The OnePlus X was officially unveiled this week and it looks absolutely stunning.
As reported by Venture Beat, the China-based mobile phone maker launched its third smartphone for North American users this week.
However, the smartphone oozes with exclusivity that OnePlus is only making the device available for invite-holders. And to get an invite, you will have to win one through a company contest or be "invited" to buy one from someone who's already bought the device.
We're not sure why OnePlus opted for that selling scheme, but let's see if the phone is worth the "exclusivity."
With regards to the look and feel, the report said that the phone features a 5-inch AMOLED full-HD display, an elegant black glass back plate and metal bezels. In short, it feels like a premium phone.
The handset is described as the company's decision to ditch the "techy" market and put effort into appealing to the "style-conscious" market, which the Apple iPhones have been thriving for years.
Of course, the specifications are still important, but it was made clear that after using the OnePlus X for a brief moment, you know that what you have in your hand is a class smartphone.
According to OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei, "It's a product geared towards a more mainstream audience, people who care about the size, the build quality, the materials more than the specs."
He added that, "The specs are more thoughtfully selected, because right now the additional benefit of having a faster processor for the user is not that big any more. People value things like design, first impressions, camera, and build quality much more."
As for the specifications, PC Mag reported that the OnePlux X is essentially a repackaged version of the OnePlus One.
The phone is slapped with a Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage with the option to expand it up to 128GB via microSD. What's more is that the phone can accommodate dual SIM cards.
And despite the rather "outdated" processor, it can still handle multitasking very well, with app switching and launching still relatively quick.
As for the camera, the OnePlus X still takes detailed and crisp shots with its 13-megapixel rear camera, and the autofocus and auto exposure are still reliable.
And if we are to compare the phone with other device in similar range, India Times noted that the OnePlux X holds its own very well against the Lenovo Vibe S1.
In conclusion, the phone looks great, but performs just "good." It's like a sports car with a superb packaging and body with above average innards.
All in all, the OnePlus X is a great smartphone that you can get for $250 — but only if you value style over substance.
