Should I Trust The OnePlus 5T?

As the OnePlus 5T is released worldwide, we've discussed the lifecycle of each OnePlus device – and the software updates therein. Upon setting out the entirety of OnePlus' short company history, it's clear that this is no ordinary brand. Updates come quicker in some areas, and not at all in others – this is no Apple, that's for sure.

OnePlus has no stated lifecycle for software updates on the OnePlus 5T. OnePlus does not guarantee any software updates whatsoever, but has been relatively reasonable with big updates to their newer phones over the past couple of years. That is aside from security updates, which OnePlus seems to be largely on-the-ball with across the board.

OnePlus phones purchased from OnePlus dot net officially come with a one-year limited warranty. "This warranty covers the hardware components of the Product as originally supplied," according to OnePlus, "and does not cover, or partially covers, software, [etc]."

The OnePlus 2 was released one year (to the month) before the release of Android 7.0 Nougat. The OnePlus 2 stopped getting updates to new versions of its operating system before that time, and did not receive an update to Nougat of any sort. OnePlus was given some public flak for moving on to their next device before updating their 2 to the newest OS.

OnePlus 3 was released in June of 2016 and discontinued by the end of 2016. OnePlus 3T was released in December of 2016 and discontinued completely in May of 2017. OnePlus suggested that both devices would be updated together until both of their lives as updated phones.

OnePlus said that Android 8.0 Oreo will be the last operating system update for the OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T. Those devices began on Android 7.0 Nougat. OnePlus suggested also that the OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T will get "security patch updates for the foreseeable future."

While Oreo will be the last ANDROID update to the OnePlus 3 and 3T, OnePlus added, "Rest assured, the official Android O update won't be the last OxygenOS update for OP3/3T. We will continue to follow up on the feedback from the community and roll out incremental updates."

OxygenOS is the OnePlus portion of the software included with any OnePlus smartphone. While it has "OS" in its name, it's not a fully independent operating system as such. OxygenOS is analogous to the interior lining, paint, and details on the vehicle where the vehicle's motor and chassis are Android.

There's also a open beta program for OnePlus devices. That program will give software builds to users early, but won't go past the final public update for any one device.

Trusting OnePlus isn't the same as trusting a larger brand like Google or Apple. Apple guarantees 3 years of operating system updates for new iPhones, while Google phones (Pixel, etc) are guaranteed updates for two years. They make these guarantees in part because they're competing with one-another.

OnePlus is not in direct competition with Google or Apple. They're still a relatively new company (on the surface, at least), and I don't expect them to start making software promises for a few years from now – if ever. I trust OnePlus to update their newest smartphone just about as long as they've got time before their next smartphone release.

As for trust in other software – that's a different can of worms entirely. Consider the back door for your next reading.