OnePlus Evolves: A Journey Through Flagship Smartphones

OnePlus continues to establish its reputation in the smartphone market with a series of flagship devices that combine premium specifications with competitive pricing. Founded in 2013, the company quickly gained traction with its motto, “Never Settle,” and has since released a range of smartphones that have garnered significant attention. This article offers an overview of OnePlus’ flagship smartphones, highlighting key features, specifications, and design elements.

OnePlus One to OnePlus 6

The journey began with the **OnePlus One**, launched in April 2014, which was dubbed the “Flagship Killer” due to its impressive specifications at a price of **$299** for the 16GB variant and **$349** for the 64GB model. It featured a **5.5-inch Full HD display**, 3GB of RAM, and a **Snapdragon 801** processor, all running on **CyanogenOS** atop Android 4.4.2 KitKat. The device’s **13-megapixel rear camera** and **5-megapixel front camera** further solidified its position in the market.

In July 2015, the **OnePlus 2** was introduced, bringing a fingerprint scanner and the company’s own **OxygenOS** after parting ways with Cyanogen. Priced similarly, it maintained a **5.5-inch Full HD display** and enhanced performance with the **Snapdragon 810** processor. The **OnePlus 3**, announced in June 2016, marked a shift to a metal unibody design and introduced an **Optic AMOLED display** for the first time.

The **OnePlus 3T**, released later that year, featured upgrades such as a **Snapdragon 821** processor and a larger battery, continuing OnePlus’s trend of iterative improvements. The **OnePlus 5**, unveiled in June 2017, introduced dual rear cameras and a more refined design, while the **OnePlus 5T** followed shortly after in November, offering a nearly bezel-less display.

From OnePlus 6 to OnePlus 12

The **OnePlus 6**, announced in May 2018, showcased a glass and metal design with a noticeable display notch. It featured a **6.28-inch Full HD+ display** and was powered by the **Snapdragon 845** processor. The **OnePlus 6T**, unveiled in October of the same year, continued this legacy with an in-display fingerprint scanner and a larger battery.

The OnePlus 7 series, revealed in May 2019, included the **OnePlus 7** and the more premium **OnePlus 7 Pro**. The latter offered a pop-up selfie camera and a **90Hz refresh rate**, enhancing the user experience. The **OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro**, announced in April 2020, marked the introduction of wireless charging and IP68 water resistance, a significant advancement for the brand.

Continuing the trend, the **OnePlus 9** series debuted in March 2021, featuring a partnership with Hasselblad to improve camera quality. The **OnePlus 10 Pro**, launched in January 2022, introduced a redesigned camera module and state-of-the-art specifications, including **Snapdragon 8 Gen 1** processing power and a **5000mAh battery**.

The latest flagship, the **OnePlus 12**, was announced in early December 2024. It features a redesigned camera island and improved specifications, including a **Snapdragon 8 Gen 3** processor and a **7300mAh battery**, supporting **120W wired charging**. Alongside this, the **OnePlus 13T** was revealed in late April 2025, offering a compact design with a **6.32-inch LTPO AMOLED display** and a high refresh rate of **120Hz**.

As OnePlus continues to innovate and introduce new flagship smartphones, the tech community eagerly anticipates what the future holds for this prominent player in the mobile market. With each release, OnePlus not only reinforces its commitment to quality and affordability but also showcases its ability to adapt and evolve in an ever-changing industry.