The OnePlus 7 Pro Revisited: Did This Game-Changer Age Well?

OnePlus 7 Pro : Before “flagship killers” became commonplace, the OnePlus 7 Pro exploded onto the scene with a bold claim: a truly seamless screen. In 2019, it wasn’t just another high-spec phone; it was a statement. It challenged the industry’s norms and forced everyone to reconsider what a premium Android phone could be without a four-figure price tag. Years later, does this iconic device still hold up? Let’s take a look back.

The Showstopper: A Screen Without Compromise

The OnePlus 7 Pro’s most defining feature was its display. At a time when notches and punch-holes were the standard solutions for housing front-facing cameras, OnePlus took a radical approach.

• The True Full-Screen Experience: The 6.67-inch Fluid AMOLED display was completely uninterrupted. There was no notch, no hole-punch, no distraction—just a stunning, immersive canvas from edge to edge.

• Butterly Smooth 90Hz Refresh Rate: While its screen was beautiful, its smoothness was revolutionary. The 90Hz refresh rate (a step up from the standard 60Hz) made every interaction—scrolling through social media, navigating menus, playing games—feel incredibly fluid and responsive. This single feature kicked off the high-refresh-rate race we see in every phone today.

• QHD+ Resolution: With a sharp Quad HD+ resolution and HDR10+ support, it was simply one of the best viewing experiences available in 2019, perfect for media consumption and gaming.

The Pop-Up Camera: A Daring Solution

How did OnePlus achieve that flawless screen? With a mechanical pop-up front camera. This motorized module would elegantly rise from the top frame when needed for selfies or face unlock and retract when not in use. It was a clever, futuristic, and fun engineering solution that added a unique character to the device. While some questioned its long-term durability, many units have proven to be remarkably reliable.

Performance That Still Impresses

Under the hood, the OnePlus 7 Pro was an absolute powerhouse equipped with the top-tier Snapdragon 855 processor. Paired with generous UFS 3.0 storage and up to 12GB of RAM, its performance was blistering fast.

• Speed in 2024: Even by today’s standards, the Snapdragon 855 holds up remarkably well for everyday tasks. It handles social media, web browsing, multimedia streaming, and even most modern games without breaking a significant sweat. The experience is still fast, though it may not match the peak sustained performance of the latest chips.

The Camera System: Good, But Showing Its Age

The triple camera system was a major step up for OnePlus at the time. It featured a sharp 48MP main sensor, a 16MP ultra-wide lens, and an 8MP 3x telephoto lens. It produced excellent photos in good lighting, with vibrant colors and good detail.

However, this is where the phone shows its age most clearly. Compared to modern computational photography standards, its low-light performance (Nightscape was in its early days) and video capabilities can’t compete with current mid-range or flagship phones. It was great then, but is simply outclassed now.

Fact Check: Key Considerations in 2024

• Claim: The OnePlus 7 Pro is a good buy in 2024.

• Fact Check: Context-Dependent. As a primary daily driver, it comes with caveats.

  • Software Support: Official software support from OnePlus has ended. The phone stopped receiving official Android version updates after Android 12 and regular security patches. This is its biggest drawback for long-term use.

  • Battery Health: Any phone from 2019 will have a battery that has degraded through charge cycles. Expect to need a replacement for full-day endurance.