OnePlus X Shelf

OnePlus X is official: here are specs, pricing, and launch date details

Although details surrounding the phone were kept under wraps, OnePlus X was never really that big of a secret. OnePlus has been talking about introducing a smaller, even more affordable handset this year since the OnePlus 2 was made official.

Officially unveiled at a press event in London, the OnePlus X follows a trend we’ve been seeing a lot from manufactures this year. Like Apple, you don’t have to pack a smartphone with insanely high-end hardware that will probably be lost on the casual user. Instead, manufacturers like Motorola, HTC, and OnePlus have begun introducing premium feeling handsets with mostly mid-range specs that offer a great users experience, while still remaining easy on the wallet.

The OnePlus X is just that. Coming in at $250, the OnePlus X is priced aggressively and goes to head-to-head with devices like the unlocked Motorola Moto G (2015). Instead of using newer, lower-end processors like the Snapdragon 400 or 615, OnePlus is reaching all the way back to 2014 and equipping the device with a quad-core Snapdragon 801 (same as last year’s HTC One M8 and Samsung Galaxy S5). You can find the rest of the spec sheet down below.

OnePlus X specs

US & Canada carrier bands

Europe & Asia carrier bands

The OnePlus X will come in 2 different models: Onyx with the standard glass back and and a limited edition Ceramic version for Europe and India that comes with a +€100 premium. Why so much more expensive? It probably has something to do with the complex manufacturing process involved in making a single OnePlus X ceramic back cover, in which only 10,000 units will be made available for purchase.

According to OnePlus, the entire process takes 25 days and involves fire baking the .5mm thick zirconia mold for more than 28 hours before it’s cooled for 2 full days. After polishing it up, the ceramic back carries a hardness of 8.5H on the Mohs scale and weighs 5.64oz. OnePlus CEO Pete Lau had this to say about the phone:

“Today’s smartphone user strives to find the perfect balance of style and performance. The OnePlus X is a design­centric device ­ chic and powerful enough to fit any lifestyle.”

Pricing and availability

The standard OnePlus X Onyx (glass back) will be available in Europe and India on OnePlus.Net with an invite starting November 5th for €269.00. After that, the OnePlus X will be available in the US starting on November 19th for $250, followed by the launch of the limited edition Ceramic model (only 10,000 units) in Europe and India on November 24th for €369.00.

OnePlus says you’ll only need an invite the first month and as they begin to scale up production, you’ll start seeing weekly open sales during the 2nd month of availability, followed by full-on sales after that. Here’s how you’ll be able to secure an invite:

When it comes to accessories, OnePlus seems to have their bases covered. Even though the OnePlus X comes out of the box with its own clear TPU case, the lack of interchangeable backs like on the OnePlus 2 means they had to get creative. Although the OnePlus X comes with its own clear TPU case out of the box, several other first party cases were also shown off at the event in various colors and finishes. Here’s the pricing for those:

Also announced were the new OnePlus Icons in-ear premium headphones, launching sometime in November for around $50.

It’s been said that the Motorola Moto G was “the best deal on a good Android phone,” but the OnePlus X is certainly giving it a run for its money. The biggest difference between the two is that you can go online and buy the Moto G right now without a single hoops to jump through, meanwhile the OnePlus X still requires would-be customers suffer through OnePlus’ usual invite system. Just seems like a lot of work for a premium feeling, mid-range Android device.

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