OnePlus 7T vs OnePlus 6T McLaren: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The OnePlus 6T McLaren arrived as a premium iteration of the 6T, boasting a striking design and faster charging. Now, the OnePlus 7T enters the scene, offering a newer chipset and a potentially better overall experience. This comparison dissects the key differences between these two OnePlus flagships, focusing on whether the 7T’s advancements justify the upgrade, especially considering current pricing.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus 7T is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 855+ chipset delivers a noticeable performance boost over the 6T McLaren’s Snapdragon 845, and while both offer 30W charging, the 7T’s newer processor provides a more future-proof experience. The 7T’s pricing, currently around $399-$280, further solidifies its position as the better value.

PHONES
Phone Names	OnePlus 7T	OnePlus 6T McLaren

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - EU	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66, 71
Speed	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat16 1024/150 Mbps
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - CN, IN	-

Launch
Announced	2019, September 26	2018, December 11. Released 2018, December 13
Status	Available. Released 2019, September 27	Discontinued

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions	160.9 x 74.4 x 8.1 mm (6.33 x 2.93 x 0.32 in)	157.5 x 74.8 x 8.2 mm (6.20 x 2.94 x 0.32 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	190 g (6.70 oz)	185 g (6.53 oz)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 5	Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)	1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)
Size	6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio)	6.41 inches, 100.9 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+	Optic AMOLED

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)	Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.7 GHz Kryo 385 Silver)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm)	Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10 nm)
GPU	Adreno 640 (700 MHz)	Adreno 630
OS	Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, OxygenOS 12.1	Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, OxygenOS 10

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM	256GB 10GB RAM
	UFS 3.0	UFS 2.1

Main Camera
Dual	-	16 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/2.6", 1.22µm, PDAF, OIS 20 MP (16 MP effective), f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.0µm, PDAF
Features	Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama	Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple	48 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 51mm (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), AF	-
Video	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@480fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR
Single	16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm	16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video	1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS	1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	No
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes
	-	Dirac HD sound

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD	5.0, A2DP, aptX HD, LE
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)	GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 3.1, OTG	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
	Virtual proximity sensing	-

Battery
Charging	30W wired	30W wired, 50% in 20 min
Type	Li-Po 3800 mAh, non-removable	Li-Po 3700 mAh, non-removable

Misc
Colors	Frosted Silver, Glacier Blue, White	Speed Orange
Models	HD1901, HD1903, HD1900, HD1907, HD1905	-
Price	About 130 EUR	About 700 EUR

Pricing
128GB 8GB RAM	$ 399.99	-
256GB 8GB RAM	$ 280.49	-
RENEWED	$ 191.00	-

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -94.0dB / Crosstalk -93.6dB	-
Battery life	Endurance rating 90h	-
Camera	Photo / Video	-
Loudspeaker	Voice 79dB / Noise 77dB / Ring 91dB	-
Performance	AnTuTu: 391545 (v7), 485585 (v8) GeekBench: 11394 (v4.4), 2858 (v5.1) GFXBench: 41fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	AnTuTu: 292716 (v7) GeekBench: 9005 (v4.4)

OnePlus 7T

Significantly faster processor (Snapdragon 855+)
Improved GPU performance for gaming
Potentially better camera image processing

May be slightly more expensive than the 6T McLaren
Design is less distinctive than the McLaren edition

OnePlus 6T McLaren

Unique McLaren-inspired design
Fast 30W charging (50% in 20 minutes)
Potentially lower price point

Older Snapdragon 845 chipset
Less future-proof performance

Display Comparison

While both devices likely feature similar AMOLED panels, the core difference lies in the processing power driving them. The OnePlus 7T benefits from the Snapdragon 855+'s improved GPU, resulting in smoother animations and faster rendering. Details like peak brightness and color accuracy are not provided, but given OnePlus’s history, both likely offer vibrant and accurate displays. The 7T’s improved processing capabilities will be more noticeable in graphically intensive applications.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. However, the 7T’s more powerful image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 855+ likely results in improved image processing, better low-light performance, and faster capture speeds. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive statement, but the 7T’s chipset advantage suggests superior camera performance. The 6T McLaren’s camera is competent, but the 7T’s processing power provides an edge.

Performance

The OnePlus 7T’s Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7nm) represents a significant leap over the 6T McLaren’s SDM845 Snapdragon 845 (10nm). The 855+ features a faster clock speed – 2.96 GHz Kryo 485 vs 2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold – and a more efficient architecture. This translates to approximately 15-20% faster CPU performance and a more substantial GPU improvement. The 7nm process node of the 855+ also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The 6T McLaren’s 845 is still capable, but the 7T offers a more fluid and responsive experience, particularly for gamers.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 7T boasts an endurance rating of 90 hours, while the 6T McLaren’s battery life isn’t explicitly stated. Both support 30W wired charging, with the 6T McLaren claiming 50% charge in 20 minutes. The 7T’s more efficient Snapdragon 855+ chipset, coupled with software optimizations, likely contributes to comparable or slightly better real-world battery life despite potentially having a similar battery capacity. The 30W charging on both devices provides rapid top-ups, minimizing downtime.

Buying Guide

Buy the OnePlus 7T if you prioritize raw performance for demanding tasks like gaming or video editing, and want a device that will remain responsive for longer. Buy the OnePlus 6T McLaren if you appreciate its unique McLaren-inspired design and can find it at a significantly lower price point, accepting a slight performance compromise. The McLaren edition is a good option for those who value aesthetics and don't need the absolute latest processing power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the OnePlus 7T handle demanding games like Genshin Impact at high settings?

Yes, the Snapdragon 855+ in the OnePlus 7T is well-equipped to handle Genshin Impact and other demanding games at high settings. The improved GPU and thermal management will provide a smoother and more consistent gaming experience compared to the 6T McLaren.

❓ Is the difference in charging speed between the 6T McLaren (50% in 20 min) and the 7T noticeable in everyday use?

While both phones offer 30W fast charging, the 6T McLaren’s advertised 50% in 20 minutes is competitive. However, the 7T’s more efficient chipset and optimized charging algorithms likely result in similar real-world charging times, making the difference negligible for most users.

❓ Does the OnePlus 7T receive more software updates and security patches than the 6T McLaren?

Generally, newer devices receive longer software support. The OnePlus 7T will likely continue to receive updates and security patches for a longer period than the 6T McLaren, ensuring a more secure and feature-rich experience over time.