T-Mobile’s OnePlus 6T has just received its very first update, and as part of it, OnePlus included some new features, some overall improvements, and a November Android security patch. This update landed on the global OnePlus 6T unit recently, and even though it took it a bit longer to land on T-Mobile’s OnePlus 6T unit, it did not take as long as some users expected. In any case, as part of this update, T-Mobile’s OnePlus 6T unit received the Gesture Mode 2.0 update, which includes the new quick switch gesture. This gesture can be utilized if you’re using OnePlus’ navigation gestures, and it allows you to switch between the last two apps you’ve used quickly, so the one you’re using at the moment, and the one you used before it. This gesture is basically the equivalent of quickly tapping the overview button if you’re using on-screen buttons, and it can be activated by swiping from the bottom of the phone’s display towards the middle, and then flicking your finger to the right without raising it. This can be done really quickly, as soon as you get used to the motion, of course.
Now, on top of that, the “Unlock” app also got updated in this firmware update, while OnePlus further tuned the Nightscape mode on the device, so it should provide you with even better photos in low light conditions. The device’s in-display fingerprint scanner should also work better after this update, as the update makes some improvements when it comes to that sensor as well, software-based improvements, of course. That is more or less all the info when it comes to this update’s changelog. The update will land on your device with a build number “A6013_34_181029”, and it weighs 132.3MB, in case you were wondering. This update has started rolling out, but do keep in mind it will roll out to devices gradually, so not every single T-Mobile OnePlus 6T unit will get it straight away, it can take a couple of days, even up to a week before you get it, so be patient. If you simply cannot wait, though, you can always sideload it, as long as you know what you’re doing. You can get the update from the official OTA download link, but as already mentioned, only if you know what you’re doing when it comes to sideloading, if not, it would be best if you wait for an OTA (Over-The-Air) update to land on your device.
Background: Most of you probably already know that T-Mobile is the very first US carrier that OnePlus decided to cooperate with when it comes to launching its devices in the US. The OnePlus 6T is available via T-Mobile in the States, and was even available via some special offers at first. It’s also worth noting that you can trade in your old device and get a significant discount when purchasing the OnePlus 6T from T-Mobile, thanks to the company’s Magenta Friday promotion, though do keep in mind that you need to trade in an eligible smartphone, of course. This partnership actually helped OnePlus to open up with 86-percent higher sales of the OnePlus 6T (compared to the OnePlus 6) in the US, which, needless to say, makes a considerable difference for the company. This may help the OnePlus 6T to become the best-selling OnePlus-branded smartphone to date. Now, it’s also worth noting that the phone is certified for use on Verizon Wireless as well. Do keep in mind that T-Mobile’s model is a single SIM variant of the OnePlus 6T, compared to all the other options that are dual SIM. Also, the bootloader on T-Mobile’s unit cannot be unlocked until you pay off the device financing.
The OnePlus 6T was announced earlier this month, and on a global scale, it arrived in Mirror Black and Midnight Black options, at first. The Thunder Purple variant of the device was first announced in China, but it arrived to global markets soon after that. The Mirror Black and Midnight Black models of the device are available in both 6GB and 8GB RAM variants, with 128GB or 256GB of storage, while the Thunder Purple OnePlus 6T comes in an 8GB RAM variant only, and only with 128GB of storage. As far as T-Mobile goes, you can get only the Mirror Black variant with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The OnePlus 6T is made out of metal and glass, while it sports a 6.41-inch fullHD+ Optic AMOLED display. The device is fueled by the Snapdragon 845 64-bit octa-core processor, while it includes a 3,700mAh battery on the inside. The device ships with Android 9 Pie, and OnePlus’ OxygenOS skin on top of it, while it features 16 and 20-megapixel cameras on the back, and a single 16-megapixel camera on the front. OnePlus’ fast battery charging is still included here, but it is not called “Dash Charge” any longer, as OnePlus got sued for using that name a while back.
Impact: The fact that the OnePlus 6T is available via T-Mobile in the US will certainly help the company improve its standing in the country, and as already mentioned in this article, the device’s initial sales in the US were much higher than those of the OnePlus 6 thanks to this fact. Chances are that the OnePlus 6T will become the best-selling OnePlus-branded smartphone to date, though it’s too early to tell just yet. It will, almost certainly become the best-selling OnePlus device in the US, though. It remains to be seen whether the Thunder Purple or Midnight Black models of the device will become available via T-Mobile in the US, though that’s not that likely. OnePlus will probably launch at least three smartphones next year, the OnePlus 7, OnePlus 7T, and the company’s very first 5G-enabled device that was confirmed to arrive in early 2018. It remains to be seen if any of those phones will be available via T-Mobile, but considering that the OnePlus 6T’s launch was quite successful, it’s highly likely that the OnePlus 7 will also be available via T-Mobile, if not the other two phones as well.