OnePlus 10 Pro review
The OnePlus 10 Pro is a new flagship smartphone for 2022, boasting a fresh design and chipset, but also retaining many similarities with its predecessor, the 9 Pro. With a bold square camera bump and sleek matte finish, the device stands out visually, but not necessarily in terms of innovation. The phone features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display, powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, and advanced thermal management, making it a solid choice for gamers. But does it live up to its potential?
Build Quality and Design
The OnePlus 10 Pro boasts an improved design that sets it apart from its predecessor, the OnePlus 9 Pro. While maintaining similarities with last year's model, this new flagship has made a concerted effort to stand out among similar offerings. Visually, the phone features a less generic design, with a square camera bump that seamlessly integrates into the frame. The back of the device is constructed from Gorilla Glass 5, providing a sturdy and durable surface. The aluminum frame boasts a matte black finish, which not only adds a touch of elegance but also effectively repels fingerprints. However, it's worth noting that this texture can make the phone slightly slippery to hold onto. OnePlus has wisely placed the fingerprint scanner higher up on the display, making it easier to access with one hand. This thoughtful design tweak contributes to an overall pleasant holding experience. Despite its sleek appearance, the 10 Pro isn't officially IP-rated for water resistance (except for the T-Mobile variant in the US). Nevertheless, the phone's build quality feels premium and well-crafted. The Volcanic Black color option is particularly striking, and the Emerald Forest alternative offers a nice contrast. While the matte texture does an excellent job of reducing smudges, it provides limited grip, which might lead to accidental drops. Nevertheless, the OnePlus 10 Pro's build quality and design elevate it above its competitors, making it a worthy consideration for those seeking a high-end device.
Battery Life
In our latest review of the OnePlus 10 Pro, we take a closer look at its battery life capabilities. The phone boasts an impressive larger 5,000mAh battery compared to its predecessor. According to our testing, it scored an overall endurance of 107 hours in North America. This is a testament to its efficient power management and long-lasting performance. What's more, the OnePlus 10 Pro comes with fast charging capabilities, featuring a 65W Super VOOC charger in some regions (80W elsewhere). We were able to charge the phone from zero to 100% in just 32 minutes using the included charger. This rapid top-up is perfect for those who need a quick power boost. Throughout our testing, we found that the OnePlus 10 Pro consistently delivered impressive battery life, with minimal degradation over time. Whether you're streaming content, gaming, or simply using the phone for everyday tasks, this device has got your back. Overall, the battery life of the OnePlus 10 Pro is a major strength of this device. It's an excellent choice for those who want a phone that can keep up with their busy lifestyle without sacrificing performance or features.
Display
The display on the OnePlus 10 Pro is a standout feature, showcasing a 6.7-inch AMOLED panel with QHD+ resolution and second-generation LTPo technology. This results in a vibrant and color-accurate screen that's ideal for content creation or consumption. The display has undergone dual-color calibration, allowing users to see more accurate colors across various brightness levels. OnePlus has also upgraded the protection on the 10 Pro, using Gorilla Glass Victus instead of the previous generation. This provides added durability and scratch resistance. The panel is rated for up to 1300 nits of brightness, ensuring great visibility outdoors, even in direct sunlight. In our testing, we found the display on the OnePlus 10 Pro to be very color-accurate, making it an excellent choice for those who value a good screen. The interface, running Oxygen OS 12.1 over Android 12, is also visually pleasing and easy to navigate. However, some may notice that the UI has lost some of its character in its merger with ColorOS. The OnePlus 10 Pro's display is undoubtedly one of its strongest features, offering a seamless viewing experience for users. While it may not be revolutionary compared to last year's model, the improvements made to the panel and protection make it a compelling choice for those seeking a top-notch display on their smartphone.
Camera
The camera on the OnePlus 10 Pro is a highlight of the device, featuring the second-generation Hasselblad camera system. The setup consists of a 48-megapixel main camera with optical image stabilization, an 8-megapixel telephoto camera with 3.3 times optical zoom, and a new 50-megapixel ultra-wide camera with a 150-degree field of view. In daylight, the main camera produces great shots with good amounts of detail, although some noticeable sharpening is apparent throughout all the shots. Color rendering has been improved, resulting in vivid and pleasing colors, albeit not perfectly accurate. High Dynamic Range (HDR) is a bit more conservative, yielding images with a more natural look. The telephoto camera maintains the same color and resolution as the main camera, but with more pleasing contrast. Shots from the ultrawide camera might lose some detail compared to the main one, but colors are very similar. However, it has lost autofocus capabilities and macro photography, which were features of the 9 Pro's ultra-wide camera. Low-light performance is excellent, even without enabling night mode on the main camera. The large main sensor captures scenes well with plenty of detail and minimal sharpening. Night mode mostly makes a difference in situations with extremely low light or when there are light sources in the photo, retaining highlights very well and exposure is more balanced. The 10 Pro's selfie camera has been updated to 32 megapixels with an f/2.2 aperture, resulting in great detail and dynamic range handling, even in backlit scenes. Colors are pleasant but not too saturated.
Price and Value
The latest flagship from OnePlus, the 10 Pro, has arrived with a revamped design and powerful chipset. Priced at around $900, it's an attractive option for those seeking a premium device. However, considering its price point, we must evaluate whether this phone is worth the investment. On one hand, the 10 Pro boasts impressive specs, including a large 5,000mAh battery that delivered excellent endurance in our tests. The device also features dual stereo speakers and capable cameras, with the 2nd gen Hasselblad camera producing great shots in daylight. Low-light performance is equally impressive, thanks to the main camera's ability to capture plenty of detail without over-sharpening. However, when considering its price, we can't help but feel that the OnePlus 10 Pro is a bit pricey. For around $900, you could opt for other flagships from competing brands, such as Samsung or Google, which offer more polished and well-rounded experiences. In terms of value, the 10 Pro feels like it's priced to match its flagship status rather than offering an exceptional price-to-performance ratio. While it's certainly a powerful device with impressive specs, we can't shake off the feeling that there are better options available at similar prices. Ultimately, whether or not the OnePlus 10 Pro is worth considering depends on your individual priorities and needs. If you're invested in the OnePlus ecosystem and want a high-end device from the brand, then this phone might be for you. However, if you're looking to purchase a new flagship at this price point and are open to other options, we'd recommend exploring alternatives before making a decision.
Performance
The OnePlus 10 Pro boasts an impressive performance with its flagship-grade chipset, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, paired with the brand's new 3D passive cooling system. This combination delivers excellent thermal management, minimizing throttling in our testing. As a result, the device is well-suited for gaming enthusiasts. The phone comes equipped with up to 256GB of non-expandable storage, ensuring seamless performance and lag-free multitasking. The OxygenOS 12.1 interface provides an intuitive experience, although it has undergone significant changes since its merger with ColorOS. This updated UI may take some getting used to, but it still retains many features that OnePlus fans have come to appreciate. In terms of gaming capabilities, the OnePlus 10 Pro is a powerhouse. The device's performance is not limited by its cooling system, and games run smoothly at high frame rates. While most games are capped at 60Hz refresh rate, this doesn't detract from the overall gaming experience. However, the phone's performance does not necessarily justify the price point, as there are other options available in the same range that offer more polished and well-rounded experiences. In terms of raw power, the OnePlus 10 Pro delivers. The device's chipset provides more than enough grunt for demanding applications and games. However, it is worth noting that the phone's performance may not be future-proof, and as newer chipsets become available, the device's capabilities may become less competitive. Overall, the OnePlus 10 Pro's performance is a major selling point, but it is essential to consider other factors when making a purchasing decision.
Pros
1. The phone has a new design that stands out among similar offerings from its sister brands, with a bold square camera bump.
2. The back is made of Gorilla Glass 5 and the frame is aluminum with a matte black finish, providing a nice grip-free feel.
3. The display is a 6.7-inch AMOLED panel with QHD+ resolution, second-generation LTPo technology, and a dynamic 120Hz refresh rate.
4. The phone has excellent thermal management with minimal throttling, making it a great choice for gamers.
5. The battery life is great, scoring 107 hours overall endurance in our test.
6. The cameras perform well, especially in low light conditions, and the new ultra-wide camera offers a 150-degree field of view.
Cons
1. The phone feels rather slippery due to its matte texture, providing limited grip.
2. It's not officially IP-rated (except for the T-Mobile variant), which may be a concern for some users.
3. Oxygen OS has lost much of its character in its merger with Color OS and is inconsistent, which may disappoint long-time fans.
4. The ultra-wide camera has lost autofocus capabilities compared to the 9 Pro's version.
5. The macro photography feature on the 9 Pro's ultra-wide camera was removed from the 10 Pro.
6. At $900, there are many great options to consider at this price point that may offer more polish and a better-rounded experience.