Ah thanks for the correction on the band.  

tripp:

 

Ah thanks for the correction on the band.  

 

No probs. Most NZ urbanites don't generally need to worry about this as it won't affect them much of the time (if at all, if they're not on Spark's network), but it directly affects us plebs in the provinces. I'd certainly have bought one of the OnePlus models by now, weren't it for the lack support for this particular flavour of 4G.

jonathan18:

 

Finch:

 

Thanks for the reply. 4G was just released in my suburb in the past 2, maybe 3 months, plus I am somewhat close to the CBD. I'm definitely not rural. I don't think I can wait for the OP5 as I really want/need a new phone now and it will be nice to not have to spend $1K+ on a phone for once. OP3t Looks as good/better than the Nexus 6P, the lack of water resistance is probably the biggest negative for me as I use my phone outside sometimes. 

 

 

What city are you in? Spark uses 700Mhz/band 28 (NOT band 26) for 4G in some of the smaller cities, like where I am in Palmerston North.

 

My understanding is that none of the OnePlus phones have ever supported band 28, one of the reasons I've discounted them (based on where I live). This may or may not be an issue for you, depending on where you live, work and travel. Check out the Spark coverage maps on their website - this clearly shows the different frequencies used for 4G.

 

Edit: OnePlus 3T's global model: LTE band 1(2100), 3(1800), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 20(800), 38(2600), 40(2300)

 

A friend, also living in PN, bought a OnePlus 3T from Noel Leeming only last week; though with Skinny, he wasn't too worried by the lack of 4G support.

 

I am in Wgtn. I had a look at the Spark 4G Map and where I live, about 10 minutes out of the CBD, had "Fair" coverage. I really only got 4G on my Nexus 6P 2-3 months ago, somebody was doing some work on the towers and had no coverage for half the day.

Looking at the specs on Oneplus 5 vs One plus 3t.

There are not any significant upgrades.

ill stick with 3T for the time being. 

N

NPK:

 

Looking at the specs on Oneplus 5 vs One plus 3t.

 

 

 

There are not any significant upgrades.

 

 

 

ill stick with 3T for the time being. 

 

 

 

N

 

At this point given the sh$$ they pulled with the benchmarks, the decidedly average camera, their disgusting treatment of the OP2 and their ever worsening customer service why on earth would anyone buy their phones? Plus the price is now no longer a selling point.

NPK:

Looking at the specs on Oneplus 5 vs One plus 3t.

 

There are not any significant upgrades.

 

ill stick with 3T for the time being. 

 

N

Kopkiwi:

ill stick with 3T for the time At this point given the sh$$ they pulled with the benchmarks, the decidedly average camera, their disgusting treatment of the OP2 and their ever worsening customer service why on earth would anyone buy their phones? Plus the price is now no longer a selling point.

I'm also in the same boat. Don't know if I should grab a OnePlus 3t when the price drops, a Oneplus 5, or an LG V20 or G6 all for around the same price. My Nexus 5 is starting to wear me thin!

MarkCerny:

 

I'm also in the same boat. Don't know if I should grab a OnePlus 3t when the price drops, a Oneplus 5, or an LG V20 or G6 all for around the same price. My Nexus 5 is starting to wear me thin!

 

OnePlus 3T will be a huge upgrade for cheap.

lNomNoml:

 

MarkCerny:

 

I'm also in the same boat. Don't know if I should grab a OnePlus 3t when the price drops, a Oneplus 5, or an LG V20 or G6 all for around the same price. My Nexus 5 is starting to wear me thin!

 

 

 

 

OnePlus 3T will be a huge upgrade for cheap.

 

Be mindful that once the 5 drops you aren't likely to get any software updates on the 3 or 3T

Where can I get a case for this beautiful device? Only owned it for 24 hours, I'm already worried about dropping it lol.

I haven't actually looked yet, just thought I would ask.

Thanks!

Finch:

 

Where can I get a case for this beautiful device? Only owned it for 24 hours, I'm already worried about dropping it lol.

 

 

 

I haven't actually looked yet, just thought I would ask.

 

 

 

Thanks!

 

PBtech should have some.  Otherwise aliexpress

Kopkiwi:

 

 

 

Be mindful that once the 5 drops you aren't likely to get any software updates on the 3 or 3T

MartinGZ:

Kopkiwi:

 

 

 

Be mindful that once the 5 drops you aren't likely to get any software updates on the 3 or 3T

 

Not sure you are correct, but would welcome feedback from OnePlus owners. According to the OnePlus website, the 3 & 3T are already at 7.1.1 (Oxygen OS 4.1.6.) See e.g. http://downloads.oneplus.net/devices/oneplus-3/#title-section Assuming the wiki page is correct, even the OnePlus 2 has gone to 6.0.1 with a security patch to March 2017. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OxygenOS This is of interest to me as the OnePlus seems to be one of the few Android manufacturers that issue updates directly and not through the local telecom companies. Whether I get Android 6, 7 or future is relatively immaterial, but I do look to getting security updates. Edit: hyperlinks added.

It's unlikely that support for the 3/3T would be dropping any time soon. Here's why OnePlus have been bad at updates historically, and why the 3/3T is different:

OnePlus One -> The company's very first phone got off to a great start, however, the split between OnePlus and Cyanogen Inc took place and the device was left with an unmaintained OS (CyanogenOS). The split took place due to Cyanogen Inc's signing an underhanded deal with another OEM, all while keeping OnePlus in the dark. 

OnePlus Two -> OnePlus then hired devs from Paranoid Android as full-time employees to develop an OS for the OnePlus, and thus Oxygen OS was born. The team was still very new though and the resultant ROM was not very optimised. On top of that, the device featured the infamous Snapdragon 810, known for overheating and is unanimously regarded as one of the worst CPUs Qualcomm ever made. Finally, OnePlus didn't include NFC for some reason, which means you couldn't use the OP2 for mobile payments. The combination of these + poor customer support made this a very unpopular device. People had no reason to buy the OP2, plus there were strong rumors that Google were developing TWO new Nexus phones, which ultimately turned out to be the 5X and 6P. Unsurprisingly, the OnePlus Two didn't sell very well - OPO owners had little reason to upgrade and other enthusiasts had two new Nexues to choose from -  both of which had one of the best cameras too in all of Nexus history, and featured the new USB Type-C port.

OnePlus X -> Released only three months after the failed OnePlus Two, the X was always meant to be an experimental, limited edition phone. OnePlus were experimenting with using relatively uncommon materials (for a smartphone) like ceramic. They also used the X to gauge the public interest for a 5" phone. But in spite of the stellar looks, this device failed to sell for many reasons: limited availability, competition from the Nexus 5X (released at the same time), poor specs (2-year old Snapdragon 801, no NFC). As a result, the X sold way lesser units than expected, and OnePlus dropped the idea of selling a 5" device. :(

OnePlus 3/3T -> By far the most popular devices released by OnePlus. Reasons for its popularity include stellar, even unheard of specs for a very reasonable price (6GB RAM, SD820/821, UFS storage) packaged in a sleek metal body. OxygenOS had also matured really well and has received positive reviews from everyone. Also, the demise of the Nexus line meant that Nexus users had no suitable device to upgrade to - but the OP3, with it's root-friendlyness and high-specs made it a very popular choice among Android enthusiasts. XDA forums even said that their OP3 sub-forum was the most popular forum out of all the others, with the highest development activity and community involvement. OnePlus's official public-beta programme also helped foster development and bring in several improvements to OxygenOS.

It is for the above reasons why I'm confident that OP3/3T will continue to receive updates well into the future. All the previous OnePlus devices have had unfortunate fates but the 3/3T have been runaway hits, and therefore, I feel it is unfair to claim that the 3/3T's updates will also suffer.

Worst case scenario, if in the event that OnePlus does discontinue OS updates, enthusiasts can switch to any of the dozens of stable community-built firmware.

Also if you or anyone else are interested in switching to custom firmware - either now or in the future - I'm here and happy to help. :)