CASE STUDY

OnePlus is a classic case of how to build a successful brand very quickly, and then destroy it just as quickly. They will make for a good case study in business schools. This is what happens when you let go of your key man and hire the wrong people.

BACKGROUND

in April 2016, I wanted to buy a mid range device that offered great performance, and offered a clean software experience. The choice was easy: OnePlus 3T. The ability to easily root the device was another important consideration back then. Now in 2023, rooting isn't attractive anymore, and much of what was earlier possible only on rooted devices, is now possible on non-rooted devices. Examples would be ad-free experience, YouTube without ads, Firewall, etc. I wish Android would some day offer backup of App Data. Not sure why this important aspect isn't available yet.

I have the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and the OnePlus 8T. There are some pretty annoying things about Oxygen OS 13, so I wanted to try out another device. I first thought of getting the iQOO 11, then decided against it because, for its price, it wouldn't do anything that my S22U can't do, despite having newer processor, RAM, storage, etc.

DEVICES SHORTLISTED

I was looking for a device (preferably mid range) that fills in the gaps that my existing devices have left open. The features I was looking for was an IR Blaster, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, FM radio, Hi-Res audio, 3.5mm audio jack, fast charging, flat screen, etc. Above all, a different software experience.

These were the devices that were shortlisted:

1. Poco F4

2. Redmi K50i

3. iQOO 9 SE

4. iQOO Neo 6

5. Nothing Phone (1)

6. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE

7. Google Pixel 7

Xiaomi devices were ruled out because they don't allow gesture navigation with 3rd party launchers, which is a deal breaker for me. Plus their cameras are bad. So even though they are the only devices in the market to support Dolby Vision, FM radio, Hi-Res audio, etc. I still had to rule them out.

iQOO 9 SE doesn't have an IR Blaster.

Nothing Phone (1) doesn't have an IR Blaster, and the software experience is close to Stock Android, which isn't to my liking as it lacks several useful features.

S21 FE: Ruled out because it would offer almost identical software experience as my S22U.

Pixel 7 had only one thing to offer: Voice Recording with offline transcription. There is an older version of Google Recorder that I have installed on my S22U which supports offline transcription. As far as it's camera is concerned, that wasn't too important because my S22U is my primary device, and it takes pictures and videos as good as or better than any other device in the market.

That left me with just one device: iQOO Neo 6. :)

FINALIZING THE DEVICE

I finalized the iQOO Neo 6 . OnePlus devices were out of consideration not just because I already have one, but also because they are no match to iQOO phones, especially camera.