OnePlus One or Zenfone 2?

[Root]

So I decided that I'm either getting the OnePlus One or the ASUS Zenfone 2. Still not sure which one I'll be getting but I'll be purchasing either one by the end of next month. The OnePlus One will cost me $480 CAD while the Zenfone 2 will cost me $420 CAD. I was going to get a different used phone but I decided to go brand new. I'll mostly be taking photos/videos, media consumption (Netflix, YouTube, and stored TV Shows/Movies) by using the built-in speakers and sometimes headphones, and some gaming. This will be my first Android phone since I'm coming from a iPhone 5C. Both phones will come with 64GB of storage but I like the Zenfone 2 for the micro-SD card expansion. Also, the strength of the screen (scratch resistant) isn't an issue as I'll be purchasing a glass screen protector for either phone (Phantom Glass for OnePlus One and some random brand for Zenfone 2).

[techguru]

one plus 2 will be out soon

wait for that

[Bogica]

one plus 2 will be out soon

wait for that

^

That.

Both of those phones are great. However, since you will be consuming a ton of media on it, you might want to compare screens.

[Root]

one plus 2 will be out soon

wait for that

Isn't it going to be an invite system? If so, not sure if I can get an invite and not willing to spend money on an invite (guessing that people sell their invites).

[Root]

^

That.

Both of those phones are great. However, since you will be consuming a ton of media on it, you might want to compare screens.

I can only buy one at the moment, so I'll be going based off of reviews/comparisons.

[Swndlr]

wait for one plus 2!!

[techguru]

Isn't it going to be an invite system? If so, not sure if I can get an invite and not willing to spend money on an invite (guessing that people sell their invites).

I can get you one..I know some of the devs

[Root]

I can get you one..I know some of the devs

If you can that would be great and would definitely get the OnePlus Two then.

[mrswagbhinav]

OnePlus Two is coming but I'm not sure if there'll be another invite system or if the pricing will even be the same. The OnePlus One took a year to release normally too. So wait till the OnePlus Two is "released" then decide.

[Root]

OnePlus Two is coming but I'm not sure if there'll be another invite system or if the pricing will even be the same. The OnePlus One took a year to release normally too. So wait till the OnePlus Two is "released" then decide.

I may do that depending on the release date. If it's planned to release in September then I will get the OnePlus One/Zenfone 2. But, hopefully the rumors are right and it gets released in late-June or in July. The reason I wouldn't wait until September, if that becomes the release date, is because I'm selling my iPhone 5C afterwards and the value will go down even more in September/October (can currently sell it for $200-250 but waiting until I get a new phone first).

[ThE_MarD]

Heyyo,

Eh, I wouldn't wait for the OnePlus 2 tbh... Yeah it'll have a faster SoC... but will it make the OnePlus One obsolete? I doubt it. One of the only things I hope the OnePlus 2 has is the front facing dual speakers... the dual mono bottom facing speakers on the OnePlus One are ok but eh, Would have definitely prefered front facing.

 

I'll mostly be taking photos/videos

Right there? Without a doubt OnePlus One. It's got a VASTLY superior camera.

Even Linus found the camera on the Zenfone 2 to bet a let down.

So do you prefer extra storage or camera? Up to you in the end, but that's really the major deciding factor between OnePlus One and Asus Zenfone 2.

Just so you know? I picked OnePlus One myself tbh. I freaking love this device. Got it in February 2015 and have been loving it.

[Root]

Heyyo,

Eh, I wouldn't wait for the OnePlus 2 tbh... Yeah it'll have a faster SoC... but will it make the OnePlus One obsolete? I doubt it. One of the only things I hope the OnePlus 2 has is the front facing dual speakers... the dual mono bottom facing speakers on the OnePlus One are ok but eh, Would have definitely prefered front facing.

 

Right there? Without a doubt OnePlus One. It's got a VASTLY superior camera.

Even Linus found the camera on the Zenfone 2 to bet a let down.

So do you prefer extra storage or camera? Up to you in the end, but that's really the major deciding factor between OnePlus One and Asus Zenfone 2.

Just so you know? I picked OnePlus One myself tbh. I freaking love this device. Got it in February 2015 and have been loving it.

Thank you for the info. I have also watched both videos many times as deciding is hard. What I may do, depending on NCIX's return policy, is buy the Zenfone 2, try it out and if I don't like it I would return it. I prefer front facing speakers but it isn't an issue for me (had a HTC One M8 for 3 days before I sold it, basically "flipped" the phone for $40 profit) as I use headphones most of the time. The only thing I don't like about the OnePlus One is the OS, as it isn't that much customization but would probably install CM OS.

[Root]

OnePlus Two is coming but I'm not sure if there'll be another invite system or if the pricing will even be the same. The OnePlus One took a year to release normally too. So wait till the OnePlus Two is "released" then decide.

It's going to be an invite system at first. This is confirmed since no other information has been given since OnePlus's blog post in April.

[ThE_MarD]

Heyyo,

The only thing I don't like about the OnePlus One is the OS, as it isn't that much customization but would probably install CM OS.

Err... OnePlus One still comes stock with CyanogenMod.

OnePlus 2 will come stock with OxygenOS.

For the price difference though? I still say the OnePlus One is the better device. I'm sure the Asus Zenfone 2 will have a decent camera though as it seems to perform similar to the HTC One's Ultrapixel camera... good low light shots but very "meh" for everything else plus noise in photos. So if you were ok with the quality from the HTC One M8's camera? It's about the same.

I came from the HTC One M7 though... and ugh, lol, I didn't like that camera. It felt like a downgrade from my iPhone 4s... but that's just me.

You can try NCIX and see what their refund policy is on smartphones no doubt. Definitely stress test the camera if you do and see what you think. It's the weakest part of the Asus Zenfone 2.

Weakest part to the OnePlus One? I'd say the speakers. They're mono, they're decent but... they're on the bottom. UGH! Wish they were front facing much like the awesome ones on the Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3... pretty much same design too on the front heh so makes me hopeful OnePlus does something similar on the OnePlus 2... but I probably won't buy one tbh. I enjoy my OnePlus One and I probably won't upgrade for a few years.

[Root]

Heyyo,

Err... OnePlus One still comes stock with CyanogenMod.

OnePlus 2 will come stock with OxygenOS.

For the price difference though? I still say the OnePlus One is the better device. I'm sure the Asus Zenfone 2 will have a decent camera though as it seems to perform similar to the HTC One's Ultrapixel camera... good low light shots but very "meh" for everything else plus noise in photos. So if you were ok with the quality from the HTC One M8's camera? It's about the same.

I came from the HTC One M7 though... and ugh, lol, I didn't like that camera. It felt like a downgrade from my iPhone 4s... but that's just me.

You can try NCIX and see what their refund policy is on smartphones no doubt. Definitely stress test the camera if you do and see what you think. It's the weakest part of the Asus Zenfone 2.

Weakest part to the OnePlus One? I'd say the speakers. They're mono, they're decent but... they're on the bottom. UGH! Wish they were front facing much like the awesome ones on the Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3... pretty much same design too on the front heh so makes me hopeful OnePlus does something similar on the OnePlus 2... but I probably won't buy one tbh. I enjoy my OnePlus One and I probably won't upgrade for a few years.

Oh, I thought all new OnePlus Ones come with OxygenOS, guess I was wrong. I wish I could get the OneTouch Idol 3 but can't find any place that ships/sells to Canada (importing, even from the US, will cost more. Plus conversion fees).

 

I'm definitely going to check NCIX's return policy on smartphones as I'll be buying my laptop for college from there as well (hence why I would be buying the Zenfone 2 from NCIX). I liked the HTC One M8's camera, however, I've only used 4 smartphones with good/decent cameras (iPhone 4, 4S, 5C, and HTC One M8). The speakers position isn't an issue for me on the OnePlus One as I'm used to the iPhone speaker position.

 

I think my decision will come when I buy my laptop, next month. If I can get an invite, and if the pricing is similar to the Zenfone 2/OnePlus One, I might get the OnePlus Two if it releases next month.

 

Thank you for your help. You've given me more information and a lot more to think of.

[Guest]

I have owned both phones I and I have to say that my experience with OnePlus wasn't great at all. I started to get the dreaded touchscreen issues that are very common on the phone. OnePlus support wouldn't help me at all, and I just ended up getting the Zenfone 2. It's a really good phone, but I find it unusable until I set the dpi to 400 through adb. The only thing I like better about the OnePlus is that it has good developer support and lots of roms to choose from.

[Aniallation]

OnePlus One over Zenfone 2 anyday. 

 

Better camera, better display, better sound, much better battery life

[Guest]

OnePlus One over Zenfone 2 anyday.

Better camera, better display, better sound, much better battery life

Both have around the same battery life from my experience even with Franco kernel and amplify on the OnePlus. Plus Qualcomm Quick Charge on the Zenfone is a plus too.

[Guest]

Both have around the same battery life from my experience. Even with Franco kernel and amplify installed on the OnePlus. Plus Qualcomm Quick Charge on the Zenfone is a plus too.

Please ignore this, I apologise

[ThE_MarD]

Heyyo,

 

Oh, I thought all new OnePlus Ones come with OxygenOS, guess I was wrong. I wish I could get the OneTouch Idol 3 but can't find any place that ships/sells to Canada (importing, even from the US, will cost more. Plus conversion fees).

 

I'm definitely going to check NCIX's return policy on smartphones as I'll be buying my laptop for college from there as well (hence why I would be buying the Zenfone 2 from NCIX). I liked the HTC One M8's camera, however, I've only used 4 smartphones with good/decent cameras (iPhone 4, 4S, 5C, and HTC One M8). The speakers position isn't an issue for me on the OnePlus One as I'm used to the iPhone speaker position.

 

I think my decision will come when I buy my laptop, next month. If I can get an invite, and if the pricing is similar to the Zenfone 2/OnePlus One, I might get the OnePlus Two if it releases next month.

 

Thank you for your help. You've given me more information and a lot more to think of.

You're very welcome!

As for Canadian availability of the Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3? I KNOW! It's so lame that it's not available easily in Canada other than via mark ups in costs via third party resellers sigh... plus customs would charge an extra on top. OnePlus before fixing their shipping fees to Canada was about $40 in customs fees. The Alcatel Onetouch Idol 3 is a very damn good device. Even the Qualcom SnapDragon 615 that powers it isn't too bad tbh.

Oh snap! Actually? For $300 CAD? The Sony Xperia M4 Aqua just went on sale here in Canada w00t! Some carrier I've never heard of is first to get it but others are supposed to follow with of course Telus, Bell and the other big names.

http://www.videotron.com/residential/mobile/devices-and-accessories/phones/sony-xperia-m4-aqua#/!

That's a damn compelling device for that price. It pits itself directly against the Alcatel Onetouch Idol 3 but offers of course Sony's water and dust resistance.

Sony is decent for their Android updates speed and luckily have changed their tone on unlocking the bootloader so it shouldn't be too terrible these days to do it on their devices... M4 Aqua not supported at this moment though:

http://developer.sonymobile.com/unlockbootloader/

 

Please ignore this, I apologise

You can edit out parts of your post if you don't like it tbh.

[Sushicat89]

OnePlus Two is coming out soon, I personally own a OnePlus One and I love it

[Root]

Heyyo,

 

You're very welcome!

As for Canadian availability of the Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3? I KNOW! It's so lame that it's not available easily in Canada other than via mark ups in costs via third party resellers sigh... plus customs would charge an extra on top. OnePlus before fixing their shipping fees to Canada was about $40 in customs fees. The Alcatel Onetouch Idol 3 is a very damn good device. Even the Qualcom SnapDragon 615 that powers it isn't too bad tbh.

Oh snap! Actually? For $300 CAD? The Sony Xperia M4 Aqua just went on sale here in Canada w00t! Some carrier I've never heard of is first to get it but others are supposed to follow with of course Telus, Bell and the other big names.

http://www.videotron.com/residential/mobile/devices-and-accessories/phones/sony-xperia-m4-aqua#/!

That's a damn compelling device for that price. It pits itself directly against the Alcatel Onetouch Idol 3 but offers of course Sony's water and dust resistance.

Sony is decent for their Android updates speed and luckily have changed their tone on unlocking the bootloader so it shouldn't be too terrible these days to do it on their devices... M4 Aqua not supported at this moment though:

http://developer.sonymobile.com/unlockbootloader/

 

You can edit out parts of your post if you don't like it tbh.

I'm actually probably going to get the LG G3 by the end of this week (hopefully) as Koodo Mobile dropped the price from $410 to $360. That's unless Koodo Mobile increases the price.

[Guest]

You can edit out parts of your post if you don't like it tbh.

No, I accidentally hit quote instead of edit, and I could do anything about it because I was on mobile.

[Mew]

one plus 2 will be out soon

wait for that

Don't wait for that. If you think about it, there's no good upgrade in terms of cpu that they can go with- 810 will overheat and thus they will have to throttle it resulting in a downgrade. They most likely won't be able to acquire samsung's new exynos chips, but maybe the old ones which, at best, will perform the same as the 801. They can go 808, but that's going to choke when you multitask because of the still rather low ipc and the 2 big cores. So, in terms of performance, there's no reason to wait for the new one. Maybe they'll fix all the problems the current one has, but that's pretty much the only big thing that they'll change imo.

Idk what the prices for other phones are in Canada, but I would definitely not get the Zenfone 2. At its asking price of $300 for the best model, you can get a refurb m8 which is better or the 5s which a well balanced phone.

[Root]

Don't wait for that. If you think about it, there's no good upgrade in terms of cpu that they can go with- 810 will overheat and thus they will have to throttle it resulting in a downgrade. They most likely won't be able to acquire samsung's new exynos chips, but maybe the old ones which, at best, will perform the same as the 801. They can go 808, but that's going to choke when you multitask because of the still rather low ipc and the 2 big cores. So, in terms of performance, there's no reason to wait for the new one. Maybe they'll fix all the problems the current one has, but that's pretty much the only big thing that they'll change imo.

Idk what the prices for other phones are in Canada, but I would definitely not get the Zenfone 2. At its asking price of $300 for the best model, you can get a refurb m8 which is better or the 5s which a well balanced phone.

Thank you for the info. The Zenfone 2 would cost me $380-400 (plus tax/shipping) for the top model. I'm not looking to get a used M8 as they sell for $400+ used and I'm switching to Android from Apple so I wouldn't be getting a iPhone 5S. Plus the cost of the 5S would be $450-500+ used for a 32GB or higher (hate 16GB models). And, going with used means no warranty and the battery could have degraded since it was first purchased.

 

I'm probably going with the LG G3 as Koodo Mobile is selling it for $360 brand new, which, is cheaper than the OnePlus One (64GB of storage) and the ASUS Zenfone 2 (4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage).