Tech Next: New phones from One Plus’ flagship pack a punch

The brand typically launched one and then later two devices each year offering flagship level performance at a price that earned the flagship killer tag. We saw this script take a turn last year with the 7 Pro; this year’s OnePlus 8 Pro is clear indication that the brand is ready to take on premium flagships in their territory – the Rs 50,000 plus price segment. The brand has just unveiled two power-packed devices – the OnePlus 8 and the 8 Pro that has our attention.

Until now OnePlus devices have shied away from wireless charging and IP protection (dust and water resistance) always arguing that most of its customers don’t seek these features. That changes with the 8 Pro that is IP68 certified and also offers wireless charging. The company also showcased its OnePlus Warp Charge 30 wireless charger (sold separately) that can wirelessly power your device to 50% in just 30 minutes; that’s insanely fast for a wireless charger. Speed has always been the OnePlus credo not just with its warp charging (the 8 Pro’s Warp Charge 30T goes from 0 to 50% in 23 minutes) but also with its performance. The 8 Pro is powered by the best of breed Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor.

There are two hardware versions – 8GB/128GB and 12GB/256 GB. The OnePlus 7 Pro display was one of the finest in 2019, this year OnePlus takes it to a whole new level. The standout feature of the 8 Pro is its 6.78inch Fluid AMOLED panel (Quad HD+ / 3168 x 1440 pixels) that packs over 500 pixels per inch and offers a 120Hz refresh rate. With HDR10 and HDR10+ support, this is all the screen you need for Netflix HDR content.

The other talking point is the rear cam that combines a 48MP primary lens (f/1.8 ) with a 48MP ultra-wide lens, an 8MP telephoto lens and a depth sensor. This is one of the most capable ultra-wide cams out there. The OnePlus 8 Pro sports the Oxygen OS 10.5, the newest version of OnePlus’ pleasing spin on Android. It’s one more feature that sets OnePlus’ new flagship device apart (Rs 54,999 onwards)

SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD: style meets rugged functionality in this new storage device that’s likely to appeal to Content creators and Pro photographers who’re always on the go. The device features an exceptional durable rubberised coating to handle any impact along with an IP55 rating which makes it water and dust resistant. SanDisk Extreme Pro portable SSD can move files at up to 1050MB/s, allowing you move files faster and edit right from the drive. The SSD comes with a premium built forged aluminium body that not only protects the SSD core but also dissipates the heat so you can keep working at full throttle. SanDisk Extreme Pro SS comes in three storage variants - 500GB, 1 TB and 2TB (From Rs 11,999 onwards).