OnePlus 3T vs OnePlus 5T: A Detailed Comparison

The OnePlus 3T and 5T were pivotal phones in the brand's rise to prominence, offering flagship features at competitive prices. But with a year separating their releases, which one holds up better today? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and overall value.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The OnePlus 5T edges out the 3T thanks to its more powerful Snapdragon 835 chipset, slightly improved display, and refined design. While the 3T remains a capable device, the 5T offers a noticeable upgrade in key areas, justifying its successor status.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus 3T OnePlus 5T
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - North AmericaHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 30 - North America1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat12 600/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 - Global modelCDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA
Launch
Announced2016, November. Released 2016, November2017, November 16. Released 2017, November 21
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 4), aluminum back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions152.7 x 74.7 x 7.4 mm (6.01 x 2.94 x 0.29 in)156.1 x 75 x 7.3 mm (6.15 x 2.95 x 0.29 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight158 g (5.57 oz)162 g (5.71 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 4Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~73.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.01 inches, 93.7 cm2 (~80.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOptic AMOLEDOptic AMOLED
Platform
CPUQuad-core (2x2.35 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo)Octa-core (4x2.45 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo)
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 821 (14 nm)Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm)
GPUAdreno 530Adreno 540
OSAndroid 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie)Android 7.1.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 10, OxygenOS 10.0.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual-16 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.12µm, PDAF 20 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.0µm, AF, PDAF
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.8", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps, Auto HDR4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@30/120fps, Auto HDR
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.0, 20mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p (gyro-EIS)
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
 -Dirac HD sound
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP, aptX HD, LE5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNAWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging20W wired20W wired
TypeLi-Ion 3400 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 3300 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsGunmetal, Soft Gold, Midnight BlackMidnight Black, Lava Red, Sandstone White
ModelsA3010, A3003A5010
PriceAbout 440 EURAbout 840 EUR
SAR0.99 W/kg (head)     0.65 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Audio quality Noise-94.3dB / Crosstalk -93.4dB Noise -94.0dB / Crosstalk -93.7dB
Battery life Endurance rating 83h Endurance rating 82h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.232 (sunlight) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.789 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker Voice 61dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 78dB Voice 68dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 69dB
Performance AnTuTu: 171678 (v7) GFXBench: 20fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 207072 (v7), 260352 (v8) GeekBench: 6759 (v4.4), 1705 (v5.1) GFXBench: 24fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

OnePlus 3T

  • Excellent battery life
  • Competitive price (if found used)
  • Solid performance for everyday tasks
  • Good build quality

  • Older chipset
  • Single camera setup
  • Less modern design
  • No water resistance

OnePlus 5T

  • More powerful Snapdragon 835
  • Dual-camera system
  • Taller 18:9 display
  • Slightly more refined design

  • Battery life marginally lower than 3T
  • Older model (limited software updates)
  • No water resistance

Display Comparison

Both phones feature AMOLED displays, but the 5T boasts a slightly higher sunlight contrast ratio (4.789 vs 4.232) and a taller 18:9 aspect ratio, offering a more immersive viewing experience. The 3T's display is still excellent, but the 5T's is noticeably more modern.

Camera Comparison

The 5T features a dual-camera setup, allowing for better portrait mode shots and improved low-light performance compared to the 3T's single lens. Both phones capture decent photos in good lighting, but the 5T's versatility gives it the edge.

Performance

The Snapdragon 835 in the 5T is a significant upgrade over the 821 in the 3T. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better overall responsiveness. While the 3T is still capable, the 5T handles demanding tasks with greater ease.

Battery Life

Both phones offer similar battery endurance (83h vs 82h), suggesting comparable real-world battery life. Charging speeds are identical at 20W wired.

Buying Guide

The OnePlus 3T is a good choice for budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and don't need the absolute latest performance. The OnePlus 5T is ideal for those seeking a smoother experience, better camera capabilities, and a more modern design, even if it's an older model.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the OnePlus 5T worth buying over the 3T?
Yes, the 5T offers a noticeable upgrade in performance and camera capabilities, making it the better choice overall. However, if you're on a tight budget and prioritize battery life, the 3T remains a viable option.
❓ Are there still software updates for these phones?
Software support for both phones has largely ended. While you might receive occasional security patches, don't expect major Android updates.