OnePlus AMA - post-launch edition
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887 comments · 64% upvoted · other discussions
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DeadSalas
fliptrik
Can you explain the reasoning behind the decision to cut off Android Police?
knockoutking
This question deserves the gold (and I will gild a response if One Plus gives one)
Edit: Holy shit. This is their honest response! Will guild it when I get off mobile...
I've posted about this before - here's a tl;dr: we don't mind criticism, especially the constructive kind. Our PR department has limited resources and an almost unlimited amount of publications to support. Nobody has been "cut off" - anyone can buy our device, review it and post about it, but we can't give invites to everyone that asks.
digitil
I don't buy this answer at all. This still means they are picking and choosing those who write positive reviews to send review units and invites to. This also sends the message to anyone that gets the review units / invites that they need to support oneplus or they may be cut off. The reviews may be influenced by this.
Pimorez
This question has been answered a minute before you posted this :) (Though probably while you were writing this). Go ahead and gild the response :P
hypnotickaleidoscope
I wouldn't call that an answer, that was them side-stepping the question by delivering a vague PR response that did not directly address the AP situation at all.
[deleted]
What is the point of answering if you guys just give bullshit politician answers. You sidestepped the actual question, because you actually did penalize AP for having their own opinion.
[deleted]
Wasn't it obvious? Because they don't want bad things written about them.
knockoutking
...except that AP writes good things about them. Look at their review. Look at how many of those on their masthead use/used the OPO as their daily driver.
One editorial that is "negative" != everything they have written!
OiYou
Why is Qualcomms Quick Charging 2.0 missing from the OnePlus 2? Despite using Qualcomms latest processor.
Also why USB 2.0 only used as opposed to using Type C in conjunction with USB 3.1?
istealthbro
Do you feel like Motorola's products took some of your spotlight among the media?
reluctant_engineer
1.Now that OP2 is released,when will we get the 5.1 update for oxygenos & cos12? also will we get the Android M for Oneplus one?
2.Mkbhd said that the battery life's not as good as oneplus one,will the final software release fix this disadvantage?
3.I've heard that you're also improving the camera performance through another software update.Will there be features like slow shutter like we had in oneplus one? And where would you position OP2's improved camera performance,better than galaxy s6/lg g4 or inferior?
4.Is the audio quality improved in OP2 too?(both through headphone jack and speakers)
Edit: Also please we'd love to have 1080p 60fps with sound and playback at normal speed option.Both for Oneplus One & Two.:)
CreamofWhale
With a mantra as powerful as 'Never Settle', why am I forced to settle without quick-charging or wireless charging if I choose your phone?
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CreamofWhale
Good point, but I don't really feel like I am 'settling' with a lack of USB 3 because it's not a feature I'm used to.
Whereas I'd literally be settling to forego qi and quick charge (along with NFC).
I appreciate the answer Oneplus, but you've basically told me to find a different phone.
Flex007
I know this question will be raised several times, but don't you honestly think your resources and investment would have been better spent on NFC rather than implementing metal pins to recognizance the type of back panel i have on my phone? and honestly speaking, as a team, how split were you on taking the decision to leave this out?
Honestly speaking - The pins on the back is a "SAMSUNG" kinda move, very gimmicky
linuxwes
psychoindiankid
How do you guys think that your new phone will stack up against the competition? (namely the new Moto Xs)
mudclog
dolls disagreeable mindless workable nose mysterious hunt sink crowd wasteful
This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact
Rangizingo
I will stack on top, because the new Moto X is slightly larger. *Drops mic
FTFY
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ProfessorBongwater
NFC is useful now. USB-C won't be useful for a few years
[deleted]
If everyone says USB-C won't be useful for a few years, then it will never be useful. You need companies to come out and push it even though it's not convenient to get new chargers and educating the public.
shorty6049
While I agree with your comment, it kind of ignores the fact that this discussion was more focused on "why USB-C and not NFC?"
they're both technologies that need adoption and it seems very odd that they'd choose USB-C as the one to focus on
ProfessorBongwater
That's the point I was making! I'd like to have both, but I'd sacrifice USB-C for wireless charging/Quick Charging/NFC any day
SirWetWater
Thanks a lot for doing this AMA! I've got 7 questions I hope you can answer. If you want to skip one, feel free to do so of course!
- You've announced you're busy with a second phone in several interviews already. Are those plans still up and if so, is there anything you can tell us about that project?
- You've probably noticed there have been loads of people complaining about the lack of NFC. Do you think it is possible to include NFC in a later batch of OP2's and if so, would you consider doing so?
- The two pins on the Styleswap cover. We know they're not for NFC and there's a rumour they change the phone's theme based on which Styleswap is attached in HydrogenOS. Can you confirm this and will this also be featured in OxygenOS?
- OnePlus posted a tweet today saying there's going to be a new way to get invites starting next week. Could you give us a small hint on what that could be? (Source: https://twitter.com/oneplus/status/627901724720787457)
- I've heard that the Carbon Fiber (also known as Kevlar) Styleswap actually lacks the texture you'd expect it to have due to the coating. Can you confirm it's more of a smooth surface?
- Many people are in doubt on whether to get the OP2 or the Moto X Style. What would you like to say to those people either in order to convince them or just to speak your mind?
- This question is a tiny one, but I hope to get a positive reply nonetheless. At the Popup events, you've given away a lot of OnePlus backpacks (the grey one). I'm in love with that backpack ever since I saw it and I was hoping you could tell me if it's available to purchase anywhere?
Last but not least, I just want to thank you all for being so dedicated to your jobs! Even now, I happen to know you guys won't be home until like 1am but yet here you are. I wish I could give y'all a high five!
-Waterdroid
devildv
- Yes, those plans are still up but we can only tell you that this is not going to be the OnePlus 3 nor a OnePlus 2S.
- No, we have been clear about it.
- It's not a rumor, these pins let the system recognize the StyleSwap and change the theme on H2OS. Do you guys think we should implement this on OxygenOS?
- Cat answered :)
- All StyleSwaps -except Sandstone- are kind of smooth, but I'd say that the Kevlar is the one where you can clearly feel the texture.
- These people should choose whatever they think will suit them best.
- We'll make it available as soon as we get enough stock :)
pranayysharma
- OnePlus 1.5? :P
SirWetWater
You're the bomb David, thanks a lot! I do think you should implement the Styleswap feature of #3, would go great with the OS-wide theming already included.
GinDaHood
What is the status on VoLTE for the US version? Will it be activated in an OTA update?
xsynergy510x
I had some thoughts and ideas about the smartphone industry with the launch of the OnePlus Two. I was wondering how you could affect the smartphone cycle be releasing every two years and focusing on a truly 2-year future proof phone. If I were to create a phone, it would have 32GB storage, 1080p display, 3000+mah battery and an assortment of features to keep up with the competition up and until the next year. This lead me to a couple of questions:
- What are your thoughts on releasing on a 2 year cycle? Would it be beneficial to concentrate on one phone for a whole 1.5-2 years until the release of the next iteration?
- Is the OnePlus startup sustaining itself on a one phone per year strategy?
- How feasible would it be to make your baseline phone spec'd a little higher than flagships and possibly be matched with the next generation's specs? (ex. baseline 32GB rather than 16GB)
- /r/Android might be a very niche subset of the whole Android population, but what do you think of common criticisms they have of all smartphones, such as: "If X company added a couple more millimeters, I wouldn't mind a little bulkiness for a bigger battery." Would you take this into consideration, or is being smaller/slimmer than the competition more important?
- Has the design process for the next iteration already begun?
- How does the designing process work? Do you look at current technologies (ex. SD810,1080p/4K displays) and see cost-benefit ratio, or is each part chosen with another (ex. SD810 and DDR4 RAM)
- Who am I watching on periscope as I type this up?
My questions may have become a bigger mess than I thought, but I thank you if you took the time to read through them!
TitsMcGrits
Before the OP2 event, there was a lot of talk about how you were planning to improve customer service and support. I haven't heard anything about it since, and recent interviews suggest you want to put as many as 5m units in the market (meaning you will have 3x the customers out there) which could be a disaster for customer service rather than an improvement if you haven't scaled up and improved that side of the business. Comments?
Sychthys
As someone who was JUST sent a defective OPO and was subsequently treated like a liar before being given a begrudging option to return the phone and wait three weeks for a REPAIR, I can say that they have not improved things.
TitsMcGrits
Ugh, unfortunately not surprising. It's going to be a shitshow unless these devices are absolutely flawless, and what are the odds of that.
jerdog76
So here's the thing - you've twice proclaimed your devices as "Flagship Killer", and when the OPO was announced it was a worthy adversary against what was out. But by the time it could be actually purchased, it wasn't any different from other devices that were out. Fast forward to 2015 - you're proclaiming the OP2 as the "2016 Flagship Killer".
Why such a bold statement, when it's missing features which last year's (and even this year's) flagships had?
What makes you feel your device is better than anything else that hasn't even come out yet?
Carl himself said the OP3 due out in December was more interesting and possibly higher spec'ed than the OP2 (http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/08/02/oneplus-carl-pei-interview/30947799/). If that device has higher specs, then haven't you just killed your own phone?
lirannl
Why such a bold statement, when it's missing features which last year's (and even this year's) flagships had?
Don't forget 2012's Nexus 4 2010's Nexus S with NFC.
pranayysharma
infffy
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Since I'm sure many of the more technical questions will be asked by everyone else, I have two questions regarding shipping and warranty.
- Shipping can take up to three weeks, which is understandable since the company is located in China. Are there any plans to have warehouses in other countries or any of your offices in other countries to store Oneplus products to improve shipping time?
- Warranty is 12 months and limited in what it covers, is there any chance that Oneplus would add an extended warranty option that either lasts longer or covers accidental damage?
Thank you very much for the AMA, I love it when companies are more involved with their customers. Keep up the great work!
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jpswer
Can any of you discuss how you want to improve how you deal with the community to prevent things like the NFC thing blowing up like it did? @Mike you hinted about some changes on the forums :)
Did you expect such a backlash?
Potato_Gamer
Are you aware of the insanity that's going on the forums XD Everyone want's an official word on stuff, instead of having to look at news articles and just guess? I personally don't care but a lot of forumer's do :P
istealthbro
When will media get their review units? WE NEED REVIEWS!
[deleted]
NFC is literally just a coil, and costs practically nothing. Why would you not suck it up and put it in the phone? Seems an unnecessary risk of alienating many customers for something so cheap.
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IAMATARDISAMA
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure their current processor is actually not only built to support NFC, but includes the licensing for NFC in the costs because of said support. I'd love an official explanation on this though.
entropy512
No, the CPU doesn't include NFC.
However, NFC licensing costs are negligible if not nonexistent. NFC controllers like the NXP PN547 and the Broadcom controllers used in most current Nexus devices are dirt cheap.
As one example - Avnet at one point sold the PN547 for $2 in quantities of 4000 - http://avnetexpress.avnet.com/store/em/EMController?action=products&catalogId=500201&storeId=500201&N=0&defaultRegion=ASIA&langId=-1&slnk=e&term=PN5472A2EV%25252FC20803Y&mfr=NXP&hrf=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.findchips.com%2Fsearch%2FPN547&r=ASIA&CMP=KNC-ASIA_FindChips_inventoryfeed_VSE&CMP=KNC-Asia_FindChips_inventoryfeed_VSE - This price would include any licensing fees.
Armsheezy
super_evil_alien
- In one of previous AMA number of us recommended OnePlus to release a phone with smaller size due to result of various polls. You asked for proof & someone did provide you with the result. So I would like you to provide some kind of hard fact to back your claim that NFC is overated not many people use it.
- Is the 3+ hours of charge worth the trade for USB Type C? I personalty think you guys should have worked with Qualcomm/Google to include some kind of adaptive charging.
- What's your plan with the OS strategy? How often are you planning to update the OS & will OPO get most of the updates that goes to OP2?
- Any comment regarding the AndroidPolice article? I think they raised some reasonable issues with your company.
Vreckie
What happened with the mystery battery tech you talked about a year ago?
DeadSalas
I'm very much not a fan, but I do hope the mods are on top of things and clean up all the low-effort "#NEVERSETTLE" stuff that will probably arise.
JakeChambersOy
This is my second RMA and right now I am waiting for over 2 weeks for my replacement device. Your response was that you are waiting for confirmation from your warehouse (because of short supply I guess...). But meanwhile the OPO was back in stock in Germany three times at least.
WHY do you sell new devices instead of helping your loyal customers? I would appreciate some help. Thank you! Request #353062
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JakeChambersOy
Thank you very much for your quick answer!
JakeChambersOy
Just a friendly reminder. My vacation starts August 16th and it would be great to have a working device because the opo is actually my main camera now. Thanks again
mudclog
dsmonteiro
dcontrol
Also for those who have handled the phone personally. How heavy is the hardware profile switch? Is there a chance that it could get moved inadvertently when the phone is going in and out of the pocket? I would imagine the iphone's switch is vertical to avoid this problem.
wofa
justdozi
ANSWER THE NFC QUESTIONS! You guys knew they would be asked when you posted this.
Wifi Calling and Tmobile. Any plans for this? DO you guys even have a line of communication with T-Mobile?
Seriously answer the NFC questions and stop making a fool of your company.
jpswer
What's the one feature you wish you could have included in the OnePlus 2 (be it software or hardware) but couldn't for logistical or time limitations?
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archieboy
From pics, it seems that the OP2 has metal contacts at the back similar to the ones on the LG G4. In the LG G4, quick wireless charging and NFC are implemented with the back case and these contacts. Why can't you just sell back cases with NFC and/or Quick Wireless Charging?
*Edited
kinghanson99
How many staff in total do you have in charge of the SEA (South East Asia) region of OnePlus?
Why is the speaker only on one side of the grilles, and is there a need for the microphone holes to have so much holes instead of just a small little hole?
Is there a possibility of seeing manual mode on the camera app like on the LG G4 and the Galaxy S6 on the OP2 in the future?
Will the invites for SEA countries be region specific? Or everything global? Or just any explanation... plz
Why didn't you guys choose front-facing speakers?
Would it be possible to buy some OnePlus sweg?
All staff please answer this I luv u - What made you work at OnePlus? Why OnePlus instead of other companies?
I notice Carl beside you Michael bae... can you ask him if he will come to Singapore soon?
-DickLee
Matvest
vvarma1
Will you be providing a device tree for the shipping version of oxygen os to provide encouragement for third party development?
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geokilla
How do you plan on responding to all the consumer and editorial backlash? For a company that claims to be open, you guys sure are secretive about many things.
s0mnipathy
Any info about the phone being launched towards the end of the year?
How much money was saved per unit by cutting NFC? I can understand if you're unwilling to divulge a specific number, but are we talking ten dollars, a few dollars, less than a dollar?
ProfessorBongwater 87 points · Aug 2015 · Moto Z | LineageOS | T-Mobile
I'd pay $30 more for NFC. With NFC, I'd buy the OP2 in a heartbeat...(or whenever they'd let me buy it)
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justdozi 37 points · Aug 2015 · Nexus 5
I really dont get it this time. Especially since they only produce what they sell slowly. If any company can turn around and change the design of their phone quickly (2-3 months) its One Plus, so why not just add it for phone being produced 3-4 months from now?
clickstation 36 points · Aug 2015
Because that's an easy way to be hated by your consumers.
Remember when iPad 4 came out shortly after the iPad 3 and there was an outrage where people are feeling "betrayed" by Apple?
You do that once, and people won't buy your next phone when it comes out. They'll wait 3-4 months just in case you pull the same thing again..
It's just bad for business.. especially in an age where a mid-end phone has Snap 615, 2GB ram, and 1080p display. It's so easy to get a "good" phone now. Easy to lose a potential buyer.
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Carighan 29 points · Aug 2015 · Fairphone 6+🌳
The lack of NFC was specifically the feature wyh I didn't buy the OP2, and ain't interested. After my Nexus 4 and my Z3C (work phone), I am NFCed up everywhere. Even the car has a little NFC tag in the space I use for the phone, making it connect to the bluetooth and starting Google Play Music.
DrumNTech 20 points · Aug 2015 · V10, Fossil Q Founder, Nexus 7 2013
This exactly what I was thinking at launch. I understand some corners have to be cut (despite the "never settle" slogan) but saying that they didn't include NFC because people didn't use it last time is silly. Just because in the last year people didn't use it, doesn't mean future customers don't want to use it especially if NFC becomes more useful with Android Pay.
I hardly ever use my IR blaster on my phone, but when I needed to turn off a TV in an empty waiting room so I can read I was very happy to have that feature. Same can be said for NFC. Just because you don't have a use for it now doesn't mean it won't be useful later.
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