM. I should have used better words in my post, my apologies. In fact, I do not own a OP phone at all but a long time user of CM ROMS on my HTC M8 since CM 12. My switch to was primarily to get rid of all the bloatware that came pre-installed.

Bloatware in HTC.... ??? I thought they were better than Sammy, in this too. Oh, it was I who mistook you to be having an OPO. And, no need to say sorry.

BTW, I too was looking out for Lineage, but gave up the idea after reading the comments that I mentioned earlier. CM and its customizations are good enough for me, as of now

 

[Prabhagar]

Bloatware in HTC.... ???

Mine is the AT&T carrier specific variant, sold in US. The carrier was very crude in collecting data in the background which caused major issues in their Lollipop update. Those were horrible days with barely half a day's battery life when GPS would auto turn ON and continuously search for satellites, drinking all the battery juice in the process (links below). This was enough suffering for me to bite the bullet and try the open source path.
https://forums.att.com/t5/Device-Features/HTC-M8-GPS-Turning-on-automatically/td-p/4221862
https://forums.att.com/t5/Android/HTC-M8-Agent-IQ-Battery-Drain/td-p/4198348