The OnePlus 3 is one of the fastest (and least explosive) big smartphones that you can currently buy. But it was released before Qualcomm unleashed its new Snapdragon 821 processor, and OnePlus doesn’t like having outdated specs.
As a result, it looks like OnePlus is planning on releasing a version of the OnePlus 3 with bumped-up specs called the OnePlus 3T.
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A device with model number A3010 has already made its way through the China Compulsory Certification, similar to when devices pass FCC tests in the US. Confirmation that a new device is on the way also comes from a OnePlus designer, who published to his Weibo account from a device identified as the OnePlus 3T.
Rumors suggest that the 3T is a version of the OnePlus 3 with a faster processor (T for turbo?), presumably the Snapdragon 821. The current OnePlus 3 has a Snapdragon 820 clocked at 2.15GHz, while the Snapdragon 821 is typically clocked at around 2.4GHz.
Apart from the processor, the OnePlus 3 still has some of the best specs out there. Some versions come with 6GB of RAM, which when paired with a now-standard aluminum body and fingerprint sensor make for a compelling smartphone.
OnePlus will be staying with Optic AMOLED displays for the foreseeable future.
— Carl Pei (@getpeid) October 13, 2016
One other rumor surrounding OnePlus is a move away from optic AMOLED panels. A shortage of AMOLED panels has driven up prices and made them difficult to find recently, but OnePlus founder Carl Pei has tweeted that the company will be staying with AMOLED panels “for the foreseeable future.” OLED displays are known for their lower power draw and better contrast than traditional LCD panels.
