OnePlus 10R review: A Realme in all however title

On the face of it, the OnePlus 10R is only a rebadged Realme telephone, however there’s greater than meets the attention. The dearth of bloatware and distinctive design assist it stand out. Nevertheless, the lackluster cameras, lacking alert slider, and inconsistent software program pull the telephone again. The OnePlus 10R simply is not a terrific bundle except you’ll want to be on the bleeding fringe of charging specs.

OnePlus launched the R sequence of telephones two years in the past to bridge the ever-widening hole between the Nord sequence and its premium telephones. Whereas the R sequence has historically positioned itself as a cut-price flagship, the Shenzhen-based firm’s technique appears to have pivoted this yr. This can be a very completely different beast in comparison with the remainder of the lineup, from the internals to the externals. Within the Android Authority OnePlus 10R review, we see if the telephone manages to retain the spirit of OnePlus, or is one more step within the firm’s journey in the direction of commoditized {hardware}.

What you’ll want to know concerning the OnePlus 10R

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• OnePlus 10R (8GB/128GB): Rs. 38,999 (~$502)
• OnePlus 10R (12GB/256GB): Rs. 42,999 (~$554)
• OnePlus 10R 150W (12GB/256GB): Rs. 43,999 (~$566)

The OnePlus 10R is the most recent India-exclusive inexpensive flagship smartphone from OnePlus. The sub-flagship goes by the moniker of OnePlus Ace in China. Eager followers of the smartphone business will even discover that the specs are virtually equivalent to the Realme GT Neo 3 from its BBK sister model. That shouldn’t come as a shock because the OnePlus 10R is principally only a rebadged Realme GT Neo 3 with Oxygen OS onboard.

The smartphone is an fascinating evolution of the system pioneered by the OnePlus 9R. Whereas the OnePlus 9R and OnePlus 9RT have been fairly clearly a variation on the flagship system, that’s undoubtedly not the case right here. Be it the spec sheet, or the visible identification, OnePlus seems to be aiming for a unique proposition as an alternative of positioning the 10R as a cut-price flagship different.

Take a look at: The most effective OnePlus telephones

The OnePlus 10R debuts a Mediatek chipset within the worth flagship area and pairs it with competent imaging {hardware}. Desk stakes like satisfactory RAM and a excessive refresh price show additionally discover their manner right here.

The true consideration grabber is, after all, the ultra-fast charging speeds. OnePlus is providing the telephone in two variants prioritizing charging speeds or battery life. The common variant gives 80W charging speeds and a bigger 5.000mAh battery. Stepping as much as 150W, with the trade-off of a smaller 4,500mAh battery, additionally will increase the asking worth.

OnePlus is fielding the telephone in two coloration choices: Sierra Black and Forest Inexperienced. It may be bought straight from OnePlus.com or Amazon India.

What’s good?

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OnePlus has opted for a daring visible identification with the 10R that makes its presence felt, for higher or worse. The twin-pane design on the rear consisting of an array of strips is actually one thing. The truth that it matches nowhere within the overarching OnePlus choice language apart, it will be turning plenty of heads with its distinctive pinstripe look.

The show is one more side of the telephone that stands out. OnePlus telephones have historically had fairly good shows with colours that err extra in the direction of accuracy than not. Within the case of the OnePlus 10R, meaning a 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh price in addition to help for HDR. It’s not a variable refresh price show, so that you’ll need to particularly choose between the silky clean expertise provided by the 120Hz refresh price, or longer battery life afforded by a decrease 60Hz refresh price. Apparently, OnePlus claims that the show is able to a 90Hz middle-ground as nicely, however the software program settings provide no such choice.

Strictly talking, the calibration of the display when set to pure is superb. The show does have its caveats although, and that’s extra to do with the way it handles excessive dynamic vary content material. Viewing HDR10+ movies, the telephone will get a gentle blue solid and a slight shift in white level. I’m nitpicking right here although and, usually talking, the display is superb certainly.

Rounding off the multimedia expertise, the stereo audio system sound somewhat good. Whereas the speaker within the earphone isn’t fairly as loud because the downward-firing speaker, the overall sound high quality impresses with clear-sounding audio. There’s not a lot bass, however vocal tracks come by crystal clear when cranked up loud with discernable stereo separation.

The improbable cooling resolution and blazing quick charging assist the OnePlus 10R shine amidst the competitors.

The OnePlus 10R additionally manages excellent efficiency with the shift to a Mediatek Dimensity 8100 Max processor. Particulars are a bit mild on what the Max variant entails, however patrons can anticipate efficiency in the identical ballpark as final yr’s Snapdragon 888. Excessive-end video games and heavy multitasking are not any drawback in any respect for the telephone, however the true standout is the cooling resolution.

Set to the unthrottled Efficiency Mode, the OnePlus 10R manages to remain cool to the contact even when put by its paces. That sturdy cooling resolution additionally helps the telephone preserve unthrottled efficiency for longer durations of time.

Earlier this yr, OnePlus promised that it will debut blazing-fast 150W charging on its telephones. Whereas it will have been honest to imagine that high-speed charging would first make its strategy to a flagship-tier telephone, it’s right here and is being launched through the OnePlus 10R — at the least for those who purchase the costlier 150W mannequin. The bottom and mid-tier fashions include nonetheless very quick 80W wired charging accompanied by a 5,000mAh battery.

We’ve obtained the faster-charging model with us. Over repeated assessments, it took wherever from 20 to 22 minutes to prime up the telephone utterly. The variance in charging speeds can, after all, be attributed to exterior elements like ambient temperature. Even on the outer limits, the OnePlus 10R costs ludicrously quick. Battery optimization can be excellent as soon as Android’s Adaptive Battery tuning kicks in. On most days, I may get by a whole workday with out worrying about battery life. A five-minute top-off later, the telephone would have sufficient juice to get me by the night time. If you happen to, like me, are at all times round a charging socket, it is sensible to splurge for sooner charging regardless of the smaller battery.

What’s not so good?

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As we’ve established, the OnePlus 10R is a dramatic departure from the whole lot of the present OnePlus smartphone lineup. From the flat sides to flat show, and the supplies used, there’s treasured little right here that reminds you of the full-blooded OnePlus 10 Professional. Whereas it’s a bit uncommon for OnePlus to introduce a contemporary identification in the midst of a smartphone cycle, what’s notably odd is the drastic drop in high quality. Be it the standard of plastics, or the glass on the rear, the telephone merely doesn’t really feel premium to the contact. That is notably noticeable within the plastic camera module that draws fingerprints for days and appears like a smudge fest minutes after taking the telephone out of the field.

The lacking alert slider indicators the top of an period at OnePlus.

That drop in high quality can be mirrored within the lacking alert slider, one thing we’d beforehand solely seen faraway from OnePlus’s most cost-effective Nord telephones. The elimination of the slider isn’t only a {hardware} omission, it’s a assertion that the brand new OnePlus isn’t afraid to interrupt from custom. Sadly, what’s, prima facie, a easy cost-cutting measure, finally ends up being one more nail within the coffin of the model’s uniqueness.

And that’s earlier than we get to the software program. The OnePlus 10R is powered by Oxygen OS 12.1, which is a mish-mash of components cribbed from Oxygen OS and Oppo’s Shade OS. Components just like the icons and notification toggle, for instance, lack consistency, and there’s odd textual content scaling at play that may make sure components seem simply too large.

Not less than you get two years of main software program updates and three years of safety patches, giving OnePlus loads of time to get Oxygen OS proper with future iterations. Although even this replace assure lags behind the likes of Samsung, Apple, and even Xiaomi’s essential flagships.

OnePlus 10R camera review

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That theme of inconsistency slips over into imaging, which ought to maybe come as no shock for a OnePlus telephone. This begins with the telephone’s proclivity to shift the white stability in the direction of heat tones. Whereas it’s a coloration profile that I don’t personally thoughts, it simply isn’t very correct. The age-old OnePlus drawback of crushed shadows is one more concern. That mentioned, the 50MP main sensor can pull out a good quantity of element and performs adequately in dimly lit conditions.

The identical can’t be mentioned for the ultrawide shooter. The 8MP camera’s limitations are instantly obvious, with heavy noise discount being the norm to masks the restricted particulars.

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Macro

Issues hit all-time low in terms of the macro camera. The 2MP macro sensors generally seen doing the rounds are usually fairly unhealthy, however the one on the OnePlus 10R hits a brand new low. Between the acute distortion, poor colours, and pitiful element, I wouldn’t even trouble making an attempt to make use of it.

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The theme continues over to the selfie camera, which is mild on element and goes heavy on noise discount algorithms. The dynamic vary is especially poor, and picture high quality goes south quickly as ambient mild dips.

Video high quality is satisfactory however suffers from the identical optimization points that plague the cameras. White stability and crushed shadows specifically are one thing that the OnePlus 10R struggles with.

Take a look at full decision OnePlus 10R camera samples at our Google Drive hyperlink.

OnePlus 10R specs

OnePlus 10R review: The decision

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The OnePlus 10R is an oddly positioned gadget. It’s not a foul smartphone per se, however the lackluster imaging and less-than-premium supplies let it down. Furthermore, it’s a clear downgrade over the OnePlus 9RT (Rs. 42,999), which continues to be out there for the same worth. Then there’s the inconsistent software program to contemplate. It’s laborious to get previous the clashing components strewn throughout the interface and the lack of some much-loved options, just like the hidden apps function within the app drawer.

The Xiaomi 11T Professional (Rs.39,999) is maybe probably the most direct competitor to the OnePlus 10R. Xiaomi’s premium mid-ranger wins out on the imaging entrance because of its well-calibrated 108MP sensor in addition to a stellar telemacro system. Moreover, it strikes the correct stability between battery life and charging speeds by together with 120W help with a 5,000mAh cell.

Associated: The most effective Android smartphones in India you will get

You possibly can additionally have a look at the iPhone SE (2022) ($429) if you wish to take a stroll in Apple’s walled backyard. Whereas the telephone actually gained’t be successful any design comparisons, it delivers blistering efficiency, longevity, and the overall excellence of iOS.

Regardless of its shortcomings, the OnePlus 10R does match a distinct segment. For one, the dual-panel look is actually a head-turner. After which there’s the blazing-fast 150W charging. Positive, the Realme GT 3 Neo does it too at a lower cost, however it comes at the price of an abundance of bloatware onboard. The OnePlus 10R could possibly be match for customers who need absolutely the bleeding fringe of charging tech and aggressive efficiency, however don’t need to pay flagship costs. I’m simply undecided there are sufficient of these patrons that can have the ability to overlook the constraints right here utterly.

OnePlus 10R

The OnePlus 10R balances wise efficiency and worth with an all-new design language.

Prime OnePlus 10R questions and solutions

Q: Does the OnePlus 10R have an IP ranking?

No, the OnePlus 10R doesn’t have an official IP ranking, nor does it include any rated splash resistance.

Does the OnePlus 10R have wi-fi charging?Does the OnePlus 10R have 5G help?

Sure, the OnePlus 10R helps 5G throughout a spread of bands. It doesn’t help mmWave 5G, however that’s not a loss for the goal market.

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