OnePlus Ace 2 Pro review
The OnePlus Ace 2 Pro promises an enhanced daily experience, but at a higher price point than the K60 Ultra. With improved build quality and accessories, including a silicone case and 45W fast charger, it's clear that performance is the focus. The phone boasts a Boe Q9 Plus panel with a sharp 1240p resolution, and a speedy Snapdragon agent 2 processor, but will it deliver on gaming and camera fronts? This review aims to find out if the Ace 2 Pro lives up to its promise.
Build Quality and Design
The OnePlus Ace 2 Pro's build quality is a significant improvement over its predecessor, the K60 Ultra. The phone feels solid in the hand, with a great weight distribution that makes it comfortable to hold. While the plastic bezel around the screen doesn't make it any lighter, it does add to the overall feel of a premium device. However, the design is where things get a bit underwhelming. The Ace 2 Pro looks almost identical to its predecessor, with a similar shape and size. It's not that the phone is ugly by any means, but rather, it feels like OnePlus has been stuck in a design rut for too long. The nearly nine-millimeter thickness doesn't help matters either. One notable change is the swap of the volume buttons and alert slider from their usual positions. This might take some getting used to for users who have previous OnePlus phones, as it's not a common layout. The accessories included in the box are a nice touch, with a silicone case, UV-activated glue protection stickers, and a 45-watt PD charger being notable mentions. The charger is particularly impressive, supporting fast charging up to 45 watts and also backing up USB-C power delivery (PD) and Qualcomm Quick Charge (QC). Overall, while the Ace 2 Pro's build quality is great, its design feels like more of the same from OnePlus. It's not a bad thing per se, but rather, it's just a phone that looks like every other recent OnePlus model. The good news is that the daily experience has been improved, with faster fingerprint recognition and better screen responsiveness making up for the lack of excitement in the design department.
Battery Life
One of the standout features of the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro is its impressive battery life. The phone boasts a large 5000mAh battery, which provides plenty of power to get you through the day. In my experience with the Ace 2 Pro, I found that the battery life was pretty good, on par with other phones in this price range. Normally, it only needs to be charged once a day, and even after a day of heavy use, it still had around 10-15% battery life left. One of the best things about the Ace 2 Pro's battery life is its charging speed. The phone supports up to 150W fast charging, which can get your battery from empty to full in under 20 minutes. This is extremely fast and makes it perfect for those who need a quick top-up on the go. While I didn't have any issues with the battery life during my testing period, I did notice that the phone's power consumption can be high when playing games or using resource-intensive apps. However, this is to be expected from a phone with such a large battery and powerful processor. Overall, I'm impressed with the Ace 2 Pro's battery life and charging speed. It's definitely one of the phone's standout features and makes it perfect for those who need a reliable and long-lasting power source on their device.
Display
The display on the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro is a notable improvement over its predecessor, with a resolution of 1240p, which is sharper than FHD+ screen. The latest Q9 Plus panel from BOE provides a better visual experience, especially for gaming and video consumption. One of the standout features of this display is its ability to function even when it's exposed to water. While it doesn't have an IP68 rating, the phone can still be used in wet conditions, which is a plus point. However, it's essential to note that users will still need to take care of their device if it gets submerged in water. The screen also supports high-frequency PWM gaming, making it ideal for gamers who demand smooth and seamless visuals. The overall display quality is excellent, with vibrant colors and good contrast ratios. The fingerprint recognition has been moved upwards, which is a welcome change, especially for users with larger hands. However, there's a minor drawback - the USB port is USB 2.0, which may cause issues for users who transfer data frequently, especially those with the 1TB storage version. Overall, the display on the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro is a highlight of this device, offering a seamless visual experience that enhances overall usage.
Camera
The camera on the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro is a major upgrade over its predecessor, and one that's sure to please fans of the brand. While it may not match the capabilities of some of the high-end flagships out there, it's a significant step forward for the series. The main camera performs admirably, with excellent dynamic range and colors that are neither too bright nor overly muted. The issue with chromatic aberration that plagued previous OnePlus models has been largely eradicated, leaving you with natural-looking photos that would be considered top-notch at this price point. Even in low-light conditions, the camera holds its own, producing images that are similar to those taken during the day. In fact, it's not uncommon to take photos that rival those from more expensive devices. The 2x zoom feature is also sharp and detailed, although the ultra-wide-angle lens could benefit from a bit more clarity. One area where the camera excels is in its ability to capture natural-looking details. Whether you're shooting portraits or landscapes, the Ace 2 Pro's camera will give you results that are hard to fault. It's almost as if OnePlus has taken note of previous criticisms and set out to create a camera system that would meet expectations. While there may not be any revolutionary new features here, it's clear that OnePlus has listened to user feedback and made meaningful improvements to the camera on the Ace 2 Pro. In fact, it's arguably the strongest aspect of this phone, offering capabilities that rival those from more expensive devices. In short, if you're a photography enthusiast looking for a device that won't break the bank, the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro has a lot to offer. The camera may not be perfect, but it's certainly an improvement over what came before, and one that will make this phone a compelling choice for those who value good photography at an affordable price.
Price and Value
When I heard that the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro would be priced similarly to the K60 Ultra, I was excited to see how this new device would stack up against its predecessor. At $360, the K60 Ultra is an affordable option for those looking for a budget-friendly smartphone. But what about the more expensive OnePlus Ace 2 Pro? Would it justify its higher price tag? As it turns out, the Ace 2 Pro is actually priced at a premium of around $50 more than the K60 Ultra, which starts at $310 in China. However, when you consider that the Snapchat Agent 2 phone can be purchased for an additional $55 on top of the Ace 2 Pro's price, it becomes clear that there are options available for those on a tighter budget. Despite being pricier than its competitors, the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro is still an attractive option. The device comes with some impressive accessories in the box, including a silicone case and UV-activated glue protection stickers. The build quality is also top-notch, feeling sturdy and well-made in hand. While the design of the Ace 2 Pro may be unoriginal, it's hard to deny that this phone offers exceptional value for its price. With a high-quality screen, impressive performance, and decent camera capabilities, the Ace 2 Pro is sure to please even the most discerning smartphone users. Overall, while the price of the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro may seem high at first glance, it's clear that this device offers a lot of bang for your buck. Whether you're looking for a premium smartphone experience or just want something reliable and easy to use, the Ace 2 Pro is definitely worth considering – especially when compared to its competitors in the same price range.
Performance
The OnePlus Ace 2 Pro's performance is its standout feature, making it a powerhouse in the Android world. The phone is equipped with the latest and strongest processor for Android devices, Snapdragon Agent 2, which provides unparalleled performance. In benchmark scores, there are no anomalies or surprises - the phone delivers consistent results across various tests, showcasing its robust performance capabilities. Stress tests also reveal that the phone can handle demanding tasks without breaking a sweat. However, overheating is still a concern during prolonged gaming sessions. While this issue isn't unique to the Ace 2 Pro, it's worth noting that users might experience some discomfort due to heat buildup. Despite this minor drawback, the phone's performance remains commendable. In long-term gaming sessions, the Ace 2 Pro can maintain a smooth frame rate of around 50 FPS, which is impressive considering its hardware. Additionally, the phone boasts a feature called Frame Booster, which can boost the game's frame rate up to 120 FPS through interpolation. However, this feature increases latency and doesn't always apply to all games played. While not significantly better than previous OnePlus phones, the gaming experience on the Ace 2 Pro is more polished and refined, making it a great choice for gamers looking for a top-notch Android device. Ultimately, the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro's performance capabilities make it an excellent option for those seeking a powerful phone that can handle demanding tasks with ease.
Pros
1. The phone's build quality is great, much better than the case for K60 Ultra.
2. The charger is surprising with a Type-C board that supports 45W PD QC and BC 1.2.
3. The daily experience has been improved with fingerprint recognition moved upwards.
4. The screen on the H2 Pro is from BOE and it's their latest Q9 Plus panel, which is sharper than FHD+ screen.
5. The phone is operatable even when there's water on the screen (although it doesn't support IP68).
6. The charging power has been upgraded to 150W, making it shockingly fast for a full charge in less than 20 minutes.
Cons
1. There are no surprises in the design, and it looks almost exactly like previous OnePlus models.
2. The volume buttons and alert slider have swapped places, which might take some getting used to for users familiar with previous OnePlus phones.
3. The phone uses USB 2.0 (if you bought the 1TB storage version), which can be a pain in the butt for heavy transfers.
4. There's no telephoto camera on the Ace 2 Pro.
5. The ultrawide camera is weak and doesn't match up to the main camera quality.
6. The phone still suffers from overheating and dunk locking issues during gaming.