Introduction
Do we have a good one for you today – the original OnePlus One goes up against the new OnePlus X. How does the newest OnePlus model go up against the ‘one’ that started it all for this smaller Chinese manufacturer? Both devices are well-built with a premium look and are comfortable holding them in your hand.
Surprisingly, these two devices, released a year and a half apart, have many specifications in common. They both share a Full HD display, both use the same processor and 3GB of RAM and both have a 13MP main camera. Both the OnePlus One and ‘X’ have WiFi, Bluetooth (v4.1 on the One and v4.0 on the OnePlus X), GPS and a microUSB v2.0 port for charging and data transfer. Both use a non-removable battery, with the OnePlus One at 3100 mAh and 2525 mAh in the OnePlus X.
Please take a deliberate look at the detailed Specifications Comparison chart below and here you will see just how these two great devices stack up against one another – click on the “View Full Comparison” link at the end of the chart to expand the details. After that, we will look at each individual device in greater detail and point out some of its pros and cons. From all of this information we will try to determine the winner based on specs and execution of design and functions.
Specifications
OnePlus One
The Chinese startup company OnePlus started out their company with the OnePlus One model. At the time, OnePlus One was a high-end device with a mid-range price tag – a combination that everybody loves. You can still order one online and have it shipped here, as it will work on the GSM networks of AT&T and T-Mobile. The price has dropped for the 64GB model from $349 to $299 and is the only variation still sold. Like all OnePlus models, it has a true premium build and looks and feels the part.
It comes with a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with a Full HD (FHD) resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and a respectable 401 pixels-per-inch (PPI.) This goes up against the new 5.0-inch AMOLED display one the OnePlus X packing 441 PPI. The OnePlus One uses the 32-bit Snapdragon 801 quad-core clocked at 2.5GHz and 3GB of RAM with 64GB of non-expandable internal memory. The new OnePlus X also uses the same processor clocked at 2.3 GHz along with 3GB of RAM and 16GB of internal memory, but is expandable via a microSD card. Both models use an Adreno 330 as its GPU.
The OnePlus One has a 13MP main shooter with autofocus and a dual-LED flash that takes some good pictures as seen in our full review. The OnePlus X also has an improved 13MP sensor and takes better pictures. OnePlus put in a large, for that time, a 5MP FFC for selfies and video chatting, but for the new OnePlus X they used an even larger 8MP FFC. The OnePlus One comes with a nice size 3100 mAh battery that certainly beats out the small 2525 mAh battery on the OnePlus X.
As far as other features, it is kind of slim pickings – The OnePlus One does have dual speakers on the bottom of the device. The OS is based on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, with either Cyanogen OS 12.1 or OxygenOS on top. It will cost you $299 for the 64GB model. It will work on the AT&T or T-Mobile networks.
OnePlus X
OnePlus barely got the OnePlus 2 out the door when they built the OnePlus X model. I guess we would have to call it an entry-level device with an FHD display. OnePlus seems to be recycling 2014 parts to build the OnePlus X. Did they have leftover parts to get rid of? The Snapdragon 801 processor they selected was a real workhorse, but it is only 32-bit and four cores in a 64-bit, octa-core world. However, with a price tag of only $249, you would expect a bargain device…but if you have $250 to spend on a smartphone, this may be the device for you.
The OnePlus X sports a 5.0-inch OLED FHD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and 441 PPI whereas the OnePlus One uses a larger 5.5-inch FHD IPS LCD display with 401 PPI. OnePlus went back to Qualcomm and snatched up an older 32-bit Snapdragon 801 quad-core processor clocked at 2.3GHz. The OnePlus One uses the same processor, although it is clocked at 2.5 GHz. OnePlus X and the OnePlus One are packing 3GB of DDR3 RAM with 16GB of internal storage with a microSD card slot to expand that memory an additional 128GB. The OnePlus One packs 64GB of memory with no room for expansion.
In the camera area, the OnePlus X uses 13MP sensor with an LED flash and phase detection autofocus and can reproduce videos in 1080p and 30fps. The OnePlus One uses a 13MP camera that should be about on par with the OnePlus X. The OnePlus X sports a large 8MP FFC for selfies and video chatting, while the OnePlus One has a smaller 5MP FFC. Powering the OnePlus X is a smaller non-removable 2525 mAh battery that should make it through a day based on its components. The OnePlus One uses a much larger 3100 mAh non-removable battery that should easily make it through a day. Neither device has rapid charge.
The OnePlus X comes with 4G LTE connectivity and will handle some bands from AT&T and T-Mobile. It has a single speaker at the bottom of the device and it sports an FM radio. It is running Android 5.1.1 Lollipop with OxygenOS on top and has no NFC like the OnePlus One. The device measures 140 x 69 x 6.9 mm, weighs in at 138 grams, will cost approximately $249. The backing is made from fire-baked ceramic and is available in two choices of colors -Onyx Black or Champagne White.
…And The Winner Is…
Summary
This is a tough one, but I am choosing the OnePlus One as the winner of the comparison. If it wasn’t for the reduced price, I may have gone with the OnePlus X, but for only $50, you get a larger display, the same processor, the same amount of RAM, a larger battery, a similar main camera, dual speakers and you are gaining NFC capability, which will allow you to make mobile purchases. The biggest option you are giving up is the ability to expand the internal memory past its 64GB.
The OnePlus X is a nice entry-level device and priced at $249, a real bargain. It is well-built, has an AMOLED display, and very similar to the OnePlus One flagship from the previous year. However, the OnePlus One’s larger display is nice to have and certainly NFC is a big plus. You cannot go wrong with either of these devices, especially at those prices.
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