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The Year OnePlus Started Ignoring Fans (venturebeat.com)

Posted by msmash on from the never-settle-to-becoming-complacent dept.

OnePlus has made a name for itself selling devices that punch above the price class. The Chinese smartphone maker has also built a loyal fanbase by proactively reaching out to its users and incorporating the changes and suggestions they make in its product lineup. But as the company grows bigger and embarks on a new journey -- entering the United States -- it is increasingly turning a blind eye to its community. From a story: To get the whole picture, we have to look at all of 2018. OnePlus releases two phones per year, and it makes sure to hype these before each debut. This year was the same in this regard, except for the obvious fan backlash. I'm of course talking about notches and headphone jacks. In March, OnePlus cofounder Carl Pei tweeted that users should "learn to love the notch." The outcry was so great that Pei deleted the tweet. The OnePlus 6 of course launched in May with a notch. Earlier in March, Pei also tweeted his usual annual poll about headphone jacks. The OnePlus 6T, which started shipping in the U.S. on November 1 and will hit the rest of the world on November 6, has a smaller "teardrop" notch. But as you likely already know, it doesn't have a headphone jack. [...] It's a bizarre set of decisions given OnePlus has always prided itself on giving its fans exactly what they want. This year, OnePlus seems to be happily pushing its fans to Samsung, which at least for now still offers headphone jacks in all its phones and has completely ignored the ugly notch trend.

4 of 116 comments (clear)

  1. Ignoring or listening? by AmiMoJo · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Sure, some very vocal fans make a lot of noise about notches and headphone jacks, myself included, but do they represent the majority?

    The number of companies introducing notches and removing headphone jacks suggests that they must be getting some market feedback. Contrary to popular belief they don't all just copy Apple, they do extensive market surveys and testing with potential customers all through the prototype stage.

    It sucks but I have a feeling us notch hating headphone jack lovers are in the minority here. Most would prefer a bigger screen, battery and the like.

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    1. Re: Ignoring or listening? by c · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Do they want a full-width notch instead of a part-width notch?

      Yes. Ideally, on both the top and bottom, and put some freaking speakers there while you've got the real-estate. I'm sure it seems wasteful, but that's roughly the area I put my thumb when I'm holding the phone in landscape (mainly to shoot video, like god intended).

      And it's called a "bezel". You're allowed to say it; it's not a dirty word.

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    2. Re: Ignoring or listening? by squiggleslash · · Score: 3, Interesting

      No, the alternative is to have a bezel, an area of the phone that you can touch without it being treated as a control signal for the device's UI. If you're holding it in a landscape orientation, then having an area you can hold to the left of the device is invaluable.

      The notch isn't just taking up space, it's making the phone less usable. It's a stupid idea.

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  2. OnePlus - Never Settle by dkone · · Score: 3, Interesting

    OnePlus's motto is 'Never Settle' yet all they have done with their feature set is require you to compromise on the things users want/need. I was so excited when I saw the announcement about the 6T. I am not the person that reads upcoming phone specs nor do I obsess about them. I know I get a new phone every 2 years or so, it is the latest model and it will be sufficiently fast enough. When it is time to buy, then I look at specs. It is now time to buy. Samsung is dead to me after how they completely botched the entire Note 7 (yes I got that one on the first week of release... not fun with the recall, loaner phone, get back a second Note7, final recall, offered a Galaxy, switch to LG). Ultimately I have been pleased with my LG V20, but it is showing its age, so I figure I would go to the ThinQ 7 or V40, then I heard about the 6T. Then I looked at the specs of the 6T:

    No headphone jack - I can compromise on this one. I have a Sansa Clip for music and books. Bluetooth on the phone for external speakers is all I do anyway.

    Notch - I don't even see this as a comprise. Consumers want an edge to edge screen and they want a front facing camera. If it were up to me, I would go without a front facing camera, but will accept the notch. It is really not that big on the 6T.

    No replaceable battery - This one still burns my ass, but any modern phone has to be water resistant so whatever. My V20 has a replaceable battery and I have done so twice.

    Fingerprint reader in screen - this is good, I guess. I think it is a step backward from where LG has it on the back. I just think that on the front, in the bottom it will be awkward to one hand it for an unlock. I am sure it is not as bad as I am imagining and some hands on time with the phone would change my mind.

    No SD slot - FULL STOP, I WILL NOT BUY THIS PHONE. seriously this is the one that just blows my mind. I guess I am old school and don't trust the cloud.

    In the end I followed OnePlus's motto to "Never Settle" (on their phone) Looks like I will be sticking with LG. I don't mean that in a negative way, the LG has been a great phone, I was just really excited to try a stripped down version of Android.