Even by the standards of OnePlus's[1] previous product refresh timelines, the OnePlus 6[2] (Review[3]) has had a very short life. Just five months after its launch, it's already out of stock[4] and effectively dead, making way for the predictably named OnePlus 6T[5]. The company has told us in the past that it isn't interested in sitting around and waiting[6] for a predetermined amount of time if it has new technology to ship, and we take that to mean that it doesn't ever want competitors' products to seem newer and fresher. It's an approach that has worked well so far, and no one's expecting buyers to upgrade with every single release.
In the past, successive models have usually meant moving to a better processor[7], delivering improved cameras[8], or adopting new industry trends[9] or standards. This time, it's all about a new fingerprint sensor[10] and a smaller notch[11] – oh, and the company's first ever partnership with a US carrier[12], which is probably the biggest reason to whip up a new model this soon. The OnePlus 6T — with a new fingerprint reader and a smaller notch — is perhaps the company's most minor refresh ever[13] in terms of hardware, but it could be the most significant in terms of experimentation and strategy, and the evolution of OnePlus as a global player[14].
We're also intrigued by how the company is handling the removal of features[15], some of which it has championed in the past. Does gaining a powerful new global player mean losing the...