OnePlus 5: Above and Beyond The "Nexus Niche" In 2017

The OnePlus 3 is here and it is proving a popular choice with punters, but how can OnePlus improve on it with 2017’s OnePlus 5?

OnePlus, despite its humble beginnings, is one of the most prominent brands in the Android space. What’s even more impressive is that the company has achieved global recognition in the space of three years, which is immensely impressive when you consider the costly barriers to entry and competitive nature of the mobile space at large.

Things kicked off with the OnePlus One and OnePlus’ infamous invite system. The company established itself using limited funds and by focussing on community building and covert, targeted marketing on popular social networks. OnePlus apparently spent less than $30,000 doing this and the net result was immensely impressive — in a matter of months EVERYBODY knew about them.

Since then, OnePlus has grown and grown, refining its business, developing its own software and, mercifully, moved away from its invite-system. The OnePlus 3 was the first flagship handset from the company to be available to ALL, not just those lucky enough to blag an invite, which is sign that OnePlus, not just as a brand, but as a corporate entity, is evolving beyond its embryonic start-up phase.

As is the case with Apple, Samsung and Google, once a current flagship is official, all eyes turn to what’s next. In this context, we’re talking about the OnePlus 4 which will now almost certainly be in testing. But what will this handset bring to the fray? How will it develop on the momentum established by the OnePlus 3? And, most importantly, how will it innovate?

The rise of OnePlus’ global brand has been rapid and very impressive. Even more so when you factor in the constrained budget the company has operated under since day one.

Often referred to as the natural heir to Google’s Nexus sony replacement parts niche, OnePlus will almost certainly be looking to drive above and beyond this in 2017, making itself one of the mobile space’s most visible and recommended brands.

OnePlus competes on pricing. In this respect it has few equals, particularly at the top of the market. Yes, there are plenty of cheaper Android phones available but none have the brand appeal, specs and overall sheen of OnePlus’ releases.

For this reason – and a whole bunch more – OnePlus is now very much one of the most important brands in the Android htc parts space.

OnePlus 5 Release Date: When You'll Be Able To Buy The OnePlus 5

When will the OnePlus 5 get a release date? Good question. As it stands, no one really knows anything official as of right now.

However, based on past releases, we’re pretty confident the OnePlus 5 will arrive at some point during H2 2017. This has been when OnePlus usually releases new hardware and we don’t expect the OnePlus 5 to be any different.

Current rumours suggest a release at some point between either May and July. This gives OnePlus a chance to miss clashing with all of Samsung, HTC and LG’s big releases which usually happen inside Q1 of each new year.

Competition will be stiff inside the Android space this year with big releases from all the major players. The biggest will likely by the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy Note 8, closely followed by the LG G6 and HTC 11.

Apple, of course, will debut its new iPhone 8 handsets towards the end of the year, leaving OnePlus a nice, quiet spot during the early summer to get its new handset out.