OnePlus 5T: A Powerful Flagship Killer From 2017

The OnePlus 5T was released in November 2017 as a minor upgrade to the popular OnePlus 5. While not a major redesign, the 5T improved upon its predecessor by shrinking the bezels for a larger 6-inch display in a smaller body. This “full display” design made it one of the earlier phones to adopt the now-common 18:9 aspect ratio.

Under the hood, the 5T was a powerhouse for its time. It was powered by the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chip coupled with 6GB or 8GB of RAM. This ensured buttery smooth performance for even the most demanding tasks. Graphics performance was top-notch as well thanks to the Adreno 540 GPU.

The near-stock Android experience of OxygenOS provided an extremely clean, customizable user interface. This, along with regular and timely software updates, meant the 5T stayed fast and responsive throughout its life. It was eventually updated all the way to Android 10 in early 2020.

Camera performance on the 5T was excellent for a 2017 phone. The dual 16MP + 20MP rear camera combo took detailed shots with accurate colors in most lighting conditions. Portraits looked great with blurry, naturally blurred backgrounds. Video recording topped out at 4K resolution at 30 frames per second.

Other highlights of the 5T included fast charging via USB-C that could fill up its sizable 3,300mAh battery quickly. The inclusion of dual SIM card slots and latest connectivity options ensured it remained future-proof. At around 1,490,000 Naira, the 5T offered unmatched value and performance compared to other flagship devices at the time.

While a few years old now, the OnePlus 5T continues to be a highly capable device. Its powerful internals allow it to handle day-to-day use smoothly even in 2023. For those looking for a budget flagship from 2017, the 5T remains an excellent choice.