As we now stand quite close to the OnePlus 7 launch, the company has started piece-by-piece unveiling of its next phone. After nearly 6 years of challenging and undercutting the high-end flagship phones, OnePlus will finally step into the flagship domain with a Pro variant this year.
So, what does OnePlus has to show for the added cost this year? The screen.
What’s special about OnePlus 7 Pro display?
Speaking exclusively to The Verge, OnePlus CEO Pete Lau confirmed that they will be spending thrice as much on the screen this year (for the Pro variant). As Pete states, OnePlus 7 Pro screen will be “super smooth” (90Hz) and “super crisp” (2K resolution). This is in line with the first official teaser OnePlus put up a few days back.
Excited to share the next product from OnePlus will unleash a new era of Fast and Smooth. Especially Smooth! Smooth is more challenging than Fast – a true test of hardware and software.
The new product is just beautiful – I can’t wait for you to see it! 😬✨ pic.twitter.com/yPU9sEbeIv
— Pete Lau (@petelau2007) April 17, 2019
Though OnePlus didn’t confirm the following in as many words, It’s safe to assume that the OnePlus 7 Pro display will have:
a) Curved side edges
b) 2K resolution
c) 90Hz refresh rate
Back during the OnePlus 5 launch, Lau expressed interest in Samsung like flagship screen and said that “This is something we want to try, But we don’t currently have the resources or access to those displays.”
As Pete Lau mentions in his tweet, instead of sourcing new display tech from other manufacturers, the company has invested and developed the technology “just for OnePlus phones”.
Indeed, our new product will utilize all-new display technology. We have invested significantly (technology is 3x cost of other flagship displays) in developing the technology just for OnePlus, a flagship screen experience that is truly best in the world. https://t.co/HVDhfI8uDA
— Pete Lau (@petelau2007) April 22, 2019
The 7 Pro won’t be the first phone to offer a 90Hz screen refresh rate. The Razer phone 1 and 2 and Asus ROG Phone use high refresh rates while running games. OnePlus 7 Pro could be the first Android phone that implements 90Hz screen refresh across the entire interface, similar to the 120Hz iPad Pro. We will need to wait and watch to know if this would incur a significant battery penalty or not.
Does regular OnePlus 7 also has a 90Hz display?
All the swanky display tech OnePlus talked about today is relevant to OnePlus 7 Pro and NOT the regular OnePlus 7, which should be more accessible to the masses. However, this is still good news since the technology will eventually make it across the entire portfolio.
Other than that, the OnePlus 7 Pro will also have 5G connectivity. This wouldn’t mean much, at least till the next year, but should still be worthy for people who plan on sticking to their phones for a while.
