OnePlus X review

OnePlus may only be on its third handset with the 5-inch OnePlus X, but its predecessors have both been very well received. The OnePlus One and OnePlus 2 both represented excellent value for money, and that’s the target for the OnePlus X too. Anyone with around £200 to spend on a phone will struggle to find a match for this handset in terms of build quality and features, and its dual SIM support will appeal to many.

Be aware, though, that you can only buy the OnePlus X by invitation. Just sign up at the OnePlus website and you’ll be told when a handset is available.

There are two versions of the OnePlus X — Onyx and Ceramic. This relates only to the chassis manufacture. In all other respects the versions are identical.

Ceramic is the heavier and more expensive choice — 160g and £269 versus 138g and £199 — and has 25-day manufacturing time, according to OnePlus. Its scratch resistance is top class, with a rating of 8.5 on the Mohs scale that’s used to measure gemstone hardness — diamond, the hardest gem, has a rating of 10. So, if scratch resistance is your thing, then the Ceramic edition may appeal, but numbers are limited and as we write this model is sold out on the OnePlus website.

The Onyx edition comes a very close second in terms of build quality. It’s made from black glass on a metal bezel, and the backplate of our review unit was smooth, sleek and shiny. It is somewhat slippery under the fingers, though, so you’ll appreciate the transparent gel bumper case that comes in the box. This does hide some of the nice design but provides a better grip.