OnePlus ‘Two’ details, launch date leaked, sort of

There were a lot of surprising moves in the smartphone industry in 2014, with Motorola as exhibit A – launching not one, not two, but three flagship level phones. There was also that thing where Apple reneged on Steve Jobs’ promise to never ever build a big phone. And then the OnePlus One happened – a flagship level phone that cost only USD$350 without contract subsidy. Today we’re hearing some whispers about what to expect from the next phone OnePlus will be putting out.

The OnePlus One was a virtual miracle in manufacturing and pricing. It had flagship level specs – specs that you wouldn’t dream of getting below USD$500 – but OnePlus was able to pull it off, uncomfortable and annoying purchasing process notwithstanding. Business Insider has published what it calls a “leak” on what the next generation phone from OnePlus might have, but it doesn’t feel like a “leak” at all – it feels like an executive from the company talking in very general terms.

First, the article says that there will be more customizability. The OnePlus One supposedly had a number of customizable back covers, but good luck trying to buy the smartphone first. The “invite only” process made the back covers a moot point. Hopefully, they fix that. Second, the article says that the phone will still be cheaper than most flagship level phones off contract. The price being bandied around is “less than USD$500”. While this still sounds relatively good, it doesn’t bode well for the consumers thinking the next phone will still be USD$350.

Lastly, the article says that there will be “surprises in store” when it comes to hardware. This last statement is the one that convinced me that the source might really be a OnePlus exec. This, ladies and gents, is not a “leak” – this is a marketing/hyping ploy. Nice try, OnePlus. Do better next time. The China-based company even released teaser that’s trying to be cute – pegging the launch date at the date Darwin’s “Origin of the Species” was published. I wonder if many people got that at all.

SOURCE: Business Insider