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OnePlus announces the next generation flagship killer: The OnePlus 2, priced below $400

OnePlus launched a new phone, dubbed the flagship killer, in 2014. Today OnePlus brings us its successor, the OnePlus 2, with even more impressive specs at a sub-$400 price.
Written by Matthew Miller, Contributing Writer
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(Image: OnePlus)
OnePlus launched the OnePlus One last year as the 'flagship killer' due to the high end specifications and low price. Today, OnePlus announced its successor, the OnePlus 2 with the same strategy using a unique launch delivery system.
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(Image: OnePlus)

I sat in my home office with my Google Cardboard and LG G4 strapped to my head as I started the OnePlus 2 VR launch application. The launch application takes you to a video where the co-founder of OnePlus, Carl Pei, introduces himself and then walks you around the OnePlus office. You hear interviews with some fans and then see the details of the new OnePlus 2 with discussion from different employees who worked on different parts of the new device.

There were even a few invites sprinkled around in the video, but my WiFi connection failed so I had to start over and all the invites were taken by the time I saw them. This is my major frustration with the product, the inability to actually buy one.

Looking at the specifications and prices of just $329 for the 3GB RAM/16GB storage and $389 for the 4GB RAM/64GB storage it's tough not to recommend that every Android fan go out and buy one. Unfortunately, OnePlus is using the same limited invite system last year that kept me and many others from buying the device.

Specifications of the OnePlus 2 include:

  • Operating system: OxygenOS based on Android 5.1
  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 64-bit with 1.8GHz octa-core CPUs
  • RAM: 4GB and 3GB LPDDR4
  • Internal storage: 16GB and 64GB
  • Display: 5.5 inch 1920 x 1080 pixels
  • Cameras: 13 megapixel rear with optical image stabilization and 5 megapixel front-facing
  • Ports: USB Type-C
  • Sensors: Fingerprint, accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity, and ambient light
  • Battery: 3,300 mAh LiPolymer
  • Dimensions: 151.8 x 74.9 x 9.85 mm and 175 grams

The specifications look great, especially when viewed in combination with the price. Motorola is announcing the new Moto X tomorrow and Samsung will be revealing new devices in New York in early August. Motorola may come in just a couple hundred dollars above the OnePlus 2, but Samsung's new Note 5 will likely be double the cost of the OnePlus 2.

OnePlus 2 product image gallery

In addition to OnePlus' signature Sandstone Black, consumers now have access to a range of covers including actual wood built Bamboo, Black Apricot, Rosewood and even Kevlar.

The USB Type-C port is nice to see and the OnePlus 2 is the first smartphone we've seen announced with this port. The OnePlus 2 also has a fingerprint scanner and a unique side alert slider (similar to the switch on an iPhone).

The OnePlus One launched with CyanogenOS as the software and on this year's OnePlus 2 we see its own OS called OxygenOS. This version is based on Android 5.1 and from what I understand it is nearly a pure Google experience with minimal customizations.

There will be different opportunities for signing up to request an invite, but it will be a waiting game that starts on July 31st. I signed up to get on the list when I downloaded the OnePlus2 virtual launch event app.

Many readers recommended I add the OnePlus One to my top ten lists last year, but until I can get my hands on one I can't add it to the list. It sounds like I am going to get a review unit soon and maybe even some invites to share with my Twitter followers.

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