OnePlus was rumoured to be launching a faster and more efficient follow-up to the OnePlus 3, thought to be called the OnePlus 3T. Here's how the early rumours stacked up against the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge — a phone already on shop shelves at the time of the report.
Design
Both handsets share an all-metal unibody build, with curved edges and a rear-mounted camera. The Galaxy S7 edge carries IP68 water and dust resistance, while the OnePlus 3T was tipped to remain a non-certified, splash-resistant device.
Display
The Galaxy S7 edge uses a 5.5-inch Quad HD dual-edge Super AMOLED panel. Early rumours suggested the OnePlus 3T would keep the OnePlus 3's 5.5-inch Full HD Optic AMOLED, continuing the OnePlus tradition of 1080p displays.
Camera
Samsung equipped the S7 edge with a 12-megapixel Dual Pixel sensor and bright f/1.7 lens. The OnePlus 3T was rumoured to upgrade to a Sony IMX398 sensor with the same 16-megapixel count as its predecessor.
Hardware
The Galaxy S7 edge runs on the Exynos 8890 with 4 GB of RAM. The OnePlus 3T was tipped to ship with the Snapdragon 821 and a generous 6 GB of RAM, giving it a notable advantage in multitasking.
Software
Samsung's flagship launched on Android 6.0 Marshmallow with TouchWiz. The OnePlus 3T was expected to ship with OxygenOS on top of Android 6.0 Marshmallow, closer to a stock experience.
Price
At the time, the Galaxy S7 edge retailed well above the OnePlus 3. The OnePlus 3T was rumoured to retain the OnePlus 3's pricing tier, keeping it noticeably cheaper than Samsung's curved flagship.
Quick spec rundown
| Area | OnePlus 3T (rumoured) | Samsung Galaxy S7 edge |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 5.5" Full HD Optic AMOLED | 5.5" Quad HD dual-edge Super AMOLED |
| Processor | Snapdragon 821 | Exynos 8890 |
| RAM | 6 GB | 4 GB |
| Camera | 16 MP Sony IMX398 (rumoured) | 12 MP Dual Pixel, f/1.7 |
| Software | OxygenOS on Android 6.0 | TouchWiz on Android 6.0 |
| Water resistance | None rated | IP68 |
The smartphone comparison landscape continues to evolve rapidly as manufacturers push the boundaries of performance and design. When evaluating flagship devices, consumers often weigh factors like processing speed, display quality, and camera capabilities against battery life and durability. The competition between major brands drives innovation, with each new generation offering meaningful improvements in areas such as display resolution, processor efficiency, and software optimization. Water resistance has become a sought-after feature, though not all devices carry official certification. Understanding these distinctions helps buyers make informed decisions based on their priorities, whether that means choosing a phone with the fastest processor, the best camera system, or the most reliable build quality for daily use.
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