The unprecedented Super AMOLED panel set to be part of the OnePlus 7 Pro will truly be something else when it comes to not just performance but also the manner wherein it approaches screen refreshes, according to a new rumor that’s been making the rounds on social media since yesterday.
While capable of reaching 90Hz in games that it can get running up to 90 frames per second, the OnePlus 7 Pro will default to 60Hz during regular use so as to save battery life. The Shenzen-based company will advertise the technology as Fluid AMOLED, as per the same source.
While unconfirmed, the claim is in line with recent official statements from OnePlus which saw the company pledge to push the boundaries of mobile display tech with its next smartphone generation. For clarity, the Fluid AMOLED screen won’t be part of the regular OnePlus 7 and will only make an appearance on the OnePlus 7 Pro, according to company officials. The panel is understood to be about three times more expensive than traditional handset display modules, though it’s still unclear whether that means OnePlus will be increasing the price of its next phablet by more than around $30, which is how much its annual price hikes usually amount to.
OnePlus may hence be able to improve on the high-refresh-rate formula some manufacturers such as Razer have been exploring in recent years. As smartphones get more powerful and capable of outputting a high number of frames in graphically impressive games, the ability of their screens to keep up with those performance improvements continues growing as well.
All of that is pointing toward one clear direction – the OnePlus 7 line will be specifically catering to mobile gamers, seeking to compete with the likes of the Razer Phone 2 and ASUS ROG Phone. Sure, there are other benefits to having a screen with a high refresh rate but not many worth talking about in the context of smartphones. What remains to be seen is how big of a difference will the Fluid AMOLED screen of the OnePlus 7 make when it comes to high-end gaming experiences.
Previously released members of the flagship-killing product family were hardly incapable of playing games, so it’s surprising to see OnePlus double down on the gaming angle when at the same time there are other handset aspects in more dire need of improvements – mobile photography, for one.
Granted, OnePlus is also pledging to improve those features as well, though it’s unlikely the company will be able to deliver such a massive upgrade on its smartphone formula in every department without releasing a device priced much closer to its rivals than its predecessors were. More details are bound to become available in the coming days seeing how the OnePlus 7 range is scheduled to launch on May 14, hence being likely to hit the store shelves no later than late next month.
Ultimately, a screen with a variable refresh rate is unlikely to become the main selling point of any smartphone, even a gaming-focused one, but it’s bound to add some extra value to the OnePlus 7 Pro package – and value is what this brand is all about.