Hot topics

How does the OnePlus 3T measure up after a month of using it?

AndroidPIT oneplus 3t 1371
© nextpit

I have been using the OnePlus 3T for the last month and the time has come for me to give my verdict: is the device still as good as I initially thought after using it for a month? Did I experience any hardware or software issues? Read on to find out about all the elements that I liked and disliked about the OnePlus 3T.

A design and screen that do not disappoint

Unlike my Honor that began to show signs of weakness after the first month, the OnePlus device stayed the course. Not even a scratch, no marks and no signal issues, it is still flawless today. By default, OnePlus provides a protective screen on the device but I quickly removed it as I found it more annoying than useful. As for screen quality, the device has "simple" Full-HD definition but it still produces fantastic results. More demanding users might be enticed by the sRGB mode for daily use but that wasn’t the case for me.

I already mentioned it in my review of the OnePlus 3T but I take my hat off to OnePlus for including the button for changing notification profiles. I used it a lot and imagine it will be hard to switch back to a smartphone on which these changes have to be done on screen.

androidpit oneplus 3t screen1
It doesn’t have QHD definition but the result is excellent nonetheless. © ANDROIDPIT

Regarding impacts and scratches, I have no problems to report. There were sometimes a few minor drops but nothing major to report, not even a mark on the back of the device.

The software interface is practical but the Shelf menu is useless

The interface is really interesting. The color customization allows you to adapt the interface to your personal preferences and night mode quickly became essential to me (I even sometimes forget to deactivate it during the day to use WhatsApp).

That being said, the Shelf/Never Settle menu quickly becomes tedious. At first, it might seem useful: quick access to contacts and recently used apps. But as far as I’m concerned, I had no interest in it and I never used it. I only found the integrated weather information useful as you can have a quick look at it without having to open the widget. With that said, it also shows notifications on the weather which, unfortunately, are often inaccurate.

oneplus 3t neversettle fr
Original? Yes. Useful? Not really. © ANDROIDPIT

Top-level performance

Let me just remind you, the smartphone has a Snapdragon 821 processor, which runs at a frequency of 2.35 GHz and has 6 GB of working memory. In practice, the smartphone never slows down, particularly in the multitasking facility  -which is excellent. The multitasking facility is exceptional and its overall performance will not disappoint, especially the battery. But are the 6 GB memory and a powerful processor really that crucial for the average user? I’m not convinced but everyone’s entitled to their own opinion.

I alternated between using the instant messengers and playing long videos over quite a while and the battery coped really well. Generally, videos tend to drain your battery pretty fast but this wasn’t the case with the OnePlus 3T.

The only problem that I found was the loss of mobile data connection. For some unknown reason, from time to time I was no longer connected to the data. Luckily, this was quite rare (it happened to me 3 or 4 times) and restarting the phone fixed the problem. I still don’t know what caused the problem: perhaps it was a service provider issue? We’ll talk about this in our next article.

To sum up, I’m still very much in love with this device. I’ll have to see if it's still just as good in the long-term (for 3 or 6 months perhaps). However, I’m not sure if I’ll be one to write that article as I will most likely be writing a review on a new phone.

Have you bought this phone? What do you think of it?

 The best smartphones under $400

  Editorial tip Price tip 3rd place 4th place 5th place
Product
Image Google Pixel 6a Product Image Apple iPhone SE (2022) Product Image Samsung Galaxy A53 Product Image OnePlus Nord N20 Product Image Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) Product Image
Review
Review: Google Pixel 6a
Review: Apple iPhone SE (2022)
Review: Samsung Galaxy A53
Not yet tested
Not yet tested
Price (MSRP)
  • $449.00
  • $429.00
  • $449.99
  • $299.00
  • $399.00
Offer*
Go to comment (18)
Benoit Pepicq

Benoit Pepicq
Editor

Benoit is passionate about new technologies and everything related to computers. A big Android fan since 2011, he joined the AndroidPIT team to satisfy his passion and to share his knowledge on Android with readers.

View all articles
Liked this article? Share now!
Recommended articles
Latest articles
Push notification Next article
18 comments
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing

  • 3
    don t. Dec 24, 2016 Link to comment

    I was seriously considering the 3T. But like most manufacturers, audiophiles are given the back seat. So after very carefully comparing the 3T with the ZTE axon 7, I went with the Axon 7. Not only does it have hifi dacs and dolby atmos, which are important to me, but a much better superamoled screen, and memory expansion. If the next oneplus incorporates these items, I'll consider. Other than that, the 3T has most other phones, including pixel, beat hands down.


  • 2
    Israel Stephns Dec 24, 2016 Link to comment

    You are very.... How do you say it,..... A person that doesnt use your phone that much, so you cant give any reviews because you just dont care about someone elses opinions. So let someone else have a try, idiot.


  • 1
    Mohammad Hannoun Dec 24, 2016 Link to comment

    When loosing mobile data, try tapping the mobile data short cut symbol 3 times and the data is back in use again. Did any one notice any automatic change in sound level like me which might result having some missed calls?


    • 1
      harshavardhan Mar 9, 2017 Link to comment

      do u still have the problem Mr. mohammad hannoun ji


  • Trevor Kidd 1
    Trevor Kidd Dec 24, 2016 Link to comment

    If you use kodi put the yatse widget on the shelf and it becomes very useful. As far as not having any marks, the gunmetal finish is flaking off on the side of mine. I got in touch with oneplus support who want me to send the phone in for repair but I'd have to go get a new sim for my old phone since I cut this one to fit.


  • Arvind Kumar 1
    Arvind Kumar Dec 23, 2016 Link to comment

    Funny how I feel the exact same thing after a week of use :)


  • ben owen 5
    ben owen Dec 23, 2016 Link to comment

    Excellent review, I know I'm definitely getting this phone, but does anybody know if you can replace the shelf feature with Google Now without having to change to the Google Now launcher because I like the look of Oxygen OS?


    • Evan Copp (Evanawesome05) 1
      Evan Copp (Evanawesome05) Dec 23, 2016 Link to comment

      Yes, tapping and holding on any blank space on the home screen (No apps or anything) brings up a menu (like most Android devices) where there's a setting to disable the shelf completely. Not sure about Google Now, but you can always add a full screen widget.


    • 1
      martin cabot Dec 23, 2016 Link to comment

      I have OnePlus 3, you can turn off the shelf and select Google Now instead and keep everything else unchanged! That's what I've done. It's Brilliant!


    • Pedro Vilarinho 1
      Pedro Vilarinho Dec 23, 2016 Link to comment

      Yes you can, just disable the shelf in settings and that's it, for google now just long press in home bottom.


    • Kenny Thomson 1
      Kenny Thomson Dec 24, 2016 Link to comment

      Long press on the home button brings up Google now.


  • 2
    Bart De Wilde Dec 23, 2016 Link to comment

    The loss of mobile data is a software something. I (and a number of people i know with the OnePlus One) have the same issue. Still not resolved.

    derek mac


  • Frank Ohh (Frank) 1
    Frank Ohh (Frank) Dec 23, 2016 Link to comment

    This was the shortest review ever.


  • 5
    Peter Gadd Dec 23, 2016 Link to comment

    My son bought the OnePlus 3 just before the 3T came out, and he's very impressed with his phone. I am using a Galaxy Note3 at the moment and, while it is still in excellent condition, I fee like it's time for a new phone. However, I don't think I'll go for the 3T - I think I'll wait for the 4 (or could it be 5, as 4 is an unlucky number in Chinese?)


    • Bastian Siewers 66
      Bastian Siewers Dec 23, 2016 Link to comment

      haha we had exactly the same idea about the numbers game :D
      https://www.androidpit.com/oneplus-5-price-release-date-specs-features

      I'm curious to see what OnePlus is going to do :)


    • Evan Copp (Evanawesome05) 1
      Evan Copp (Evanawesome05) Dec 23, 2016 Link to comment

      Me too-I got the 3 about 3 months before it came out and am very pleased, still to this day. The next iteration should be out sometime this summer (July-Mayish) Hope this helps! 🙂


    • Evan Copp (Evanawesome05) 1
      Evan Copp (Evanawesome05) Dec 23, 2016 Link to comment

      Me too-I got the 3 about 3 months before it came out and am very pleased, still to this day. The next iteration should be out sometime this summer (July-Mayish) Hope this helps! 🙂


      • Evan Copp (Evanawesome05) 1
        Evan Copp (Evanawesome05) Dec 23, 2016 Link to comment

        Didn't mean to comment twice, whoops 😯😂😂

Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing