Has Anyone Bought the OnePlus One?

[Prestidigitweeze]

Congratulations, jersysman. I've just been reading the comparison review cited above. Here's the point that seems most relevant to these forums:

A QHD display at 5.5-inches is amazing for reading

(emphasis added).

Have you found that to be the case?

Still, I'm very happy with my OPO, which has worked seamlessly with every DAC I own and the price difference can't be discounted (as it were).

To put things in perspective, the 64GB OPO is $349. An unlocked 32GB LG G3 is $649 stateside. However, the G3's price will likely diminish over time, which might be another reason to be patient.

The question for potential OPO buyers is whether or not they can wait for an invitation (or the official product launch). If so, then some might prefer to save $300.

[apesmom]

Originally Posted by Prestidigitweeze

Have you found that to be the case?

I've found myself picking up my G3 to read instead of getting up to fetch my Nexus 7. I am surprised at how much I enjoy reading on the device, so much so that I feel no urge to switch back to the tablet once I've started a book. I've found myself reading on it for hours at a time even when the tablet is within arms reach. I think the 5.5 inch screen is just at the lower end of being the right screen size for reading. The screen quality is fantastic, I've been using the smallest size font my reader will allow and it's crystal clear. I never used my old SIII to read, the 4.7 inch screen was too small and something about the display made it uncomfortable.

Even with all the reading the battery is still lasting me through the day. Being able to use the G3 as an excellent reader has turned out to be an unexpected bonus.


How is the OPO working out as a reading device? It has the same size display and even though the ppi isn't as high as the G3's it's still higher than the Nexus 7 which I find to be a wonderful reader.

[jersysman]

I can piggyback on apesmom review. The device is good for reading. I've never read anything on a phone, but it was a good substitute when I was waiting for my car to be inspected and I forgot by Kobo Mini. I don't think I'd use it as a primary reading device, but it is great to know that I can read on it comfortably in a pinch.

[Prestidigitweeze]

Originally Posted by apesmom

I never used my old SIII to read, the 4.7 inch screen was too small and something about the display made it uncomfortable

The resolution of your SIII's display wasn't high enough to compete with the next generation of smartphones, all of which had screens that were as good or better than so-called Retina displays. The S4's screen was far more readable than the SIII's (as is your Nexus 7's if it's the 2013 model).

I'd be very interested to know how a Galaxy S4 and S5 might compare to your G3 in terms of reading -- whether its far deeper ppi is easier on the eye. If there's a pronounced difference in readability between previous high-res screens and the G3's, then that could be an exciting development.

I'm also going to be interested in the next-gen LG, since it will likely use the Snapdragon 805, which I think will be far more practical for 24/192 audio.

[Prestidigitweeze]

I was sent a second invitation fairly recently. Provided that someone I know as a prolific MR member responds while the invitation's still active, I'd be happy to pass it on. If you're interested, PM me.

It's an offer I wouldn't extend on any other forum because the vultures would descend far faster.

[Canuck_in_Japan]

Originally Posted by Prestidigitweeze

I was sent a second invitation fairly recently. Provided that someone I know as a prolific MR member responds while the invitation's still active, I'd be happy to pass it on. If you're interested, PM me.

It's an offer I wouldn't extend on any other forum because the vultures would descend far faster.

I heard that the invites are only good for 24 hours so you'd better hurry.

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by Prestidigitweeze

I'd be very interested to know how a Galaxy S4 and S5 might compare to your G3 in terms of reading -- whether its far deeper ppi is easier on the eye. If there's a pronounced difference in readability between previous high-res screens and the G3's, then that could be an exciting development.

I'm also going to be interested in the next-gen LG, since it will likely use the Snapdragon 805, which I think will be far more practical for 24/192 audio.

I can't say anything about the G3, but we had two S4 and now my wife has a S5 since last month and I got my Note 4 yesterday. The S5 was a visible upgrade in screen quality, even though specs compared to the S4 were negligable. If you think the S4 had a nice screen, the S5 is even better all around. I highly doubt it has anything to do with the extra 0.1" screen size, it is just better technology oled. For reading only the S4/S5 is a draw. Enter the Note 4 and it becomes very obvious that the S4/S5 is a different class (lower quality) as ereader. I do not believe that it is necessary the increased ppi that stands out, but the increased physical size (5.0/5.1 versus 5.7) while keeping the same screen technology. (No more - I miss the oled from the S4). To be fair to the Note 4, the increased ppi over the S5 is noticeable in the legibility of extra extra tiny fonts - so it is not nothing. Except those sizes are inadequate for reading continuously while being super useful for not needing to zoom in as often when browsing.

All the books we are reading come from Amazon, the only reader app being used is the Kindle app (it is good enough, not worth it for me to mess with DRM to be able to use different app). On the Note 4 the Kindle app looks significantly better - even though the same settings result in the exact same layout. There is no more words per page, but everything that fits is useable. The smallest available size can be read easily at arms length away (for me) while with the smaller screen on the S4 at arms length away I start to have problems to keep the words in focus let alone read comfortably. Putting the phone closer (stretching the arm out gets tiring really fast) just makes the Note 4 so much better compared to the S4.

For holding the phone our S4 / S5 / Note 4 are about the same. Due to the huge size increase in the Note 4 I opted for the folio cover by Samsung instead of an Otterbox. The Note 4 is just about the same width and a little bit longer with that case compared to the S4 in a Defender series. Excellent cover, love the auto wakeup when flipping it open, and it got real stitches along the edges. Is it as rugged? Of course not, but then again it covers the beautiful screen - either face down and up when laying it down. It is even capable of making phone calls with the cover shut - yay no more pushing buttons or wiping off ear and cheek prints.

All in all, the Note 4 is an amazing phone and ereader. The one big flaw (besides the cost) is the ugly app launcher. That was the very first thing that I replaced with Nova. Is it faster compared to the S4? Oh yeah it is fast. So fast actually that the S4 feels sluggish in comparison - if that makes much sense. The S4 never really was a slouch, IMO. Not sure about the snapdragon 805 concerning 24/192 audio - I would think external dac would be easiest and more convenient with a BT digital out audio device? Unless of course BT does not support that much bitrate for audio?

[Prestidigitweeze]

Nice comparison, DT. Thanks for that.

Even with an external DAC, playing a 24/192 audio file is going to tax the processor.

[Prestidigitweeze]

One last thing: It's now possible to preorder the OnePlus One.

OnePlus One Preorder Page

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by Prestidigitweeze

Nice comparison, DT. Thanks for that.

Even with an external DAC, playing a 24/192 audio file is going to tax the processor.

Oh, you are welcome. One more thing that I noticed today that is weird is how quick you get used to things. My eyes are spoiled with that high resolution screen now. After practically using the Note 4 nonstop the last 2 days I thought I could use my Nexus 7 on MR for a while today. The screen is bigger and it has a keyboard-case. Very surprising the screen was not very nice to look at - almost as if everything is washed out - and that with its 323 ppi screen. Earlier this week that screen looked just fine even hours at a time.

A very good thing that the Note 4 has quick charging - it is impossible to run the battery down while it is charging. It will still charge the battery up even under very heavy use. The same cannot be said about my Nexus 7 - plugged in and being used at the same time the battery still goes down. Not sure if my charger is defective, but I remember having the same problem with my S4 losing charge when using while plugged in.

As for audio - is there any test I can try out for you to see if the cpu is able to keep up with 24/192 ?

Edit: Found 2 sample files - one in 2 channel 24/192 flac and the other 5.1 channel 24/88.5 flac. They play just fine in the background with the stock player even with a game playing at same time. Not sure if Powerboat Racing qualifies as taxing on the cpu - but neither the sound skipped or any lag in the game noticeable.

[SCION]

Originally Posted by Prestidigitweeze

One last thing: It's now possible to preorder the OnePlus One.

OnePlus One Preorder Page

This only lasted a few days it seems: "Pre-orders have closed."

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by SCION

This only lasted a few days it seems: "Pre-orders have closed."

Maybe sold out?

[Prestidigitweeze]

Originally Posted by SCION

This only lasted a few days it seems: "Pre-orders have closed."

The moral of that thread o' yarn is not to procrastinate if you actually want to own the OPO. There are definite reasons to choose the LG G3 instead, but it's best to reflect on whether you truly want an OPO before it suddenly becomes available for a short time.

Next Preorder Window: November 17.

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by Nick61

Here is a nice look at the OnePlus One, the device seems to be a real flagship killer and for that price I think the device will give mainstream smartphones a run for their money and some companies like Samsung has already started to feel it..

A flagship killer based on that very undetailed review? It appears to me that other than the Nexus 4 and 5 the reviewer has no first hand experience with any other flagship phones out there. Samsung already feels it, really? How? What about Apple? Are they feeling anything? One size fits all is not working any more, and I doubt it will ever again work. Even the iPhone nowadays comes with a choice of screen size. Choice is good, competition is good. Without choice and competition there will be no progress.

[rjv]

One way to get an invite for the OnePlus is to buy a Got Invites? t-shirt from the OnePlus store. In the description it says just that.