Everything you need to know about the OnePlus 3T and why it’s not the OnePlus 4

Update: Qualcomm has confirmed OnePlus is working on a new phone and it's set to launch with a top of the range Snapdragon 821 processor inside.

OnePlus released its third high-end, low price flagship phone back in June this year to rave reviews – we gave the phone four and a half stars - but if rumors are correct, OnePlus is ready to replace it in the coming months.

The OnePlus 3T (or OnePlus 3S/OnePlus 3 Plus, the name is currently unclear) is a rumored update to the original OnePlus 3. It looks set to replace the main OnePlus 3 device.

But it’s likely to not be a total refresh of the OnePlus 3 and it won’t be the phone you expected to be called the OnePlus 4.

Cut to the chase

• What is it? The next updated phone from OnePlus
• When is it out? Hopefully by the end of 2016
• What will it cost? Expect similar to the OnePlus 3 at £330, $400, AU$450

OnePlus 3T release date

PocketNow suggested the OnePlus 3T will be set to launch on November 14 at a special London event. That's less than a week away if true.

What is the OnePlus 3T?

Various sources have suggested OnePlus is set to update its latest flagship phone, with the most recent leak coming from Qualcomm, the company which produced the processor for the original OnePlus 3.

The company has now tweeted confirming OnePlus is set to update its phone, and that it will come with the latest and greatest Snapdragon 821 processor.

According to a ‘trusted’ supply chain source speaking with GizmoChina, the new phone from OnePlus will come with the same design as the original phone but different internals.

The main change, other than the processor, seems to be switching the screen for a QHD LCD option, rather than the AMOLED panel used in the OnePlus 3.

One leak even suggested the OnePlus 3T is set to have a 128GB storage option as well.

China’s Compulsory Certification - a test to mark whether it’s safe for consumer use - was also given to a new OnePlus phone on August 29, suggesting the company is ready to release a new phone.

TechRadar's take: The latest processor from Qualcomm is sure to give the OnePlus 3T an advantage over the competition.

Why the switch in screens?

OnePlus CEO Pei has said there’s been an increase in the demand for AMOLED displays in 2016. It’s taking the company a long time to supply its OnePlus 3 orders because of the demand.

That’s why it's rumored OnePlus will be switching to an LCD panel for the new phone, as it would allow the company to meet orders quickly. Right now it’s having to contend with month-long delays because of a lack of panels on the market.

OnePlus CEO Pei has since tweeted stating the OnePlus 3 will stick with the AMOLED panel though, so it's currently unclear what OnePlus plans to do.

Despite what Pei tweeted, rumors are flooding in suggesting the company is experimenting with LCD technology.

TechRadar's take: The screen is going to switch to an LCD panel, despite what Pei has said.

What do the upgrades mean?

Upgrading to the Snapdragon 821 should mean the phone is a touch faster than the original OnePlus 3 - it’d be about 10% quicker.

The OnePlus 3 is already fast, but when we pitted it against the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge in our YouTube speed test the phone did run 20 seconds behind, so an upgrade would be a big help.

An LCD screen will pose a number of benefits and weaknesses over the AMOLED option included in the original phone.

AMOLED generally uses a bit more power than LCD, while the white balance is usually better on an LCD option as well.

But switching to LCD means OnePlus will lose the benefits of blacker blacks and a slightly thinner display that an AMOLED option would offer.

What’s it going to be called?

Sources are discussing whether it’s going to be called the OnePlus 3T, OnePlus 3S or the OnePlus 3 Plus.

There may also be the chance OnePlus decide to call it the OnePlus 3 still and not change the name.

What we know is it won’t be called the OnePlus 4  – this is not the new flagship phone that we’re still expecting to see in June 2017 and it won’t be named as such.

Will it be worth upgrading?

If you own a OnePlus 3, the next version of the phone is unlikely to be worth the upgrade. The OnePlus 3 is such as great device that it features in our best phone ranking, among big name greats like the iPhone 7 and Samsung Galaxy S7.

But if you were planning to upgrade to the OnePlus 3, it may be worth waiting a little while longer to see what the company announces in the coming weeks.

• OnePlus 4: what we want to see

Source: TechRadar posted by Campus94